University of Galway prove too strong for UL in Freshers 1 All-Ireland final

UL were hoping to compete a back-to-back of League and All-Ireland titles after the class of 2022’s all-conquering season.

The University of Limerick couldn’t add Fresher 1 All-Ireland Championship honours to their League title won last year with the University of Galway powering to the title in Dangan on Wednesday evening.

The hosts ran out 1-26 to 0-12 winners against the League champions to end a long wait for a championship at the grade. For UL it was a sixth successive final appearance with a first loss since 2018.

The Limerick college had five locals in their starting line up in Conor Hanley Clarke, Evan O’Leary, Joe Fitzgerald, Sean O’Neill and Adam Fitzgerald. Gavin Rowesome and Liam Dennehy were introduced off the bench but the evening belonged to Galway who were captained by senior Gavin Lee.

After an evening opening first quarter, NUIG pulled clear as they outscored their opponents 0-7 to 0-1 in a ten minute spell prior to the break.

UL responded, with Hanley Clarke among the scorers to ensure the deficit was only 0-12 to 0-8 at the interval.

But the Galway men dominated the second half scoring eight of the first nine scores following the turn of ends. Liam Collins then put the game to bed with the contests only goal that had Galway 1-20 to 0-9 in front. They would ease to the finish line to end an 18-year wait for the title.

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