UCC's stars of 1976 celebrate Fitzgibbon anniversary
Members of the UCC team celebrating the 50th anniversary of 1976 Fitzgibbon Cup win over Maynooth at a reception held at the Mardyke. Picture: Eddie O'Hare
While 50 years have passed since UCC’s 1976 Fitzgibbon Cup win, the memories of a special victory were still fresh in the minds of those who recently convened to mark the anniversary.
The college claimed the title in 1971 and 1972 but there followed a three-year period where they did not reach the final – the first time that that had happened since the competition changed to a knockout format three decades earlier.
Thankfully, the drought was ended with a 3-5 to 0-10 win over St Patrick’s College, Maynooth – winners of two of the previous three competitions and beaten finalists in then other – as UCC made home advantage count at the Mardyke and it was back to the storied venue that the heroes went to celebrate the silver jubilee.
Things might have been a bit thinner on top and perhaps a bit less thinner elsewhere, but what had not changed was the camaraderie of those who soldiered together in the name of the famous skull and crossbones.
Winners against a hotly-fancied UCD side in the semi-final on Saturday, February 21, UCC had the wind in the first half of the final the following day but the advantage looked to be with Maynooth after the sides retired at half-time having shared eight points.
However, goals were key for UCC in the second period, with green flags raised by Tadhg O'Sullivan, Patsy O'Keeffe and Dave Keane to ensure the return of the trophy to Leeside - fittingly, the team captain, Castlemartyr's Donal McGovern, was from the same Imogeela parish as Dr Edwin Fitzgibbon, who gave his name to third-level hurling's premier competition.
What an absolutely fabulous occasion in the Mardyke Pavillion this evening as the U.C.C. team that won the Fitzgibbon Cup in 1976 gathered for a very special reunion. It may be 50 years since this great team defeated Maynooth at the same venue but these men looked ready, willing and able to repeat their heroics.
Special presentations were made to Mick Mortell, team trainer, and Finbarr Holland, selector. Mick served as President of U.C.C. from 1989-99, while Finbarr was a fellow Professor of Mathematics at the college.
Deceased players were fondly remembered and represented by family members. Afterwards the group enjoyed a meal and shared many stories of games played together and against each other and toasted their memorable success of half a century ago.
Declan Fitzpatrick, Dave Boylan, Brian Waldron, Brian Dineen, Dave Keane, Willie Vereker, Andrew O’Regan, Martin McDonnell, John Roche, Jerry Ryan, Éamonn Coakley, Jerry Cronin, Pat Quickly, Pat Corbett, Jim O’Sullivan, Ger McEvoy, Sylvester O’Mahony, Donal McGovern (captain), Tadhg O’Sullivan, Billy Reidy, John Higgins, Patsy O’Keeffe, Oliver Cussen, Michael Dilworth, Pat McCarthy.
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