UL ease to Fitzgibbon Cup opening round victory over SETU Waterford

2024 finalists University of Limerick opened their Electric Ireland Higher Education Fitzgibbon Cup group campaign with a convincing 3-24 to 1-17 victory over SETU Waterford at Maguires Field, UL on Wednesday evening.

A first half goal from Limerick's Adam English and a brace from Cork's Jack Leahy propelled UL into a five point interval lead, 3-9 to 1-10, after a highly competitive opening half.

Doon clubman English was, however, forced off with a knock early in the second half. UL, captained by Ballybrown's Colin Coughlan, and featuring his clubmate Aidan O'Connor in the full-forward line alongside Effin's Patrick O'Donovan, kept their opponents at arms length in the second half. 

Helped by the excellent free-taking of Tipperary's Gearóid O'Connor, UL ultimately eased to victory in the second period after SETU Waterford, who included Kilmallock's Barry Hennessy between the posts, had closed to within two points of their opponents eight minutes into the second half.

UL, who suffered a dramatic narrow defeat to local rivals Mary Immaculate College in last year's final, will be pleased to have opened this campaign with a victory and will be encouraged by the fact that both their midfielders as well as all six of their starting forwards managed to score from play.

The Brian Ryan-managed UL side, who had coasted to victory in the Division 1 Hurling League final against DCU last month took time to get into their stride in their first Fitzgibbon Cup group fixture in ideal January conditions.

The home side was boosted by an excellent early goal as the Limerick duo of Coughlan and O'Connor combined to set up Leahy who rifled the ball into the back of the SETU Waterford net as early as the fourth minute.

Despite the concession of that early goal, SETU Waterford kept their composure and had hit the front by the 14th minute, 1-4 to 1-3. Topscorer and captain Ruben Halloran powered through the UL defence before batting the ball home for the visitors' first half goal. 

However, UL responded impressively to that body blow when Aidan O'Connor set up English for the home side's second goal almost straight away. English showed excellent footwork and agility to fire to the net.

The sides continue to swap points as the half wore on with UL 2-8 to 1-9 in front after 20 minutes. 

UL enjoyed a useful five-point advantage after Leahy struck for his second goal shortly before half-time following good play by defender Mark Fitzgerald, the O'Connors', Gearoid and Aidan, before the Cork attacker blasted to the net.

ULs English was replaced two minutes into the second half after he was unable to shake off a knock he picked up late in the first half.

SETU Waterford opened the second half brightly, scoring four of the first five points after the restart to trail their hosts by just two points, 1-14 to 3-10 after 38 minutes.

Sensing that their grip on the contest was loosening, UL began to regain the upperhand and a run of five points without reply from Colm O'Meara, Leahy with two, Gearóid O'Connor and Patrick Crotty saw UL take a seven-point advantage at 3-15 to 1-14.

UL, who have former Tipperary midfielder Shane McGrath and former Limerick star Ger Hegarty, father of current inter-county player Gearóid in their backroom team, led by five points when Halloran pointed for SETU Waterford on 55 minutes. However, the home side reeled off the final eight points of the game without reply to ease clear.

Gearóid O'Connor accounted for four of the last five points, including two from play as well as two monster long range efforts from placed balls.

UL return to group action on Wednesday next, January 22, when hosting ATU Galway back at Maguires Field, 7.30pm.

SCORERS: University of Limerick: Gearóid O’Connor 0-11 (0-7 frees); Jack Leahy 2-2; Aidan O’Connor 0-3; Adam English 1-0; Aaron Morgan, Brian O’Sullivan, Patrick O’Donovan, Colm O’Meara, Patrick Crotty, Diarmuid Hanniffy, Seán Rynne, Killian Doyle, 0-1 each. SETU Waterford: Ruben Halloran 1-10 (0-6 frees, 0-1 ’65); Seán Walsh 0-3; Willie Beresford 0-2; Conor Keane, Jake Foley 0-1 each.

UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK: Darach Fahy (Ardrahan, Galway); Ciarmhac Smyth (Midleton, Cork), Mark Fitzgerald (Passage East, Waterford), John Conneally (Clooney Quin, Clare); Aaron Morgan (Kilruane McDonaghs, Tipperary), Colin Coughlan (Capt) (Ballybrown, Limerick), Michael Corcoran (Silvermines, Tipperary); Brian O’Sullivan (Kanturk, Cork), Adam English (Doon, Limerick); Gearóid O’Connor (Moyne Templetuohy, Tipperary), Colm O’Meara (Clonlara, Clare), Patrick Crotty (Scariff, Clare); Jack Leahy (Dungourney, Cork), Aidan O’Connor (Ballybrown, Limerick), Patrick O’Donovan (Effin, Limerick). SUBS: Killian Doyle (Emeralds, Kilkenny) for English (injured, 32 mins); Diarmuid Hanniffy (Oranmore Maree, Galway) for Leahy (53 mins), Sean Rynne (Inagh Kilnamona, Clare) for O’Sullivan (56 mins), Seán O’Hanlon (Turloughmore, Galway) for O’Meara (57 mins); Evan O’Leary (Ahane, Limerick) for Smyth (60 mins).

SETU WATERFORD (Waterford unless stated): Barry Hennessy (Kilmallock, Limerick); Pauric Wicham (St Abban’s Adamstown, Wexford), Ben Tallis (Lisdowney, Laois), Kevin Cullinane (Passage); Josh Fitzgerald (Clashmore/Kinsalebeg), Conor Keane (De La Salle), Cathal King (Carrig Riverstown, Offaly); Willie Beresford (Abbeyside/Ballinacourty), Joseph Fitzpatrick (Dunnamaggin, Kilkenny); Seán Walsh (Carrigtwohill, Cork), Ruben Halloran (De La Salle), John Groves (Dunhill); Jake Foley (Ballygunner), Eenna Guilfoyle (Moyne Templetuohy, Tipperary), Paddy Phelan (Upperchurch Drombane, Tipperary). SUBS: Billy O’Callaghan (Piltown, Kilkenny) for Daly (38 mins); Lee Ahern (Roanmore) for Groves (54); Ethan Hayes (Roanmore) for E Guilfoyle (57 mins).

REFEREE: Brian Keon (Galway).