Electric Ireland Fitzgibbon Cup Quarter Final
Galway University 4-24 MTU Cork 1-14
Written by Kevin Egan of Dungan
2023 Fitzgibbon Cup finalists Galway University stepped up a gear tonight against MTU Cork on their home field in Dungan, reaching the last four of this year’s competition in great style.
As with SETU Carlow’s previous encounter with UCD, Geoffrey Lynskey’s side opened the door for their opponents to an extent, but this time they started slow and their stars turned things around with performances from Tiernan Killeen and Colm Molloy. destructive display.
The anchor of Killeen’s defensive sextet was impressive, but MTU Cork initially came alive as Ciaran Joyce, Evan Murphy and Sam Kirk smashed in some really nice points from long range. The visiting team led by two points several times, but still held a narrow 0-7 to 0-6 advantage going into the second quarter.
Niall Collins broke a tackle, Jonny Murphy took advantage and set up Colm Molloy’s goal from 15 meters out, and the weight was lifted as Kilnadima Leitrim casually slotted the ball into the bottom left corner. I felt like I got it. Riding on the shoulders of Galway University, he began to produce some great throws.
Liam Lean and Ian McGlynn play a lot of balls into the middle, Greg Thomas is strong and physical on the edge of the square, and the full-back line of Eoin Lawless, Darren Morrissey and Kieran Hanrahan is left undisturbed. There wasn’t, but the star turns were Killeen and Molloy.
MTU Cork responded by conceding a goal with a free from Brian Flynn, but Galway University took the next five points in succession with direct and accurate delivery that was as physical as necessary but never aggressive. For it.
Ed Keneally knocked down the final points of the first half from the right sideline to cut the gap to five points at the 1-12 to 0-10 interval, setting up James Mulcahy within 20 seconds of the restart to close the gap. shrunk. Further expand your lead.
Gavin Lee’s delightfully flicked goal dashed the momentum before it even started and Galway University never looked back from there. They too had their failures. In the first half, Lee hit a shot that hit the post, and in the second half, right after Lee’s goal, Thomas hit the side netting from an angle, and there were a few other mistakes.
But fundamentally, their throws were purposeful, sharp, and accurate. Molloy led the way with some great points, Alex Conair and Killeen drew applause for equally stylish efforts, and, broadly speaking, they did so without giving MTU Cork any space or oxygen at the other end of the field. accomplished everything.
When the visiting team finally found a way to get past Mark Hardiman, some good triangle passes to open up the defense and Keneally matching Sam Kirk’s floated hand pass from across the end line. An impressive volley finish was required, but the Galway team did not lose a step forward and they simply returned to their best pitching, highlighted by further goals from Shane Morgan and Niall Collins, which rounded out the score. continued to pile up.
As Ireland prepares to issue a yellow snow and ice warning tonight, Galway University are more concerned about issuing a brown warning for the remaining participants in this year’s Fitzgibbon Cup, which is worth noting. To do.
**Galway University scorers: **Colm Molloy 1-5, Niall Collins 1-5 (4fs), Gavin Lee 1-2, Tiernan Killeen 0-4, Alex Conair 0-3, Shane Morgan 1-0, Liam Lean 0-1, Ian McGlynn 0-1, Greg Thomas 0-1, Dan Loftus 0-1, Oisin Flannery 0-1.
**MTU Cork scorers: **Brian Lynch 0-4 (4fs) Ciaran Joyce 0-4 (3fs), Ed Kennelly 1-1, Sean Walsh 0-2, Evan Murphy 0-1, Sam Cukirc 0-1 , James Mulcahy 0-1.
University of Galway: Mark Hardiman. Kieran Hanrahan, Eoin Lawless, Darren Morrissey. Dan Loftus, Tiernan Killeen, Shane Morgan. Ian McGlynn, Liam Lean. Patrick Burke, Gavin Lee, Conor Walsh. Niall Collins, Greg Thomas, Colm Molloy.
sub: Phelim McCann of Morrissey (41), Charlie Mitchell of Thomas (47), Colm Cunningham of Lean (50), Jack O’Meara of Walsh (53), Oisin Flannery of Molloy (53).
MTU cork: Cathal Wilson. Stephen Cogan, Dara Mason, Paul O’Sullivan. Evan Murphy, Ciaran Joyce, David O’Sullivan. Sam Kirk, Ronan Walsh. DJ Twomey, Barry Kehoe, Seann Walsh. James Mulcahy, Brian Lynch, Ed Keneally.
Subs: Reece McCarthy of Cogan (50), Mark Tobin of Kennealey (51), Colin Roche of Toomey (55), Colm O’Keeffe of Mulcahy (58).
**Referee: **Johnny Murphy (Limerick).