Limerick hurling stars impress as University of Limerick see off UCC in Fitzgibbon Cup quarter-final

CHAMPIONS University of Limerick eventually pulled clear of a wasteful University of College Cork to progress to a fifth Fitzgibbon Cup semi-final in as many seasons, thanks to a 0-20 to 0-12 quarter-final win at a showery Maguire's Field on Wednesday evening.

The winning effort was thanks to a spread of Limerick talent, as the competitions favourites faced their sternest test to date.

UCC, who enjoyed a mixed group phase, finished this contest at in UL with just 13 men, owing to late red cards to Cork’s Eoin Downey and sub Michael Mullaney. While no doubt frustrating, UL were virtually over the winning line at this stage as the niggle in the contest spilled over.

READ NEXT: Limerick star Shane O’Brien hits 0-8 as Mary Immaculate College reach Fitzgibbon Cup semi-final with victory over UCD

Downey was sent off for interfering with the helmet of Colin Coughlan, the UL captain, while Mullaney also received a straight red card for a forceful challenge on Ciarmhac Smyth, who hobbled off as a result

Brian Ryan’s side had scoring contributions from Darragh McCarthy, Diarmuid Stritch and Adam Screeney. Late points from Doon’s Adam English, Fintan Fitzgerald, of Mungret St. Paul’s and the industrious Aidan O’Connor, of Ballybrown, sealed the victory.

Another Limerick player, Cathal O’Neill, was a notable absentee for this star studded UL side, but they were far too potent even without his influence.

By half-time, UL led 0-8 to 0-6, with Tipperary’s McCarthy carrying much of the scoring threat. His opposite number, William Buckley looked most likely for UCC, but was joined on the scoresheet by Colin Walsh and Hugh O’Connor.

There was no goal in the contest, thanks to the heroics from Paudie O’Sullivan who denied Screeney with a top drawer save in the opening half. The same was true of Darach Fahy, who denied Hugh O’Connor when the game was still a contest in the third quarter.

Despite the winter rain and softening under foot conditions, this UL side stuck to their plan and began to weave together passes which allowed Joe Fitzgerla, Stritch and Offaly star Screeney push them clear.

Then, when Downey received his marching orders, that was virtually that. Coughlan was temporarily replaced and watched his clubmate Aidan O’Connor exploit the numerical advantage before the returning Jack Leahy, rampaging English and sub Fintan Fitzgerald put UL into next week's semi-finals.

With the Fitzgibbon Cup final set for Croke Park, there will be no shortage of motivation for UL to reach another decider.

SCORERS: UL: Darragh McCarthy 0-9 (7 frees); Adam Screeney, Diarmuid Stritch, Adam English 0-2 each; Aidan O’Connor, Joe Fitzgerald, Jack O’Neill, Jack Leahy, Fintan Fitzgerald 0-1 each. UCC: William Buckey 0-7 (0-4 frees); Brian Keating, Hugh O’Connor 0-2 each; Colin Walsh 0-1.

UL: (Limerick unless stated): Darach Fahy (Ardrahan, Galway); Ciarmac Smyth (Midleton, Cork), John Conneally (Clooney-Quin, Clare), Aaron Morgan (Kilruane MacDonaghs, Tipperary); Colin Coughlan (Capt) (Ballybrown), Mark Fitzgerald (Passage, Waterford), Killian Doyle (Emeralds, Kilkenny); Adam English (Doon) Joe Fitzgerald (Monaleen); Oisín O’Donoghue (Cashel King Cormac’s, Tipperary), Jack O’Neill (Clooney-Quin, Clare), Diarmuid Stritch (Clonlara, Clare); Adam Screeney (Kilcormac-Killoughey, Offaly), Aidan O’Connor (Ballybrown), Darragh McCarthy (Toomevara, Tipperary). Subs: Darragh Langan (Monaleen) for Mogan (38); Jack Leahy (Dungourney, Cork) for Screeney (47); Fintan Fitzgerald (Mungret St. Paul’s) for Doyle (54); Oisín Fitzgerald (St Catherine’s, Cork) for Coughlan (temp 56); O Fitzgerald for Smyth (injured, 60).

UCC: (Cork unless stated): Paudie O’Sullivan (Fr. O’Neill’s); Eoin Guinane (Valley Rovers), Shane Kingston (Ballinora), Kevin Lyons (Ballygarvan); James Dwyer (Ballincollig), Eoin Downey (Glen Rovers), Timmy Wilk (Cobh); Oran O’Regan (Emeralds, Kilkenny) Brian Keating (Ballincollig); Hugh O’Connor (Newmarket), Peter McGarry (St. Mary’s Clonmel, Tipperary), Darragh Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields, Tipperary); William Buckley (St. Finbarr’s), Colin Walsh (Kanturk), Darragh Flynn (Ballygiblin). Subs: Robert Troy (Newtownshandrum) for McGarry (41); Sean Daly (Randal Óg) for Lyons (42); Finn O’Brien (Erin’s Own) for Flynn (47); Michael Mullaney (Stradbally, Waterford) for O’Regan (55).