Hello and welcome to our coverage of today’s Fitzgibbon Cup semi-finals as UCC take on IT Carlow and Limerick IT face Mary Immaculate at NUIG’s Dangan Sports Complex in Galway.
We’re getting close to throw-in now:
It’s Cork v Carlow first up and here are your teams:
UCC
Jack Barry (Castlelyons, Cork)
Shane Roche (Shamrocks, Waterford)
Colm Spillane (Castlelyons, Cork)
Ian Kenny (Ballygunner, Waterford)
Séamus Kennedy (St Mary’s Clonmel, Tipperary)
Conor Gleeson (Fourmilewater, Waterford)
Rickard Cahalane (Ballymartle, Cork)
Jamie Barron (Fourmilewater, Waterford)
Michael Breen (Ballina, Tipperary)
Gavin O’Brien (Roanmore, Waterford)
Tom Devine (Modeligo, Waterford)
Mark O’Brien (Ferrybank, Waterford)
Alan Cadogan (Douglas, Cork)
Rob O’Shea (Carrigaline, Cork)
Anthony Spillane (Castlelyons, Cork)
IT Carlow
Enda Rowland (Abbeyleix, Laois)
Dwayne Palmer (Camross, Laois)
Kevin Hannafin (St Brendan’s, Kerry)
Ross Browne (Colligan, Waterford)
James Doyle (St Mullin’s, Carlow)
Damian Healy (Longwood, Meath)
Dale O’Hanlon (Carrick Swans, Tipperary)
Kevin Kelly (St Patrick’s, Kilkenny)
Colin Dunford (Colligan, Waterford)
Charles Dwyer (Ballinakill, Laois)
Stephen Maher (Clough-Ballacolla, Laois)
Martin Kavanagh (St Mullin’s, Carlow)
Jack Fagan (De La Salle, Waterford)
Mark Russell (Lattin-Cullen, Tipperary)
Chris Bolger (Clara, Kilkenny)
Barry Kelly of Westmeath is our referee in the first semi-final and he gets the game under way.
IT Carlow 0-1 – 0-0 UCC
We have our first score of the day as Stephen Maher points free for Carlow after Mark Russell is fouled.
Three minutes gone here and Maher almost doubles his tally but his free hits the upright this time.
IT Carlow 0-1 – 0-1 UCC
Controversy here as IT Carlow think they should have had a goal as a shot from Jack Fagan is saved by Jack Barry of UCC but he appears to step back over the line.
The game carries on down the other end and Rob O’Shea points from play.
Eight minutes gone.
IT Carlow 0-4 – 0-1 UCC
Carlow bounce back from that earlier set-back with a Maher 65 before Martin Kavanagh and Chris Bolger both score from play to put them ahead by three.
IT Carlow 0-6 – 0-2 UCC
IT Carlow manager DJ Carey will be very happy with what he’s seen in the opening 12 minutes as Bloger and Maher add two more points following Michael Breen’s effort for UCC.
IT Carlow 0-6 – 0-5 UCC
There was a bit of wind behind Carlow’s backs but it’s died down now and UCC take full advantage, two O’Shea frees and an Anthony Spillane point from play making it a one score game.
IT Carlow 0-8 – 0-5 UCC
Carlow stretch their lead again with Martin Kavanagh and Jack Fagan points from play.
IT Carlow 0-8 – 0-6 UCC
We’ve a good game on our hands here in Galway, Colm Spillane adding his name to the points scorers for UCC.
IT Carlow 0-9 – 0-6 UCC
The lead is three points again with 24 minutes gone. Another Maher free after Séamus Kennedy was penalised for over-carrying in the UCC defence.
IT Carlow 0-9 – 0-8 UCC
Once more, UCC fight back. Two points from play from Breen and Alan Cadogan reduce the gap between the teams to the minimum.
IT Carlow 0-10 – 0-8 UCC
IT Carlow Keeper Enda Rowlands points a long-range free after Martin Kavanagh is fouled by Michael Breen.
The UCC man picks up the game’s first yellow card for his troubles.
HALF-TIME – IT Carlow 0-10 – 0-8 UCC
Barry Kelly blows his whistle to bring and end to what has been an entertaining first half here in Galway.
The second-half is back underway in Galway.
IT Carlow 0-13 – 0-9 UCC
IT Carlow stretch four points clear five minutes after the restart.
IT Carlow 0-13 – 0-10 UCC
Rob O’Shea hit both of UCC’s scores since the break, while Maher (two frees) and Bolger have found the target for the Carlow side.
Meanwhile, UCC’s John Power came in as a half-time substitute for Gavin O’Brien.
IT Carlow 0-13 – 0-10 UCC
38 mins – Another couple of UCC subs have entered the fray. Michael OHalloran and Chris OLeary are in for Shane Roche and Mark O’Brien.
IT Carlow 0-13 – 0-11 UCC
40 mins – O’Shea sends over a free for UCC to reduce the deficit to two points.
IT Carlow 0-13 – 0-12 UCC
48 mins – We’re back to a one-point game now. Devine forced a great save from the IT Carlow keeper but the play was brought back for a foul on Devine. O’Shea converts the free.
IT Carlow 0-13 – 0-12 UCC
50 mins – Cadogan fires a decent chance to draw UCC level wide, while Kevin Kelly misses the target at the far end for Carlow.
IT Carlow 0-13 – 0-13 UCC
51 mins – UCC are back on level terms. Jamie Barron splits the posts for the Cork college.
IT Carlow 1-14 – 0-13 UCC
55 mins – Maher fires one over for DJ Carey’s side before Kilkenny forward Kevin Kelly hits the back of the net. Now IT Carlow are in control.
IT Carlow 1-15 – 1-14 UCC
59 mins – John Power has buried a goal for UCC. There’s life in them yet! Moments later Michael Breen sends over a point.
IT Carlow 1-15 – 1-15 UCC
60 mins – We’re level in injury-time! Another one from Breen draws UCC on par.
Colm Roche has come in for UCC, while Tommy Nolan is on for Carlow.
IT Carlow 1-15 – 1-15 UCC
Stephen Maher sends a late, late 65 wide for IT Carlow. UCC were unhappy with that decision, so they’ll feel it’s justice served.
FULL-TIME – IT Carlow 1-15 – 1-15 UCC
We’ll have extra-time.
Extra-time is underway.
IT Carlow 1-16 – 1-16 UCC
Maher and Breen trade early extra-time scores as this game continues where it left off.
IT Carlow 1-17 – 1-16 UCC
Carlow goalscorer Kevin Kelly edges his side back in front.
IT Carlow 1-17 – 1-17 UCC
John Power hits another score as UCC move back on level terms. It’s been tit for tat so far.
HALF-TIME EXTRA-TIME – IT Carlow 1-18 – 1-17 UCC
Maher leaves Carlow one point ahead at half-time in extra-time.
IT Carlow 2-18 – 1-18 UCC
GOAL! IT Carlow’s Colin Dunford hits the back of the UCC net after a great solo run.
From the next play, his Waterford teammate Jamie Barron responds with a score for UCC.
IT Carlow 2-20 – 1-19 UCC
Maher (free) and Bolger fire over scores for Carlow, either side of Mark O’Connor’s pointed effort for UCC.
Full-time (aet) IT Carlow 2-20 – 1-20 UCC
The second Fitzgibbon semi-final has been delayed to a 3.15pm throw-in due to the late finish in the IT Carlow-UCC clash.
Here’s how the sides are set to start:
LIT
1. Eibhear Quilligan (Feakle, Clare)
2. Oisin O’Brien (Clonlara, Clare)
3. Kieran Bennett (Ballysaggart, Waterford)
4. Cian Nolan (Smith O’Brien’s, Clare)
5. Willie Ryan (Clonakenny, Tipperary)
6. Barry O’Connell (Kildimo-Pallaskenry, Limerick)
7. Diarmaid Byrnes (Patrickswell, Limerick)
8. David Reidy (Éire Óg, Clare)
9. Willie Connors (Kiladangan, Tipperary)
10. Shane Bennett (Ballysaggart, Waterford)
11. Paul Killeen (Tynagh Abbey-Duniry, Galway)
12. Jason McCarthy (Inagh-Kilnamona, Clare)
13. Jamie Shanahan (Sixmilebridge, Clare)
14.Peter Duggan (Clooney-Quin, Clare)
15. David Dempsey (Na Piarsaigh, Limerick)
Mary Immaculate
1. Ciaran Barrett (Clonmel Óg, Tipperary)
2. David Sweeney (Kiladangan, Tipperary)
3. Richie English (Doon, Limerick)
4. Eoin Quirke (captain) (Whitegate, Clare)
5. Conor Twomey (Newtownshandrum, Cork)
6. Ronan Maher (Thurles Sarsfields, Tipperary)
7. Alan Flynn (Kiladangan, Tipperary)
8. Colm Galvin (Clonlara, Clare)
9. Stephen Cahill (Thurles Sarsfields, Tipperary)
10. Darragh O’Donovan (Doon, Limerick)
11. Michael O’Neill (Kilmaley, Clare)
12. Aaron Gillane (Patrickswell, Limerick)
17. Tadhg Gallagher (Kiladangan, Tipperary)
14. Cian Lynch (Patrickswell, Limerick)
22. Luke Meade (Newcestown, Cork)
Referee: Paud O’Dwyer (Carlow)
A great result for DJ Carey and his IT Carlow troops in the first semi-final, who’ll be joining them? We’re about to find out.
Mary Immaculate 0-4 – 0-2 LIT
Good start by Mary I, who’ve moved into a two-point lead inside the opening six minutes.
Mary Immaculate 0-4 – 0-3 LIT
David Reidy wins a free for LIT and Galway’s Paul Killeen slots it over. Very good start to this game. It looks like we’re in for a high-scoring affair.
Mary Immaculate 0-5 – 0-3 LIT
Aaron Gillane converts a free for Mary I, who lead by two again.
Mary Immaculate 0-5 – 0-5 LIT
Killeen scores his fourth free for LIT to draw them level in this Limerick derby. David Dempsey is the other scorer for LIT, while Gillane has pointed four frees for Mary I.
Darragh O’Donovan is their only other scorer so far.
Mary Immaculate 0-5 – 0-6 LIT
Killeen converts another free amid difficult conditions in Galway on a very wet surface.
Mary Immaculate 0-6 – 0-6 LIT
Colm Galvin fires over an excellent score for Mary I to bring them level.
Mary Immaculate 0-6 – 0-6 LIT
Gillane sends a free wide and with it goes an excellent chance for LIT to take the lead.
Mary Immaculate 0-7 – 0-7 LIT
25 mins – We’ve another tight game on our hands. Gillane converts another free for Mary I.
PENALTY MARY I! Aaron Gillane steps up to take it…
SAVE! Eibhear Qulligan pulls off a great stop. He got down low to tip the ball around the post.
Mary Immaculate 0-8 – 0-7 LIT
Gillane shows good composure to slot over the 65 and send his college back into the lead.
HALF-TIME: Mary I 0-8 – 0-7 LIT
Mary I lead by the minimum at the interval.
Mary Immaculate 0- 15– 0-10 LIT
Mary I have moved into a commanding position since half-time, with Gillane, Colm Galvin, Rónán Maher and Michael O’Neill on target after the interval.
Paul Killeen (free) and Willie Connors scored during that period for LIT.
Mary Immaculate 0-15 – 0-11 LIT
42 mins – Killeen slots over a free to bring LIT within four points. Meanwile Mary I have brought in in Colm Stapleton for Richie English.
Here’s DJ Carey speaking about IT Carlow’s big win today.
Mary Immaculate 0-16 – 0-11 LIT
Another free from Gillane edges Mary I five clear.
CHANCE! Darragh O’Donovan’s low shot is well-blocked by UCC’s Quilligan.
Some changes on the LIT side: Andrew La Touché Cosgrave and Michael O’Malley are in for Willie Connors and Jason McCarthy.
Mary I bring in Sean Burke for Michael O’Neill.
Mary Immaculate 0-18 – 0-11 LIT
Another Gillane free raises a white flag, and Mary I look to be cruising to the finish line in Galway.
Mary Immaculate 0-18 – 0-12 LIT
56 mins – Peter Duggan blasts a 20 yard free over the bar for LIT. They trail by six with four minutes remaining.
Mary Immaculate 0-19 – 0-13 LIT
Duggan and Stephen Cahill swap scores for their respective teams.
Mary Immaculate 0-19 – 0-14 LIT
Sean Ryan pulls back a point for LIT after his shot on goal was tipped over by Rónán Maher.
Brilliant save by Mary I keeper Barrett from David Dempsey. LIT are desperately searching for a goal.
Full-time – Mary I 0-19 – 0-14 LIT
Mary I will place IT Carlow in the decider.
That’s all we have for today. Thanks for joining us.
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