Seeking first crown
Title dream still alive for I.T. Carlow
WHILE SOME Wexford medal-winners cannot be guaranteed after mixed fortunes in Saturday’s Fitzgibbon Cup hurling semi-final double bill, the dreams of a first-ever title remain alive for the D.J. Carey-managed I.T. Carlow team.
They were in impressive goalscoring form at the D.C.U. sports grounds at St. Clare’s when they accounted for Mary Immaculate from Limerick by 5-14 to 0-15.
However, there was bitter disappointment for the hosts, and their large Slaneyside contingent, after a superb late point into the wind from a left-wing sideline cut by Cork star Mark Coleman gave reigning champions U.C.C. a dramatic 0-18 to 0-17 success.
I.T. Carlow now have what is only the second Fitzgibbon final in the college’s history to look forward to at the same venue tomorrow (Wednesday), continuing a remarkable year after they contested their maiden Sigerson Cup decider last week.
They were defeated at their first attempt for hurling glory, but their strong Wexford contingent will be doing all in their power to rectify that in spite of the tag of underdogs they will be carrying.
Cathal Dunbar of Naomh Eanna led by example in Saturday’s win, scoring two goals after starting at centre-forward.
Shane Reck from Oylegate-Glenbrien was his usual reliable self at left corner-back, while his fellow clubman, Seamus Casey, filled the free-taking duties and ended with a personal haul of six points, including two from play.
However, it looks like Casey will miss out on involvement in the final after damaging ankle ligaments in the course of this game.
The latter was joined in the full-forward line by Rory Higgins from Rathnure who earned his place on the starting side after his scoring exploits in their extra-time win over N.U.I.G.
Other prominent inter-county players in the Carlow line-up include goal-scoring netminder Enda Rowland from Laois, plus the Kilkenny quartet of Jason Cleere, Richie Leahy, Luke Scanlon and
Liam Blanchfield.
The free-taking accuracy of Rory O’Connor (St. Martin’s) was one of the main features of the second semi-final between U.C.C. and D.C.U.
He contributed eleven points of the losers’ tally, ten from placed balls, and at one stage in the second-half the Glasnevin crew were four to the good.
However, U.C.C. rallied before that top drawer finish from Mark Coleman sealed the deal for the Leesiders.
As well as O’Connor, three more Wexford players featured for D.C.U. Oisín Foley of Crossabeg-Ballymurn manned the posts, with Conor Firman of St. Martin’s at right corner-back and Damien Reck (Oylegate-Glenbrien) in the middle of the field.
The defeat ensured the Reck brothers won’t be on opposite sides in tomorrow’s final.