*Jack O’Neill forms part of the UL attack. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
FITZGIBBON CUP medals will be returning to Co Clare regardless of whether Mary Immaculate College or the University of Limerick claim the silverware this Friday.
Croke Park is the setting on Friday evening as Mary I and UL lock horns in the Fitzgibbon Cup final which throws in at 19:35.
Ex Clare dual star, Podge Collins is coach of the Mary I side which is managed by his cousin, Jamie Wall. It is their first appearance in the decider since 2024 when they overcame UL in the final. They are joined in the backroom team by Cratloe’s Shane Gleeson.
Adam Hogan has missed out on Mary I’s last two games with a calf injury but is expected to return to his spot in defence. His Feakle clubmate Ronan O’Connor has been in consistent strong form and has been a constant starter. Seán Boyce was forced off with a hamstring injury in their comprehensive quarter-final win over DCU with Mark Callinan of Inagh/Kilnamona entering the fray during that tie and earning a starting spot for the semi-final. They are joined on the panel by Patrick Daly of Feakle and Clarecastle’s Aaron Hayes.
UL possess a strong Clare contingent also with the high-flying Diarmuid Stritch a regular at midfield. Jack O’Neill has been clocking up the scores from wing forward including a return of 0-3 in their semi-final win over University of Galway.
Patrick Crotty is among the UL substitutes while injury has ruled out the trio of Seán Rynne, John Conneally and Keith Smyth.
