Final third flurry helps Mary I kick-off Fitzgibbon Cup defence in winning fashion

The Limerick college led 0-12 to 0-10 at half-time and proceedings ended with the scoreboard reading 0-22-2-14 in favour of the Limerick college.

Shane O'Brien of Mary Immaculate College Limerick. Pic:  Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Fitzgibbon Cup: Mary Immaculate College 0-22 ATU Galway 2-14 

Mary Immaculate got their defence of the Fitzgibbon Cup underway thanks to a dominant final third against a gallant ATU Galway outfit in Liam Mellows.

The Limerick college led 0-12 to 0-10 at half-time but had been wind assisted. This included a long-range score from keeper, Darragh Conway.

ATU had a brace of sideline cuts included in their scores, with the returning Kevin Cooney landing both. Meanwhile, Darragh Donohue kept a competitive ATU side in touch when he was accurate from placed balls.

Clare senior Shane Meehan looked lively but his evening was cut short through injury. Meanwhile Cooney didn’t remerge for the second period – which was a blow to ATU’s chances of an upset.

However, the 40th minute, it was 1-14 to 0-14 as Nathan Earner goaled for the Galway side. The introduction of Young Hurler of the Year, Adam Hogan, helped sure up the Mary I defence.

Seven points in a row – including points from Conor Hennessey, Oisin O’Farrell, Shane O’Brien and sub-Jamie Ryan helped turn the tide in favour of Jamie Wall’s men.

A 56th minute Darren Shaughnessy goal cut the margin back to a point but this was the only ATU score in the final 20 minutes of action.

Scorers for Mary I: O O’Farrell 0-5 (3f); S Meehan (2f) and C Hennessy 0-3 each; S O’Brien (1f), D McLaughlin and J Ryan 0-2 each; C Scully, E Lawless, D Cahill, D Conway and R O’Connor 0-1 each.

Scorers for ATU Galway: D Donohue 0-8 (8f); N Earner and D Shaughnessy 1-0 each; K Cooney (2sl) and O Lohan 0-2 each; J Cooney and D McGlynn 0-1 each.

MARY IMMACULATE COLLEGE, LIMERICK: D Conway; W Dore, E Lawless, V Harrington; C Scully, J Quilty, R Power; R O’Connor, C Hennessy; F McDonagh, D McLaughlin, S Meehan; D Cahill, S O’Brien, O O’Farrell.

Subs: J Ryan for Quilty (temp, 20-24), J Ryan for Meehan (24), A Hogan for Dore (37), C Daly for Cahill (40), E Craddock for Daly (46), P Finn for Quilty (60).

ATU GALWAY: M Grealish; R Meehan, R Burke, O Clune; D Dunne, J Cooney, C Cosgrove; D Donohue, O Lohan; E Burke, K Cooney, J Linnnane; D Shaughnessy, N Earner, D McGlynn.

Subs: D Murphy for E Burke (HT), E Horan for K Cooney (HT), C Duggan for McGlynn (58).

REFEREE: A Tierney.