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MIC Fitzgibbon Cup Champions celebrated at special homecoming dinner

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Pictured at the MIC Fitzgibbon Cup Celebratory Homecoming Dinner, Manager Jamie Wall holds the Fitzgibbon Cup in front of Professor Niamh Hourigan, Vice President Academic Affairs; Éamonn Cregan, former MIC hurling manager; Professor Eugene Wall, President of MIC; Podge Collins, Coach. Pic. Brian Arthur

MIC’s Fitzgibbon Cup winning team were celebrated at a special Homecoming Gala dinner at the Strand Hotel in Limerick on Monday, March 11, 2024

Fitzgibbon Cup winning team and management pictured at the event. Photo: Brian Arthur

Tánaiste Micheál Martin was in attendance to present the players and management with their medals. Also on the night, the Tánaiste launched Cumann na mBunscol: Caoga Bliain ag Fás, stunning publication celebrating 50 years of Gaelic Games in Primary Schools, written by MIC alumni Ciarán Crowe and Joe Lyons and published by MIC.

The occasion also saw the launch of Cumann na mBunscol: Caoga Bliain ag Fás, a stunning publication celebrating 50 years of Gaelic Games in Primary Schools, written by MIC alumni Ciarán Crowe and Joe Lyons and published by MIC.

According to Professor Eugene Wall, President of MIC, “This Fitzgibbon Cup win is a truly remarkable achievement for a college with a modest student population in comparison to many of the other institutions in the competition. The win also comes at a very special time for the College as we celebrate its 125th anniversary this year.


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“We are delighted and honoured that Tánaiste Micheál Martin TD was in attenance for the homecoming. I invited our staff, student and our community to join us on the night to celebrate our Champions.”

Addressing close to 300 staff, students and guests, Professor Eugene Wall, President of MIC, saluted “all the players for their skill, commitment and tenacity and a special congratulations to Jamie Wall and the management team”.

He added that An Tánaiste appreciates “how the GAA, both locally and nationally, is an integral part of the social fabric of this country. It is an honour to have him here tonight to celebrate the Fitzgibbon Cup victory and present the medals”.

The gala event began with a drinks reception, followed by dinner. Deuces Wild band entertained the crowd with live music followed by a DJ until late.

It is the third time that MIC has won the Fitzgibbon Cup in the competition’s history, and the second win under the management of Jamie Wall. Jamie was also a player on the first MIC side to reach the competition’s final in 2013 and was a Coach under the management of Eamonn Cregan when the College won the Cup for the first time in 2016.

Speaking after the game, Jamie said, “To be here and to win it against such strong opposition is incredible. We said in the dressing room that this could be a surprise for the whole country but it won’t be for us. The spirit, belief and drive the team have is something you can be so proud of.”

He also paid special tribute to Éamon Cregan, his predecessor as Manager of the Fitzgibbon Cup team, and also to MIC staff members, Noreen Lynch and Leonard Enright (RIP)—after whom MIC’s Elite Sports Scholarships are named.

“Peadar Cremin, who was president when I first came to study here, told us all in his initial speech that you never really leave Mary I. I’ve been involved with the College for a long time, and I think Mary I never leaves you.”

MIC FItzgibbon Cup
Manager Jamie Wall speaks to GAA legend Éamonn Cregan, former MIC hurling manager. Pic. Brian Arthur

MIC’s win over the University of Limerick in the Fitzgibbon Cup final ended UL’s run of 22 undefeated games in the competition as they chased a third consecutive Cup win. The reigning Champions were favourites going into the final but a stunning start from MIC saw them five points up after four minutes. MIC were four points ahead at half time but a second half charge, aided by the wind, saw UL briefly take the lead. MIC’s hurlers rallied, however, and ran out two point winners at the final whistle.

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