By Limerick Leader Reporter
UNIVERSITY of Limerick made it back to back wins in the Electric Ireland Higher Education final after securing an impressive 4-31 to 3-21 victory over local rivals Mary Immaculate College at Croke Park on Friday night.
The Brian Ryan-managed UL side led the repeat of the 2024 Higher Education Fitzgibbon Cup final 3-13 to 0-13 at half-time.
It is a 10th Fitzgibbon Cup success for the Castletroy-based side, who produced their best performance of the campaign in the decider.
Limerick player Cathal O’Neill scooped the TG4 Man of the Match accolade after turning in an eye-catching display in the final.
O’Neill scored seven points from play in the final, while Tipperary’s Hurler Hurler of the Year Darragh McCarthy also contributed seven points, six from frees, and Cork’s Jack Leahy accounted for 1-6 with 1-5 from play.
ULs other goals came courtesy of a brace from Limerick star Adam English.
The success capped a memorable 48 hours for UL who completed a big double after capturing their histroic first ever Sigerson Cup final success also at GAA HQ on Wednesday evening following their win over UCC.
UL have become the fourth different college to complete the Sigerson Cup-Fitzgibbon Cup double in the same year.
The victorious UL Fitzgibbon Cup hurling side was captained to victory by Limerick’s Colin Coughlan, of Ballybrown.
For Mary Immaculate College, exciting Limerick star Shane O’Brien contributed a handsome 1-12, including a goal from a penalty and five points from play.
Some 10 members of John Kiely’s Limerick senior hurling squad featured in Friday night’s Fitzgibbon Cup final, with seven on the victorious UL panel.