Limerick retain All-Ireland Hurling league title

It was a case of dêja vu yesterday in Ahane as UL retained the Fresher 2 Hurling League title defeating DCU for the second year running. Played in difficult conditions the players were helped by an excellent surface on the Castleconnel club’s pitch considering the time of year.

The local side were quick out of the blocks racing into an early eight point lead thanks to two goals in quick succession from Johnny Cohen & David Mullins.

Cohen’s was a superb individual effort leaving DCU’s defence trailing in his wake as he soloed in from close to the 45 on the right wing. Soon after that the Loughrea man turned provider for captain Mullins to finish in the top corner.

At this stage DCU were second best in most areas of the pitch and were saved from falling further behind on numerous occasions by Paul McElligot & Oisin Daly in the full back line.

The Dublin side were struggling to deal with the loss of Captain Brian Flaherty who was unavailable due to a class test and missed out on the chance to represent the college in an All-Ireland final.

Donnacha Kinsella & Colm Foley led the DCU fightback in the closing stages of the opening half with well taken points but the Dubliners still trailled by 2-8 to 0-4 at half time.

It was a much improved DCU that took to the pitch in a more even second half and clawed their way back into the contest. Joe Cullen added a couple of frees before Foley delightfully converted a sideline midway through the half to close the gap even further.

Cohen, centre-forward Paul Coomey & midfielder Colm McGuane also tacked on points for UL but DCU got a further boost with ten minutes remaining when Quentin Lynch was brought down when through on goal & goalkeeper Bill McCormack made the long journey from his own goal to convert the resulting penalty.

Further goal chances were narrowly missed by Liam Burns & McCormack again, this time from a 21 yard free after Cullen was fouled. UL punished these misses with a well taken goal by Tadhg O’Sullivan.

DCU substitute James Creane replied with a goal of his own to leave UL with some anxious moments in the frantic closing stages but the Shannonsiders held on to claim the title for the second year in-a-row with five points to spare.

DCU: Bill McCormack, Oisin Daly, Paul McElligot, John Metcalfe, Fergal Brennan, Emmet Kent, Seamus Kelly, Tadgh O’hUallachain, Donnacha Kinsella, Colm Foley, Joe Cullen, Liam Burns, Gavin Farrell, Joe Sinnot, Quentin Lynch. Subs: James Creane for Joe Sinnot, Eanna Larkin for John Metcalfe

Scorers:

DCU: Joe Cullen 0-5 (0-4), Bill McCormack 1-0 (Penalty), James Creane 1-0, Colm Foley 0-2 (0-1 sideline), Donnacha Kinsella 0-1, Tadgh O’hUallachain 0-1.

UL: Johnny Cohen 1-5 (0-3), David Mullins 1-1,Tadgh O’Sullivan 1-1, Kevin McKeigue 0-1, Paul Coomey 0-1, Colm McGuane 0-1, Niall Enright 0-1