Mary Immaculate 1-18
Dublin IT 0-15
Mary Immaculate College qualified for the semi-final stages of this year’s Fitzgibbon Cup with a six-point victory over Dublin IT this afternoon.
It will be a historic occasion for the Limerick-based outfit on Friday week, March 1st, as they will participate in the finals weekend of the premier third-level competition for the first time.
Mary Immaculate have been more accustomed in recent years to competing in the Ryan Cup, winning that second-level competition in 2009 and 2012.
But they have been rewarded for their decision this year to compete in the Fitzgibbon Cup and can now look forward to a semi-final tie against Waterford IT or Limerick IT, who play tomorrow in Carriganore in Waterford.
In a game played today at the Parnell’s GAA club in Coolock, the side managed by former Limerick All-Ireland winner Eamonn Cregan were deserving victors. Mary Immaculate lead 0-11 to 0-9 at the interval after both teams had produced an excellent first-half in a game played in perfect weather conditions.
The crucial score arrived in the 41st minute when substitute Lar Considine struck the only goal of the game after his long-range shot deceived goalkeeper Finn McGarry and the ball ended up in the net.
Clare senior John Conlon struck 0-7 for Mary Immaculate College while Limerick senior Declan Hannon shone at centre-back as he chalked up 0-5.
Yet it was Dublin IT, who displayed impressive form in the round-robin stages to top Group D, that started brightest and they were 0-6 to 0-2 to the good after 10 minutes with Tomas Connolly, a brother of Dublin footballer Diarmuid, impressing with his attacking play up front.
Mary Immaculate fought back with Conlon and Hannon getting scoring assistance from the likes of Cork’s Luke O’Farrell and Waterford’s Brian O’Halloran. DIT edged 0-9 to 0-8 ahead approaching half-time before Mary Immaculate reeled off three points without reply to fashion an 0-11 to 0-9 advantage.
They kicked on after the break, spurred on by Considine’s goal, and some quality points from Conlon and Conor Cooney, who was available to play for Mary Immaculate after his recent exploits for St Thomas in the All-Ireland club SHC.
DIT trimmed the gap to 1-16 to 0-15 with six minutes remaining after points by David Treacy and Joe McManus but Mary Immaculate finished stronger as converted frees by Hannon and Conlon sealed their success.
Mary Immaculate’s Declan Hannon celebrates after the final whistle. Pic: INPHO/Cathal Noonan
Scorers for Mary Immaculate: John Conlon 0-7 (0-6f), Declan Hannon 0-5 (0-3 ’65, 0-1f), Lar Considine 1-0, Sean Curran 0-2, Conor Cooney, Colm Galvin, Luke O’Farrell, Brian O’Halloran 0-1 each.
Scorers for Dublin IT: Michael Moloney 0-6 (0-5f), Niall Quinn, Tomas Connolly, Stephen O’Connor, David Treacy (0-1f) 0-2 each, Joe McManus 0-1.
MARY IMMACULATE: Shane Nolan (Toomevara, Tipperary); Cilian Fennessy (Clonlara, Clare), Robert O’Donnell (Pallasgreen, Limerick), Andrew Ryan (Toomevara, Tipperary); Jamie Wall (Kilbrittain, Cork), Declan Hannon (Adare, Limerick),Eanna Hogan (Kilruane McDonaghs, Tipperary); Niall O’Meara (Kilruane McDonaghs, Tipperary), Colm Galvin (Clonlara, Clare); Sean Curran (Mullinahone, Tipperary), William Hickey (South Liberties, Galway), Conor Cooney (St Thomas, Galway); Brian O’Halloran (Clashmore, Waterford), John Conlon (Clonlara, Clare), Luke O’Farrell (Midleton, Cork).
Subs: Lar Considine (Patrickswell, Limerick) for Fennessy (half-time), Killian Fitzgerald (Passage, Waterford) for Considine (54), Eoin Hogan (Mullinahone, Tipperary) for Hickey (58), Darragh O’Carroll (Fermoy, Cork) for O’Meara (60).
DUBLIN IT: Finn McGarry (Ballyboden St-Enda’s, Dublin); Jamie Diviney (Beagh, Galway), Ger McManus (St Judes, Dublin), Ciaran O’Shaughnessy (Shelmaliers, Wexford); Dean Curran (Ballyboden St-Enda’s, Dublin), Liam Rushe (St Pat’s, Dublin), Kieran Bergin (Killenaule, Tipperary); Stephen O’Connor (Ballyboden St-Enda’s, Dublin), Stephen Morris (Blackhall Gaels, Meath); Shane Ryan (Crumlin, Dublin), Michael Moloney (Black & Whites, Kilkenny), Niall Quinn (Sarsfields, Galway); David Treacy (Cuala, Dublin), Thomas Connolly (St Vincent’s, Dublin), Jack Hobbs (Ballygarrett, Wexford).
Subs: Lar Prendergast (Oulart-the-Ballagh, Wexford) for Morris (25), Willie Cullen (Naomh Eanna, Wexford) for Hobbs (40), Joe McManus (St Judes, Dublin) for Ryan (40), Padraig Phelan (Emeralds, Kilkenny) for Prendergast (58).
Referee: Owen Elliott (Antrim)
