University of Galway secure home quarter-final in Fitzgibbon Cup as TUS Midwest crash out

While a narrow defeat would have yielded the same result, Frank Lohan will have been pleased that his side finished with the final two points to earn a draw.

OUT: TUS Midwest's Jack Leamy in action. Pic: ©INPHO/Bryan Keane

TUS Midwest 2-15 University of Galway 0-21

A stoppage time score from Darragh Neary ensured University of Galway topped their group and booked a home quarter-final in the Fitzgibbon Cup.

While a narrow defeat would have yielded the same result, Frank Lohan will have been pleased that his side finished with the final two points to stop the TUS onslaught and leave Limerick with a positive result.

Having conceded 1-4 without reply, there was suddenly concern over scoring difference. But in the end, TUS Midwest are out, and UCD progress as runners-up. The Limerick outfit needed a victory by at least ten points and in truth, they never threatened that on a smog filled evening under the lights.

There was a lot to like about the Galway side, who had Sam O’Farrell as their top scorer, once again, after a quality showing on free taking duties. Aside from that, Gavin Lee, Neary and Greg Thomas showed bright moments, to give them a home clash with SETU Waterford next week.

Fred Hegarty carried the charge for Jimmy Browne’s TUS, while it was goals from Tipperary’s Paddy McCormack and Seanie Kenneally that twice give them the lead and hopes of an upset.

These sides were even for much of the contest, though a burst of points in either half twice looked like sending University of Galway well clear.

However, each time, a gallant effort from TUS pulled them back in. It has been a lean few years for the Limerick college, who have had to watch as both Mary Immaculate, and University of Limerick a chunk of attract the best talent from around Munster under their wing.

McCormack’s kicked goal on 22 minutes gave TUS a lead, which had been back boned by an industrious half-back line and accuracy in attack when they got their moments.

But for Liam Hoare’s expertise, the green flag would have been raised more often but the Offaly netminder was in superb form between the posts – while also contributing two long-range points from frees – one in either half.

By half-time, the home side led 1-9 to 0-11 with Rueben Davitt and Hegarty trading points.

The first five points went to an enthusiastic Galway side, with Neary, as well as O’Farrell’s free-taking putting them in the driving seat. But, the towel wasn’t chucked in at the other end and back came the men in black in the final quarter.

A maiden Kenneally point brough them closer but it was goals that were needed and the Moneygall marksman obliged, whipping to the net after a point blank save from Hoare.

Time, however, was against them and chasing another goal, they would fail to score again, allowing O’Farrell (free) and then Castlegar’s Neary to tie the game up.

It was the eight time over the sixty-plus minutes that the sides were level.

Scorers for TUS Midwest: F Hegarty 0-10 (0-8 frees); P McCormack 1-3; S Kenneally 1-1; N O’Farrell 0-1.

Scorers for UG: S O’Farrell 0-9 (0-8 frees); D Neary, T Leen, L Hoare (both frees), D Bourke 0-2 each; G Thomas, G Lee, R Davitt, F O Brioin 0-1 each.

TUS Midwest: A Enright (Newmarket-on-Fergus, Clare); E Cuddy (Camross, Laois), S Walsh (Moycarkey Borris, Tipperary), D Fitzgerald (Kildimo Pallaskenry, Limerick); D Keogh (Clooney-Quin, Clare), R Doyle (Clonoulty-Rossmore, Tipperary), A Holohan (Moneygall, Tipperary); A Mongovan (St. Joseph’s Doora Barefield, Clare), C Hasset (Clooney-Quin, Clare); F Hegarty (Inagh Kilnamona, Clare), J Leamy (Golden Kilfeacle, Tipperay), N O’Farrell (Broadford, Clare);P McCormack (Borrisoleigh, Tipperary), K O’Kelly (Kilruane McDonaghs, Tipperary), S Kenneally (Moneygall, Tipperary).

Subs: D Cashman (Bride Rovers, Cork) for Holohan (19); S Rowan (Mullinahone, Tipperary) for Hasset (40); C Peril (Éire Óg, Clare) for O’Farrell (54); C Byrne (St Lazerians Abbeyleix, Laois) for Mongovan (54).

UG (Galway unless stated): L Hoare (Carrig/Riverstown, Offaly); J Ryan (Clarinbridge), B O’Donovan (Gort), M Hardiman (Athenry), F O’Brioin (Sixmilebridge, Clare), D Comas (Kilnadeema – Leitrim); S O’Farrell (Nenagh Éire Óg, Tipperary), I McGlynn (Kilconieron); D Neary (Castlegar), T Leen (Craughwell), L Leen (Clarinbridge); D Bourke (Ballinamere, Offaly), G Thomas (Castlegar), R Davitt (Oranmore-Maree).

Subs: D Davouren (Moycullen) for Bourke (48); P Burke (Oranmore Maree) for D Comar (48); C Cunningham (Moycullen for L Leen (54); T Guinan (Kilcormac/Killoughey, Offaly) for T Leen (58).

Referee: Ciaran O’Regan (Cork).