Mary I start Fitzgibbon Cup with a draw in Carlow as UL kick off defence of their title this evening

The Limerick college were denied the win with a late leveler against the Carlow outfit on Wednesday evening.

Mary I secured a valuable 1-16 to 1-16 draw with SETU Carlow to kick off their 2023 Fitzgibbon Cup campaign on Wednesday evening.

However, the Limerick college will rue a late equaliser after Cathracg Daly had given them the lead in additional time. Chris Nolan levelled following Daly’s three-pointer after Mary I had seen their lead vanish as the hosts had struck for the first goal in time added on.

Prior to that, four unanswered, including one from Limerick’s Jason Gillane looked to have been enough for Mary I as they led 0-15 to 0-16 at the end of the hour before an eventful injury time.

The Limerick college will host DCU next Wednesday afternoon and will know a win will be enough to see them into the knockout stages following last night’s result.

DCU meet SETU Carlow in the final round the following week.

This evening, the reigning champions UL begin their campaign with a trip to ATU Galway. Last year, the University won a seventh title with victory against NUIG.

They followed that up with the League title and look the team to beat with the bookies having them as heavy favourites. The majority of the 2023 team remains in situ with the addition of three Limerick All-Ireland winners Cathal O’Neill, Colin Coughlan and Adam English from last year’s Fresher side.

UL are in the same group as fellow Limerick college TUS MidWest and they open their campaign against the defending champions next Thursday evening in Castletroy.