Fitzgibbon Cup Hurling Semi-Finals Preview
by Ben Patterson Kyne
Tonight, the two spots in the first Fitzgibbon Cup final in Croke Park since 1986 will be booked, as Mary Immaculate College take on Dublin City University in Dublin at 18:00, and University of Galway travel to heavy favourites University of Limerick, with throw-in at 20:00 in Maguire's Field (pictured).
UL, who are looking to make their fifth final in a row and win their fourth title in five years, possess a star-studded line-up including Galway players Darrach Fahy (Ardrahan) and Anthony Keady (Oranmore/Maree), as well as All-Ireland winners Adam English (Limerick), Darragh McCarthy and Oisin O'Donoghue (both Tipperary).
UL overcame a scare in their quarter-final match against University College Cork, before eventually running out 0-20 0-12 winners. UCC put in a spirited display, but UL added some late scores to increase the scoreline, Darragh McCarthy scoring 0-9 (7f).
Frank Lohan's UG side were victorious over SETU Waterford in their game, winning 1-21 to 1-14 in Dangan. Tipperary's Sam O'Farrell scored 0-11 (7f), with Galway pair Gavin Lee and Darragh Neary scoring 1-5 between them.
UL will prove a tougher test for UG, having beaten them in successive finals in 2022 and 2023. UG haven't won the trophy themselves since victory as NUIG in 2010 at Pearse Stadium. UL are heavy odds-on favourites to win the entire competition, so UG will have to be at their very best to take down arguably one of the strongest teams in Fitzgibbon history.
Mary I are up against DCU in the other semi-final, with a panel full of Galway players: Darragh Walsh (Turloughmore), Donnacha Campbell (Cappataggle), Matthew Rosengrave (Behagh), Darragh Whelan (Turloughmore) and Athenry brothers Conor and Eoin Lawless.
This semi-final is expected to be more evenly matched, as Mary I look to reclaim the title they won in 2024, against a DCU side beaten by UL in last year's final.
UL vs University of Galway will be live on the Galway Bay FM website tonight from 19:45, with live commentary from Ollie Turner and Andy Coen.
University of Galway Fitzgibbon Cup hurling squad.
