Joyce motivated by memory of defeat

UL captain Kieran Joyce is well aware that he is sipping in the last chance saloon at he heads to Waterford for this afternoon’s Fitzgibbon Cup semi-final action.

Joyce is coming towards the end of his fifth and final year in the Limerick college and is still chasing an elusive first medal in the third-level competition. His final tilt at claiming honours starts with today’s last four tie against Cork IT as UL aim to pin down a spot in tomorrow’s decider.

“There’s been a lot of disappointments, particularly two years ago against UCC in the final. Our form was so good before that game but we never performed in the final at all. Last year then we were in good form again but lost to WIT in the semi-final and we were in the dressing-room after wondering what had happened to us. This is a huge opportunity now as it’s our last time wearing the UL jersey.”

Joyce believes that UL’s prospects are enhanced by the fight they have shown in digging out results in recent weeks.

“The quarter-final against UCD was a real tough battle with the weather not helping and the pitch very messy. Noel McGrath was on fire for UCD and it was difficult to hold him. We just tried to keep the ball away from him. It was dogged in the last 10 minutes, not pretty at all but it was a brilliant one to win. We showed grit and determination to get the result, like we did earlier in the year against UCC. It’s been said before that we didn’t have those qualities so we’ve proved a point this year.”

In contrast to Joyce, the experience of Fitzgibbon Cup hurling is a new one for Cork IT forward Colin Fennelly. A Fresher two years ago, club commitments with Ballyhale Shamrocks hindered his input last season.

“Last year myself and the Newtown lads like Cathal Naughton, Ryan Clifford, Jack Herlihy and Michael Bowles got caught up with the All-Ireland club championship. It was a difficult situation but this year we’re all available. Stephen Daniels from De La Salle has been in that situation this year but he’s made a huge effort to be with us. It’s been a great competition and one I’ve really enjoyed playing in. I wasn’t playing two years ago when we lost the semi-final to UL, but all the lads who played that day are hugely motivated after that big defeat.”