UL set up all-Limerick Fitzgibbon Cup decider after narrow win over University of Galway

THE University of Limerick maintained their quest for a third Fitzgibbon Cup crown in as many seasons as a late, late Killian Sampson point earned the holders a dramatic 1-18 to 0-20 semi-final success on Wednesday evening.

The Offaly man's precious point, in the 64^th minute was all there was to separate them with familiar foes, University of Galway, played on a soft Gurteen pitch in Clare.

Semi-finals are for winning and Brian Ryan's UL men did enough to get over the Galway hurdle, as their love affair with the famous old competition continues.

It sets up an all-Limerick decider, after Mary Immaculate prevailed in their semi-final earlier in Wednesday evening.

UL, however, had to do this the hard way, trailing at half-time, they also finished the contest with 14 men, as Doon's Adam English was dismissed on 50 minutes. 

With it 0-10 to 0-8 at half-time the Galway side were wall-placed to cause an upset. Points from Niall Collins, Greg Thomas and Alex Connaire saw them more accurate, while there was points in reply from Colin Coughlan, Gearoid O'Connor and Cian Galvin. 

However, UL struggled with their stick and handpassing but they forced their way ahead early in the second half. A goal arrived after a defensive slip allowed captain Mark Rodgers in. The captain had time, but also composure to net an put UL ahead. 

Galway didn't go away and after English's dismissal, for a second yellow, they extinguished the UL lead. It was 0-20 to 1-17 with three of the four minutes of stoppage time played but Sampson turned over a Galway defender and fired over from midway to the elation of the Limerick side. 

University of Galway's wait to regain the cup continues, last winning the title in 2010, while UL march into a 14^th ever final, hoping to outdo an exciting Mary Immaculate College side.

It sets up an enthralling clash with Jamie Wall's men, set to be played this Saturday, in Abbeydorney, Kerry, 2.45pm, live on TG4.

SCORERS: University of Limerick: Gearoid O’Connor 0-6 (0-3f, 0-1 ’65); Mark Rodgers 1-3; Colin Coughlan, Sean O’Hanlon 0-2 each; Cian Galvin, Diarmuid Hanniffy, Adam English, Colm O’Meara, Killian Sampson 0-1 each. University of Galway: Niall Collins 0-9 (0-8 frees); Greg Thomas, Colm Molloy, Liam Collins 0-2 each; Alex Connaire, Liam Leen, Conor Walsh, Tiernan Kileen, Gavin Lee 0-1 each.

UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK: Conor Hanley Clarke (Kilmallock, Limerick); Fergal O'Connor (Effin, Limerick), TJ Brennan (Clarinbridge, Galway), Darragh Lohan (Wolfe Tones, Clare); Cian Galvin (Clarecastle, Clare), Mark Fitzgerald (Passage East, Waterford), Colin Coughlan (Ballybrown, Limerick); Brian O'Grady (Kilteely Dromkeen, Limerick), Brian O'Sullivan (Kanturk, Cork); Patrick O’Donovan (Effin, Limerick), Gearóid O'Connor (Moyne/Templetuohy, Tipperary), Diarmuid Hanniffy (Oranmore, Galway); Adam English (Doon, Limerick), Mark Rodgers (Scariff, Clare), Aidan O'Connor (Ballybrown, Limerick). Subs: Sean O’Hanlon (Turloughmore, Galway) for Hanniffy (35), Colm O’Meara (Clonlara, Galway) for O’Donovan (38), Killian Sampson (Shinrone, Offaly) for O’Grady (51), Ian Byrne (Glenmore, Kilkenny) for A O’Connor, Ross Hayes (Crusheen, Clare) for O’Sullivan (57).

UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY: (Galway unless stated): Mark Hardiman (Athenry); Darren Morrissey (Sarsfields), Eoin Lawless (Athenry), Kieran Hanrahan (Loughrea); Tiernan Killeen (Loughrea), Dan Loftus (Turloughmore), Shane Morgan (Loughrea); Ian McGlynn (Kilconieron), Liam Leen (Clarinbridge); Alex Connaire (Sarsfields), Gavin Lee (Clarinbridge), Conor Walsh (Turloughmore); Colm Molloy (Leitrim Kilnadeema), Greg Thomas (Castlegar), Niall Collins (Cappatagle). Subs: Charlie Mitchell (Kilcormac Killoughey, Offaly) for Walsh (38), Colm Cunningham (Moycullen) for Leen (40); Oisin Flannery (St. Thomas’) for Connaire (41), Liam Collins (Cappataggle) for Molloy (41).

REFEREE: Thomas Walsh (Waterford)