IT’S TWO-IN-A-ROW FOR MARY I

DARRAGH O’Donovan was the hero as his crucial goal helped Mary I win back-to-back Fitzgibbon Cup titles with a 3-24 to 1-19 win over IT Carlow in Salthill’s Pearse Stadium.

Both sides had reached the final following impressive semi-final wins on Friday, Mary I beating Davy Fitzgerald’s LIT 0-19 to 0-14 and IT Carlow bagging a 2-20 to 1-20 extra-time win against UCC.

DJ Carey’s Carlow side simply left themselves with too much to do here, however, as Mary I used the strong breeze to their advantage to build up an impressive 0-16 to 0-8 lead by half-time.

Stephen Maher hit a massive 1-13 for IT Carlow, who did manage to claw the gap back to six points but it wasn’t enough.

O’Donovan struck to put Mary I out of reach before Aaron Gillane and substitute Pa Ryan also raised green flags to help Mary I successfully defend the trophy for the first time in their history.