Electric Ireland Division 1 hurling league final
University of Galway…………..1-18
University of Limerick……………..1-14
Friday night lights and action in Dangan as the exams ended in University of Galway and in full flow in University of Limerick (UL) saw the two sides who have been amongst the powerbrokers in third level hurling over the past decade with another trophy for collection. UL defeated SETU Waterford to reach the final as Galway accounted for MTUC in Dangan in their semi-final meeting.
As is the norm with the leagues and demands on inter county activity both squads were missing a number of well-known players. Conditions were ideal in Dangan as the late inclusion of Alex Connaire was to prove instrumental in their overall performance.
The perfect start was enjoyed by the Galway college as UL were left in second gear. Alex Connaire with a quickfire brace of scores, Greg Thomas, Colm Molloy and defender Dan Loftus were on the scoresheet to open up a five point lead for the home side after ten minutes.
Galway natives Sean O’ Hanlon and their best player on the night Diarmuid Hannify eventually brought UL into the game with two points each by the 20-minute mark.
Even with most of the play in the first quarter University of Galway did not look convincing as UL had still to show their best.
Neither goalkeeper was tested to any great effect in this game as point taking appeared to be the objective of both sides.
Max Hackett was amongst the scorers for UL in the final ten minutes as Conor Walsh added scores near the end of the first half to give University of Galway the narrowest of leads, (0-8) to (0-7) facing into the second half.
It was abundantly clear that whoever struck first for a goal early in the second half would assume control of the game.
Conor Walsh worked hard and added a sequence of scores along with a long-range effort by Patrick Burke with a sole response from Diarmuid Hannify as UL were (0-12) to (0-8) in arrears after 38 minutes action.
Adam English who was causing trouble without scoring in any great regularity added a 39th minute.
Kilcormac Killoughey’s Charlie Mitchel was introduced and played a telling part in the remainder of the game. He sent over a 40th minute score as his side went (0-13) to (0-9) ahead before Alex Connaire capitalised on indecision in the UL rearguard to pounce for the game’s first goal and now the home side were seven clear.
Colm Molloy and Colm Cunningham who had been moved to midfield pounced immediately after the goal for extra Galway scores and now UL were (1-16) to (0-12) ahead entering the final ten minutes. UL had hit back with scores from Hannify, Conor O Flaherty and Brian O’ Sullivan.
The visitors appeared to be out of contention in the 59th minute but a close range free was blasted to the University of Galway net by Colin Coughlan and once again the game was alive with University of Galway leading (1-17) to (1-14). However, a late salvo of attacks resulted in the winning score for Conor Walsh and soon after the league title was staying in University of Galway for the coming year.
Best for the winners included Dan Loftus, Colm Cunningham, Mark Gill, Alex Connaire, Conor Walsh, Charlie Mitchell, Gavin Lee and Kieran Hanrahan. University of Limerick worked hard but suffered in the third quarter before finishing strongly with Conor Flaherty, Cormac Ryan, Adam English, the excellent Diarmuid Hannify, Sean O’ Hanlon, Colin Coughlin and Killian Sampson.
Following the game Michael Hyland, Chairperson of Third Level GAA presented the Division 1 league cup to University of Galway captain Colm Cunningham from Moycullen GAA Club
University of Galway scorers
University of Galway: Cormac Kenny (Cappagtagle), Mark Hardiman (Athenry), Pheilm McCann (Clariinbridge), Dan Loftus (Turloughmore), Patrick Burke (Oranmore Maree), Colm Cunningham (Moycullen), Mark Gill (Castlegar), Liam Leen (Clarinbridge), Kieran Hanrahan (Loughrea), Alex Connaire (Sarsfields), Cillian O’ Callaghan (Castlegar), Ruben Davitt (Oranmore Maree), Colm Molloy (Kilnadeema Leitrim), Conor Walsh (Turloughmore), Greg Thomas (Castlegar). Subs: Gavin Lee (Clarinbridge) for Davitt, Charlie Mitchell (Kilcormac Killoughney) for O’ Callaghan, Adam Clarke (Craughwell) for Leen.
University of Limerick scorers: Diarmuid Hannify (0-5), Colin Coughlan (1-0), Adam English Sean O’ Hanlon (0-2) each Brian O’ Sullivan, Conor O Flaherty, Max Hackett (0-1) each,
University of Limerick: Conor Hanley Clarke (Kilmallock), Conor Cadell (JK Brackens), Conor Flaherty (Carnmore), Ian Shanahan (Ballinakill), Killian Sampson (Shinrone), Ross Hayes (Crusheen), Cormac Ryan (Doon), Colin Coughlan (Ballybrown), Brian O’ Sullivan (Kanturk), Max Hackett (Moycarkey Borris), Brian O’ Grady ( Kilteely/Dromkeen), Sean O’ Hanlon (Turloughmore), Diarmuid Hannify (Oranmore/Maree), Adam English (Doon), Donnacha O’ Dalaigh (Monaleen). Subs used: Phillip Wall (Kilbrittian), Conal Moran (Shannon Rovers), Ben Herlihy (Castletown/Ballygran), Dara Maher (
Referee: Niall Malone (Eire-og, Inis)