It has been one of the toughest sporting losses during the two years of pandemic and lockdowns but hopefully the Electric Ireland GAA Higher education programme will be revived in the early weeks of January.

The same is true of the College tournaments in Ladies Football and Camogie. The DCU team was taken off the bus on the way to Tralee for the O’Connor Cup on the day that the world stopped in March of 2020.

Students cannot afford the same sanguinity about pausing the sporting life as can be afforded when you are older. The opportunities to make a mark and enjoy the experience of a Fitzgibbon or a Sigerson run are limited and last year’s were taken away.

They will return though and the draw was made today for both the Electric Ireland backed competitions.

It wasn’t without a glitch though, similar to that experienced by UEFA only yesterday, and the draw had to be redone following an error in the way the draws were conducted the first time around.

Better to get it right thatn get it quick, though better still to get it right at the first time of asking.

Anyway, these things happen.

The draws took place at IT Carlow, which will be the host for both of the men’s competitions. The Sigerson Cup gets underway on January 10th and the Fitzgibbon on the 17th.

“We are delighted to see the return of the Electric Ireland Higher Education GAA Championships in 2022. After an absence in 2021, we are excited to see some of the best young GAA talent on display during the upcoming season,” said Sarah Sharkey, Brand, PR and Sponsorhip Manager at Electric Ireland.

“In 2022, our #FirstClassRivals platform will once again celebrate the unexpected alliances formed through County rivals joining forces in pursuit of one common goal. Now in our fifth year of sponsoring these great championships, we are looking forward to another season of excitement and fierce competition as students across the country compete for some of the most coveted titles in GAA.”

“I know first-hand the important role that our third-level colleges and universities play in the promotion of Gaelic games and the great service they do for our Association,” added GAA President Larry McCarthy.

“It was during my formative years as a student in Limerick that I got my first real taste and feel of GAA administration, while on the field I have great memories of being part of wonderful teams that won Ryan and Trench Cups.”

“The memories and friendships forged in our Higher Education GAA competitions stand the test of time and hold a value as precious as any cup or medal.”

“I am delighted to see the standard of the competitions grow constantly and wish to acknowledge the support of our partners in Electric Ireland for their assistance in promoting these great games and the players who take part. I look forward to seeing the great facilities at IT Carlow.”

Highlights of the draw included MTU Cork being drawn against UCC in the first round of the Sigerson and UCD, NUIG, UCC and Mary I being drawn in the same group of the Fitzgibbon.

 

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