Fitzgibbon Cup: UL march on after overcoming UCC test

RUMBLE: Darragh Flynn of UCC in possession during the Electric Ireland Higher Education GAA Fitzgibbon Cup quarter-final. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach, Sportsfile

UL 1-21 UCC 0-16  

University of Limerick’s three-in-a-row bid retains a strong pulse. The champions continue on. The champions, three games into this Fitzgibbon Cup campaign, were finally subjected to a proper workup.

The champions had to take second chair to their guests for the opening 40 minutes of this quarter-final. The champions led on just three occasions during that first 40 minutes.

The champions fell three behind approaching half-time and fell four in arrears not long after the turnaround. 

They weren’t being allowed to dictate as they have become so accustomed to. They weren't allowed to build passes around the middle or momentum further forward.

The whole evening was proving a bit stifling for them. Uncomfortable, even. UCC, after a very mixed bag in the group phase, had come in their best attire.

Champions, though, don’t go without a stand. Certainly not back-to-back champions. Champions, similarly, don’t panic.

Prodded and poked for the first time this season, UL did not waver. They weathered the UCC storm. They spoiled the quality of ball being sent into the visiting forwards.

Down the far end, they isolated Adam English and Mark Rodgers. 

They created an abundance of space around the two men now occupying the inside line and fed them plenty. The UCC defence struggled in the many one-on-one situations that played out. The turnaround dramatically played out on the scoreboard.

Between the 40th and 59th minute, the hosts hit 1-9 without reply. From 0-15 to 0-12 behind to 1-21 to 0-15 in front.

Gearóid O’Connor punished every act of UCC indiscipline, converting five frees during this period. He also found time to nail the target from play. Rodgers and English also rose white flags, with the latter busy winning frees too.

Having been so quiet for so long, Rodgers roared into this quarter-final in the final quarter. On 58 minutes, he was at the end of Cian Galvin’s long delivery to bat in the game’s only goal.

It completed a remarkable turnaround and transformation from the champions. Their semi-final opponents next week are University of Galway, a repeat of the last two finals.

UCC’s falling off, where Eoin Downey’s injury-time point was their first score in 22 minutes, was so at odds with what they had produced up to his brother Rob’s second point on 39 minutes.

UCC rose to the occasion and the required level right from the off. They asked questions of the champions, rather than allowing the hosts to set the terms of engagement.

Darragh Stakelum, Darragh Flynn (free), and Shane Barrett had the visitors 0-3 to 0-1 in front by the seventh minute. Their lead should have been double that. Flynn wasoff target with successive frees.

The aforementioned Barrett assumed placed-ball responsibilities thereafter. The Cork senior finished the half with 0-5 beside his name. On a different night, it could have been 2-4.

Put through on goal on 24 minutes, he shot straight at Conor Hanley. The pair came face-to-face seven minutes later after Colin Coughlan fouled Barrett for a UCC penalty. The penalty drive flashed over.

UL had a green flag opportunity of their own earlier in the half, Aidan O'Connor's shot superbly kept out by Brion Saunderson.

Five-in-a-row from UCC had them 0-11 to 0-8 in front on 31 minutes. Their interval lead was 0-11 to 0-9, with the gap extending to four early in the second period thanks to Rob Downey and Barrett.

Then the champions came.

Scorers for UL: G O’Connor (0-8, 0-6 frees); A English (0-4); M Rodgers (1-1); A O’Connor, B O’Grady, M Fitzgerald (0-2); C O’Meara, P O’Donovan (0-1 each).

Scorers for UCC: S Barrett (0-7, 0-4 frees, 0-1 pen); W Buckley, R Downey (0-2 each); J Fitzpatrick, D Flynn (0-1 free), B Hayes, D Stakelum, E Downey (0-1 each).

UL (Limerick unless stated): C Hanley Clarke (Kilmallock); F O’Connor (Effin), TJ Brennan (Clarinbridge, Galway), D Lohan (Wolfe Tones, Clare); K Sampson (Shinrone, Offaly), M Fitzgerald (Passage East, Waterford), C Coughlan (Ballybrown); B O’Grady (Kilteely/Dromkeen), B O’Sullivan (Kanturk, Cork); A English (Doon), M Rodgers (Scariff, Clare), C O’Meara (Clonlara); S O’Hanlon (Turloughmore, Galway), G O’Connor (Moyne-Templetuohy, Tipperary), A O’Connor (Ballybrown).

Subs: D Hanniffy (Oranmore-Maree, Galway) for O’Meara, P O’Donovan (Effin) for O’Hanlon (both HT); C Galvin (Clarecastle, Clare) for Sampson (37); R Hayes (Crusheen, Clare) for O’Sullivan (48); I Byrne (Glenmore, Kilkenny) for Hanniffy (60, inj).

UCC (Cork unless stated): B Saunderson (Midleton); M Carey (Nenagh Éire Óg, Tipperary), S Kingston (Ballinora), G Millerick (Fr O’Neill’s); J Fitzpatrick (Dunnamaggin, Kilkenny), R Downey (Glen Rovers), C O’Brien (Newtownshandrum); D Flynn (Ballygiblin), D Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields, Tipperary); P McGarry (St Mary’s, Tipperary), S Barrett (Blarney), B Keating (Ballincollig); W Buckley (St Finbarr’s), B Hayes (St Finbarr’s), C McCarthy (Sarsfields).

Subs: E Downey (Glen Rovers) for Fitzpatrick, F Coleman (Blackrock) for Buckley (both 39); E Stokes (Doon, Limerick) for Keating (49); J Dwyer (Ballincollig) for Flynn (58).

Referee: T Walsh