Limerick IT win the Fitzgibbon Cup
Limerick IT 2-15 NUI Galway 0-13
Limerick IT were crowned Ulster Bank Fitzgibbon Cup champions for only the second time ever today thanks to a sublime performance from Portumna's Joe Canning who scored 1-8, the same tally as he had scored in the semi-final win the previous day.
NUI Galway started this game brightly thanks to a Sean Glynn point but once Limerick IT took control thanks to two Joe Canning points, it seemed even at that early stage that there was only going to one winner.
However NUI Galway were quick to dispel that theory and thanks to hard work from Darragh Egan of Tipperary at full-forward, they made a great comeback to ensure the gap was cut to a goal five minutes before the interval.
Both sides had golden opportunities for goals before the break, in injury time. 20 seconds into injury time, Joe Canning had his penalty strike well saved by David Woods before four minutes later at the opposite end, Darragh Egan had his penalty shot well deflected by fellow Tipperary man and Limerick IT defender, Shane McGrath.
The sides entered the break with Limerick IT holding a 1-5 to 0-5 lead and the Shannonsiders continued their good work into the second half with an early Iarlaith Tannain point, which was followed up by a 32nd minute Joe Canning goal.
Limerick IT had built up a 2-11 to 0-8 lead with 14 minutes remaining, but NUI Galway were certainly content on making a comeback and Darragh Egan scored three points in a nine minute spell along with scores from David Barrett and Finian Coone to reduce the gap to two goals.
However there was no doubting the sublime stickwork of Canning who scored two fine points in the closing stages along with a Bernard Gaffney score to ensure that Limerick IT captained by Cork native Kieran Murphy; claimed their second title.
There was consolation for NUI Galway with centre half back John Lee picking up the man of the match award.
Scorers
Limerick IT: J Canning 1-8 (4f); A Callanan 1-1; A Murphy, B Gaffney 0-2 each; I Tannain, J McInerney 0-1 each.
NUI Galway: D Egan 0-7 (3f); C Ryan (1 s/l), F Coone, P O'Brien, S Flynn, V Fahey, D Barrett 0-1 each.
Limerick IT: J Skehill; M Walsh, J Tyrrell, A Byrne; S McGrath, C O'Mahony, M O'Brien; J Clancy, K Murphy; E Caddigan, A Murphy, I Tannian; A Callanan, J Canning, J McInerney. Sub: B Gaffney for Caddigan (HT)
NUIG: D Woods; R Whyte, M Ryan, L Geraghty; J Dunphy, J Lee, E Barrett; C Ryan, S Molumphy; P O'Brien, D Barrett, F Coone; D Kenny, D Egan, S Glynn. Subs: V Faherty for O'Brien (HT); P Kennedy for Ryan (52).
Referee: Barry Kelly (Westmeath)