Intermediate Match Reports from '95/96 year.

UL Intermediate Hurling team scored their first win in five years at this grade over UC C. The home team dominated in wet windy conditions in UL, the first half leading by nine points to one (coac hes Joe Wades’ rousing pre match speech did the trick) with UCC’s sole score coming just before half time.

The second half saw an improvement in the Cork team, scoring two early points. UL answered their challenge, pulling away from UCC early in the second half with some well-worked scores. Limerick dominated the second half in all positions scoring seven points in the second half and on top in every position on the field coasting to v ictory.

Best on the day for UL were George Kiely (even the Ref. wanted his name), Eamonn Kenny (Capt.) with tigerish Phillip Hennessy in front of a bored Stephen O’Hara in goal. Eoin O’Sullivan and Alan Coyle, w ho scored six points (four frees), were always in control at midfield with half forwards Eoin Sheedy fl ying in the centre and Niall Hayes and Mike Sheehy scoring well on the wings. The full forward line als o contributed well with Donal Fitzgibbon scoring three points, Seanie Mc Namara two and Liam Reilly sco ring (in Doe’s) one point from play.

University of Limerick 1-12 Cork RTC 0-07

This match was the Intermediate Hurling Teams second match in their group. The game was played in Cork RTCs’ pitch at the end of week nine. Limerick lined out without three of their team from the previous ga me but still managed to record a convincing win. The game was played in an extremely small field , in dif ficult conditions. Joe Wade gave another one of his hair raising speeches before the game and sent out th e team in the right frame of mind.

Ger Collins was in top form at full back dominating the square completely in front of Fresher Goalkeeper Trevor Galvin, while Ray Roche had a great game at wing back. UL opened the scoring with some good work (and a good row with the wing back) from the wing forward Brendan Coleman who scored two early points, and a gre at point from corner forward Seanie McNamara. Cork RTC stayed with UL throughout the first half scoring five points finished the half strongly, but Limerick deservedly lead at half time by six points to five having p layed against a light breeze and a strong sun that made life difficult for both teams.

The second half started pretty evenly with both teams exerting pressure however the introduction of substitutes Liam Scully and Joe Wade saw Limerick beginning to get a grip on the ga me. Eamonn Kenny (Capt.) dominated centre back and with some well-taken scores and accurate free ta king from Alan Coyle, UL edged ahead by five points before Cork scored. Cork the won a penalty afte r the full forward ‘fell’ in the square and scored a point from the penalty. This was to be their l ast clear chance to score in a game in which the backs played very solidly (despite O’Loughlin gett ing two belts in the head) throughout the game. Victory was sealed for Limerick when Liam Scully sc ored a goal near the end of the game.

The result of this game means that the Intermediate team now qualify from their group for the A ll-Ireland if they beat Waterford RTC, in Waterford on Wednesday of week 11 will decide who tops t he group.

University of Limerick 0-11 Waterford RTC 0-09

UL travelled to Dungarvan on Wednesday week eleven for the final match in their group again st Waterford RTC. Waterford opened the scoring with an early point and were quickest to settle , playing against the breeze in bitterly cold conditions. Seanie Mcnamara (the third goalie in three games) lined out in goal and was called upon early in the game to make a good save. Li merick replied with some scores from Alan Coyle, Gareth Doorley, Brendan Coleman and believe i t or not Liam O’Reily following some great work from Eoin Sheedy at centre forward.

The second half started with UL extending their lead by a further point and it was then Waterford began to apply real pressure on UL’s backs pulling back Limericks lead to just two points early in the second half. Eoin O’Sullivan now at wing forward scored a point after switching with Brendan Col eman. Coleman at this stage was hurting Waterford at midfield and persuaded two of the opposition to be carried off. UL’s fullback line of Hennessy, Collins (Capt.) and O’Loughlin kept UL in the game and held out under severe pressure for all of the second half. Goalie seanie McNamara made a great s ave from a overhead back flick from Ger Collins ( you did mean it Collins didn’t you?) Alan Coyle po inted a free following a foul on Gareth Doorley to ensure a hard earned victory for Limerick that no w puts them into the All-Ireland Final on March 14.

Manager Ciaran O’Loughlin

Coach Joe Wade

Selector Liam O’Rielly