UL edge past Dublin City University to land Freshers 1 Hurling title

Captained by Cork starlet Jack Leahy, the Limerick side did just enough to claim the silverware by one point.

CAPTAIN FANTASTIC: Captained by Cork starlet Jack Leahy, UL did just enough to claim the Freshers 1 Hurling title. Pic credit: Larry Cummins.

University of Limerick 1-14

Dublin City University 1-13

The University of Limerick made home advantage count as they edged beyond Dublin City University to claim the Freshers 1 Hurling title at a soaked Maguires Field.

Captained by Cork starlet Jack Leahy, the Limerick side did just enough to claim the silverware.

Such was the downpour of rain in Limerick in the last 24 hours, the softening grass pitch was heavy going for these youngsters, but in the end, UL wrestled control and got over the line.

Despite turning in a poor first half, which saw them trail 0-8 to 0-4, the Castletroy outfit were much sharper after the resumption and got the better of the Dublin side.

However, a last gasp Kevin Hogan free when over the bar instead of under, which could easily have flipped the result. It took a change in free-taker for UL to find their groove.

While it was Adam Screeney who tided up that aspect, it was the misses from Jack Leahy that contributed to UL’s underperformance in the opening half.

UL were calling upon players from eight different counties from the start with Anthony Keady and Screeney just two of their standout names. For DCU, their XV featured players from six different counties. In total 11 different counties were represented by the starting 30 players.

There was plenty to like about the runners-up and few could have denied them another crack at UL in extra-time, but they couldn’t stop the leaks in the third quarter as Dave Clohessy’s men pulled themselves back into contention.

This was a slow burner early on, UL wasteful, DCU tenacious in the tackle and more accurate up front. Ted Dunne, Daragh Murphy and Donagh Murphy all contributed to a 0-4 to 0-2 quarter hour lead, the final of those quartet came from Ben Gaughran who showed an incredible piece of skill to flick the ball over a UL man before firing over.

Cian Boran was denied by Limerick stopper Muiris Ó Dálaigh with a point blank save while at the other end Screeney and Dungourney’s Jack Leahy both wasted glorious goal chances.

By the time Thomas Walsh called for half-time, UL had seven wides, and had also hit the post three times, including a brace of frees. They were guilty of poor striking from range with DCU hungry in the tackle before their inside forwards.

The strengthening wind probably assisted the hosts in the third quarter, but simply put, the came up with answers. Keady, Screeney (two frees) and Conor Martin levelled the tie with four in the space of seven minutes.

But then DCU rocked UL with a goal. Spilled by the goalkeeper, it was a second chance effort from Luke Murphy who finished low to re-open a three-point lead.

DCU were still two ahead by the three-quarter mark but UL were more dominant in the middle third. A run of five of the next six scores propelled UL in front. Their goal, from Senan Butler, saw the Tipp man sharpest to a dropping ball off the post, before he whipped home.

Ciarmhac Smyth, Keady and sub Stephen Dee all helped turn the tide while a fine James Doherty effort had the silverware within reach. They were crucially two ahead entering the final two minutes of stoppage time.

DCU needed a goal, but UL cynically fouled their runner. This saw Hogan step up, but his high strike sailed a meter over the bar, quickly followed by the final whistle.

Scorers for University of Limerick: A Screeney (all frees), C Martin 0-4 each; S Butler 1-1; J Leahy 0-2 (0-1 free); D O’Reilly, A Keady, J Doherty 0-1 each.

Scorers for Dublin City University: D Murphy 0-6 (4f); L Murphy 1-0; D Farrell 0-2; T Dunne, D Murphy, B Gaughran, C Spain, K Hogan 0-1 each.

University of Limerick: M Ó Dálaigh (Monaleen, Limerick); N Gill (Gort, Galway), G O’Dwyer (Boherlahan/Dualla, Tipperary), T Brennan (Ballygunner, Waterford); J O’Callaghan (Portroe, Tipperary), C Smyth (Midlton, Cork), D Langan (Monaleen, Limerick); A Keady (Oranmore/Maree, Galway), K Doyle (Emerald’s, Kilkenny); D O’Reilly (Castletown/Geoghegan, Westmeath), C Martin (Cappawhite, Tipperary), B Whitty (Danesfort, Kilkenny); S Butler (Kilsheelan/Kilcash, Tipperary), J Leahy (Dungourney, Cork), A Screeney (Kilcormac/Killoughey, Offaly).

Subs: S Dee (Solohead, Tipperary) for Whitty; J Doherty (Clarecastle, Clare) for O’Reilly (49).

Dublin City University: K Hogan (Faughs, Dublin); D Purcell (Duffry Rovers, Wexford), I Bolger, (Graiguenamanagh, Kilkenny), C Cleary (Commercials, Dublin); R Delaney (Shelmaliers, Wexford), B Hughes (Bennettsbridge, Kilkenny), D Shirley (Tubber, Offaly); B Gaughran (Na Fianna, Dublin), D Farrell (Half Way House Bunclody, Wexford); D Murphy (Mount Leinster Rangers, Carlow), T Dunne (Graiguenamanagh, Kilkenny), C Boran (Naas, Kildare); L Murphy (Faythe Harriers, Wexford), C Spain (Kilcormac/Killoughey, Offaly), D Murphy (Glynn Barntown, Wexford).

Subs: S Byrne (Black & Whites, Kildare) for Gaugran (42); C Stacey (Na Fianna, Dublin) for Farrell (55).

Referee: Thomas Walsh (Waterford)