An All-Cork clash between UCC and ITC was among the highlights of yesterday's Fitzgibbon Cup draw while last year's Sigerson winners, IT Tralee, begin their title defence against Maynooth. The draw was held in Croke Park yesterday and for the first time a seeding system, based on league performances, was introduced to the hurling competition.

The Garda College, Templemore is the venue for the Fitzgibbon finals while Queen's University will host the Sigerson finals. The Fitzgibbon Cup takes place on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th of February next year while the Sigerson Cup will be run off over the weekend of Friday, March 5th.

Meanwhile, the University of Limerick has been told that it is welcome to continue to participate in the county's football championship. There was a cloud over UL's future when it was suggested they were not welcome at the a.g.m. of the Limerick board football committee The argument against their future involvement was that UL was too strong and the college's presence was of little value to the game in Limerick.