Fitzgibbon Cup Cup Group D: UCC (Cork) v Ulster University (today, Mardyke GAA Grounds (Cork) 2pm)
ULSTER University hurling manager Ollie Bellew expects a “tough day” in Cork this afternoon as they take on one of the leading contenders for this year’s Fitzgibbon Cup.
Bellew is realistic about their hopes against UCC today but still hopes to qualify out of Group D to reach the Fitzgibbon weekend.
After the toughest of openers this afternoon they host Maynooth IT and UCD on February 2 and 7.
Despite a few absentees, Bellew said: “We’ve had a few injuries and we haven’t really had access to the Antrim lads… but we’ve still a good team out.
“The boys who are missing are still out: Paddy Burke, Donal Nugent and Ciaran Johnston are all injured and Daniel McKernan is with the Antrim hurlers.”
In preparation for their Fitzgibbon campaign, Bellew’s men competed in the Queen’s-sponsored Conor McGurk Cup and reached the final.
They defeated Armagh and Queen’s but ran into a fantastic Down team in last Saturday night’s decider at the QUB Arena.
The Ardsmen hammered the students 1-25 to 0-6, with James McNaughton and Ali Dooey impressing.
Michael Dudley and Jackson McGreevy will also be key players for UU this afternoon.
Bellew rejected the notion his side had one eye on today’s Fitzgibbon Cup opener after losing heavily to Down on Saturday.
“You have to credit Down this year,” said Bellew.
“Marty Mallon and ‘Gazza’ [Gary Savage] have Down hurling the way they would have hurled in by-gone days.
“They’re playing some serious stuff and they’ll be serious contenders in Ulster this year and whatever else they’re playing in. They’re playing a lovely brand of hurling.”
He added: “Things just aren’t clicking for us at the minute and tomorrow’s going to be a tough day for us. Realistically we just want a performance against Cork and we’ll be banking on getting through to Fitzgibbon with our two home games.”
UCC have won the Fitzgibbon Cup three times in the last eight years and warmed up for today's clash by beating Cork hurlers 0-22 to 1-13.
