Mary Immaculate College earn impressive Fitzgibbon Cup win over UCC:
By John Keogh Limerick Leader Sport
MARY IMMACULATE College Limerick made a winning start to the 2024 Fitzgibbon Cup with a 1-24 to 0-20 victory over UCC at MIC’S grounds.
Jamie Wall’s side put in an impressive performance with Limerick starlet Shane O’Brien landing 0-5 from play in a classy showing. However, his availability for their next game with Maynooth on Monday is in doubt after he limped off the pitch following the final whistle.
The sides shared the opening four points but Mary I hit four of the next five with Devin Ryan landing two frees, while Declan McLaughlin and Colin O’Brien struck from play.
Mary I continued to impress in the opening quarter with keeper Jason Gillane striking a huge point from distance that helped them to a 0-10 to 0-4 advantage after 15 minutes.
UCC responded to bring it back to four points with Cathal McCarthy getting the pick of the scores for his side, while Ben Cunningham scored a free.
Ryan kept the scoreboard ticking over for Mary I as the half drew to a close but they could have led by more at the break when McLaughlin fired a shot at goal that was deflected wide. However, the referee agreed with his umpires as the ball was waved wide.
However, Ronan Power struck immediately from the puck out with an excellent point that saw Mary I to a 0-15 to 0-13 half time advantage.
Brian Keating made it a one point game 40 seconds into the second half but Mary I took full control with the next five scores. Four from the imperious O’Brien and two from Ryan.
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That sent them six points clear and Mary I never looked in any danger of losing the game from there. UCC did bring it back to a five point game thanks to points from Robert Cotter and Keating.
The game was put beyond doubt when McLaughlin produced the only goal of the game eight minutes from time. He latched onto a Cathal Quinn diagonal delivery and sent a devastating finish to the net.
Gillane added a long range free but the last score was left to McLaughlin who hit the target to give Mary I an eight-point winning margin.
SCORERS – MARY IMMACULATE: Devon Ryan 0-9 (0-8 frees), Shane O’Brien 0-5, Declan McLaughlin 1-2, Jason Gillane (0-1 free), Colin O’Brien, James Devanney 0-2 each, Shane Meehan, Cathal Quinn and Ronan Power 0-1 each.
SCORERS – UCC: Ben Cunningham 0-7 (0-5 frees), Brian Hayes 0-4, William Buckley, Robert Cotter and Brian Keating 0-2 each, Cathal McCarthy, Rob Downey and Darragh Flynn 0-1 each.
MARY IMMACULATE: Jason Gilane (Patrickswell, Limerick); Keith Ryan (Upperchurch-Drombane, Tipperary), Joe Caesar (Holycross-Ballycahill, Tipperary), Adam Hogan (Feakle, Clare); Diarmuid Ryan (Cratloe, Clare), PJ Fanning (Mount Sion, Waterford), Ronan Power (Ballygunner, Waterford); Cathal Quinn (Cashel King Cormacs, Tipperary), Conor Hennessy (Nenagh Eire Og); Colin O’Brien (Liscarroll-Churchtown, Cork), James Devanney (Borris-lleigh, Tipperary), Shane Meehan (The Banner, Clare); Devon Ryan (Cashel King Cormacs, Tipperary), Declan McLaughlin (Portumna, Galway), Shane O’Brien (Kilmallock, Limerick).
SUBS: Daithi Lohan (Wolfe Tones Na Siona) for K Ryan (36 mins), Oisin O’Farrell (Askeaton, Limerick) for Devanney (52 mins), Vince Harrington (Na Piarsaigh, Limerick) for Hogan (55 mins), Fionn McDonagh (Moycullen, Galway) for D Ryan (57 mins), Ciaran Lloyd (Moyne-Templetuohy, Tipperary) for Hennessy (62 mins).
UCC: Brion Saunderson (Midleton, Cork); Cathal McCarthy (Sarsfields, Cork), Shane Kingston (Ballinora, Cork), Ger Millerick (Fr O’Neills, Cork); Luke Elliot (Sarsfields, Cork), Rob Downey (Glen Rovers, Cork), Cormac O’Brien (Newtownshandrum, Cork); Sean Daly (Randal Og, Cork), William Buckley (St Finbarr’s, Cork); Ben Cunningham (St Finbarr’s, Cork), Brian Keating (Ballincollig, Cork), Daniel Hogan (Sarsfields, Cork); Robert Cotter (Blackrock, Cork), Darragh Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields, Tipperary), Brian Hayes (St Finbarr’s, Cork).
SUBS: Iarlaith Daly (Lismore, Waterford) for C McCarthy (24 mins, inj), Joe Fitzpatrick (Dunnanmaggin, Kilkenny) for Downey (28 mins, inj), Darragh Flynn (Ballygiblin, Cork) for Elliot (h-t, inj), Shane Barrett (Blarney, Cork) for Hogan (36 mins), Fionn Coleman (Blackrock, Cork) for Stakelum (50 mins).
REFEREE: Brian Coen (Galway).