An Tánaiste, Micheál Martin TD, emphasised that aspiring to play and win in third level sport is “a precious jewel in the college experience” as he presented medals to the Mary Immaculate College Fitzgibbon Cup-winning players and management team at a Gala Homecoming event on 11 March at the Limerick Strand Hotel.
Although the Shannon Suite was lit up in MIC blue, An Tánaiste brought a distinctive red tone to proceedings referencing the strong Rebel County connections in the team with Corkmen including manager Jamie Wall and captain Colin O’Brien, and the fact that the Fitzgibbon Cup is named after Dr Edwin Fitzgibbon, a Capuchin friar who was a Professor of Philosophy at University College Cork.
“We’re here to celebrate sport and the importance of sport in our lives, and particularly third level sport on-campus. We should never take from the student experience the importance of playing for your college or university, and to develop that bond and that spirit that you will never lose for the rest of your lives. All of the players here this evening, you are part of a special group. In years to come—a decade, two decades, three decades—you will always look back and remember the year you won the Fitzgibbon. No-one can ever take it from you.”
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”.
Jamie Wall—an MIC Alumnus who has been involved with all three MIC Fitzgibbon Cup wins, as a coach in 2016 and as manager in 2017 and 2024—praised the players, strength of the 40 strong panel his four coaching colleagues (which included his first cousin, Podge Collins) as well as the College community. He welcomed the large student attendance at the event because the student body was very supportive and it meant so much to the team to celebrate with their friends.
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.”
On the night, An Tánaiste also acknowledged a special publication penned by MIC Alumni, Ciarán Crowe and Joe Lyons, and published by MIC.
Launching Cumann na mBunscol: Caoga Bliain ag Fás, he complimented the “mammoth piece of work…littered with great stars of yesteryear” and many legends in the making. He also reflected on his own primary school GAA experiences and how many of the young hurlers on the winning team would have started at primary school age.
“The book is a celebration of the primary teachers of Ireland who are really doing something unique. In every parish across the country, girls and boys play with their primary school and out of that comes great people, great players and great character.”
Mary Immaculate College is very grateful for the support of generous sponsors for the event, namely: Quinn Architects, Grosvenor, MasterChefs, G4S Security, Pure Electrical, Martins Coaches, Core Landscaping, Commane Heating and Plumbing, Marlhill Construction Services and PBC Builders Ltd.
