Comhairle Ardoideachais and Cumann Lúthchleas Gael are delighted to announce Independent.ie.as the new competition sponsor of all Higher Education GAA competitions for the next three academic years.
Speaking of the sponsorship of the Higher Education GAA championship, Independent.ie Sports Editor Ger Keville said “Throughout our 100 year history, the Independent has been reporting on the Sigerson and Fitzgibbon Cups, and we are thrilled to now say that Independent.ie is the major sponsor of what are two of the oldest and most respected competitions in the GAA.”
Speaking on behalf of Cumann Lúthchleas Gael, Uachtarán Liam Ó Néill, said: “Our Higher Education competitions occupy a special place in the wider GAA calendar and foster some of the best emerging talent in our codes.
“Our partnership with Independent.ie will help us bring top quality games to the widest audience possible and I look forward to what this year’s games and competitions have to offer.”
Earlier this afternoon in the GAA Museum in Croke Park, the draws for the 2015 Independent.ie Higher Education GAA Championships were made with some mouth-watering ties to look forward to in the New Year.
Exclusive content and coverage of the Higher Education GAA Championships and today’s draws is available at www.independent.ie/sport. Independent.ie Sports Editor Ger Keville said “We are excited that this partnership will allow for greater exposure of the Higher Education GAA Championship and the talented players that play in it. Our suite of products across desktop, tablet and mobile means that our audience of over 9 million people per month will be able to access the latest and greatest Higher Education GAA news from anywhere at any time.”
After a hectic couple of months of action in the 14 Independent.ie Higher Education GAA League competitions, the focus for students will now switch to championship fare. Both championship weekends will be held in Munster with reigning champions UCC hosting the Independent.ie HE GAA Football Championship Finals weekend in the famous Mardyke. The hurling weekend will be hosted by Limerick IT in their Moylish Campus with the Independent.ie Fitzgibbon Cup final taking place in the nearby Gaelic Grounds.
The College will face stiff competition to retain their Sigerson crown from the likes of Division 1 League winners DCU, while defeated league finalists St.Mary’s, also impressed during their campaign this winter showing strength in depth to claim the Intermediate League title. All 18 entrants will be hoping to make the trip south on February 20th/21st for what promises to be an exciting two days of action.
Again this year, all Sigerson fixtures will be played on campuses/local venues as part of the second year of a home-and-away agreement between all clubs. Any pairings which occurred last year will now revert to the other clubs venue, with the exception of UCC, who will be at home in all rounds.as hosts. With improvements made to many of the GAA facilities in the Higher Education sector this will give clubs the opportunity to showcase their venues and will continue to raise the interest of the local student body in these fixtures.
Among the contenders for the hurling title are recently crowned league champions IT Carlow, who overcame the might of UCC to claim historic first Division 1 title. DCU also reached the league semi-finals which may indicate a changing landscape in the small ball scene. Many others will also lay claim to the title with holders WIT, UCC,UCD and UL expected to challenge. All roads lead to Limerick for the Independent.ie HE GAA Hurling Championship Finals Weekend Friday February 27th/28th.
With fixtures in the Independent.ie HE GAA Championships scheduled to start on Tuesday January 27th 2014, full details of dates, times and venues will be circulated later this week.
Fixtures, results and news updates will be available throughout the season on www.he.gaa.ie and www.Independent.ie/sport
Follow all the action on the ‘GAA Higher Education’ Facebook page and on Twitter @HigherEdGAA and the hashtags: #comingtoacampus #Sigerson #Fitzgibbon #hegaa
