Watch: Emotional Jamie Wall - 'The Fitzgibbon is the best competition in the GAA'

MIC Limerick Manager Jamie Wall

Surely there won’t be too many sweeter wins than this for Mary Immaculate College and Jamie Wall.

Not only did they secure a first Fitzgibbon Cup of the decade (their first since 2017), they did so against cross-town rivals UL, denying them a famous three in a row. And they did so having come from behind against the breeze in the second half at a well-presented Abbeydorney. 

Mobbed by well-wishers and players, manager Wall tried to sum up what the victory meant.

“I am so proud of the lads because it looked as if we had left it behind when they went two up. I think that is what makes the win the sweeter and the more pleasing, because it was not a stroll or a lucky break, we rallied and rallied and took the hits. 

"They are smashing fellows and they are such role models. I mean just look at Cathal Quinn and the ball he won. We brought Shane “the Bull” O’Brien out the field and he won ball out the field when it wasn’t coming in. 

"He reminds me so much of when we had Aaron Gillane in second year who was able to play inside and outside. He is still under 20 and his potential is frightening.” 

In his seventh year as Mary I manager, Jamie Wall claimed his second title in the competition. He was also selector to Eamonn Cregan when Mary I won their only other crown in 2016. 

Emotional in victory, with first cousin Podge Collins at his side on the touchline, Wall emphasised the competition is about so much more than hurling.

Pure emotion as Mary I win the Fitz!

See manager Jamie Wall embrace his colleague and cousin Podge Collins at the final whistle of the @ElectricIreland Fitzgibbon Cup Final.@MICLimerick @OfficialCorkGAA @LimerickCLG @officialgaa @SportTG4 @GaaClare @MTUKerryGAAClub @GAA_BEO pic.twitter.com/zQovjrWMNk

— GAA Higher Education (@HigherEdGAA) February 17, 2024

"It's the best competition in the GAA as far as I'm concerned.

"No, look, it's something that for the people involved, it's such an emotional thing.

"I saw during the week the University of Ulster won (the Sigerson Cup), Tommy Joe (Farrell) who has given so many years there. You remember Dave Billing in UCD, guys like Eamonn Cregan in Mary I, who was in charge for so long before he won it.

"Every college has these guys. It's not about the hurling really. Those guys, maybe myself in years to come..., our thing is about those young fellas, them growing up, help them get through college, get their degrees, become part of our world. 

"To see them go on now and become the teachers of the world, it's such an encouraging thing. They are brilliant fellas and will be brilliant role models. The future is bright." 

University of Limerick manager Brian Ryan was magnanimous in defeat. 

“It was a tight game, conditions were not great and the wind was strong. But Mary I took full advantage of the wind in the opening half. We resumed in the second half and enjoyed a purple patch for 15 or 20 minutes and went two in front, but they worked themselves back into it. 

"They made some changes, brought Shane O’Brien out to the middle of the field, he was effective and they got the scores and we just hadn’t enough time at the end to claw it back."