The Banner vital in NUIG hurling victory

No fewer than 11 Clare men were in action in Dr Cullen Park on Sunday afternoon as NUIG tasted success in the Walsh cup Leinster hurling tournament.

Carlow hosted the Galway university and in a dour low scoring first half the visitors led (1-8) to (1-4) with the goal scored by Shane Quinlan after great work by Domhnall O’Donovan and Kevin Keehan (Beagh). NUIG improved their work rate and in the second half added nine points to just four from the home side. John Conlon added five points with Kevin Heagney also on target. Nine Clare men in the starting line up were Donal Touhy (Crusheen) in goal. The full back line was all Clare with Diarmuid Nash (Scariff), Paul Nihill (Clonlara) and Noel Casey (Kilmaley) comprising the trio. Indeed Nash and Casey stood out throughout the game. Domhnall O’Donovan (Clonlara) and Patrick Kelly were the two wing backs and O’Donovan was one of NUIG’s best performers.

Kevin Heagney (Corofin)(0-1), John Conlon (Clonlara)(0-5) and David Barrett (Newmarket) were in the forward ranks. Niall Keane (Ballyea) and David Reidy (Wolfe Tones) were introduced in the second half. NUIG were missing the considerable services of John Lee, Declan Connolly, Gerry Kelly, Caimin Morey (Sixmilebridge) and Cormac O’Donovan (Clonlara). The reward for success is a trip on Saturday to take on Dublin in the quarter final of the Walsh cup with the Fitzgibbon cup starting on Feb 4^th with NUIG hosting DIT in Dangan.

NUIG Gaelic Games Officer Michael O’Connor stated that NUI, Galway were delighted to be involved in Leinster and the opportunity at this time of the season could only benefit the side for the Fitzgibbon cup. He added that NUIG are looking forward to taking on the might of Dublin next weekend and even though the Leinster finalists should start as strong favourites NUIG will be able to up their game to offer capable opposition.

By Michael O'Connor