UCD lead nominations for Sigerson 'greatest'
UCD lead the way in the list of nominations for the Sigerson Cup 'Team of the Century.'
As part of the planned celebrations for the centenary year of the famous third-level football cup, a team will be chosen from a shortlist of 60 by a committee headed by former GAA president Dr Mick Loftus.
The list is studded with names that could grace the greatest ever football teams without any university association.
From Down's Sean O'Neill to Kerry's Seamus Moynihan, Maurice Fitzgerald and John O'Keeffe to Cork goalkeeper Billy Morgan and Galway corner-back of the 1960s Enda Colleran, the choices will be difficult for the committee.
Going further back, renowned Cavan half-back PJ Duke is included, as is Mayo captain of the 1950s Sean Flanagan.
In all, UCD have 22 nominations, which is no surprise, given their dominance of the competition in the early years.
There are 13 nominations each for UCC and UCG, with Queen's, Belfast next on seven, including Armagh's All-Ireland winning captain in 2002, Kieran McGeeney.
The University of Ulster in Jordanstown have two, while there is one each for DCU, IT Tralee, NUI Maynooth, IT Sligo and St Mary's teacher training college in Belfast, where Peter Canavan studied.
Significantly, the organisers stressed yesterday that the criterion set down for selection is how the players performed in Sigerson Cup action, not the profiles and success they had with their counties.
Information for the Ulster Bank sponsored event is available on the Higher Education website.
Joyce returns for connacht decider
Former 'Footballer of the Year' Padraic Joyce will be back from his honeymoon to lead the Killererin attack as the Galway champions bid to win their first Connacht club championship in over three decades against St Brigid's of Roscommon on Sunday.
Joyce, a three-time All Star, is due back in Ireland later this week, having missed the semi-final win over Mayo champions Ballintubber.
Tommie Joyce, the Killererin player-manager, said that his brother's return was a big boost ahead of Sunday's showdown at Tuam Stadium as his side bid to add to the provincial titles won in 1976 and '78.
"Padraic is not back yet, but he'll be here in time for Sunday," he said. "I can't see us making many changes for Sunday -- maybe one change, with Padraic coming back."
- Colm Keys
Irish Independent
