UL 0-20
Dublin IT 0-14
Jackie Cahill reports from Parnells GAA club
BRIAN LOHAN’S CHAMPIONS University of Limerick got off to a winning start in Group C of the Fitzgibbon Cup this afternoon, coming from three points down at half-time to see off the challenge of Dublin IT.
Played in wintery conditions at Parnells GAA club in Coolock, UL took full advantage of the wind at their backs in the second half to claim a six-point win.
A host of first half wides hampered DIT’s cause and UL will have gladly taken a three-point deficit at the break, 0-7 to 0-10.
Westmeath’s Derek McNicholas was inspired for DIT all through, with Wexford’s Lee Chin also impressive in patches, but UL had the better overall spread of scorers to lay down an early marker in the competition.
Tipperary’s John McGrath pointed seven frees for the winners as Kevin O’Brien and Tommy Heffernan hit four points from play apiece.
UL played without Clare star Tony Kelly but were still too good for a DIT side managed by Toomevara’s Eoin Brislane.
DIT managed to open up a five-point advantage during the first half – 0-9 to 0-4 – but UL rallied before the break to remain in touch.
DIT will rue that first half profligacy as they ran up ten wides and now face a battle to emerge from a competitive group also containing NUI Galway and Mary Immaculate College.
Scorers for UL: John McGrath 0-7 (0-7f), Kevin O’Brien, Tommy Heffernan 0-4 each, Conor Martin 0-2, Jason Forde, Kevin Hehir, Barry Heffernan 0-1 each.
Scorers for DIT: Derek McNicholas 0-9 (3f, 1 65, 1 sl), Lee Chin 0-3, Jack Guiney (free) and Conor Sheehan 0-1 each.
UL
1. Paul Maher (Moyne-Templetouhy – Tipperary)
2. Sean Finn (Bruff – Limerick)
3. Jack Browne (Ballyea – Clare)
4. Stephen Roche (Leitrim-Killnadeema – Galway)
6. Gearoid Hegarty (St Patricks – Limerick)
10. Jason Forde (Silvermines – Tipperary)
7. Brian Stapleton (Templederry Kenyons – Tipperary)
5. Aidan McGuane (Kilmaley – Clare)
8. Kevin Hehir (Inagh-Kilnamona – Clare)
23. David Fitzgerald (Inagh-Kilnamona – Clare)
12. Conor Martin (Emeralds – Kilkenny)
11. Tom Morrissey (Ahane – Limerick)
14. Kevin O’Brien (Patrickswell – Limerick)
13. John McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney – Tipperary)
18. Tommy Heffernan (Éire Óg Nenagh – Tipperary)
Subs:
26. Mike Casey (Na Piarsaigh – Limerick) for Roche (38)
24. Barry Heffernan (Éire Óg Nenagh) for McGuane (52)1
5. Cathal McInerney (Cratloe – Clare) for Fitzgerald (58)
17. Liam O’Sullivan (Knockaderry – Limerick) for O’Brien (60+2)
Dublin IT
1. Paddy McKenna (Clane – Kildare)
4. Conor Robinson (Ballyboden St Endas – Dublin)
3. Thomas Doyle (Lough Lene Gaels – Westmeath)
2. Sean McClelland (Lucan Sarsfields – Dublin)
17. Donal Guinan (Birr – Offaly)
6. Lee Chin (Faythe Harriers – Wexford)
7. Shane Barrett (Na Fianna – Na Fianna)
8. Glen Whelan (Ballinteer St Johns – Dublin)
9. Robbie Greville (Raharney – Westmeath)
12. Conor Sheehan (Cappagh Mor – Limerick)
11. Jack Guiney (Rathnure – Wexford)
10. Jude Sweeney (Kilmacud Crokes – Dublin)
13. AJ Murphy (Na Fianna – Dublin)
14. Derek McNicholas (Lough Lene Gaels – Westmeath)
15. Cian O’Donoghue (Tullogher-Rosbercon – Kilkenny)
Subs
27. John Henderson (Bray Emmetts – Wicklow) for Murphy (half-time)
19. Billy Kelly (FCJ Bunclody – Wexford) for Sweeney (50).
Fitzgibbon but I’m biased. Think he was the exceptiona youngl hurler in 2018
@Ger Buckley: Hayes but I’m biased, Fitzgibbon is some talent but Hayes performance in the final and not just his points…
Fitzgibbon by a mile. Hayes exceptional in the final, but over the course of the whole championship Fitzgibbon has to win.
Hayes performance in the final gives him a short head verdict over Fitzgibbon
@Tim Brennan: Over the full Championship, Fitzgibbon was much better.
@MK76: ok I’ll drop the distance to a nose- he’s good but u21 final was a let down and he should have been sent off – Hayes has the medal and to the victor the laurels
@Tim Brennan: U21 doesn’t count Tim.
Kyle Hayes, he drove Limerick to win an All Ireland, he was MOTM by a country mile. He will be a future cv and captain for Limerick. No disrespect but Coleman and Fitzgibbon were part of a Cork team that should never have lost the under 21 final, they were both poor and went missing in the game.
@Fergus McGrath: under 21 final does not have relevance to this.
@Fergus McGrath: I think they were too overconfident in the 21 final. They were totally out hurled by a quicker and better prepared Tipp team who admittedly underperformed in the 21 Munster final. Hayes all the way on this one.
Easily Fitzgibbon. Great hurler. Great year.
I’m biased too but Kyle Hayes’ display in the Final was special. When the Limerick scores were drying up he had a major say and he was still hurling fearlessly in those last eight minutes when the ’94 virus or tiredness was gripping many of the team. Such an athlete.
Love to see Hayes win but wouldn’t begrudge either him or Fitzgibbon winning it out, both had a tremendous year and did themselves and their county pround.
Kyle Hayes deserves it
I’m biased too but Hayes just ahead of Fitzgibbon , I think Coleman was well below the standard he set last year.
cmon Flembomb – no Darryl Murphy?
Cmon Flembomb – No Daryl Murphy?