Electric Ireland Fitzgibbon Cup Final

UL 1-21 NUIG 2-15

Mikey Kiely’s goal deep into stoppage time capped a remarkable UL rally as Brian Ryan’s team struck 1-5 without reply late on to claim the Fitzgibbon Cup title.

Trailing by four five points with four minutes of normal time remaining UL finished strongly against an Evan Niland inspired NUIG.

In a dramatic conclusion to the game NUIG had Cian Lynch sent off when leading by 2-15 to 0-17 as UL poured forward in search of scores.

When Ciaran Connolly landed a delightful effort from play UL were back trading on level terms in additional time.

Kiely, the hero at the penultimate stage too, then mined a goal for UL as NUIG were left to reflect on what might have been.

In an error strewn opening period NUIG still went in satisfied to lead at the interval by 2-7 to 0-9.

Two splendid goals from John Fleming and Mark Kennedy were the key scores for Jeffrey Lynskey’s outfit.

Tight and tense early on with both teams struggling to convert chances NUIG were 0-4 to 0-3 ahead when Fleming pounced to score a 16th minute goal.

Ian McGlynn’s sideline cut spilled favourably for Fleming, who dashed clear before poking the sliotar past Dean Mason.

UL, though, replied with three points in quick succession from Mikey Kiely, Ciaran Connolly, and Bryan O’Mara.

Two frees from Evan Niland had NUIG three in front when Conor Walsh fashioned space for Kennedy to drill another goal.

Three of the last four first half points were clipped by UL’s Gearóid O’Connor, but NUIG still held an advantage at the turnaround.

When the action recommenced UL struck five points on the spin with Kiely and Gearóid O’Connor effective.

Niland then replied with five scores on the trot for NUIG, who eventually held a 2-15 to 0-16 cushion in the 56th minute.

UL, though, ploughed on defiantly with substitute Brian O’Sullivan firing over a crucial point to launch a stirring comeback mission.

O’Connor (2), Bryan O’Grady, and Connolly clipped points to ensure UL were back trading on terms prior to Kiely’s last gasp goalscoring intervention.

Scorers for UL: Gearóid O’Connor 0-9 (7fs, 165), Mikey Kiely 1-2, Bryan O’Mara 0-4 (3fs) Ciaran Connolly 0-3, Ross Hayes, Brian O’Sullivan and Brian O’Grady 0-1 each.

Scorers for NUIG: Evan Niland 0-14 (12fs), John Fleming 1-1, Mark Kennedy 1-0.

UL: Dean Mason; Mike Gough, TJ Brennan, Conor O'Flaherty; Killian Sampson, Bryan O'Mara, Cian Galvin; Darragh Corcoran, Ciaran Connolly; Niall Brennan, Gearoid O'Connor, Brian O'Grady; Billy Power, Sean Twomey, Mikey Kiely.

Subs: Ross Hayes for Galvin (38), Brian O'Sullivan for Brennan (48), Shane Staunton for Sampson (53).

NUIG: Liam Reilly; Eoin Lawless, Jack Fitzpatrick, Conor Caulfield; Caimin Killeen, Daniel Loftus, Mark Gill; Ian McGlynn, Philip Hickey; Fionn McDonagh, Evan Niland, Conor Walsh; Cian Lynch, John Fleming, Mark Kennedy.

Subs: Diarmuid Kilcommins for McGlynn (21), Oisin Flannery for McDonagh (39), Adrian Prendergast for Hickey (39), Cian Salmon for Kennedy (55).

REFEREE: Fergal Horgan (Tipperary).