ROUND-UP: Plenty of Tipperary hurlers progress to Fitzgibbon Cup last eight

Fitzgibbon Cup - Group A - Round 2

Mary Immaculate College 2-23

Maynooth University 1-19

Mary Immaculate College confirmed their place in the last eight of the Fitzgibbon Cup, thanks to an impressive 2-23 to 1-19 victory over Maynooth University last Monday night with Tipperary players featuring heavily in the contest.

A second win, this time over a resilient Maynooth University at the LOETB Centre of excellence guarantees the Limerick side finish top of Group A and with it a home quarter-final.

Jamie Wall’s talented outfit were rarely behind but had to find another gear to prevail at a cold LOETB Centre of Excellence in Portlaoise.

Colm Fogarty (Lorrha) was in top form for Maynooth from frees, but Mary Immaculate held the advantage at half-time, 0-12 to 0-10. Among the scorers were Shane O’Brien, Shane Meehan and goalkeeper Jason Gillane (free). Devon Ryan (Cashel King Cormacs) also cut over a sideline late in the half.

The game found another level in the third quarter, as Maynooth stole ahead for the first time. They found the net through Fogarty, scrambling home in a crowded square.

However, the Limerick side replied quickly, as James Devaney looped an effort to the net, catching Kevin Bracken off guard in the opposition goal.

From here, Mary I withstood another series of Fogarty frees, but points from Clare’s Diarmuid Ryan, Meehan and Cathal Quinn (Cashel King Cormacs) kept them in the driving seat. Both sides were very accurate on the shooting front, but Mary Immaculate created the greater openings, thanks to a strong middle six showing.

Diarmuid Ryan would then provide a brilliant run and pass, allowing team captain Colin O’Brien bury their second goal. Six of the final eight white flags went to the winners, as their overall spread of threats proved too much for the Kildare University.

Kevin Bracken (Thurles Sarsfields), Colm Fogarty (Lorrha), and David Fogarty (Holycross Ballycahill) were featured for Maynooth. For Mary I, Keith Ryan (Upperchurch Drombane), Joe Caesar (Holycross Ballycahill), Cathal Quinn, (Cashel King Cormacs), Devon Ryan, (Cashel King Cormacs), Conor Hennessy (Nenagh Éire Óg), and JD Devaney (Borris-Ileigh) all played a prominent part in the win.

Maynooth will battle with UCC for the runners-up spot, and a meeting with UL. Mary Immaculate will face ATU Galway or TUS Midwest, after those two meet on Wednesday evening in Moylish.

Scorers: Maynooth: Colm Fogarty (1-12, 0-11f); Conan Boran 0-2, Éamonn Cunneen, (0-2, 0-1f); Cillian Hackett, Pierce Blanchfield, Andy Hickey 0-1 each.

Mary Immaculate College: Devon Ryan (0-7, 0-5f, 0-1 ’65, 0-1 s/l); Colin O’Brien (1-3, 0-1f); Shane Meehan 0-3; James Devaney 1-0; Shane O’Brien, Declan McLaughlin, Diarmuid Ryan, Cathal Quinn all 0-2 each; Jason Gillane (free), Fionn McDonagh 0-1 each.

Maynooth University: Kevin Bracken (Thurles Sarsfields, Tipperary); David Fogarty (O’Loughlin Gaels, Kilkenny), Niall Bolger (Bengalstown, Carlow); Mark Donnelly (St. Lachtains, Kilkenny), Éamonn Cunneen (Raherney, Westmeath), Peter McDonald (Thomastown, Kilkenny), Conan Boran (Naas, Kildare); Cillian Hackett (Dicksboro, Kilkenny), Pierce Blanchfield (Graignamanagh, Kilkenny); Andy Hickey (Dunamaggin, Kilkenny), David Dooley (Rosenalis, Laois), Conor Drennan (Galmoy, Kilkenny); Colm Fogarty (Lorrha, Tipperary), Luke Hogan (O’Loughlin Gaels, Kilkenny), Cian Boyle (Castleknock, Dublin).

Subs used: David Fogarty (Holycross Ballycahill, Tipperary) for Drennan (45); Liam Cassin (Faythe Harriers, Wexford) for Blanchfield (55), Ciarán Phelan (John Lockes, Kilkenny) for Boyle (60).

Mary Immaculate College: Jason Gillane (Patrickswell, Limerick); Keith Ryan (Upperchurch Drombane, Tipperary), Joe Caesar (Holycross-Ballycahill, Tipperary), Adam Hogan (Feakle, Clare); Diarmuid Ryan (Cratloe, Clare), PJ Fanning (Mount Sion, Waterford), Ronan Power (Ballygunner, Waterford); Cathal Quinn (Cashel King Cormacs, Tipperary), Conor Hennessey (Nenagh Eire Og, Tipperary); Colin O’Brien (C) (Liscarroll-Churchtown Gaels, Cork), James Devaney (Borris-Ileigh, Tipperary), Shane Meehan (The Banner, Clare); Shane O’Brien (Kilmallock, Limerick), Declan McLaughlin (Portumna, Galway), Devon Ryan (Cashel King Cormacs, Tipperary).

Subs used: Fionn McDonagh (Moycullen, Galway) for Devaney (35, inj); Daithi Lohan (Wolfe Tones, Shannon) for K Ryan (41); Oisin O’Farrell (Askeaton, Limerick) for Devon Ryan (58).

Referee: James Owens (Wexford)