UL come through stiff University of Galway test to set up all-Limerick Fitzgibbon Cup final showdown

HOLDERS the University of Limerick booked their spot in an all-Limerick Higher Education Fitzgibbon Cup hurling final with a hard-fought 0-18 to 1-13 win over the University of Galway at ULs Maguires's Field this Wednesday evening.

Brian Ryan’s UL charges were pushed all the way but their opponents but a late wonder score from Adam Screeney and a Darragh McCarthy free edged them over the line and into the decider with Mary Immaculate College at Croke Park next week.

Missing a total of nine players due to injury, including Adam English and Cathal O’Neill, UL were heavily reliant on both McCarthy and Screeney, who scored 0-11 between them.

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UL were hit by an early blow within 30 seconds of the start when Darragh Neary fired in the University of Galway goal, the home side were level by the fourth minute mark after scores from Limerick's Aidan O’Connor, McCarthy and Jack O’Neill.

Further strikes from Screeney, and McCarthy followed before UOG got their first point of the contest courtesy of Gavin Lee.

Screeney was in inspired form for UL and a second point of the opening half had UL leading 0-6 to 1-1 after 14 minutes.

O’Connor was also rampant early on with a second point that was set up by Ballybrown clubmate, and UL captain, Colin Coughlan. O’Connor then forced a turnover that resulted in an Oisin O’Donoghue score that put UL five clear.

As well as UL were playing, they were hampered by some wayward shooting that yielded 11 first half wides.

Screeney and McCarthy finished the first half scoring for the hosts with Sam O’Farrell replying with a brace for UOG that left the half time score at 0-11 to 1-3 in UL’s favour.

UOG landed the first three scores of the second half but two each from McCarthy and O’Neill soon had UL in control once again.

However, UOG sent over the next five points to square the game up heading into added time.

Screeney responded to O’Farrell’s leveller with a score of sublime beauty and a routine McCarthy free gave UL breathing space in added time.

UL did survive a late goalmouth scramble which saw UOG go close to finding the net twice but it was the home side that reach the final.

SCORERS: UL: Darragh McCarthy 0-6 (6f), Adam Screeney 0-5, Jack O’Neill 0-3, Aidan O’Connor 0-2, Oisin O’Donoghue and Jack Leahy 0-1 each; UoG: Sam O’Farrell 0-5 (2f), Darragh Neary 1-1, Liam Hoare 0-3 (3f), Gavin Lee, Greg Thomas, Daniel Comar and Cullen Killeen 0-1 each.

UL: Darach Fahy (Ardrahan, Galway); Conor Martin (Cappawhite, Tipperary), Mark Fitzgersld (Passasge, Waterford), Aaron Morgan (Kilruane MacDonaghs, Tipperary); Oisin Fitzgerald (St Catherine’s, Cork), Killian Doyle (Emeralds, Kilkenny), Colin Coughlan (Ballybrown, Limerick); Diarmuid Stritch (Clonlara, Clare), Joe Fitzgerald (Monaleen); Jack O’Neill (Clooney-Quin, Clare), Aidan O’Connor (Ballybrown, Limerick), Adam Screeney (Kilcormac-Killoughey, Offaly); Darragh McCarthy (Toomevara, Tipperary), Oisin O’Donoghue (Cashel King Cormacs, Tipperary), Jack Leahy (Dungourney, Cork); Subs: Jamie Ormond (JK Brackens, Tipperary) for Screeney (45-49 mins, blood sub), Fintan Fitzgerald for Stritch (49 mins).

UoG: Liam Hoare (Carrig/Riverstown, Offaly); Joshua Ryan (Clarinbridge, Galway), Mark Hardiman (Athenry, Galway), Patrick Taaffe (Belmont, Offaly); Fiachra O’Brioin (Sixmilebridge, Clare), Colm Cunningham (Moycullen, Galway), Daniel Comar (Kilnadeema-Leitrim, Galway); Cullen Killeen (Loughrea, Galway), Ian McGlynn (Kilconieron, Galway); Sam O’Farrell (Nenagh Éire Óg, Tipperary), Gavin Lee (Clarinbridge, Galway), Liam Leen (Clarinbridge, Galway); Dan Bourke (Ballinamere, Offaly), Greg Thomas (Castlegar, Galway), Darragh Neary (Castlegar, Galway); Subs: Tiaranen Leen (Craughwell, Galway) for Bourke (33 mins), Diarmuid Davouren (Oranmore-Maree, Galway) for Leen (43-48 mins, blood sub), Michael Molloey (Abbeyknockmoy, Galway) for L Leen (57 mins).

REFEREE: Ciaran O’Regan (Cork).