GAA JOE Fitzgibbon Cup team of the year

Niall McIntyre

Mary I won their third Electric Ireland Fitzgibbon Cup title.

The Limerick college defeated cross-city rivals UL in the final to wrap up another brilliant renewal. Mary I’s triumph denied UL a third successive title while beaten semi-finalists UL and SETU Waterford also enjoyed impressive campaigns.

Here is our Fitzgibbon Cup team of the year, with the unluckiest absentees being Ronan Power, Darren Morrissey and Keith Ryan.

1 Jason Gillane (Mary I, Limerick)

His monster puck-outs caused UL plenty of problems in the final, while his distribution and shot-stopping were top class throughout.

2 Fergal O’Connor (UL, Limerick)

Having featured for Limerick in the early rounds of the League, the Effin club-man was very impressive for his college, most notably in their semi-final win over the University of Galway.

3 Eoin Lawless (University of Galway, Galway)

Having been named on the official Fitzgibbon Cup team of the year last season, the Athenry man remained a solid presence on the edge of the Galway square this year.

4 Adam Hogan (Mary I, Clare)

Along with Keith Ryan, Hogan proved something of an immovable object in front of Gillane in the Mary I goals.

5 Mark Fitzgerald (UL, Waterford)

So confident on the ball, the Waterford senior was one of UL’s key performers on their run to the final.

6 Diarmuid Ryan (Mary I, Clare)

A powerhouse defender who doubled as Mary I’s spiritual leader.

7 Tom Barron (SETU Waterford)

With his speed and skill, Barron was one of SETU Waterford’s most consistent performers.

8 Joe Caeser (Mary I, Tipperary)

Was deservedly named man-of-the-match in the final, having come out on top in his battle with UL danger-man Adam English.

9 Cathal Quinn (Mary I, Tipperary)

Set the tone in the final with a point straight from the throw-in. The Cashel King Cormacs club-man turned in a number of powerful displays in midfield.

10 Shane Meehan (Mary I, Clare)

Meehan stepped up most notably in the semi-final win over SETU Waterford, where he scored 1-3. Hit a great point in the final having battled hard all day.

11 Gearoid O’Connor (UL, Tipperary)

The Tipperary man was UL’s talisman throughout, scoring goals, frees, sidelines, you name it.

12 Sean O’Hanlon (UL, Galway)

One of the UL Galacticos’ less heralded performers, O’Hanlon started as he meant to go on scoring 1-4 in the first round against TUS Midwest. He came on and scored two crucial points in their semi-final win over the University of Galway and was their most impressive forward in the final, scoring 0-2 again.

13 Padraig Fitzgerald (SETU Waterford, Waterford)

The Kilrossanty club-man enjoyed an outstanding campaign that saw him hit DCU for 1-2 in the first round before notching 1-4, again all from play, against SETU Carlow.

14 Shane O’Brien (Mary I, Limerick)

Shot the lights out with five from play in the opening round against UCC, and maintained this form right up to the final, where his ball-winning ability around the middle was key in winning the game.