The Electric Ireland Fitzgibbon Cup Semi-Finals took place yesterday evening and after close hurling matches the two Limerick college sides emerged victorious meaning there will be a huge swarth of Tipperary players taking the field in Saturdays final.
It was a close encounter and at the end UL overcame a two point half time deficit to beat University of Galway 1-18 to 0-20 at Barefield GAA grounds. Gearóid O'Connor led the way for UL at centre forward and the tall, rangy Moyne Templetuohy player played well again for the college side. Tipp underage star Max Hackett (Moycarkey Borris) is also part of the panel for UL as are county footballer Conor Cadell (JK Brackens), Conor O'Dwyer (Cashel King Cormacs), Conal Moran of Shannon Rovers and Michael Corcoran of the Silvermines.
University of Galway had 8 Galway senior panellists in their side and stayed in the game until full time when a late point sealed the win for UL who were down to 14 following a second yellow card for Adam English. It was a repeat of the finals of 2022 and 2023 finals and with the Limerick side emerging victorious they are now looking to win three crowns on the trot.
Mary I, managed by Jamie Wall and coached by Podge Collins, stand in their way for glory. A scrappy game in wet and windy conditions at Mallow finished 2-18 to 2-12 in favour of the Limerick side against SETU Waterford at Mallow. The Limerick college features many Tipperary players amongst their squads with Keith Ryan (Upperchurch-Drombane), Conor Hennessy (Nenagh Éire Óg), Cathal Quinn (Cashel King Cormacs), Devon Ryan (Cashel King Cormacs), Joe Caesar (Holycross-Ballycahill),
Eoin Craddock (Holycross-Ballycahill), Conor Lloyd and Shane Lowe (both Moyne-Templetuohy) Aiden O Heney, Diarmuid Looby, Darragh Berennan and James Devaney of Borris Ileigh are others who are part of the squad. Other key players include Diarmuid Ryan from Clare as well as the skilful Shane O’Brien (Limerick) and Shane Meehan (Clare). An injury to Clare’s Daithí Lohan will hamper preparations with a short recovery time for him ahead of the final but excitement levels will be high as Mary Immaculate last reached the final in 2020.
