NUI Galway 1-21 UCD 1-18
Evan Niland struck 12 points at Belfield last night as NUI Galway held off a strong challenge from UCD to earn victory in the opening round of the Fitzgibbon Cup.
Thanks in no small part to a superb Fionn McDonagh goal in the 12th-minute, NUIG – playing with the aid of a strong breeze – led 1-3 to 0-4 on the first-quarter mark. Galway native Donal O’Shea (son of former Tipperary manager Eamon) contributed seven points for the hosts during the opening period but with two-time Hurler of the Year Cian Lynch helping himself to a brace of scores, the westerners brought a 1-10 to 0-8 cushion into the interval.
Despite an encouraging start to the second half from UCD – Tom Hannan and Ciaran Foley joined O’Shea on the scoresheet – NUIG remained in the driving seat courtesy of the steady influence of both Niland the ever-impressive Lynch.
An outstanding 1-1 salvo from midfielder Eoin Guilfoyle offered renewed hope to UCD, but with Niland knocking over four points in the closing stages, it was NUIG who prevailed.
Scorers:
NUI Galway: E Niland 0-12 (8f), J Fleming 0-5, C Lynch 0-3, F McDonagh 1-0, B Concannon 0-1.
UCD: D O’Shea 0-11 (8f, 1 ’65’), E Guilfoyle 1-1, L Murphy, K Lahiff 0-2 each, T Hannan, C Foley 0-1 each.
TEAMS –
NUI GALWAY – L Reilly; E Lawless, D Morrissey, I McGlynn; M Gill, J Fitzpatrick, C Caulfield; C Killeen, C Lynch; B Concannon, C Walsh, F McDonagh; E Niland, J Fleming, P Hickey. Subs: O Salmon for McGlynn (26-27, blood), D Kilcommons for Walsh (48), E McMahon for McDonagh (49), S Burke for Killeen (52), Salmon for Lawless (57), L Forde for Hickey (60).
UCD – C O’Donoghue; B Sheehy, E Geraghty, S Audsley; T Hannan, I O hEithir, C Minogue; N Heffernan, E Guilfoyle; D O’Carroll, C Foley, L Murphy; L O’Brien, D O’Shea, C Prendiville.
Subs: C O Cathasaigh for Geraghty (43), D O’Brien for O hEithir (52), K Lahiff for O’Carroll, D O Floinn for Murphy (both 54).
Referee: J Keenan (Wicklow)