Fitzgibbon Cup: UCC exit competition as holders UL pull away in second half

University of Limerick 1-21
UCC 0-16

UCC’s Electric Ireland Fitzgibbon Cup campaign came to an end as they lost away to holders University of Limerick on Wednesday night.

Leading by 0-11 to 0-9 at half-time, UCC enjoyed a bright start to the second half as two points from Shane Barrett – bringing his total to seven – sandwiched one from captain Robert Downey as they moved 0-14 to 0-10 clear.

Though good scores from Colin English and Mark Fitzgerald for UL dented the advantage, another from Downey had UCC 0-15 to 0-13 in front with 21 minutes remaining. However, they would only score once more, Downey’s brother Eoin with the last point of the night in injury time after UL had firmly taken over.

A big increase in workrate from the hosts’ attack was the bedrock of their growing supremacy, with impressive free-taking from Tipperary’s Gearóid O’Connor allied to an excellent effort from English.

Even so, the game was still in the mix, 0-18 to 0-15 with the clock showing 53 minutes, before points from Rodgers and O’Connor gave UL breathing space. When a good delivery from Cian Galvin fell kindly for Rodgers – scorer of 13 points against Cork last Sunday – he scored the goal that put a gloss on the scoreline and eight points separated the sides at the end.

UCC had started with a high intensity responded well to conceding Aidan O’Connor’s opener as points from Darragh Stakelum, Darragh Flynn and Shane Barrett put them in front, but some other scoreable chances were wasted.

The visitors played Cathal McCarthy as a sweeper, which helped to restrict early service to the UL full-forward line, but the home side’s spare man, Limerick panellist Fergal O’Connor, was to fore as they looked to have got on top.

They moved 0-7 to 0-5 ahead thanks to another Shannonsider, Colin English, and only a great Bríon Saunderson save denied Aidan O’Connor a goal after a good move.

However, UCC came back well, benefiting from a positional switch that saw Shane Barrett move from centre-forward to the inside line. He went close to a goal on 25 following good work by full-back Shane Kingston – while Conor Hanley Clarke saved well, points from Barrett (two) and William Buckley moved UCC 0-10 to 0-8 in front.

Things might have got even better as a Robert Downey run gave Barrett sight of goal again and he was fouled for a penalty. Unfortunately for him, the shot whizzed over the bar but, following a good Gearóid O’Connor free for UL, UCC still led by two at half-time.

That advantage was augmented but it was to be UL’s night.

Scorers for UL: G O’Connor 0-8 (0-6f), C English 0-4, M Rodgers 1-1, A O’Connor, B O’Grady, M Fitzgerald 0-2 each, P O’Donovan, C O’Meara 0-1 each.

UCC: S Barrett 0-7 (0-5f, 0-1 penalty), R Downey, W Buckley 0-2 each, B Hayes, J Fitzpatrick, E Downey, D Stakelum, D Flynn (0-1f) 0-1 each.

UL: C Hanley Clarke; F O’Connor, TJ Brennan, D Lohan; K Sampson, M Fitzgerald, C Coughlan; B O’Grady, B O’Sullivan; A English, M Rodgers, C O’Meara; S O’Hanlon, G O’Connor, A O’Connor.

Subs: J Conneally for O’Hanlon, D Hanniffy for O’Meara (both half-time), C Galvin for Sampson (37), R Hayes for O’Sullivan (49), I Byrne for Conneally (60, injured).

UCC (Cork clubs unless stated): B Saunderson (Midleton); G Millerick (Fr O’Neills), S Kingston (Ballinora), M Carey (Nenagh Éire Óg, Tipperary); J Fitzpatrick (Dunnamaggin, Kilkenny), R Downey (Glen Rovers), C O’Brien (Newtownshandrum); D Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields, Tipperary), D Flynn (Ballygiblin); P McGarry (St Mary’s Clonmel, Tipperary), S Barrett (Blarney), B Keating (Ballincollig); W Buckley (St Finbarr’s), B Hayes, (St Finbarr’s), C McCarthy (Sarsfields).

Subs: F Coleman (Blackrock) for Buckley, E Downey (Glen Rovers) for Fitzpatrick (both 40), E Stokes (Doon, Limerick) for Keating, R Cotter (Blackrock) for Carey (both 56), J Dwyer (Ballincollig) for Flynn (59).

Referee: T Walsh (Waterford).