Football

Cancellation of Sigerson and Fitzgibbon competitions 'not a surprise': John Farrell

Ulster University GAA president John 'Tommy Joe' Farrell (second left) pictured at the launch of the university's School of Excellence last year. Picture by Declan Roughan
Ulster University GAA president John 'Tommy Joe' Farrell (second left) pictured at the launch of the university's School of Excellence last year. Picture by Declan Roughan Ulster University GAA president John 'Tommy Joe' Farrell (second left) pictured at the launch of the university's School of Excellence last year. Picture by Declan Roughan

ULSTER University GAA president John 'Tommy Joe' Farrell admitted confirmation that third level competitions had been called off for the remainder of the academic year due to the Covid-19 pandemic “hadn’t come as a shock”.

Uncertainty surrounds the overall GAA schedule looking into 2021, with a two week block already put on inter-county teams planning a return to training tomorrow night ahead of the suggested start of the National League at the end of February.

And yesterday the GAA's Higher Education committee confirmed that the Sigerson and Fitzgibbon Cups will not take place.

Considering the experience of students at UU and universities across Ireland has been very different from the norm, and given the recent spike in Covid-19 cases, Farrell was disappointed but not surprised to see third level competitions pulled.

“It didn’t come as a shock,” said the Burren man.

“If you look at the state we’re in at the minute in terms of cases, and the projected increase over the next couple of weeks, we would have had a limited period of time to run our competitions.

“We would’ve put first years onto a WhatsApp group around the end of September – for most of them, that has been it. There might’ve been a bit of chat about getting kit, maybe having a championship… most of them don’t even know who is on the group because they’ve never met.

“The normal student experience in terms of face-to-face interaction with your classmates, with your lecturers, meeting groups of other young people at Freshers’ leagues and championships, socialising, that has all been totally null and void.

“There’s nobody more disappointed than myself, having been involved for so long, but there’s no point giving off because it’s just one of those things. It’s most unfortunate.”

Confirming that third level competitions would not take place this academic year, Higher Education GAA chairperson Michael Hyland said he was hopeful of a return to action in the autumn.

"We're very disappointed that our championships will not take place," he said.

"Comhairle Ardoideachais had planned for and were hopeful of all of our championships, including the Fitzgibbon and Sigerson Cups, going ahead but it’s apparent that it won't be possible for this year. We wish to thank all the colleges, the clubs, club committees, students, students unions and the hard working development officers for their understanding and their ongoing commitment to our sector.

"There is a lot of uncertainty about when games will recommence at club and county level and what the calendar will look like in 2021 but as the situation becomes clearer, we will work with the clubs, colleges, development officers and all stakeholders to try and find ways to mitigate against the effects of our students not having had any games this academic year and we are really looking forward to a return to play in October.

“We are looking forward staging second year competitions for this year’s Freshers, which we hope will take place in the first semester of the 2021/2022 academic year."