Limerick colleges face off in Fitzgibbon Cup derby as Mary I seek quarter-final berth

The defending champions got off to the perfect start last week with a comfortable away victory in ATU Galway.

All three Limerick colleges will be in Fitzgibbon Cup action this weekend where a pair can seal qualification to the knockout stages.

Mary I are out first on Wednesday afternoon at 1pm and they meet DCU knowing a win will see them into the quarters while UL and TUS Midwest clash on Thursday.

In the first of the week’s games, Mary I will be seeking to build on an opening day draw where they finished all even with SETU Carlow, 1-16 apiece.

A late Iarlaith Daly goal looked to be enough for the teacher training college late on but the hosts found the leveler through Cian Nolan.

With two teams to qualify from the group, Mary I know a win will be enough to advance with DCU to host Carlow next week. A loss on Wednesday would be enough should DCU beat Carlow by a higher margin in their clash.

Last year Mary I were eliminated at the group stage.

Limerick colleges UL and TUS MidWest meet this Thursday evening in a mouthwatering Fitzgibbon Cup derby in group D of the competition. It marks the start of TUS’ campaign after UL defeated ATU Galway in their opener last week.

The defending champions will have home advantage where they know anything but a loss will ensure their progress to the knockout stages.

TUS can put one foot in the quarter-finals with a result but know a win next week at home to ATU Galway will be enough regardless of the result on Wednesday.

UL began their campaign last week with a comfortable 2-23 to 2-10 win over last year’s semi-finalists ATU Galway. Cathal O’Neill and Colin Coughlan were amongst the scorers for the defending champions who have retained a large portion of the 2022 winning side.

These sides were also paired in the group stages last year where UL dominated their rivals in a 5-30 to 0-14 demolition job.