Fitzgibbon Cup quarter-final: MTU Cork bow out after heavy defeat to University of Galway

University of Galway: 4-24 

MTU Cork: 1-14

MTU CORK’S 2024 Electric Ireland Fitzgibbon Cup dream is over after being defeated by a very strong University of Galway side at Dangan, on the outskirts of Galway City, on Wednesday evening.

This quarter-final encounter was a highly entertaining affair in the early stages, but ultimately it was University of Galway's quality that was the difference. It’s the second year on the bounce that University of Galway have knocked a Cork college out of the competition after beating UCC after extra time in the last four 12 months ago.

MTU Cork started very well, full of attacking intent, with the likes of Evan Murphy, Sam Quirke, Ciarán Joyce and Brian Lynch prominent, but it wasn’t to be for John Mortell’s side, as they simply just got overpowered as the game went on.

On a very cold but dry evening, there were five scores in the first four minutes as MTU Cork led 0-3 to 0-2. The sides traded points before Joyce pointed following a great MTU Cork move, 0-5 to 0-3 after just 8 minutes.

The game tipped along at a ferocious pace and after 15 minutes, MTU Cork had their noses in front, 0-7 to 0-6, before the home side scored an excellent team goal after 16 minutes which was buried by Colm Molloy from close range. 

A Lynch free for MTU Cork reduced the deficit down to a point, 1-6 to 0-8, but the momentum was slowly turning in Galway’s favour, as they hit six of the last eight points of the half, 1-12 to 0-10 at the break.

MTU Cork pointed a minute into the new half from James Mulcahy before Galway scored a second goal a minute later through Gavin Lee, 2-12 to 0-11. It was unfortunately one way traffic now and with 15 minutes remaining, Galway led 2-19 to 0-12.

The hard working Ed Kenneally netted a consolation goal with 14 minutes left, a fine finish. It didn’t inspire MTU Cork, as Galway led 2-24 to 1-14 after 55 minutes, before Shane Morgan and Niall Collins scored two goals for Galway in the closing stages.

MTU Cork did battle right to the very end, as they went for goals, but they couldn’t find a way through a very stubborn Galway defence.

Scorers for University of Galway: N Collins (0-4 f), C Molloy 1-5 each, G Lee 1-2, T Kileen 0-4, S Morgan 1-0, A Connaire 0-3, D Loftus, I McGlynn, L Leen, G Thomas, O Flannery 0-1 each.

MTU Cork: C Joyce (0-3 f), B Lynch (0-4 f), 0-4 each, E Kenneally 1-1, S Walsh 0-2, E Murphy, B Kehoe, J Mulcahy 0-1 each.

UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY: M Hardiman; D Morrissey, E Lawless, K Hanrahan; T Kileen, D Loftus, S Morgan; I McGlynn, L Leen; A Connaire, G Lee, C Walsh; C Molloy, G Thomas, N Collins.

Subs: O Flannery for C Molloy (53).

MTU CORK (Cork clubs unless stated): C Wilson (Newcestown); P O’Sullivan (Newtownshandrum), S Keoghan (Grange Ballycallan, Kilkenny), D Mason (Ballyhale Shamrocks, Kilkenny): D O’Sullivan (Ballincollig), C Joyce (Castlemartyr), E Murphy (Causeway, Kerry); R Walsh (Kilmoyley, Kerry), S Quirke (Midleton); B Kehoe (Kilsheelan Kilcash, Tipperary), DJ Twomey (Courcey Rovers), S Walsh (Fourmilewater, Waterford); J Mulcahy (Carrigtwohill), E Kenneally (Newcestown), B Lynch (Ballinhassig).

Subs: R McCarthy (Carrigaline) for S Keoghan (50), M Tobin (Mallow) for E Kenneally (52), C Roche (Courcey Rovers) for B Kehoe (55), C O’Keeffe (Blackrock) for J Mulcahy (58).

Referee: Johnny Murphy (Limerick).