Poignant day for Fitz greats

Two semi-finals in the GMIT-hosted Fitzgibbon Cup today, both at the Carnmore in Galway, and two interesting pairings they are.

In the second game of the day (2.30pm), we have the two most successful teams in the history of the competition. UCC and their 40 titles facing UCD’s 30, a repeat of the first final played in 1912, which was won by the Dublin university.

In the opener (12.45pm), relative new boys Waterford IT, who entered the competition for the first time in 1988 as Waterford RTC and have been the most successful team since with eight wins, meet the Cinderella team of this year’s championship Mary Immaculate College, who last year won the Ryan Cup.

For UCC and also for UCD manager Nicky English, while both will be doing their damnedest to advance to yet another final, this will also be a day darkened by sadness. Manager of the UCC team that won last year’s title in dramatic fashion in Cork was Fitzgibbon Cup legend Paul O’Connor, who has since passed away. It was Paul’s 10th title, five of those as a player back in the ’80s. He wasn’t a big name in inter-county hurling but Paul epitomised everything the Fitzgibbon is about — good players becoming great in their college colours.

One of those from that outstanding UCC team who did become a household name, however, was the aforementioned English, a team-mate and friend of Paul’s, which lends a touch of poignancy to today’s meeting.

“After the death of Paul O’Connor, it’s ironic really [to be playing UCC],” English said. “But that’s the way it is and we’ll look forward to it.”

In the other game, Robert O’Donnell from Pallasgreen and Limerick is another name that isn’t yet known to many. Mary I have their quota of inter-county stars of course and wouldn’t have reached this their first Fitzgibbon Cup semi-final without the inspiring Declan Hannon (Limerick) and John Conlon (Clare). Add in the considerable talents of Brian O’Halloran (Waterford) and Luke O’Farrell (Cork), the ability of Seán Curran (Tipperary) and Conor Cooney (Galway), the talent of Clare’s Colm Galvin and the coaching guile of Eamon Cregan and this is a team you underestimate at your peril.

It’s O’Donnell, however, and the lesser lights who make Mary I the threat they have become. A veritable buzz saw of a full-back, burly but one who takes no prisoners.

“We’ve such a family built up with Mary I,” said the second-year arts student.

“We said at training the other day there are no heroes on our team. We play as a whole and let the boys do the work on the sideline.

“We started out and there was nothing expected of us. Look where we are today. It’s unbelievable. Such a small college, started out with nothing. No money, nothing.”

Given his consistency through the campaign the wonder is that he’s not on John Allen’s Limerick panel. There’s a reason, says O’Donnell.

“I’ve a bit of a discipline problem. That’s what they said to me. I don’t think they trust me. I have a bit of a record. What can I do? But look. I’ll keep trying.

“I’m on the intermediates and I’ll try to prove myself again.

“I’ll work hard and try to get in there. I want to get in there. Days like this? I want to be doing that with Limerick. I’ll keep working hard; I’m only 21. I’m young yet.”

A couple more good outings this weekend and who knows, but can the dream continue for Cregan’s students? Will the superior experience of WIT prove too much? Can English deny his alma mater, end the ultimate tribute they would wish to pay their former coach?

Today is the day we find out.