'Man of the Match' - From schoolboy hurler to All-Ireland glory, Cathal O'Neill graduates from University of Limerick
Limerick senior hurling star, Cathal O'Neill, continued his sporting success as he graduated with a BSc in Physical Education with Irish from University of Limerick.
He joined more that 3,000 students graduating this week as part of the University's autumn conferring ceremonies.
Just weeks before graduating, Cathal was named Man of the Match after scoring 1-4 for Limerick in the All-Ireland final, including a memorable second-half goal.
"I remember getting free and in fairness to Aaron Gillane, he played an unbelievable pass inside and I just decided to go for it. It’s a lovely moment to look back on for sure," the four-time All-Ireland senior medal winner recalls.
"I think it was particularly special given the two years previous we had. 2024 and 2025 hurt us a lot and just to get to the top again means a great deal," he added.
A recipient of a prestigious UL Sports Scholarship, Cathal credits this programme for helping him manage elite-sport and his studies, and for providing a "guiding voice" when needed.
"I think in UL it’s actually easier than most colleges to balance your studies and sport because you are looking around at hundreds of other athletes doing the very same thing. The facilities for training are top notch and also you’ve the library there to put in hours needed for studying."
A native of Crecora, Cathal became involved in GAA both through his local club Crecora-Manister and his primary school Scoil Naomh Iósaf in Adare, where he was taught by former Limerick hurler Stephen Lavin.
"Scoil Naomh Iósaf had a profound impact on me with regards to hurling. The school is steeped in GAA tradition and the teachers there had a massive enthusiasm for sport."
Lavin, who was playing for Limerick at the time, provided Cathal with an early connection between his interest in sport, the Irish language and teaching.
"I also got a real passion for Gaeilge in primary school. Stephen Lavin, in particular, had a real impact on me with regards to Irish and teaching.
"My grá for the language grew even more when I went to Ardscoil Rís Secondary School where I had some fantastic teachers too."
It was at Ardscoil Rís that Cathal went on to become one of the country's outstanding young hurlers. As a third year pupil, he scored 2-19 (25 points) in three games as part of the team that won the 2018 Dr Harty Cup. He was named on the 2018 Minor Hurling Team of the Year for leading the Limerick side to the top of the group with six points from their four games, before captaining the Limerick minor hurling team to the Munster title in 2019.
In 2021, he made his Limerick senior debut while still attending Ardscoil Rís, a significant achievement for a secondary school student.
When it came time to go to college, UL was the obvious choice for Cathal.
"I chose UL because I had grown up going to training for Limerick underage out there. My father also used to take me to Fitzgibbon Cup games so, I suppose, I was never going to go anywhere else."
It wasn't long before he himself became a key member of the UL Fitzgibbon Cup team, playing alongside Limerick intercounty players such as Colin Coughlan, Adam English and Aidan O’Connor as well as county rivals Darragh McCarthy, Adam Screeney, Killian Doyle and Jack O’Neill.
"I think when teams play us they look at us like a huge college but I think it was our close bond that separated us. It's a joy to play [on a college team] with players from different counties and it’s completely fresh.
"You know you only get a small window to put on the UL jersey so you want to make the absolute most of it."
In 2023 Cathal won his first Fitzgibbon Cup medal with UL. That year Limerick won its historic fourth consecutive All-Ireland senior title, which saw Cathal coming off the bench to score two points in the closing stages of the final.
The following year, he was part of UL’s Fitzgibbon Cup team that reached the 2024 final.
2025 marked another UL Fitzgibbon win, but it was a stop-start season for Cathal as he recovered from a torn hamstring injury.
He returned to the Fitzgibbon Cup in 2026, delivering an exceptional performance in the final against Mary Immaculate College, helping secure a record 10th Fitzgibbon Cup title for UL.
As Cathal graduates today, he is grateful to those who supported him along the way from his club, school and college.
"In UL, I have to give special mention to the UL Sports Scholarship Academy and UL GAA, especially Jason Coffey, Adrian Murphy, Fr John Campion and John Linehan. They were a constant helping hand and I hope to keep in contact with them for a long time.
"And then without a shadow of a doubt my parents have had the biggest impact. Whether it was bringing me to training or matches, taking me out of school to watch Harty Cup games or Fitzgibbon Cup games or buying hurleys for me, the list goes on and I owe a great deal to them."
Reflecting on how his time at UL has shaped him as a person, on and off the pitch, he said:
"My time at UL has been about the relationships I built during my time there. I think going to college matures you a lot and it definitely helped me find my way as such and figure out who I want to be.
"The experience has definitely taught me time management skills. Growing up I probably got through school and maybe first year of college almost solely focusing on hurling. I think the last few years taught me that balance between academics and hurling is much healthier."
Life has come full circle for the 24-year-old as he steps into the role the teacher in Coláiste Chiaráin, Croom, where he is ready to pass on the same enthusiasm that inspired him as a student.
"I’m starting a teaching job in Coláiste Chiaráin the day after my graduation. I’m teaching PE and Irish with full 22 hours so I’m delighted with that. I did my last placement there and I loved it so I’m very excited to go back now as an actual teacher."
And after a standout summer with the Limerick senior hurling team, Cathal's focus is now on the pitch with his local club team Crecora-Manister.
"As an athlete I think you are always trying to just look forward to the next thing and the club has my full attention at the moment. I’m aware how fortunate I am to be part of this Limerick hurling team at this time and have some incredible memories of the last six years. "
