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Third level GAA competitions cancelled

The GAA have confirmed the cancellation of all third level competitions, including the Sigerson and Fitzgibbon Cups for the current college academic year. 

This decision comes after the Government put restrictions on amateur sport in an attempt to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Abandoned: GAA activities haven’t resumed since December.

A statement released on behalf of the GAA’s Higher Education Committee expressed “regret’’ at the cancellation of the competitions. 

“The committee had been hopeful of staging a comprehensive programme of games, including the Sigerson and Fitzgibbon Cups, but given the current landscape in Ireland and the public health difficulties, this will not be possible.” 

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A lot of college students, including TU Dublin student Sean Ryan expressed disappointment on the cancellation but can also “understand the reasons behind it.

“Obviously it was very disappointing news to receive, although I was kind of expecting it with the restrictions that are currently in place across the country.

“I completely understand the reasons behind cancelling the competition, but I would have loved if it went ahead, as it is a brilliant opportunity for so many players,” said Ryan. 

Other third level competitions like the second tier Trench Cup, previously won by Letterkenny Institute of Technology, was also cancelled.

Trinity College student Matthew Moyles is one of many students who were hoping to play in the competition for the first time.

“I was looking forward to playing in the Trench Cup for the first time. It is a great competition because you are playing football with your college friends which is very enjoyable,” Moyles told The Liberty.

Matthew also commented on the affect the cancellations of games are having on players who haven’t trained in months: “It is obviously not what players around the country wants. Of course, I understand the reason of the games being cancelled and the serious nature of the virus, but hopefully we can get back playing as quickly as possible whether it would be with our counties, colleges, or club.”

It is obviously not what players around the country wants. Of course, I understand the reason of the games being cancelled and the serious nature of the virus, but hopefully we can get back playing as quickly as possible whether it would be with our counties, colleges, or club

It was thought that GAA officials had been hoping to postpone the competitions until October and November 2021 in order to give students who are sitting their last year in college the opportunity to play, but now the competition has been completely cancelled.

Last year’s competitions

The cancellation to the competition will mean that DCU will retain the Sigerson Cup for another year after beating IT Carlow last year on a score line of 0-14 to 0-07.  

University College Cork’s 0-18 – 2-11 victory in the 2019/2020 final means they’ll retain the Fitzgibbon cup until the 2021/2022 tournament.

The GAA are hopeful that the 2021-22 Fitzgibbon and Sigerson Cup competitions will take place next year as normal as students start returning to campuses, and club and county games return. 

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