Adam Screeney stars as UL edge UG to set up all-Limerick Fitzgibbon Cup final

The magic from Screeney, who ended with five from play, helped UL prevail

University of Limerick's Adam Screeney in action. Pic: ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

Fitzgibbon Cup semi-final: University of Limerick 0-18 University of Galway 1-13

Maguires Field

Stoppage-time points from the irresistible Adam Screeney and Young Hurler of the Year Darragh McCarthy propelled champions UL into an all-Limerick Fitzgibbon Cup final against 2023 winners Mary Immaculate College after defeating a wasteful University of Galway.

The magic from Screeney, who ended up scoring five from play, helped UL prevail in this arm wrestle. They were far from their best and just about held on amid a late 27-man goalmouth scramble in the final play.

Without Adam English and John Conneally through injury, there was still an expectation that they would ease to another final, but Frank Lohan’s Galway didn’t read the script.

A handful of missed frees in an opening half where the western students would only register 1-3, proved important, as they also hit a double-digit wide tally at Maguires Field.

Brian Ryan’s men will head to Croke Park on Friday, February 13, in a bid to bring home the Fitzgibbon Cup for a 10th time in their 54-year existence.

Having swatted aside Maynooth University (37 points) and DCU Dóchas Éireann (13 points), the Limerick outfit had eight to spare over UCC last week. There was nothing like that ease here, especially when Darragh Neary netted inside 20 seconds after Galway galloped for goal from the throw-in.

Aidan O’Connor, Screeney, and the free-taking of McCarthy pushed UL in charge and they held the lead from minute five until near the final whistle — before those inter-county talents delivered the goods in front of a huge crowd on the UL campus.

By half time, missed frees from Sam O’Farrell looked to derail UG, who trailed 0-11 to 0-3, with Screeney shining brightest with four from play.

Jack O’Neill and Jack Leahy were threatening for UL, but as a team they registered 11 wides in the opening half.

The first three points after the resumption were for those in maroon with Neary, keeper Liam Hoare, and O’Farrell (free) keeping them in the fight. Hoare’s long-range efforts were a growing influence as UL couldn’t shake off the underdogs.

Jack Leahy, McCarthy, and Jack O’Neill helped to ease any UL stress but McCarthy was denied by a top-drawer stop from Offaly ’keeper Hoare.

Five white flags in a row late on, including a wonderful Daniel Comar effort, brought the sides level at 0-16 to 1-13 — but there was time for Screeney to sprinkle more stardust.

He jinked to the sideline and fired over from 50 metres, before the insurance score from McCarthy.

Scorers for UL: D McCarthy (0-6, 6fs); A Screeney (0-5); J O’Neill (0-3); A O’Connor (0-2); O O’Donoghue, J Leahy (0-1 each).

Scorers for UG: S O’Farrell (0-5, 2f); D Neary (1-1); L Hoare (0-3, 3fs); G Lee, D Comar, C Kileen, G Thomas (0-1 each).

UL: D Fahy (Ardrahan); C Martin (Cappawhite), M Fitzgerald (Passage), A Morgan (Kilruane MacDonaghs); O Fitzgerald (St. Catherine’s), K Doyle (Emeralds), C Coughlan (Ballybrown); Joe Fitzgerald (Monaleen), D Stritch (Clonlara); J O’Neill (Clooney-Quinn), A O’Connor (Ballybrown), A Screeney (Kilcormac-Killoughey); D McCarthy (Toomevara), O O’Donoghue (Cashel King Cormacs), J Leahy (Dungourney).

Subs: J Ormond (JK Brackens) for Screeney (temp – 46 -49); F Fitzgerald (Mungret St. Paul’s) for Stritch (50).

UG: L Hoare (Carrig/Riverstown); J Ryan (Clarinbridge), M Hardiman (Athenry), P Taaffe (Belmont); F Ó Brioin (Sixmilebridge), C Cunningham (Moycullen), D Comar (Kilnadeema-Leitrim); C Killeen (Loughrea), I McGlynn (Kilconieron); S O’Farrell (Nenagh Éire Óg), G Lee (Clarinbridge), L Leen (Clarinbridge); D Bourke (Ballinamere), G Thomas (Castlegar), D Neary (Casltegar).

Subs: T Leen (Craughwell) for Bourke (33); D Davoren (Moycullen) for L Leen (blood — 43-46); M Molloy (Abbeyknockmoy) for L Leen (57).

Referee: Ciarán O’Regan (Cork).