SIGERSON CUP FIRST ROUND:PAUL GALVIN'S much-hyped eligibility for Sigerson Cup football with the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) may come to nothing as injury looks set to rule him out of this afternoon's first-round game against the University of Limerick.
The Kerry forward is still recovering from a minor hip operation, and although he has been training with DIT in recent weeks and will be part of the panel at this afternoon’s game it’s unlikely he will see any action.
DIT do in effect have home advantage – the game is being played at the Clanna Gael grounds in Ringsend, having been switched from Grangegorman – and on recent form are well fancied to win. If that proves true Galvin will most likely be back for the finals weekend on March 3rd-5th, where the quarter-finals, semi-finals and centenary showpiece will be hosted on three consecutive days by UCD – the inaugural winners of the competition, in 1911.
Last month Galvin was deemed eligible for this year’s competition having signed up for a fashion course at DIT. He was at the official launch of the competition in Croke Park on January 26th, although for still unclear reasons chose not to talk to the media.
DIT are second favourites to win the Sigerson outright this year, behind defending champions DCU – and recently recorded an impressive win over Wexford in the O’Byrne Cup. DIT have yet to win a Sigerson title, but Galvin’s addition and experience with Kerry would considerably boost their chances, given they already have the services of Galway’s Gareth Bradshaw, Peter Domican of Roscommon, Alan Freeman and Aidan O’Shea from Mayo, and Dublin’s Diarmuid Connolly.
“It really is touch and go as to whether Paul will play in the first round,” says DIT’s GAA officer Darragh Biddlecome. “He is certainly very keen, but because of his injury it’s doubtful he will see some action right now.”
Now aged 31, Galvin captained the 2002 UCC Sigerson side that lost in the final to Sligo IT. Whether he plays this afternoon Galvin definitely won’t be part of the Kerry team to play Mayo in round two of the Allianz Football League on Sunday. Kerry manager Jack O’Connor also has other panel members in Sigerson action today, including Anthony Maher, David Moran, Barry John Walsh, Gary O’Driscoll and Daithí Casey.
O’Connor won’t name his team until seeing how those players come through the action, although Eoin Brosnan is likely to make his first appearance for Kerry since June 2009 having recently come out of intercounty retirement.
UCD have a bye into the quarter-finals, while DCU should come through against St Mary’s Belfast, especially on home ground.
Elsewhere, the postponed Dr McKenna Cup final between Derry and Tyrone has been rescheduled for Saturday, March 5th, at the Athletic Grounds, Armagh (7pm).
The fixture was postponed from last Saturday following the death of Paddy Harte, brother of Tyrone manager Mickey. Derry were one-point winners over Tyrone in the opening round of the league last Saturday week.
Today's Fixtures
(All games 2pm; extra-time if needed)
UUJ v Cork IT Newcastle
DIT v UL Ringsend
UCC v GMIT Mardyke
Carlow IT v Athlone IT Carlow
IT Sligo v NUI Galway Sligo
DCU v St Mary's, Belfast DCU
NUIM v QUB Maynooth
