So many brilliant hurlers have contributed their greatness to the Electric Ireland Fitzgibbon Cup down through the years. But this month, Mikey Kiely of University of Limerick entered the pantheon of the all-time great Fitzgibbon hurlers.
Last year, Kiely was sensational for UL. He became a household name in hurling circles after scoring a last-ditch Hail Mary goal that saw UL beat Carlow IT in extra time of the last year's Fitzgibbon semifinal. Kiely also scored the late winner that saw UL stun NUIG and claim the 2022 Fitzgibbon Cup.
The two sides met today on the campus of SETU Waterford in a rematch of last year's final, and the Waterford man was at his most ruthless. While last year's final was incredibly tense, this year it was all UL, and Brian Ryan's side routed University of Galway by a final score of 4-19 to 1-13.
Kiely contributed a staggering 4-1 of that final scoreline, in a full forward performance for the ages.
Corn Mhic Giobúin Electric Ireland - Cluiche Ceannais
2 nóim @ul_gaa 1-00@nuiggaa1 0-01
Tá cúl iontach faighte ag Michael Kiely do Ollscoil Luimnigh!
UL strike early through Michael Kiely! #FirstClassRivals | #GAABEO@GAA_BEO | @ElectricIreland
BEO AR @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/cLl0t9cLMh— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) February 18, 2023
After the match, he spoke of the bond amongst his teammates, especially amongst the players who'd tasted cup glory last year.
The likes of Gearoid O'Connor and Bryan O'Meara of Tipp and the Kilkenny contingent of Dean Mason in goal and Darragh Corcoran were pivotal for UL last year and masterful this winter.
Scariff's Mark Rodgers also caused havoc in the full-forward line.
But Kiely was the star man. He had the hat-trick under his belt by halftime, and the result was a formality
Comhghairdeas @ul_gaa! 🏆🤩
The 2023 @ElectricIreland HEC GAA Fitzgibbon Cup Champions! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/kJ0AkqPx81— GAA Higher Education (@HigherEdGAA) February 18, 2023
For their part, University of Galway came through a challenging and dramatic semifinal against UCC that was settled in extra time last Thursday night. The short turnaround perhaps meant we didn't see the best of them.
Speaking to TG4 afterwards, Ryan made a convincing case about the importance of the college competitions and the need for the GAA to sit down and hash out a solution that protect this esteemed competition. He also spoke of the togetherness in the UL side.
Lán Ama
"There's a tremendous bond among this group of lads"
Labhair Brian Ryan, bainisteoir Ollscoil Luimnigh linn i ndiaidh an cluiche.@ul_gaa #FirstClassRivals | #GAABEO@GAA_BEO | @officialgaa | @ElectricIreland
BEO AR @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/4gY2uHuVE7— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) February 18, 2023
