GAA must not lose the magic of third level hurling and football

THE Fitzgibbon and Sigerson Cup competitions are squeezed tighter than ever in the split season, with many inter-county rising stars caught in the middle.

On Leeside, there is perhaps a better appreciation of the importance of third-level GAA activity than most, given UCC's storied tradition and the influence of CIT's 2009 Sigerson Cup breakthrough on the last time Sam Maguire was annexed in 2010. Paul Kerrigan, Daniel Goulding, Colm O'Neill and more were integral to those victories, and the College have lifted both cups since then. 

CIT came agonisingly close to winning a maiden Fitzgibbon Cup in 2012, pipped in an extra-time thriller against UCC down the Mardyke when Seamus Corry was the hero with the late point to decide it. There was no shortage of marquee names in action that afternoon, from Seamus Harnedy, Lorcán McLoughlin, Aidan Walsh, Stephen McDonnell and Paudie O'Sullivan to Waterford's Pauric and Philip Mahony, Dan McCormack (Tipp) and Kilkenny forward Colin Fennelly.

Yet Ballymartle club stalwart Corry had the last say in the centenary final. You need a deep squad to prevail.

Pat Ryan rested Ciarán Joyce, among others, recently for the Cork hurlers' loss to Kilkenny due to the hectic schedule, and the Rebels had more involved in the Fitz than any other county. 

Ryan was conscious of the bigger picture but Corkonians always appreciate the Sigerson and the Fitz.

The best of third-level action was on display last week.

There was a cracking Sigerson Cup final when Ulster University beat UCD while we'd a strong Cork interest in the Fitzgibbon Cup showdown between Mary I and UL. Jamie Wall managed Mary I to their third triumph since 2016, with Liscarrol/Churchtown powerhouse Colin O'Brien leading the way as captain; Kanturk's playmaking midfielder Brian O'Sullivan was left frustrated as UL's three-in-a-row tilt fell just short.

Wall is the thread running through Mary I's three wins in the Fitz and as he argued after: "It's the best competition in the GAA as far as I'm concerned. It's something that for the people involved, it's such an emotional thing."

To protect the prestigious competitions, inter-county managers must be accommodating.

CONTROVERSY

In Cork last week there was controversy over the availability of Nemo's U20 county panelists for club training ahead of Sunday's Seandún U21 final against Bishopstown. The club felt they should be available for their Tuesday and Thursday sessions to prepare for the divisional decider while Rebel boss Ray O'Mahony and his management wanted them at Cork training.

Eventually, they trained one night with each group, but not before the matter was raised at the Cork County Board meeting. It was messy and unfair on the young players. 

The easy option is to blame the inter-county selectors, especially with the Munster campaign doesn't start until April, but Cork is the only county running divisional competitions this time of year, which creates the crossover.

Last weekend, Bantry's Dara Sheedy kicked 0-7 for his school in a narrow Munster final loss and then 1-4 the following afternoon as the club defeated Ibane Gaels in the Carbery U21 final. A busy two days for the Cork U20 squad member.

Still, lining out in competitive matches, whether that's for club, school or college, is the ideal preparation for the Munster arena with Cork.