Tipperary players impress as UL claims All-Ireland Freshers hurling title

The University of Limerick turned in a fine second-half display to claim the All-Ireland Freshers title, with a narrow 1-14 to 1-13 victory over a robust Dublin City University side at a wet ULs Maguire Field on Wednesday evening.

In all, four Tipperary players started the game for the victors in the form of Conor Martin (Cappawhte), Senan Butler (Kilsheelan Kilcash), Ger O'Dwyer (Boherlahan Dualla), and Jack O'Callaghan (Portroe) and they all had good outings in the win.

Stephen Dee (Solohead) also made a good impact from the bench for the Limerick college.

Naturally, there was little to separate these sides, with UL’s improvement in the second half seeing them overturn a 0-8 to 0-4 interval lead. A goal, just when it was needed from Senan Butler helped turn the tide.

Second-half frees from Adam Screeney were crucial too. He took over from Jack Leahy, the captain who was misfiring on a challenging evening at the UL campus.

Indeed, as the game progressed the pitch worsened but UL won’t care, as they reclaim a crown their predecessors lost 12 months ago.

Tipperary's Conor Martin was named the man of the match and he finished the game with 0-4 from play and was the main difference in the end.

Birthday present for UL manager!

See @ElectricIreland POTM Conor Martin seal victory for UL in the Fresher 1 Final and reaction from boss Dave Clohessy.

From our Live Stream coverage on YouTube. @TipperaryGAA @LimerickCLG @ul_gaa @DCUDocEirGAA pic.twitter.com/ziuiYqxtPz

— GAA Higher Education (@HigherEdGAA) February 28, 2024

UL were off colour in the first half but did improve in the second period. Conor Martin, Screeney and Butlers contributions were key.

In reply for the Dublin side, came a goal from Luke Murphy, as well as efforts from Colin Spain and Daragh Murphy. The final say went to DCU keeper Kevin Hogan, who saw his free go over the bar when he needed a green flag to win the tie for his college.

SCORERS: University of Limerick: Adam Screeney 0-4f; Conor Martin 0-4; Senan Butler 1-1; Jack Leahy (0-2, 0-1f); David O’Reilly, Anthony Keady, James Doherty 0-1 each. 

Dublin City University: Daragh Murphy (0-6, 0-4f); Luke Murphy 1-0; Darragh Farrell 0-2; Ted Dunne, Darragh Murphy, Ben Gaughran, Colin Spain, Kevin Hogan 0-1 each.

University of Limerick: Muiris Ó Dálaigh (Monaleen, Limerick); Nathan Gill (Gort, Galway), Gerard O’Dwyer (Boherlahan Dualla, Tipperary), Tony Brennan (Ballygunner, Waterford); Jack O’Callaghan (Portroe, Tipperary), Ciarmhac Smyth (Midlton, Cork), Darragh Langan (Monaleen, Limerick); Anthony Keady (Oranmore/Maree, Galway), Killian Doyle (Emerald’s, Kilkenny); David O’Reilly (Castletown/Geoghegan, Westmeath), Conor Martin (Cappawhite, Tipperary), Ben Whitty (Danesfort, Kilkenny); Senan Butler (Kilsheelan Kilcash, Tipperary), Jack Leahy (Dungourney, Cork), Adam Screeney (Kilcormac/Killoughey, Offaly). 

Subs used: Stephen Dee (Solohead, Tipperary) for Whitty; James Doherty (Clarecastle, Clare) for O’Reilly (49).

Dublin City University: Kevin Hogan (Faughs, Dublin); Dylan Purcell (Duffry Rovers, Wexford), Ivan Bolger, (Graiguenamanagh, Kilkenny), Cconor Cleary (Commercials, Dublin); Robbie Delaney (Shelmaliers, Wexford), Bill Hughes (Bennettsbridge, Kilkenny), Donal Shirley (Tubber, Offaly); Ben Gaughran (Na Fianna, Dublin), Darragh Farrell (Half Way House Bunclody, Wexford); Donagh Murphy (Mount Leinster Rangers, Carlow), Ted Dunne (Graiguenamanagh, Kilkenny), Cian Boran (Naas, Kildare); Luke Murphy (Faythe Harriers, Wexford), Colin Spain (Kilcormac/Killoughey, Offaly), Daragh Murphy (Glynn Barntown, Wexford). 

Subs used: Sam Byrne (Black & Whites, Kildare) for Gaugran (42); Ciarán Stacey (Na Fianna, Dublin) for Farrell (55).

Referee: Thomas Walsh (Waterford)