In the end, the best team won out.
UL lifted their 6th ever Fitzgibbon Cup title after they defeated DCU Dóchas Éireann, 2-21 to 2-15 in Mallow on Saturday afternoon.
Gary Kirby’s side were red hot favourites from the word go in this competition. Their star-studded line-up in their first game out against DIT had turned plenty of heads.
There’s a galaxy of stars in college in the Treaty University this year, and it was expected that their firepower would prove too much for any of their rivals.
That was exactly how it turned out as they coasted their way to the final, dispatching of high quality opposition like IT Carlow along the way.
In the final, it was more of the same, as their old reliables like Conor Cleary, Tony Kelly, John McGrath, Barry Heffernan, Barry Murphy and Jason Forde fired them past DCU.
— UL Wolves GAA Club (@ul_gaa) February 24, 2018
Everything seemed to be under UL’s control here. DCU led early on and were in touch for periods in the second half. But when the pressure came on, the UL lads just turned on the style and wheeled away.
Jason Forde was at his sniping best from full forward. He picked off points a plenty and a crucial goal with those silky wrists of his. The lively Barry Murphy was also causing DCU plenty of problems, and his catch and break for that first goal was something else. Something class.
Video: See UL's first-half goal in the @ElectricIreland Fitzgibbon Cup Final.. @DCUGAAAcademy @ul_gaa @officialgaa pic.twitter.com/eg9GZeVgfp
— GAA Higher Education (@HigherEdGAA) February 24, 2018
DCU, to their credit, fought hard, and on the balance of play were unlucky to be trailling by two points at the half-time interval. John Donnelly impressed for them, as did Dublin sharpshooter Donal Burke alongside him. Fergal Whitely also showed well for Eoin Roche’s army. Eoghan O’Donnell battled so hard at full back, but Roche, Nick Weir and co will rue their side’s profligacy in front of goal.
Too many chances went a begging. UL punished them.
UL came out for the second half a different team. The two point gap became three, four and five. Clare senior and UL half back David Fitzgerald led this charge.
The tall, rangy and physical number 7 seemed to be operating on a different level to his opponents and many of his teammates alike. He was so dominant in his territory. His trademark drive, speed and direct-running really was something DCU had no answer for.
The Inagh-Kilnamona hound came out of tussles after scuffle, schemozzle after ruck, aerial battle after break with the ball under his control. When it was in his hand, it was in UL’s control.
His long, lazy stride left DCU tacklers sitting on so many occasions. He just glides past them.
VIDEO CREDIT: TG4 stream.
UL kept the foot on the gas, and when Pat Ryan netted their second goal, this game was over as a contest, despite a late Conor Burke goal for DCU.
Jerome Quinn caught up with the man-of-the-match, Fitzgerald after the game, and the pride of victory swallowed the war-wounds he received.
The man’s knuckles were all cut open, presumably after his fierce contesting of every high ball that came his way.
The UL lads will enjoy that one.
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