Mary Immaculate College 1-16
NUI Galway 0-13

LIMERICK COUNTY STAR Declan Hannon shot 1-9 and was the difference for Mary I as they clinched a crucial win, in a hotly contested Fitzgibbon Group C opener which saw three red cards dished out by referee Fergal Horgan.

Limerick youngster Cian Lynch and Galway defender Padraig Mannion were both shown red as well as NUIG subsitute Ger Hennelly, as tempered frayed in difficult conditions for hurling at Dangan in Galway.

The visitors played with the wind at their backs in the opening half and took an 0-11 to 0-7 lead into the break. But Hannon’s goal six minutes after the break put the game beyond NUIG.

Mary I have never won this competition, but the 2013 runners-up shot the first four points with Lynch, David Reidy, Darragh Corry and sharpshooter Hannon all on target.

But the Galway college stuck in it, and as Clare’s Bobby Duggan hit four first-half points they only trailed by four at the interval with a stiff breeze to come in the second-half.

Their cause was aided, when Lynch was shown red after a challenge on Cathal Mannion, just after Hannon had given Mary I a 1-12 to 0-8 advantage, with their goal.

Limerick's Cian Lynch was sent-off in today's clash Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Darragh O’Donovan burst through the NUIG cover and relayed the ball to Hannon who made no mistake from close range.

Padraig Mannion was also sent to the line, for a second bookable offence in 53rd minute, and Hennelly followed him with a straight red for an off the ball incident late on, as NUIG’s chances faded.

Scorers for Mary Immaculate College: Declan Hannon 1-9 (0-7f); Mikey O’Neill, Cian Lynch, David Reidy, Darragh Corry, Darragh O’Donovan, Ronan Maher, Colm Galvin 0-1 each.

Scorers for NUI Galway: Bobby Duggan 0-6 (0-5f); Niall O’Brien 0-2; Conor Whelan 0-1, Aidan Helebert 0-1, Kevin McHugo 0-1, Ger Hennelly 0-1, Michael Mullins 0-1.

Bobby Duggan was NUI Galway's top scorer today Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Mary Immaculate College

1. Maidhc O Conghaile (Micheal Breathnach’s – Galway)

2. Colm Barry (Castlelyons – Cork)
3. Eoin Quirke (Whitegate – Clare)
4. Richie English (Doon – Limerick)

5. Ronan Maher (Thurles Sarsfields – Tipperary)
18. Mickey O’Neill (Kilmaley – Clare)
7. John Meagher (Loughmore Castleiney – Tipperary)

8. Darragh O’Donovan (Doon – Limerick)
9. Colm Galvin (Clonlara – Clare)

10. Stephen Cahill (Thurles Sarsfields – Tipperary)
11. Darragh Corry (Tulla – Clare)
12. Cian Lynch (Patrickswell – Limerick)

13. Alan Flynn (Kildangan – Tipperary)
14. Declan Hannon (Adare – Limerick)
15. David Reidy (Dromin Athlacca – Limerick)

Subs:
6. Tom Stapleton (Templederry – Tipperary) for Reidy (19 mins)
19. Conor Twomey (Newtownshandrum – Cork) for Barry (30)
22. Thomas Monaghan (Craughwell – Galway) for Cahill (56)
20. Jack Peters (Kilruane McDonaghs – Tipperary) for Twomey (60-62).

NUI Galway

1. Cathal Tuohy (Tommie Larkins – Galway)

2. Conor Ryan (Nenagh Éire Óg – Tipperary)
3. Barry Fitzpatrick (Sixmilebridge – Clare)
4. Gerard Forde (Ardrahan – Galway)

5. Padraic Mannion (Ahascragh Fohenagh – Galway)
6. John Hanbury (Rahoon Newcastle – Galway)
7. Shane Cooney (St Thomas – Galway)

8. Niall O’Brien (Castletown – Westmeath)
9. Oisin Donnellan (Feakle – Clare)

10. Bobby Duggan (Clarecastle – Clare)
11. Cathal Mannion (Ahascragh Fohenagh – Galway)
12. Aidan Helebert (Gort – Galway)

13. John Fox (Ahane – Limerick)
14. Conor Whelan (Kinvara – Galway)
15. Kevin McHugo (Tommie Larkins – Galway)

Subs:
18. Michael Mullins (Gort – Galway) for Helebert (42 mins)
21. Stephen Ward (Clarecastle – Clare) for Fox (49)
25. Eamonn Brannigan (Rahoon Newcastle – Galway) for Forde (53)
20. Ger Hennelly (Ardrahan – Galway) for McHugo (54)
24. Stephen Whelan (Ardrahan – Galway) for Cooney (63).

Referee: Fergal Horgan (Tipperary).

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