UL Bounce Back in Round Two of Fitzgibbon Cup

By Jamie Dowling

UL 3-21

Trinity College Dublin 0-13

University of Limerick bounced back to winning ways with an impressive victory over Trinity college Dublin to keep their Fitzgibbon Cup hopes alive.

Cian Darcy was once again man of the match, tormenting the Dubliner’s defense all game leaving him with a total of 2-6

UL exploded into life in the first half, Limerick midfielder Ronan Lynch converted the games opening three scores putting UL into a comfortable position midway through the first half leaving the score at 1-6 to 0-0.

Then it was time for Cian Darcy to shine. Kyle Hayes broke through the defense before setting up Darcy who fired home.

Darcy then got his second goal of the day to open up a healthy lead against the struggling Dublin side.

UL were now playing with a lot of confidence and moments later UL got their third goal of the night when Lynch linked up with Michael Carey before hitting the back of the net.

Trinity college had to wait until the 5^th minute of the second half to register their first point from play with Donnacha Ryan on target.

To Trinity’s credit they fought hard and managed to get on top in the early stages of the second half but an exhibition of free taking from Darcy kept the scoreboard ticking over.

A response from Trinity was cancelled out by two further Darcy frees as UL ran out comfortable 3-21 to 0-13 winners setting up a clash with Maynooth University with the winners progressing to the quarter finals.

SCORERS:

UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK: Cian Darcy 2-6 (six frees) Ronan Lynch 1-5, Padriac O’Loughlin 0-3, Jake Morris 0-2, Kevin McDonald, Padraic Campion, Jack Shelly, Kyle Hayes, Michael Carey 0-1 each

TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN: Cian O’Sullivan 0-5 (three frees, one sideline), Tom Aherne 0-3 (three frees), Donnacha Ryan 0-3, Eanna Mac Domhnaill, Ross Gorey 0-1 each.

TEAMS:

UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK: Barry Hogan; Conor O’Callaghan, Brian McGrath, Eddie Gunning; Padraic Carey, Michael Carey, Kevin McDonald; Jack Shelly, Ronan Lynch; Jake Morris, Kyle Hayes, Ross Hayes; Cian Darcy, Padraic O’Loughlin, Billy Power.

Subs: Jimmy Ryan for Eddie Gunning (37 mins), Killian McDermott for Jack Shelly (45 mins), Jack Kenny for Kyle Hayes (47 mins)

TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN: Jack Banks; Michael Conroy, Luke Corcoran, Paddy Skelly; James Kenny, Donnacha Ryan, David Phelan; Andy Kavanagh, Johnny Walsh; Jack O’Neill, Cian Sullivan, Cian McCarthy; Aidan O’Riain, Eoin O’Callagan, Tom Aherne.

Subs: Éanna Mac Domhnaill for Aidan O’Riain (27 mins), Eoin O’Connor for David Phelan (h/t), Ross Gorey for Paddy Skelly (37 mins), John Noonan for Tom Aherne (42 mins), Karl Weldon for Johnny Walsh (52 mins), Aodhán Buggy for Luke Corcoran (54 mins)

Referee: Fergal Horgan