Mary Immaculate College 1-20
Dublin IT 0-5
Jackie Cahill reports from Parnell’s GAA club
RESULTS WENT EAMONN Cregan’s way this afternoon as his Mary Immaculate College side hammered Dublin IT by 18 points to finish on top of Group C in the Fitzgibbon Cup.
Scoring difference was good enough for Mary I as they piled on the misery for DIT at Parnell’s GAA club in Coolock.
Limerick ace Declan Hannon helped himself to 0-9 for the winners on a chilly afternoon that also saw them register seven wides, with DIT notching 11 of their own.
Hannon’s Limerick senior teammates Darragh O’Donovan and Cian Lynch also notched a combined total of 0-7.
DIT provided little resistance, however, and managed just a single point from play – supplied by Conor Sheehan with six minutes left.
2013 runners-up Mary I were 0-10 to 0-3 clear at half-time, having played with the breeze from the start.
DIT still held out mathematical hope of advancing themselves but needed to run up a cricket score victory while also hoping that NUI Galway fell to a heavy defeat – but neither of those scenarios materialised.
Darragh Corry’s 35th minute goal put the end result beyond any doubt, as Limerick pair Cian Lynch and impressive midfielder Darragh O’Donovan did well in the build-up.
Indeed, Lynch produced one of his trademark over the shoulder handpasses to provide O’Donovan with possession and the move culminated with Corry’s blistering finish.
O’Donovan set the ball rolling for Mary I with the opening score of the game and Hannon had four points on the board by the interval – before adding another five in the second half.
For Eoin Brislane’s DIT, this was a disappointing end to their campaign but Cregan and Mary I are through to the last eight and with plenty of intercounty stars in their ranks, they could go a long way yet.
Scorers for Mary I: Declan Hannon 0-9 (0-6f), Darragh Corry 1-2, Darragh O’Donovan 0-5 (0-1f, 0-1 ’65), Cian Lynch 0-2, Stephen Cahill & Colm Galvin 0-1 each.
Scorers for DIT: Jack Guiney 0-3 (0-3f), Conor Sheehan & Derek McNicholas (f) 0-1 each.
Mary Immaculate College
1. Maidhc O’Conghaile (Michael Breathnach, Galway)
2. Eoin Quirke (Whitegate, Clare)
3. Richie English (Doon, Limerick)
17. Andrew Ryan (Toomevara, Tipperary)
7. Ronan Maher (Thurles Sarsfields, Tipperary)
20.Tom Stapleton (Templederry Kenyons, Tipperary)
6. John Meagher (Loughmore-Castleiney, Tipperary)
8. Stephen Cahill (Thurles Sarsfields, Tipperary)
9. Darragh O’Donovan (Doon, Limerick)
11. Colm Galvin (Clonlara, Clare)
30. Niall O’Meara (Kilruane MacDonagh’s, Tipperary)
15. Darragh Corry (Tulla, Clare)
10. David Reidy (Dromin-Athlacca, Limerick)
14. Declan Hannon (Adare, Limerick)
29. Cian Lynch (Patrickswell, Limerick)
Subs:
23. Sean Linnane (Turloughmore, Galway) for O’Meara (45)
8. Alan Flynn (Kildangan, Tipperary) for Quirke (50)
12. Mikey O’Neill (Kilmaley, Clare) for Reidy (52)
Dublin IT
1. Patrick McKenna (Clane, Kildare)
2. Seanie McClelland (Lucan Sarsfields, Dublin)
3. Tommy Doyle (Lough Lene Gaels, Westmeath)
4. Conor Robinson (Ballyboden St Enda’s, Dublin)
7. Shane Barrett (Na Fianna, Dublin)
6. Lee Chin (Faythe Harriers, Wexford)
5. Donal Guinan (Birr, Offaly)
29. John Henderson (Bray Emmetts, Wicklow)
8. Glen Whelan (Ballinteer St John’s, Dublin)
11. Jack Guiney (Rathnure, Wexford)
12. Conor Sheehan (Cappamore, Limerick)
9. Robbie Greville (Raharney, Westmeath)
14. Derek McNicholas (Lough Lene Gaels, Westmeath)
10. Jude Sweeney (Kilmacud Crokes, Dublin)
18. AJ Murphy (Na Fianna, Dublin)
Subs:
15. Cian O’Donoghue (Tullogher-Rosbercon, Kilkenny) for McClelland (29)
21. Billy Kelly (HWH Bunclody) for McNicholas (50).
Referee: Mickey Dan Murtagh (Westmeath)
That’s great work. Best of luck to all these lads. With the other new signings and maybe 1 or 2 more they could build a really good side.
@Chris Mc: tbh if they only add 1-2 new signings on top of these lads then I think they’ve got a significantly weaker squad than they had last season. They need a few lads who have experience of top level rugby and who’re ready to go straight into the first team.
@Jim Demps: correct Jim unfortunately Connacht are being sacrificed for IRFU budget cuts
@Jim Demps: disappointing Jim to see Connacht cast once more as the IRFU’s development province in order that the increasingly desperate attempt to drag Munster to a trophy (any trophy) or even a final continues. There are still gaps at No8 and the full back/wing for Connacht to fill before we return to action in August, but it does seem like there will be just two (maximum) experienced arrivals.
@Jim Demps: I’m with you on that one, at least 4 good players needed to be similar to last seasons squad
@David Finn: I still reckon there’ll be a bit more than that, I’d be hopeful anyway. Maybe two overseas signings and another 2-3 internal?
@Jim Demps: you’d hope so.
@David Finn: they’ll be incredibly light if that’s not the case
@Jim Demps: I think the 4 signing added to the players promoted with a injury free run and Carty and Marmion hitting form and they have the basis of a really decent side.
It’s great these lads are getting a chance, but it doesn’t gloss over that that Connacht are getting weaker each year, badly need competition for places.
Delighted for the young lads but must say underwhelmed with recruitment and consequently our ambition for next couple years. Squad stripped off senior players , replaced with young lads who will take time to be able to survive at senior rugby never mind thriving which is what is needed. Hopefully 4 places still available to be filled with some decent senior strong players aka bring what Muldowney, McCartney, Fainga, Clarke, etc brought you Connacht.
Peter Sullivan has all the ingredients to make it let just hope they’re all given a fair crack of the whip to develop.
Good to see youth promoted through the ranks and we wish them well in their careers.
There is no doubt that all squads will have tighten their belts and we will probably not see many if indeed any so called big money signings for a few years to come, other than those already agreed.
Academy players fit the bill, financially and also promote support from the fans, Ho have watched their development.
Patience will be required in that it is more than likely a two or three year project before it bears fruit.
Fantastic trust shown by Andy Friend and his coaching team and really building for the future. It sends a very strong message to young players in the province. Delighted for our 3 Buccaneers players, superb young men, very talented and deserve their shot
@Pol O’Broin: fantastic trust or lack of budget