Limerick hurling stars set for Fitzgibbon Cup

THIRTY two players from Limerick will line out in this year's Fitzgibbon Cup, including several members of John Kiely's senior squad.

League champions University of Limerick have been drawn alongside reigning Fitzgibbon Cup champions Mary Immaculate College, ATU Galway and SETU Waterford in Group A.

Seven Limerick senior hurlers, including Cathal O'Neill, Colin Coughlan, Adam English, Aidan O'Connor, Patrick O'Donovan, Conor Hanley Clarke and Evan O'Leary are all part of the UL Fitzgibbon Cup squad.

Mungret St Paul's' Barry Duff and Blackrock's Sean O'Neill are also part of the UL Fitzgibbon Cup panel.

Five Limerick senior hurlers are part of the Mary I Fitzgibbon Cup team. Shane O'Brien, Cian Scully, Vince Harrington, William Dore and Oisin O'Farrell will all feature for Jamie Wall's side.

Jimmy Quilty, who was previously part of Limerick hurling panel, Patrick Finn, Sean Whelan, Jack Daly and Killian Aherne are also included on the Mary Immaculate College Fitzgibbon Cup squad.

Last year's finalists UL begin their group campaign at home against SETU Waterford on Wednesday, January 15 at 7pm.

SETU Waterford have former Limerick hurler Barry Hennessy and Denis Hayes, of Ahane, within their ranks.

At the same time on Wednesday January 15, Mary Immaculate make the trip to ATU Galway.

Group B consists of UCC, UCD, University of Galway and MTU Cork. Eddie Stokes lined out for Doon on their way to winning the Limerick senior hurling championship. Stokes is part of the UCC team.

James Conheady, of Crecora Mainster, is part of the UCD Fitzgibbon Cup squad this year. 

TUS Midwest will face league finalists DCU and Maynooth University in Group C of the competition.

Barry Adams, Darragh Casey, David Fitzgerald, Euan Sheridan, Jamie Behan, Jim Beary, Marcus Hogan, Kevin Morrissey, Michael Ryan and Sean Murrane are the Limerick representatives on the TUS Midwest Fitzgibbon Cup squad this year.

TUS Midwest host DCU on January 16 at 7pm in the opening round of Fitzgibbon Cup at Moylish.

Meanwhile UL narrowly defeated an experimental Limerick team 1-19 to 1-17 on last Saturday afternoon in a senior hurling challnege game. Shane Dowling made his long awaited return for the Limerick senior hurlers in the game. Dowling played the second half in goals.

Limerick are continuing their preparations ahead of the start of their National hurling league.

In Division 1A of the 2025 Allianz Hurling League, Munster champions Limerick have a bye in the opening weekend of league fixtures at the end of January. The group contains seven counties.

Limerick will begin their campaign when travelling to Leeside to face All-Ireland finalists Cork at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday, February 1, 7.30pm.

Eight days later, on Sunday, February 9, Limerick host local rivals Tipperary in Division 1A at the TUS Gaelic Grounds, 3.45pm throw-in.