UCC 2-21

Mary Immaculate College 0-13

Goals from joint-captain Conor Browne and Mark Kehoe helped UCC to an emphatic Fitzgibbon Cup final victory over Mary Immaculate College at the WIT Arena.

The victory completed a famous double for the Cork college whose senior footballers were crowned Sigerson Cup champions on Wednesday night. They were full value for this 14-point win against a Mary I side that was over-reliant on Aaron Gillane for scores. The Limerick star finished with 0-8 to his credit, all of which came from placed balls.

Jamie Wall's charges led twice through early points from Michael O'Loughlin and Gillane before UCC took a grip on proceedings thanks to a stunning individual goal from Tipperary man Kehoe. Colm Roche tagged on three more points before Gillane and O'Brien replied for the teaching training college.

But a brace of Shane Conway frees and a second point from wing back Chris O'Leary left the traditional giants perched on a 1-12 to 0-7 interval lead.

UCC joint captains Eoghan Murphy and Conor Browne lift the Fitzgibbon Cup

Gillane and Tipperary All-Ireland U21 winning captain Colin English narrowed the gap on the restart, but UCC remained in the driving seat thanks to two Mark Kehoe points.

And it was all over bar the shouting when Browne raised a second green flag in the 40th minute to put UCC 10 points clear and seal a record 39th title. 

UCC - J Barry; N O’Leary (0-1), E Gunning, K Dwyer; C O’Leary (0-2f), E Murphy, D Griffin (0-1); M Coleman, P O’Loughlin; C Browne (1-1), S Kingston (0-1), C Roche (0-3); M Kehoe (1-4), S Conway (0-6, 5f), D Fitzgibbon (0-1). Subs: R O’Flynn (0-1) for E Murphy, D Lowney for K Dwyer, D Lynch for C O’Leary, R Donohue for C Roche, D Walsh for D Fitzgibbon.

Mary Immaculate College - E Cahill; E Ryan, D Prendergast, S Downey; C Morgan, D Browne, T Grimes; T Monaghan (0-1), L Meade (0-1); A Gillane (0-8f), M O’Loughlin (0-1), C O’Brien (0-1); G Cooney, C Guilfoyle, P Hickey. Subs: B Buckley for S Downey, C English (0-1) for M O’Loughlin, S Burke for G Cooney, R McCormack for C O’Brien.

Referee - J Owens.

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