This article is from page 66 of the 2011-03-01 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 66 JPG
UL MANAGED to capture the Fitzgibbon Cup with a late, late goal to make their triumphant comeback complete against city rivals LIT in Waterford on Saturday evening.
UL overcame CIT in their semi-final on Friday as they withstood the dismissal of Offaly senior hurler Shane Dooley and progressed to the final on a two point margin, 0-15 013. Their performance left a lot to be desired hitting 12 wides throughout the game and the absence of Dooley for the final meant they would be up against it no matter who their opponent would be.
Their fate was decided later that day as LIT made sure it would be an all Limerick affair as they battled it out with UCC eventually coming out on top as Newmarket man Bernard Gaffney kept his form and hit eight points in their 0-18 to 1-13 victory. They did not progress without a struggle as they had to deal with a UCC fight back late on to secure their place.
So for the second time in the last seven years, UL would meet LIT in the Ulster Bank Fitzgibbon Cup Final. No final would be complete without some form of drama or talking point and this was ensured both on and off the pitch.
Before the first whistle UL were told their appeal for Shane Dooley’s red card had failed but right before the last whistle they managed to clinch a victory with a late, late goal in a finale that was only fitting for the day.
UL went out to face into a gale wind and let LIT get right on top as they put up score after score and they were driven on by Newmarket’s James McInerney who pointed two frees from his own half.
UL were now under serious pressure as they trailed by nine points after 25 minutes but a never say die attitude and three scores before the half, one from Andrew Quinn, left it 2-7 to 0-7 at the break.
A second half transformation was in store and thats exactly what took place as UL came at LIT from the restart. Another point from Quinn and three more from his side put them in touching distance of LIT but they were unable to pass them out and tired legs became evident on both sides as scoring dried up. Bernard Gaffney’s two frees kept the game in LIT’s favour but an injury to James McInerney then resulted in him moving to full-forward for the closing stages.
It was in the first minute of the two additional at the end that the UL comeback was complete. When Limerick man Thomas O’Brien, who came on as a substitute, struck the back of the net to put UL in front. LIT were shell shocked and were unable to answer as UL held out in final minute to seal the win. Brendan Bugler (Whitegate) and Andrew Quinn (Tulla) played key roles for UL throughout the Fitzgibbon Cup campaign contributing greatly to their college’s success.
It’s also important to note that Clare men were also in action in the Ryan Cup at the weekend as Fergus Kennedy (Crusheen), Thomas Downes and Stephen Guilfoyle (Éire Óg) were victorious against IT Carlow in the Ryan Cup for IT Tralee.