News

FRESHER 1 CUP FINAL HEARTBREAK News: results

Posted On 5th Mar 2026
Posted By GAA ONE CLUB
[Galway (All Clubs) campus]
Author Damien Coleman (Development Officer)
Location Laim Mellows GAA Ballyloughane

Strong Clare influence as UL win three in row denying ATUGalway All Ireland Fresher A hurling final University of Limerick……………..2-21 ATUGalway……………..1-15

By Michael O’ Connor.

The dominance of University of Limerick in third level hurling continues uncontrolled with yet another success in Fresher hurling, this time in the Division 1 decider. The Limerick college travelled up the motorway on Wednesday evening to take on ATUGalway at the Liam Mellowes ground in Ballyloughnane with the howling winds from the Atlantic welcoming all. ATUGalway required penalties to dispense with MTUCork in the semi final as UL had what can only be described as a near freakish 44 point win over UCC. ATUGalway were attempting to win their second ever title since winning their maiden championship in 1999. The odds were firmly stacked in favour of UL winning their third title in a row and fourth in five years but unknown to all bar a few was that their talismanic midfielder Matthew Fitzgerald and free scoring forward Robbie Ryan who was also team captain were ruled out and this would bring the sides together if ATUGalway were ready for a contest. Clare duo Daniel Costello and Conor Ralph were parachuted in to replace Fitzgerald and Ryan and both delivered on their potential over the hour. ATUGalway on their home patch were determined to put on a show of defiance which materialised as they gave of their all and were shy of a greater spread of scoring power which was needed against UL who did underperform somewhat. Perhaps, facing one of their most difficult challenges of the season unsettled the after a relatively easy passage to the decider. Hugh Flanagan and Brian Callanan who between the two sharpshooters scored 20 points over the hour were on hand for the opening scores of the game as UL who won the toss elected to play against the elements. Eire-og’s Robert Loftus was detailed to follow ATUGalway and Galway senior Jason Rabbitte and the duo had an interestingly tussle throughout as Rabbitte was the target man for all ATUGalway attacks and did well despite Loftus containing the goal threat from Rabbitte. Flanagan (3) and Colm Burke (1) left UL two ahead before Cormac Fitzpatrick added his first point from play for UL after 10 minutes. ATUGalway goalkeeper Dlyan Melia was alert to deflect a goal effort from Kilian Cantwell before three frees in three minutes from Callanan had the sides deadlocked on (0-5) apiece. UL were content to contain ATUGalway and deny any real goal threat in the first half. Yet in the 18th minute Conor Gilligan at the second attempt got the ball past Matthew Crotty as Callanan added another free to leave ATUGalway (1-7) to (0-6) ahead after 20 minutes. Robert Loftus rallied the cause with a long range UL point before Callanan and Colm Burke responded for the Galway college. ATUGalway required a double digit lead at half time lead and they were putting UL under pressure with booming puck outs but not scoring goals. Hugh Flanagan (2) Colm Burke and Brian Callanan rounded off the opening half action that was most physical and allowed by referee Niall Malone to develop into a battle of wills that he controlled with ease. Half time ATUGalway (1-10) UL (0-8). UL were a far more determined group for the second half as they warning shots across their bows from ATUGalway scared them and the intense positive tackling from the Galway side was admirable. Hugh Flanagan and Damian Costigan narrowed the deficit to three points before Callanan and Costigan traded points to leavel ATUGalway (1-11) to (0-11) ahead after 35 minutes. A wonder score from Jason Rabbitte followed by his second score was either side of another Flanagan point. UL, however were beginning to take over and a four man move saw Costigan release the ball to Conor Ralph and the Clarecastle man cooly slotted past Dylan Melia for one of the most important scores of the game. Minutes later Dylan Melia denied Costigan a second UL goal. With the wind now at the back of UL Matthew Crotty delivered a 100 metre drive caught brilliantly by Ralph out on the sideline and he levelled the game after 46 minutes. Now with the midfield and half back line now dominated by UL they outscored ATUGalway (1-8) to (0-2) in the last 15 minutes as Cormac Fitzpatrick struck for (1-2) in three minutes as Flanagan contributed (0-4) and Ronan Kilroy who was one of the most consistent UL players over the hour tagged on a brace of scores. Following the game Michael McMahon, Galway County secretary and former third level secretary presented the John Corcoran Cup to Colin Coughlan and team captain Robbie Ryan as Cormac Fitzpatrick was selected as player of the match. Marco Cleary (Eire-og) who is returning from injury, Rian Mulcahy (Eire-og) who played in the semi final and was injured, Sean Og Kilkenny (Bodyke) and Paul O’ Connell (Clarecastle) were all members of the winning UL panel University of Limerick scorers: Hugh Flanagan (0-12f), Cormac Fitzpatrick (1-3), Conor Ralph (1-1), Damian Costigan, Ronan Kilroy (0-2 each), Robert Loftus (0-1). University of Limerick: Matthew Crotty (Scariff, Clare), Jerry Henderson (Kilkenny), Fiachra Cooney (Waterford), Daniel Costello (Ballyea, Clare), James Coughlan (Limerick), Darragh Counihan (Galway) Robert Loftus (Eire-og, Clare) Hugh Lenihan (Kerry), Ronan Kilroy (Banner, Clare), Hugh Flanagan (Limerick), David Costigan (Tipperary), Conor Ralph (Clarecastle, Clare), Cormac Fitzpatrick (Tipperary), Killian Cantwell (Tipperary). ATUGalway scorers: Brian Callanan (0-9, 8f), Colm Burke (0-3), Conor Gilligan (1-0), Jason Rabbitte (0-3) ATUGalway: Dlyan Melia (Galway), Thomas Blake (Galway), Cathal Campbell (Galway), Ger Keane (Galway), Michael Boylan (Galway), Jonah Donnellan (Galway), Ben Porter (Galway), Jack Murray (Galway), Michael Burke (Galway), Jason Rabbitte (Galway), Colm Burke (Galway), Conor Gilligan (Galway), Padraig Connole (Galway), Cian Cloherty (Galway), Brian Callanan (Galway. Subs: Andrew Canning (Galway) for Conole, Jake Keady (Galway) for Cloherty, Joe Clancy (Tubber, Clare) for Murray, Ben Shiel (Galway) for C Burke. Referee: Niall Malone (Clare)



Create your account today

Explore everything that ATU Galway-Mayo Clubs & Socs has to offer.

Help & Support

ATU Galway-Mayo Clubs & Socs does not use any third-party cookies. We only use cookies required for the website to function. No personal data is shared outside of ATU Galway-Mayo Clubs & Socs.

By continuing to use this site you are agreeing to the ATU Galway-Mayo Clubs & Socs Privacy Notice