UL win derby (Cork Examiner Report)

Limerick get a fright as newcomers impress

University of Limerick 2-18 - Mary Immaculate 0-11

NEWCOMERS to the Fitzgibbon Cup, Mary Immaculate, gave city rivals University of Limerick a fright for 40 minutes of their first round game at the UL Grounds yesterday. However at the finish, the greater experience of the home team proved a telling factor, with Fergal Healy and substitute Ken O'Shea snatching the vital goals. Kilkenny U21 player Jim Coogan gave

UL the perfect start with three points inside the opening six minutes and Brendan Coleman added a further two before Martin Brookes opened Mary I's account. UL kept in the driving seat and looked the part when Clare senior Dave Forde had them ahead 0-11 to 0-3, However, the Eamon Cregan-managed losers staged a rally and points from Mark Foley, Diarmuid Byrnes and Dermot Doolin left them 0-12 to 0-6 in arrears at the interval.

Mark Foley, who had a quiet first half was a source of inspiration afterwards and points from himself and Cathal O'Shea left it wide open, with just four points between the sides. UL knew they had to change tactics and by the 45th minute were 0-15 to 0-9 in front. At that stage the inexperienced Mary Immaculate lost their way allowing Ken O'Shea to set up Fergal Healy for the goal that really settled it. The last ten minutes were very much in favour of UL, who performed well in all departments.

UL Scorers: J. Coogan, R. Gantley (0-5 each), F. Healy (1-1), K. O'Shea (1-0), B. Coleman (0-3), R. McCarthy (0-2), D. Forde, J. Foley (0-1 each).
Mary Immaculate: D. Doolin, D. Byrnes (0-3 each), M. Foley (0-2), E. Fitzgerald, M./ Brookes, C. O'Shea (0-1 each).

UL: D. Garrihy, O. O'Sullivan, T. Hickey, D. Murphy, E. Flannery, M. Phelan, C. Sheedy, J. Foley, J. Cormican, D. Forde, B. Coleman, R. McCarthy, F. Healy, J. Coogan, R. Gantley, Sub: K. O'Shea for J Coogan , C O'Doherty for Sheedy, Niall Fitzgerald for E O'Sullivan Injured

MARY IMMACULATE: J. McGrath, J. Dervin, D. Barry, B. Callinan, B. Wall, M. Foley, E. Fitzgerald, T. Flannigan, J. Daly, D. Loughrey, J. Irwin, C. O'Shea, M. Brookes, D. Byrnes, D. Doolin.
Referee: S. McMahon.