Three second half goals seals MTU Cork comeback to secure Fitzgibbon Cup semi-final spot

The winners were able to recall Ciaran Joyce and Alan Connolly and while the two Cork stars showed plenty in the second half, it was the accurate finishing from Alan Walsh and Jack Cahalane who swung the tie their way.

Thu, 06 Feb, 2025 - 20:54

Tom Clancy

Fitzgibbon Cup: TUS Midwest 1-17 MTU Cork 4-18

An explosive at clinical second half saw MTU Cork come from behind to march into the semi-finals of the Fitzgibbon Cup. Three second half goals meant that they swatted aside TUS Midwest, who’d turned in an impressive opening half of hurling at a dry but freezing Moylish in Limerick.

Indeed, Walsh, Cahalane and Connolly – MTU’s starting full-forward trio, accounted for a combined 4-6 from play over the hour and their link play ensured a close range hat-trick for Kanturk’s Walsh.

For TUS, previously LIT, they relied heavily on the accuracy of Kyle Shelly, who had 1-9 scored by half-time, to give this side a five-point interval lead. However, Shelly’s three placed balls in the second half, and a late James McMahon point were never going to be enough for Jimmy Brownes men.

A sluggish start from the visitors allowed the home side gather real momentum. Pointing from the throw in, Sean Canning set the tone for the next thirty minutes. The powerful presence of Kian O’Kelly proved a real asset, and he won a penalty after just sixty seconds, which Shelly buried.

With the replies slow from MTU, TUS pulled eight clear by the sixteenth minute. A run of nine points saw all bar one from scored via a free, as Connolly and Shelly traded blows.

Crucially, the first Cork goal changed the tone. A great solo run from Brian Lynch saw him offload to Walsh who netted from just meters out.

Trailing 1-13 to 1-8 thanks to points from play from Tipperary man Shelly and a second from Niall O’Farrell, the Bishopstown students needed to find a spark.

Connolly played further from goal and by the 41st minute they were within a point. This thanks to Walsh catching Connolly’s long-range shot, and despite protests of a square ball, he found the net.

Walsh got his hat-trick after an incredible run from Brian Lynch who cut through the Limerick defence.

The wind was truly taken out of the sails of the home side, who failed to score from play during the second half. They were mere passengers as Darragh O’Sullivan, Cahalane and Connolly all raised white flags.

The killer goal, their fourth came when Connolly picked out Cahalane who finished neatly. There was to be no TUS Midwest revival.

MTU Cork will face University of Limerick in next weeks semi-final, with UCC set to clash with DCU who dethroned Mary Immaculate College on Wednesday evening.

Scorers for TUS Midwest: K Shelly 1-12 (1-0 pen, 0-9 frees, 0-1 ’65); N O’Farrell 0-2; P McCormack, S Canning, J Mahon (free) 0-1 each.

Scorers for MTU Cork: A Walsh 3-1; A Connolly 0-7 (0-5 frees); J Cahalane 1-3; M Finn, D O’Sullivan 0-2 each; R McCarthy, S Fitzgerald, D Healy 0-1 each.

TUS MIDWEST: R Brislane (Tipperary); D Fitzgerald (Limerick), E Maxted (Clare), J Mahon (Offaly); J McCullagh (Carlow), P Donnellan (Clare), S Walsh (Tipperary); D Casey (Limerick), C O’Dwyer (Tipperary); N O’Farrell (Broadford, Clare), P McCormack (Borrisoleigh, Tipperary), R Doyle (Tipperary); K Shelly (Tipperary), K O’Kelly (Tipperary), S Canning (Roscommon).

Subs: E Cuddy (Laois) for McCullagh (48); D Guinan (Tipperary) for Casey (48); B Adams (Limerick) for Canning (55).

MTU CORK (Cork unless stated): C Wilson (Newcestown); F O'Connell (St Catherine's), E Varian (Glen Rovers), Darragh O'Sullivan (Ballinhassig); R Walsh (Kerry), C Joyce (Castlemartyr), S Fitzgerald (Waterford);

M Mullins (Whitechurch), M Finn (Midleton); D Healy (Lisgoold), B Lynch (Ballinhassig), R McCarthy (Carrigaline); A Walsh (Kanturk), A Connolly (Blackrock) J Cahalane (St Finbarr's).

Subs: R O’Sullivan (Newcestown) for Lynch (58); D O’Sullivan (Ballincollig) for McCarthy (58); M Tobin (Mallow) for Fitzgerald (64).

Referee: S Hynes (Galway)