Storming finish propels UL to flattering 11-point Fitzgibbon Cup win over ATU Galway

Fitzgibbon Cup - Group A - Round 2

University of Limerick 3-27

ATU Galway 3-16

A devastating closing six minute spell, which yielded a significant 1-7 without reply, propelled University of Limerick to a flattering 3-27 to 3-16 Higher Education Fitzgibbon Cup Group A victory over a gritty ATU Galway side at ULs Maguires Field on Wednesday evening.

When Nathan Earner blasted home a well-worked 55th minute goal for the Galway side, a single point separated the sides, 3-16 to 2-20, and momentum appeared to have swung in the visitors' favour.

However, a UL side, which showed only glimpses of its undoubted class to that point, playing in fits and starts, sprung into life. Three points in quick succession from Gearóid O'Connor, off a long range free, Jack Leahy and Limerick's Adam English, steadied the home supporters' nerves.

UL then regained more than a degree of control in the 57th minute when the Limerick duo of Aidan O'Connor and Paddy O'Donovan combined to set up Cork forward Jack Leahy for a well-executed goal. 

Late points from Leahy, Brian O'Sullivan, with two, and substitute Diarmuid Hanniffy, powered the home side to an unlikely comfortable win in the end. 

The 11-point victory, ULs second of the group stages following their success over SETU Waterford a week ago, has guaranteed a place in the quarter-final stages of the competition at a minimum for last year's Fitzgibbon Cup finalists.

However, while pleased to be already assured of a last eight place ahead of their final group fixture against local rivals Mary Immaculate College - who defeated them in the 2024 Fitzgibbon Cup decider - ULs players and management team will fully appreciate that a more consistent level of display will be required in their upcoming games.

The winners from next Wednesday's meeting of local rivals Mary Immaculate College and UL will advance directly to the semi-finals of the Fitzgibbon Cup as group winners. The losers will progress to the quarter-finals as runners-up in Group A.

University of Limerick led Wednesday night's game by five points, 2-12 to 2-7, at half-time. The home side's goals were scored by Limerick senior panellists, Effin's Paddy O'Donovan in the eighth minute and by Ballybrown's Aidan O'Connor, in the 24th minute. 

The sizeable attendance at UL in dry but cold conditions included Limerick senior hurling manager, John Kiely.

UL had appeared the more likely winners through that opening half, although a resolute ATU Galway side provided a significant challenge.

The home side led 1-4 to 0-2 after 11 minutes, helped O'Donovan's early goal and three points from Clare's Colm O'Meara.

Dylan Dunne's 14th minute goal hauled ATU Glway back to within a point of their hosts and there was just one point between the sides at that stage, 1-4 to 1-3.

When Aidan O'Connor scored a fine individual goal six minutes before half-time, the Brian Ryan-managed UL side led by five points, 2-8 to 1-6.

UL moved eight points clear just before the break, but were stung by a first half stoppage time goal from Nathan Earner, his first of two goals scored in the contest.

Without ever gaining full control of the contest, UL managed to retain a solid enough advantage of at least five points through the third quarter. 

ATU Galway drew within two points at 2-18 to 2-16 when the influential Kevin Cooney landed a 52nd minute free. 

Points from a Gearóid O'Connor free and Leahy pushed UL four points to the good before Oisin Lohan and Kevin Cooney combined to set up Earner for his second goal with five minutes of normal time remaining. 

Suddenly there was just one point between the teams. Then followed an avalanche of UL scores and the game was in safe keeping. 

SCORERS: UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK: Jack Leahy 1-6; Brian O’Sullivan, Gearóid O’Connor (0-3 frees) 0-5 each; Adam English 0-4; Aidan O’Connor 1-1; Paddy O’Donovan 1-0; Colm O’Meara 0-3; Seán O’Hanlon, Killian Doyle, Diarmuid Hanniffy 0-1 each. ATU GALWAY: Nathan Earner 2-2; Kevin Cooney 0-7 (0-6 frees); Dylan Dunne 1-1; Oisin Lohan 0-2; Darragh Shaughnessy, John Cooney (free), Darren Murphy, Darragh Donohue 0-1 each.

UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK: Cian Broderick (Clarecastle, Clare); Evan O’Leary (Ahane, Limerick), Mark Fitzgerald (Passage East, Waterford), John Conneally (Clooney Quin, Clare); Killian Doyle (Emeralds, Kilkenny), 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), Seán O’Hanlon (Turloughmore, Galway); Jack Leahy (Dungourney, Cork), Aidan O’Connor (Ballybrown, Limerick), Paddy O’Donovan (Effin, Limerick). SUBS: Aaron Morgan, (Kilruane, McDonaghs, Tipperary) for Corcoran (37 mins); Diarmuid Hanniffy (Oranmore Maree) for O’Hanlon (48 mins);

ATU GALWAY (Galway unless stated): Mark Grealish (Carnmore); Oisin Clune (Feakle, Clare), Rory Burke (Oranmore Maree), Robert Meehan (Ballindereen); Dylan Dunne (Clarinbridge), John Cooney (Sarsfields), Conor Cosgrove (Ardrahan); Kevin Cooney (Sarsfields), Eoin Burke (Coolderry, Offaly); Oisin Lohan (Skehana-Mountbellew), Jack Linnane (Gort), Darragh Donohue (Sarsfields); Damien McGlynn (St Thomas), Nathan Earner (Meelick Eyrecourt), Darragh Shaughnessy (Loughrea). SUBS: Darren Murphy (Sarsfields) for Linnane (36 mins); Michael Sheil (Annaghdown) for McGlynn (42 mins).

REFEREE: Ciaran O’Regan (Cork)