Sigerson 2015

[Rossfan]

What courses are Carey , McHugh etc studying in the Colleges whose teams they are managing?
Scholarships for being good at football or hurling makes it easier on the pocket than the rest of the students.

[screenexile]

Here's a question... who would miss the Sigerson/Fitzgibbon if it were scrapped?

I'm guessing only really the players. Even then the majority will be training/playing with their clubs Seniors/Reserves/U21s throughout that time anyway so what exactly are they missing out on?

If there are any competitions to go i think the pre season County Competitions and the University competitions should all go!

[imtommygunn]

I would say it actually means more to players from "lesser" counties.

Being from antrim it's nice to see at times that some of our guys can mix it with the best of them.  I think that is a big thing for them too.

(Unfortunately that doesn't transition into the county team!?)

I would say it's the same for a lot of non county guys too. It is their big chance to mix it with county players and it's also a big "shop window" for non county players.

[ck]

Here's a question... who would miss the Sigerson/Fitzgibbon if it were scrapped?

I'm guessing only really the players. Even then the majority will be training/playing with their clubs Seniors/Reserves/U21s throughout that time anyway so what exactly are they missing out on?

If there are any competitions to go i think the pre season County Competitions and the University competitions should all go!

The answer to your question is that no-one would miss it bar the players. Sigerson/Fitz for anyone who played in it will always be held in high esteem and it provides opportunities for 3rd level lads to get involved in the admin side that their clubs and counties will later benefit from. Also players clubs and counties benefit from them playing at that elite level.

I also think scrapping Sigerson/Fitz should all be up for discussion, as should minor and U.21 and the calendar in general. No competition should be sacred - the reality is that there are too many competitions, too many grades (esp for 17-21 year olds) therefore something has to give!

[Fuzzman]

Sorry if this has been posted before



http://teamtalkmag.com/2015/02/george-sigerson-anniversary-tribute/
Dr George Sigerson 90th Anniversary

Today Tuesday 17th February 2015 will mark the 90th anniversary of the death of one of Strabane and Tyrone's most famous sons, Dr George Sigerson who was born on 11th January 1836 at Holyhill just outside Strabane, he died at his home in Clare Street Dublin on 17th February 1925 aged 89 years and was laid to rest in Glasnevin Cemetery Dublin.

George Sigerson was the son of William and Nancy (nee Neilson) Sigerson; he had three brothers James, John and William and three sisters, Ellen, Jane and Mary Ann. His parents are buried at St Mary's cemetery in Cloughcor.

George Sigerson was educated at the local Glebe school, he then moved to Letterkenny Academy before moving on to Tirgarvil Maghera and then on to St Joseph's College Paris. On his return to Ireland he studied at Queen's College in Galway and Cork and finally completed his medical studies at the Catholic University School of Medicine in Dublin. In December 1861 George Sigerson married Hester Varian who was living in Dublin and came from Cork parents; they were married at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Marlborough Street, Dublin. His wife Hester died in 1898 aged seventy. They had four children, a son William died in 1864 aged one year old, another son George Patrick died in 1903 aged thirty-six, a daughter Dora died in 1918 aged fifty-one whilst another daughter Hester died in 1939 aged sixty-nine.

Sigerson's home in Clare Street Dublin was a real hive of activity of those from the literary and political world and amongst his many friends over the years whom he had close contact with included the likes of Douglas Hyde, John O'Leary, Charles Kickham, James Stephens, Thomas McDonagh, Joseph Mary Plunkett, Pádraig Pearse, Jeremiah O'Donovan Rossa, Thomas Clarke and Sir Roger Casement. In terms of his relationship to the G.A.A., he will be forever remembered for presenting the Sigerson Cup in 1911 for competition between the universities of Ireland. It's the oldest trophy in the G.A.A. and is still keenly contested for till the present day. Many Tyrone players have won Sigerson Cup medals over the years with Brian Dooher, Damian Devine, Niall Conway, Declan McCrossan, Fergal Logan, Noel Donnelly, Pascal Canavan, Peter Donnelly and the late Cormac McAnallen amongst just some of the winners. The Strabane Sigersons club proudly boast his name in honour of one of the most famous sons of Strabane and their club grounds are known as Páirc Mhic Sioghair (Sigerson Park). There is also a street in Strabane named in his honour, Sigersons Place which is situated in the old Ballycolman area. The name of Sigerson is also inscribed on the boat sculpture in Abercorn Square and on a plaque at the car park wall in the Bowling Green. Back in 2011, the Ulster History Circle unveiled a Blue Plaque outside Strabane Library on Railway Road to commemorate Sigerson with the then President of the Ulster Council and now the soon to be G.A.A. President Aogán O'Farrell amongst the distinguished guests from many walks of life that were in attendance.



He was widely known throughout Ireland as a foremost authority on medicine specialising in neurology and was also a prolific writer on scientific subjects. He was also an outstanding linguist and developed a keen interest in Gaelic poetry, folklore and song, one of his great works was 'The Bards of the Gael and Gall', whilst others included; The Poets and Poetry of Munster, History of the Land Tenures and Land Classes of Ireland and The Easter Song of Sedulius. Sigerson was deeply involved in the Society for Preservation of the Irish Language as far back as 1877. He wrote regularly using pseudonyms like Erionnach and An Ulsterman for articles printed in leading newspapers and periodicals such as; The Irish People, The Nation, Hibernian Magazine, The Shamrock, The Harp and The Irishman. He wrote on many issues including the land question, prisoner's conditions, on the execution of the Manchester Martyrs and on Home Rule. Sigerson composed the famous Tyrone anthem The Mountains of Pomeroy and indeed other songs such as The Enniskillen Dragoons, The Heather Glen and Farewell to Sligo. He was the president of the National Literary Society for more than thirty years delivering many outstanding lectures and was also a founding member of Feis Ceoil which was first organised in Dublin in 1897. Dr George Sigerson was a member of Seanad Éireann in 1922 after having been proposed by the leader of the Free State government, William T Cosgrave and served up until his death in 1925. He acted as Chairman of the first ever Senate with his proposer and seconder stating: "It would an honour if this learned and faithful historian of Ireland would take the Chair for this day".

In August 1922 when the issue of an official symbol for the new Irish state was being discussed Sigerson was brought on board alongside Thomas Sadleir who was the registrar of the Office of Arms at Dublin Castle and in December of that year it was recommended that the harp should be adopted which remains synonymous with Ireland right up to the present day. Many tributes were paid to Dr George Sigerson following his death in 1925 with the Irish News at the time leading on a piece titled "Great Irishman dead after life of service". It went on to state that he was one of the most notable figures in Irish life and said that he was a keen politician, a brilliant scientist, a poet of great merit, a storywriter, an essayist, a profound scholar and a historian whose work will live on long after his passing.

No words of mine could ever attempt do justice to the memory of the late Dr George Sigerson. He was an outstanding man in many walks of life be it in the medical, scientific, literary, political, educational or language fields. He excelled at everything he did and is truly one of Ireland's most remarkable persons and don't forget that he was born just a few miles outside Strabane! We should all be extremely proud of him and on this the 90th anniversary of his death I urge you all to take the time to read the book penned by Derry man Ken McGilloway published in February 2011 titled "George Sigerson, Poet, Patriot, Scientist and Scholar" and you'll discover just how important and influential the man really was.

An interesting fact that many out there that many might not know is that Ken McGilloway, the author of the book mentioned above is married to a direct relative of Dr George Sigerson. Helen McGilloway nee McGinnis originally from Strabane and now living in Derry is a great granddaughter of Sigerson's sister Jane McGinnis. Jane resided with her brother in Dublin from 1897 until her death in 1913 running the house for her brother. Her husband was Patrick McGinnis who had predeceased her having been a prominent businessman in the Strabane area. Most locals will no doubt know Helen's brother Joey who is a well known figure around the town. I hope that in some small way that I have paid some form of tribute to one of Strabane and Tyrone's most famous sons on this the 90th anniversary of his death.

Dr George Sigerson 11th January 1836 – 17th February 1925 – Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.


Aodhan Harkin - Strabane

[rrhf]

Amazing man and story.  Was it not alleged that the poly made a replica of the oldest cup in gaa at one stage.

[muppet]

Good read that. Never knew anything about him.

[INDIANA]

To be fair Ciarrai UCC were an anomaly in the perspective of the last decade or so. There is a rotten core in the Sigerson right now and until it's corrected the competition will operate under a cloud of suspicion and derision.

I've no problem admitting there's been a suspicion of illegality about some teams, but the DIT team who won 2 years ago for example..who was "dodgy" out of that group would you say?
I know there was a lot of talk about the UUJ team last year and some of the DCU players that won a couple of titles, but I think a lot of it was down to the age of some of the players. Bryan Cullen must've been 30 and playing Sigerson at one stage for example. If they put a cap of 25 on it or something maybe it wouldn't be the worst idea. There is the 2 course/6 year limit in place now so I don't see a lot of scope for abuse.

To be quite fair, I'm here arguing in favour of the Sigerson, but the worst case of all was Tralee back in the 90s..there were several fellas that won 2/3 titles back then that never saw the inside of the college. 

Anyway, as Syf points out, UCC are a real college team with a great manager and play good football aswell. Hoping to mitch off work to watch them tomorrow again.

Thanks you've had to admit I was right.

[Old yeller]

I haven't been to a Sigerson game in over twenty years, dont have the time anymore (fans can get burnout too!). What is the standard like these days, are they very high quality games? Would it be equal to county U21, slightly better?

[stronghold]

Following the decision of the Central Appeal's Committee to uphold IT Carlow's Appeal and overturn the decision to Award the Independent.ie Fitzgibbon Cup fixture between IT Carlow and Mary I (February 10th)  to Mary I by Comhairle Ardoideachais (CA), the Independent.ie Fitzgibbon Cup Quarter-FInal fixtures which were scheduled for Thursday 19th February are now cancelled.

[ck]

Another appeal being upheld 
It's making a mockery of the rules. All feels a bit farcical now. I would presume that the constitution in relation to HE rules and regs will now need to be re-written from scratch?

[Blowitupref]

DCU 1-6 UCD 0-4 half time.

[Blowitupref]

Level now DCU 1-7 UCD 0-10

[Blowitupref]

Late penalty secured the win for DCU. DCU 2-8 UCD 0-11

[Syferus]

Five Roscommon lads started for DCU. Deadly stuff. Just one more win for them.