Mary Immaculate College 3-24 IT Carlow 1-19
Darragh O’Donovan scored the crucial goal as reigning champions Mary I made it back to back Fitzgibbon Cups for the first time in their history with a 3-24 to 1-19 win over IT Carlow at Pearse Stadium in Salthill.
Jamie Wall’s side held a double-scores 0-16 to 0-08 lead at half-time, after they used the breeze expertly, and Tipperary’s Ronan Maher produced a powerful display from centre-back.
Stephen ‘Picky’ Maher kept IT Carlow in the game with five pointed frees, and his tally rose to 1-13 in the second-half.
But O’Donovan’s 37th-minute goal killed the game off, and Aaron Gillane added a penalty, while substitute Pa Ryan also found the net.
Mary I won last year’s Fitzgibbon Cup when they beat UL 1-30 to 3-22 after extra-time in an epic encounter at Bishopstown in Cork. That was their first ever title at this level, and with of that panel returning for 2017 they were one of the favourites to retain their crown.
On Friday, Mary I put down a marker when they overwhelmed Davy Fitzgerald’s LIT, and 12 points from Gillane helped them to a 0-19 to 0-14 victory at Dangan.
But IT Carlow were similarly impressive in their 2-20 to 1-20 extra-time win against UCC. However DJ Carey’s side couldn’t haul back Mary I after they let them have a 0-16 to 0-08 half-time advantage.
Maher was the star man on both sides, with Ronan Maher leading from the back for Mary I – he scored four points, three of which came from frees, while Darragh O’Donovan added two brilliant sidelines.
But Stephen Maher scored five frees to keep IT Carlow in the game, and with the breeze to come in the second-half, they had every chance of springing a shock victory.
And then when Stephen Maher reeled off the two opening scores of the second-half, there were just six points in arrears.
But crucially Michael O’Neill struck the next point for Mary I, and then O’Donovan came out with the vital goal shortly after, with a fantastic one-handed finish to give his side a 1-17 to 0-10 lead.
It was another double-scores advantage and this time IT Carlow didn’t have a chance to reel in their opponents. Gillane and Stephen Maher exchanged frees, but it was the former who rattled the net again with 11 minutes remaining.
The sizeable travelling support from IT Carlow fell silent and after Maher scored a consolation goal for IT Carlow in the 55th minute, Pa Ryan netted a third for Mary I.
Mary Immaculate College: C Barrett; D Sweeney, R English, E Quirke; C Twomey (0-03), R Maher (0-04, 0-03f), A Flynn; C Galvin (0-01), S Cahill (0-01); D O’Donovan (1-03, 0-02 sl), M O’Neill (0-03), A Gillane (1-05, 1-0 pen, 0-04f); T Gallagher, C Lynch (0-03), L Meade (0-01).
Subs used: T Monaghan for Gallagher (half-time), P Ryan (1-00) for O’Neill (55), S Burke for Gillane (63).
IT Carlow: E Rowland; D Palmer, K Hannafin, R Browne; R Moran, D Healy, D O’Hanlon; J Doyle, C Dunford (0-02); M Kavanagh (0-01), C Dwyer (0-02), S Maher (1-13, 0-12f); C Bolger (0-01), M Russell, J Fagan.
Subs used: T Nolan for Russell (50).
Referee: Brian Gavin (Offaly)
