Hurling & Camogie

UCC aim to complete a memorable week

25/2/2018 Limericks aaron gillane     pic seamus loughran
25/2/2018 Limericks aaron gillane pic seamus loughran 25/2/2018 Limericks aaron gillane pic seamus loughran

Fitzgibbon Cup final: University College, Cork v Mary Immaculate College (today, WIT, 2.45pm, live on TG4 Youtube)

UNIVERSITY College, Cork look well placed to make it a double week of celebrations for the Rebel county university as they prepare to face Mary Immaculate College in today’s Fitzgibbon Cup final.

On Wednesday night the UCC footballers held off the considerable challenge of St Mary’s to lift their first Sigerson Cup since 2014, and their hurlers are aiming to end an even longer wait having last lifted the Fitzgibbon Cup back in 2013 when Mary I also provided the opposition.

It has been something of a drought for UCC given that they top the roll of honour with 38 wins, and it was perhaps their desire to reach number 39 that eventually saw them past Dublin City University in the semi-final.

It looked like it was be another night of frustration for Tom Kingston’s side but Chris O’Leary’s penalty deep into injury time at the end of extra time moved them a point ahead. DCU had their own penalty claim turned down seconds later in what was a dramatic finale.

Mary I had the in-form Aaron Gillane to thank in their 1-18 to 0-18 semi-final win over University of Galway.

The Limerick star hit 1-12 and landed every single scoreable free that he was presented with.

The 2017 champions rode their luck though with NUIG missing two great goal chances while they also racked up a big wide count.

Despite the drama of their semi-final, UCC have played some great hurling from the group stages right through and they can ensure there is double delight for the university.