UL canter to 10-point victory in Senior Division 1 Hurling League final

There was however, a worrying injury suffered by Cathal O’Neill – who was carried off the pitch inside the final five minutes, with a severe looking hamstring issue. The Limerick senior was among a plethora of Treaty stars to contribute for Brian Ryan’s charges.

O’Neill’s four points, as well as scores from Aidan O’Connor, Adam English and Paddy O’Donovan ensured a pillar to post victory. Another Limerick man, Colin Coughlan, captained the side.

The side has lost some graduates from 2024, but they still have a superbly talented panel, which may call on Offaly man Adam Screeney come January, who is yet to line out for the University this season.

Cork’s Jack Leahy was in impressive form too, and his three points in the opening half helped to open up a comfortable seven-point interval lead. Both sides were wasteful with the Dublin side needing to be more efficient. The wide tally, of nine to eight at half-time showed that both sides failed to get to full throttle.

Backboned by rising Kilkenny stars, DCU had a sniff of a goal after half-time, but it was blow for blow in the third quarter. Adam English brought a ripple of applause among the bitterly cold spectators, arrowing over a third point from the sideline late on.

The introduction of Clough/Ballacolla talent, Cillian Dunne, who hit each of the final five points for the visitors, DCU were no match for UL.

Despite the late loss of O’Neill, late scores added to the UL tally. Maidhc Fitzpatrick, Gearoid and Aidan O’Connor swelled the margin out to ten.

Scorers for University of Limerick: G O’Connor (0-7, 0-4f); J Leahy, C O’Neill (0-4 each); A English, A O’Connor (0-3 each); C O’Meara, D Hanniffy, M Fitzpatrick, S Rynne (0-1 each).

Scorers for Dublin City University: C Dunne (0-5, 3f); C Beirne, J Flanagan (0-1f, 0-1 ’65) (0-3 each); C Boran (0-2); B Reid, J Carroll (0-1 each).

UL (Limerick unless stated): C Broderick (Clarecastle, Clare); E O’Leary (Ahane), J Conneally (Clooney Quin, Clare), A Morgan (Kilruane McDonaghs, Tipperary); M Corcoran (Silvermines, Tipperary), C Coughlan (Capt) (Ballybrown), C O’Meara (Clonlara, Clare); B O’Sullivan (Kanturk, Cork), A English (Doon); G O’Connor (Moyne Templetuohy, Tipperary), C O’Neill (Crecora Manister), ;J Leahy (Dungourney, Cork), A O’Connor (Ballybrown), P O’Donovan (Effin). 

Subs: D Hanniffy (Oranmore Maree, Galway) for O’Hanlon, M Fitzpatrick (Drom & Inch, Tipperary) for Morgan (both half-time); K Doyle (Emeralds, Kilkenny) for Corcoran (44); I Byrne (Glenmore, Kilkenny) for O’Donovan (50) S Rynne (Inagh Kilnamona, Clare) for O’Neill (inj – 54).

DCU (Kilkenny unless stated): C Byrne (St. Mary’s/Rosslare, Wexford); P Lennon (Carrickshock), D Keogh (Cloughbawn, Wexford), I Bolger (Graiguenamanagh); P Langton (Young Irelands), P Moylan (Capt) (Dicksboro), B Reid (Glenmore); S Gallagher (Naomh Barróg, Dublin), D O’Meara (Maynooth, Kildare); C Beirne (Glenmore), J Flanagan (Naomh Barróg, Dublin), C Kehoe (St. Mullins, Carlow); S Byrne (Black & Whites), C Boran (Naas, Kildare), D Carley (Glynn Barntown, Wexford).

Subs: C Dunne (Clough Ballacola, Laois), J Carroll (Dicksboro) for Flanagan (41); B Hughes (Bennettsbridge) for Bolger (54).

Referee: Ciarán O’Regan (Cork).