FOR a ninth occasion, and a third time within just four years, University of Limerick are the Fitzgibbon Cup Champions.
In the blue riband of colleges’ hurling, Brian Ryan’s side eased past surprise packets Dublin City University 0-23 to 1-15 at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence. The scoreline didn’t reflect the overall supremacy of UL as the beaten finalists grabbed a consolation 1-1 in the closing embers.
UL were admirably captained this season by Colin Coughlan of Ballybrown, who was joined on the starting blocks by fellow young countymen Adam English of Doon, clubmate Aidan O’Connor and Paddy O’Donovan of Effin, while Cathal O’Neill (Crecora Manister) made a welcome appearance off the bench.
It had been feared that last year’s Young Player of the Year nominee would be sidelined for a more significant period after suffering a hamstring injury in the League final win by UL over DCU in December.
Other locals involved with UL included Conor Hanley-Clarke (Kilmallock), Evan O’Leary (Ahane), Seán O’Neill (Blackrock), Barry Duff (Mungret St Paul’s) and John Fitzgerald, Na Piarsaigh.
Once again, the scoring exploits of Tipperary’s Gearoid O’Connor (Moyne/Templetuohy), scorer of a magnificent 10 points – were crucial for the winners.
Interestingly, given the involvement of so many Limerick players, Johnny Murphy of Ballylanders refereed the decider, and carried out his duties in a most professional manner.
UL: Darach Fahy (Galway); Aaron Morgan (Tipperary), John Conneally 0-1 (Clare), Michael Corcoran (Tipperary); Killian Doyle 0-1 (Kilkenny), Mark Fitzgerald 0-1 (Waterford), Colin Coughlan, captain, (Limerick); Brian O’Sullivan 0-1 (Cork), Adam English 0-2 (Limerick); Gearoid O’Connor 0-10 (Tipperary), Colm O’Meara (Clare), Patrick Crotty (Clare); Jack Leahy 0-2 (Cork), Aidan O’Connor 0-1 (Limerick), Paddy O’Donovan (Limerick).
Substitutes: Seán O’Hanlon 0-2 (Galway), Cathal O’Neill (Limerick), Seán Rynne (Clare), Diarmuid Hanniffy 0-1 (Galway).
