O'Connor impresses as University of Limerick eases past Mary I in Fitzgibbon Cup

The University of Limerick defeated Mary Immaculate College 0-23 to 0-15 in round three of the Fitzgibbon Cup on Wednesday afternoon in the MICL grounds. 

UL had too much for their neighbours in this contest and the Castletroy College never looked like losing this contest at this any stage. Brian Ryan's charges have now booked their place into the Fitzgibbon Cup semi-finals, while Mary Immaculate College take their place in the quarter-finals of the competition. 

Tipperary hurler Gearoid O'Connor, Patrick Crotty and Jack Leahy impreseed scoring 0-14 between them in their side's eight-point victory at the south circular road venue. Oisin O'Farrell and Cian Scully tried their best to get Mary I back into the game.

A number of inter-county stars were rested ahead of round two of the National Hurling League. UL were without Patrick O'Donovan, Aidan O'Connor, Adam English and Colin Coughlan. Mary I were without Shane O'Brien, Adam Hogan and Shane Meehan.

Both Limerick colleges defeated ATU Galway and SETU Waterford in the group stages of the competition. 

On two minutes, Mary I full back Eoin Lawless layed the sliotar off to Cian Scully and the Dromin Athlacca man pointed from range. That was the only the time the hosts led. 

Six minutes later, UL had themselves ahead after some good by Sean Rynne, Patrick Crotty and Gearoid O'Connor.

Cian Scully who has been part of the Limerick pre-season panel took over the free taking duties for Mary I this afternoon and Scully stepped up with his first placed ball of the day. 

UL sharpshooter Jack Leahy replied to push his side 0-5 to 0-2 in front. Leahy quickly followed that up with his second point of the day and then Sean O'Hanlon added another point for the victors. Last year's Fitzgibbon Cup finalists limited Mary I to one point from play in the opening 16 minutes. 

Wall's side reduced the gap through Limerick men Oisin O'Farrell and Cian Scully as their side now trailed 0-8 to 0-5. UL hit the next six points in-a-row.  Jack Leahy, Sean O'Hanlon, Gearoid O'Connor and Colm O'Meara were all on target before the break. Mary I could only manage a placed ball from Cian Scully before the break as the home side trailed 0-14 to 0-6 at the break. 

On 34 minutes, UL didn't show any sign of taking their foot off the gas when Mark Fitzgerald and Jack Leahy extended their lead. Mary I rallied and the lively Oisin O'Farrell and Jamie Ryan made it 0-17 to 0-9. Further scores from Declan McLaughlin, Diarmuid Cahill and Ronan Power gave the reigning Fitzgibbon Cup champions some hope. UL were now 0-18 to 0-12 clear with 13 minutes remaining. 

O'Connor and Diarmuid Hanniffy stretched UL's lead back out to eight points. Scully managed to make it a six point game on 56 minutes but Ryan's side finished strongly after Sean O'Hanlon, Patrick Crotty and Diarmuid Hanniffy all raised green flags in the closing stages. 

Jimmy Quilty hit back with a free late on but it was too late as UL secured a comfortable victory over their neighbours. Mary I will now face DCU, TUS Midwest or Maynooth University in the quarter finals of the Fitzgibbon Cup. 

Meanwhile, UL will await the winners of next week's quarter-finals in the last four of the competition.

SCORERS: 

UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK: Gearoid O'Connor (0-6, 0-3 frees), Patrick Crotty and Jack Leahy 0-4 each, Sean O'Hanlon 0-3, Diarmuid Hanniffy 0-2, Brian O'Sullivan, Colm O'Meara Sean Rynne and Mark Fitzgerald 0-1 each

MARY IMMACULATE COLLEGE: Cian Scully 0-5 (0-4 frees), Oisin O'Farrell (0-4,0-2 frees) Jamie Ryan, Declan McLaughlin,  Ronan Power, and Ronan O'Connor 0-1 each, Jimmy Quilty and Diarmuid Cahill (0-1 free each)

MARY IMMACULATE COLLEGE: Darragh Conway (Lixnaw, Kerry); William Dore (Dromin-Athlacca, Limerick), Eoin Lawless (Athenry, Galway), Vince Harrington (Na Piarsaigh, Limerick); Cian Scully (Dromin-Athlacca, Limerick), Jimmy Quilty (Blackrock, Limerick); Ronan Power (Ballygunner, Waterford); Ronan O’Connor (Feakle, Clare), Conor Hennessy (Nenagh Eire Og, Tipperary); Eoin Craddock (Holycross-Ballycahill, Tipperary), Patrick Finn (Bruff), Jamie Ryan (O'Loughlin Gaels, Kilkenny); Oisin O'Farrell (ABK Desmonds, Limerick), Declan McLaughlin (Portumna, Galway), Diarmuid Cahill (Corofin, Clare). 

SUBS: Dara Whelan (Turloughmore, Galway) for Finn (Half-Time), Jack Daly (Croom, Limerick) for Craddock (47 minutes) and Matthew Rossengrove (Beagh, Galway) for Hennessy (53 minutes, injury)

UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK: Darach Fahy (Ardrahan, Galway); Evan O’Leary (Ahane, Limerick), , John Conneally (Clooney Quin, Clare); Ciarmhac Smyth (Midleton, Cork); Killian Doyle (Emeralds, Kilkenny), Mark Fitzgerald (Passage East, Waterford); Michael Corcoran (Silvermines, Tipperary); Brian O’Sullivan (Kanturk, Cork), Sean Rynne (Inagh-Kilnamona, Clare); Gearóid O’Connor (Moyne Templetuohy, Tipperary), Colm O’Meara (Clonlara, Clare), Patrick Crotty (Scariff, Clare); Jack Leahy (Dungourney, Cork), Sean O'Hanlon (Turloughmore, Galway), Diarmuid Hanniffy (Oranmore Maree, Galway)

SUBS: Aaron Morgan (Kilruane MacDonaghs, Tipperary) for Smyth (Half-time), Conor Hanley Clarke (Kilmallock, Limerick) for Corcoran (39 minutes), Sam Williams (Bruree, Limerick) for Fitzgerald (53-56 minutes) and Keelan Hartigan (Scariff, Clare) for O'Connor (56 minutes).

REFEREE: Eamonn Stapleton (Doon)