Mark Rodgers. Photograph: Sport Action Photography
SIX CLARE hurlers have claimed Fitzgibbon Cup medals as part of the victorious University of Limerick panel.
UL claimed back to back titles defeating the University of Galway 4-19 1-13 in a one-sided decider played in Waterford.
Scariff’s Mark Rodgers was Vice Captain of the UL side, he scored 0-02 from play. Mike Gough of Smith O’Briens was introduced at corner back with forty four minutes on the clock. They collect their second Fitzgibbon Cup medals alongside Clarecastle’s Cian Galvin, he was wing back for UL in 2022 but didn’t see game-time in Saturday’s final.
Galvin’s clubmate Killian McDermott was sprung from the bench in the closing moments, he replaced Rodgers who started the game at corner forward.
Patrick Crotty from Scariff was a substitute for Brian Ryan’s side, he previously captained the college’s Freshers Hurling team to All-Ireland glory. Wolfe Tones’ Darragh Lohan had been part of the UL defence during the Senior League but has been out of action since sustaining an injury for the Clare senior hurlers during the Co-Op Superstores Munster Hurling League.
Clonlara’s Colm O’Meara also formed part of the UL panel, the defender was part of the UL intermediate side that won the Munster championship on Wednesday, his clubmates Paraic O’Loughlin and David Fitzgerald also were involved.
Physiotherapist Angela Hogan as part of the UL backroom team completed the Clare contingent.
Darren O’Brien, a forward with the Éire Óg senior hurlers and ex member of Brian Lohan’s county panel captained University of Galway, their semi-final win over UCC which went to extra time was played in Gurteen on Thursday.
Full-forward Michael Kiely who is part of Davy Fitzgerald’s Waterford side scored four goals in the final, netting his hat-trick in the opening half, they led by 3-07 0-09 at the interval.
