UL eventually hit their stride to dismiss SETU Waterford challenge 

Jack Leahy, University of Limerick, on the attack against Ben Tallis, SETU Waterford. Pic: Brendan Gleeson

Fitzgibbon Cup: University of Limerick 3-24 SETU Waterford 1-17  

A run of thirteen of the final sixteen points saw University of Limerick get the wheels in motion in their bid to regain the Fitzgibbon Cup, eventually defeating SETU Waterford by thirteen points on home soil.

There were plenty of talking points from this one – the loss to Adam English to injury moments after the restart perhaps the most concerning for Limerick connections. Meanwhile, Jack Leahy, the rising Cork star, showed his goalscoring prowess – with Tipperary senior Gearoid O’Connor arrowing over a plethora of late points against a fatiguing Waterford outfit.

Having lost out agonisingly to Mary Immaculate in the decider last February, the bulk of this UL squad look determined to correct that record. 

They were without Offaly star Adam Screeney, owing to an injury, while Cathal O’Neill was a spectator. He hobbled out of their Division One League final win in December.

Credit to Fintan O’Connor’s side, who didn’t deserve such a scoreboard embarrassment, as they were well in this game at the three quarter-mark. It was around this time that UL took over, while O’Connor was dismissed on the line – frustrated at the lack of cards shown to the hosts for fouls which halted any Deise progress.

Having eleven different scorers, Brian Ryan’s side flexed their muscle. His management includes former Tipperary star, Shane McGrath, while Ger Hegarty, father of Gearoid, is also involved.

Ruben Halloran opened the scoring with a point but Aidan O’Connor soon fed Leahy who buried emhaptically for the first of his green flags – inside four minutes. Indeed Limerick’s O’Connor was on hand to set up all three goals.

He played another handpass to the lively English who still had plenty to do to beat Barry Hennessy. This gave UL a 2-3 to 1-4 lead, just months after Halloran had finished a thrilling solo run from 30 plus meters.

The second quarter saw points from Gearoid O’Connor, Paddy O’Donovan and Aidan O’Connor -while Seán Walsh had the pick of the scores for the visitors. A late Leahy goal, after a great switch from Ballybrown’s O’Connor, pushed UL clear. They led 3-9 to 1-10.

There was a lot to like about SETU but they did struggle to find other scorers. Again it was Halloran who led the fight in the third quarter while a sideline effort from Carrigtwohill’s Walsh kept them in the fight.

However, as UL replenished their side, they found another gear. Gearoid O’Connor continued his scoring streak before Patrick Crotty and subs Seán Rynne and Diarmuid Hanniffy helped stretch the margin. 

But for a superb Hennessy save to deny O’Connor, the margin could have been greater during a dominant closing period for the Plassey students.

UL host ATU Galway next week, with SETU Waterford needing a victory when they host champions, Mary I.

Scorers for University of Limerick: G O’Connor 0-11 (0-7 frees); J Leahy 2-2; A O’Connor 0-3; A English 1-0; A Morgan, B O’Sullivan, P O’Donovan, C O’Meara, P Crotty, D Hanniffy, S Rynne 0-1 each.

Scorers for SETU Waterford: R Halloran 1-10 (0-6 frees, 0-1 ’65); S Walsh 0-3; W Beresford 0-2; C Keane, J Foley 0-1 each.

University of Limerick: D Fahy (Ardrahan, Galway); C Smyth (Midleton, Cork), M Fitzgerald (Passage East, Waterford), J Cooney (Clooney Quin, Clare); A Morgan (Kilruane McDonaghs, Tipperary), C Coughlan (C) (Ballybrown, Limerick), M Corcoran (Silvermines, Tipperary); B O’Sullivan (Kanturk, Cork), A English (Doon, Limerick); G O’Connor (Moyne Templetuohy, Tipperary), C O’Meara (Clonlara, Clare), P Crotty (Scariff, Clare); J Leahy (Dungourney, Cork), A O’Connor (Ballybrown, Limerick), P O’Donovan (Effin, Limerick).

Subs: K Doyle (Emeralds, Kilkenny) for English (inj – 32); D Fahy (Oranmore Maree, Galway) for Leahy (53), S Rynne (Inagh Kilnamona, Clare) for O’Sullivan (56), S O’Hanlon (Turloughmore, Galway) for O’Meara (57); E O’Leary (Ahane, Limerick) for Smyth (60).

SETU Waterford (Waterford unless stated): B Hennessy (Kilmallock, Limerick); P Wicham (St. Abban’s Adamstown, Wexford), B Tallis (Lisdowney, Laois), K Cullinane (Passage); J Fitzgerald (Clashmore/Kinsalebeg), C Keane (De La Salle), C King (Carrig Riverstown, Offaly); W Beresford (Abbeyside/Ballinacourty), J Fitzpatrick (Dunnamaggin, Kilkenny); S Walsh (Carrigtwohill, Cork), R Halloran (De La Salle), J Groves (Dunhill); J Foley (Ballygunner), E Guilfoyle (Moyne Templetuohy, Tipperary), P Phelan (Upperchurch Drombane, Tipperary).

Subs: B O’Callaghan (Piltown, Kilkenny) for Daly (38); L Ahern (Roanmore) for Groves (54); E Hayes (Roanmore) for E Guilfoyle (57).

Referee: B Keon (Galway).