University of Limerick crowned Division One Football League champions for the first time

UNIVERSITY of Limerick were crowned Division One Football League champions for the first time in their college's history with a 2-20 to 2-16 victory over University of Galway on Wednesday evening in Maguires Field. 

UL did just enough to edge past their opponents, and they will hope this hard-fought win provides momentum heading into the Sigerson Cup after Christmas.

Former Tipperary boss David Power has taken over from Declan Brouder as manager of the UL footballers, and Mayo's Frank Irwin and Sean Morohan were crucial to this victory, contributing a combined 1-11. Limerick senior footballer Andrew Meade was introduced for the victors in the closing stages of the second half. 

Conditions were perfect at Maguire Fields, and both sides didn't hold back in what proved to be an entertaining contest that produced an impressive 4-36 in total.

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The visitors made the brighter start, surging into a 1-3 to 0-2 advantage after ten minutes. Galway senior Cillian Ó Curraoin set up Dara Hurley, who finished from close range. UL responded through Mayo men Hugh O’Loughlin and Frank Irwin, trimming the deficit to 1-3 to 0-4.

UL began to settle, and on 13 minutes captain Brian McNamara hit the net to draw them level. Further scores from Sean Morohan and Conal Dawson pushed Power’s side in front at 1-6 to 1-5. However, the Galway outfit struck back when Mark McInerney linked up with Eoin Colleran, who fired home their second goal.

UL dominated the final ten minutes of the half, upping the intensity and finding scores through Jack McCabe, a Dawson two-pointer, and four points from the accurate Irwin. They went into the break 1-13 to 2-7 in front, while University of Galway managed only two points in that spell through Colleran and Ó Curraoin.

UL burst out of the blocks again after the restart, and Morohan finished superbly into the roof of the net. Irwin kept the scoreboard ticking with frees as UL stretched their lead to 2-14 to 2-7. Their momentum stalled slightly on 36 minutes when referee Sean Loneragan issued a red card to wing-back Hugh O’Loughlin for an off-the-ball incident with Shane McGrath.

The Galway side began to claw their way back, with McInerney converting a 45 and Rory Hester adding another to cut the gap to 2-15 to 2-10. Cian McHale immediately replied for UL before McGrath struck back again.

When Morohan made it 2-17 to 2-11 with eight minutes to go, UL appeared to have the game under control. However, back-to-back two-pointers from McGrath and a point from substitute Luc O’Connor suddenly had Maurice Sheridan’s team within one at 2-17 to 2-16 on 56 minutes.

UL held their nerve in the closing stages, with McHale landing a two-point free and Dawson adding the insurance score to secure a historic four-point win for the University of Limerick.

Scorers:

University of Limerick: Frank Irwin 0-9 (0-6 frees, 0-1 two point free); Sean Morohan 1-2; Conal Dawson (0-4, 0-1 two pointer); Cian McHale (0-3, 0-1 two point free); Brian McNamara 1-0; Peter O’Driscoll and Jack McCabe 0-1 each.

University of Galway: Shane McGrath (0-5, 0-2 two pointers); Eoin Colleran 1-2; Dara Hurley 1-1; Cillian O Curraoin 0-3 (0-3, 0-1 two point free); Mark McInerney (0-2, 0-1 45); Luc O’Connor 0-1.

University of Limerick: Tristian O’Callaghan (St. Breckan’s, Clare); Paddy O’Driscoll (Gabriel Rangers, Cork), Thomas Ross (Curry, Sligo), Jack O’Neill (Ardfinnan, Tipperary); Hugh O’Loughlin (Kilmaine, Mayo), Seán Morohan (Castlebar Mitchels, Mayo), Charlie King (Ballina, Tipperary); Brian McNamara (Cooraclare, Clare), Jack Melvin (Davitts, Mayo); Thomas O’Donnell (Castlegregory, Kerry), Jack McCabe (Corofin, Galway), Cathal Brosnan (Currow, Kerry); Michael Sheridan (Castleconor, Sligo), Cian McHale (Moy Davitts, Mayo), Frank Irwin (Ballina Stephenites, Mayo).

SUBS: James Morris (Clonmel Commercials, Tipperary) for O’Neill (20); David Buckley (Cork) for Melvin (39); Cathal Corless (Mayo) for Brosnan (46); Andrew Meade (Rathkeale, Limerick) for McCabe (61).

University of Galway: Cillian Walsh (Claregalway, Galway); Eoin Finnerty (St. James’, Galway), Colm Moriarty (Annascaul, Kerry), Jack Folan (St. James’, Galway); Conor Harley (Padraig Pearses, Roscommon), Brian Cogger (Corofin, Galway), Darragh Lowry (Moate, Westmeath); Canice Mulligan (St. Patrick’s, Sligo), Seán Hansberry (Menlough, Galway); Dara Hurley (Claremorris, Mayo), Matthew Thompson (Salthill Knocknacarr, Galway), Shane McGrath (Dunmore MacHales, Galway); Eoin Colleran (Padraig Pearses, Roscommon), Cillian Ó Curraoin (Micheal Breathnach, Galway), Mark McInerney (Eire Óg, Clare).

SUBS: Rory Hester (Western Gaels, Roscommon) for Hansberry (35 minutes); Luc O’Connor (Claregalway, Galway) for Harley (42); Jack Lonergan (Claregalway, Galway) for Lowry (45 minutes); Eanna Monagan (Claregalway, Galway) for Hurley (47 minutes); Jack Nolan (St. James’, Galway) for McGrath (63 minutes).

Referee: Seán Lonergan (Tipperary)