NUIG all set to host Fitzgibbon thrillers

IF THERE are prerequisites for a successful Fitzgibbon Cup finals weekend, this year’s model looks to have ticked all the boxes.

The hosts are present in NUI Galway. The form teams are all there in the three sides that topped this year’s groups in Limerick IT, NUIG and UL. The tradition is accounted for with Limerick IT, Waterford IT and UL having garnered seven of the last eight titles. And most of all there is a wealth of talent on view with a galaxy of inter-county stars in the four teams led by the most luminous light in this year’s Fitzgibbon Cup, Joe Canning.

It’s difficult to argue that there could have been a better quartet for this weekend’s final action in Galway. The first last-four tie in Dangan at noon is a repeat of the 2007 decider between NUIG and LIT. On that occasion the Davy Fitzgerald-trained side emerged victorious and they have cut an impressive swathe through this year’s competition. Canning is their figurehead at full-forward, and they have defensive strength in James McInerney and Nicky O’Connell, the midfield dynamism of Sean Collins and Tipp centre-forward Seamus Callanan. However injury victims Conor Cooney and Eamonn Glynn are losses to their defensive cause.

Much like NUI Maynooth in last week’s Sigerson, NUIG should be able to hurl with greater abandon now that the pressure of reaching the finals weekend has been lifted. There are a few blue-chip talents in Galway pair John Lee and Finian Coone, while Tipperary’s Seamus Hennessy’s rate of development has been impressive. Similar to LIT, NUIG benefit from the Clare U21 factor with last year’s All-Ireland-winning stars Donal Tuohy, Domhnall O’Donovan and John Conlon amongst their ranks. They should give LIT a stern examination but the favourites should pull through.

UL can make it an all-Limerick third-level decider when they face Waterford IT in the second semi-final in Dangan at 2pm. UL looked powerful in dispatching champions UCC in last week’s quarter-finals but Willie Ryan would be a major loss if he fails to recover from injury. They have the wherewithal to cope, with Ryan O’Dwyer, Brian Carroll and Shane Dooley all potent forces. Their defence is resolute, fronted by Paddy Stapleton, Kieran Joyce and Seamus Hickey.

They’ll be wary of WIT though. The Colm Bonnar-trained side have been specialists in this competition in recent years, developing a happy knack of maximising the resources at their disposal. Their current team is not weighed down with marquee names but have done enough over the last few weeks to illustrate how capable they are. Waterford defenders Noel Connor and Wayne Hutchinson ensured they give away little at the back, while Fintan O’Leary, Kieran Grehan and Timmy Hammersley spearhead their attack. They will run their opponents close but UL get the vote to advance.

Meanwhile there is also Ryan Cup action in Dangan today with both semi-finals down for decision. At 11am, DCU face NUI Maynooth. DCU will be anchored by Tipperary U21 Bill McCormack, Offaly seniors Diarmuid Horan and James Mulrooney and last year’s Kilkenny minor star Walter Walsh, while NUI Maynooth will look to Tipperary duo Thomas McGrath and Ciaran Haugh, and Laois senior Darren Maher. In the second semi-final at 1pm, IT Tralee will base their challenge around Limerick trio Nicky Quaid, Mark Deegan and Eoin Ryan. Opponents Carlow IT possess Kilkenny netminder PJ Ryan and Laois senior duo Neil Foyle and Conor Delaney.