Electric Ireland Fitzgibbon Cup Quarter-Final

University of Galway 1-21 SETU Waterford 1-14

By Billy Coss at Dangan

Five days after featuring in this season’s Allianz Hurling League Division 1A opener, Tipperary’s Sam O’Farrell and Galway duo Gavin Lee and Darragh Neary contributed the bulk of University of Galway’s tally in a hard-earned Electric Ireland Fitzgibbon Cup quarter-final win over SETU Waterford.

O’Farrell was the star turn for the winners with his 11-point haul made up of four from play and some superb free-taking. Lee was on target twice in each half, while Neary’s 1-1 including the 60th minute goal that finally made the result safe for Frank Lohan’s charges.

Opponents SETU Waterford threatened an upset on the banks of the Corrib. Tom O’Connell’s well-finished goal on 19 minutes and Thomas Carey’s accuracy from placed balls ensured they were always in touch despite playing into the elements.

University of Galway turned with a 0-12 to 1-7 advantage at the interval, but SETU Waterford were unable to build on a position of promise in the second half as they were restricted to seven further placed balls from the stick of Carey.

Back-to-back points from centre half-forward Lee were the highlight as the home side started brightly and led 0-5 to 0-1. With Carey punishing University of Galway indiscretions and Gearóid Dunne and James Walsh adding from play, SETU Waterford closed to within one before O’Connell blasted past Liam Hoare for a 1-5 to 0-6 lead.

Six of the closing eight points of the half belonged to University of Galway with O’Farrell showing his quality and both Fiachra Ó Brioin and Dan Bourke also hitting the target.

Two divided the teams at the break before scores dried up in the third quarter and the University of Galway lead neither grew beyond four points or dipped below three.

O’Farrell kept the scoreboard ticking for the hosts, with support from Lee and Greg Thomas, though their ill-discipline allowed Carey to top up SETU Waterford’s total as they trailed by 0-18 to 1-13 entering the closing stages.

The Déise students were indebted to a couple of magnificent stops from ‘keeper Kyle Foley, but would add just one further point down the stretch through Carey’s tenth successful free.

University of Galway kicked for home. O’Farrell took his return into double-digits and Darragh Neary broke away to finish the match-sealing goal that sets up a semi-final tie with UL.

Scorers for University of Galway: Sam O’Farrell 0-11 (7f); Gavin Lee 0-4; Darragh Neary 1-1; Tiarnán Leen, Liam Leen, Fiachra Ó Brioin, Dan Bourke and Greg Thomas 0-1 each.

Scorers for SETU Waterford: Thomas Carey 0-10 (10f); Tom O’Connell 1-1; Gearóid Dunne, James Walsh and John Groves 0-1 each.

University of Galway: Liam Hoare; Patrick Taaffe, Fiachra Ó Brioin, Joshua Ryan; Daniel Comar, Ben O’Donovan, Colm Cunningham; Tiarnán Leen, Ian McGlynn; Sam O’Farrell, Gavin Lee, Liam Leen; Darragh Neary, Greg Thomas, Dan Bourke.

Subs: Patrick Burke for Ó Brioin (temporary, 35-36), Cullen Killeen for Liam Leen (36), Diarmuid Davoren for Tiarnán Leen (50), Patrick Burke for Comar (60+1), Ruben Davitt for Neary (60+2), Michael Molloy for Thomas (60+3).

SETU Waterford: Kyle Foley; Padraig Jones, Gary Cullinane, Kevin Cullinane; Daniel Lalor, Paddy Phelan, Eanna Guilfoyle; Thomas Carey, Cathal King; Sean O’Rourke, William Beresford, John Groves; Gearóid Dunne, James Walsh, Tom O’Connell. Sub: Lee Hearne for O’Rourke (35).

Referee: Johnny Murphy (Limerick).