Sigerson Cup

[Captain Obvious]

Is it just the Sigerson cup final shown live on TG4?

[time ticking away]

Are all the games played at Jordanstown ?

[theticklemister]

We look at Liverpool Hope's chances this weekend in Trench Cup

Trench Cup -Semi-Final

Liverpool Hope v Dundalk IT

Friday 1pm, UUJ playing fields

The GAA is never quiet in Lancashire, even when it should be. While there is not much GAA talk presently throughout Britain, the county once again are at the forefront of our games over here. This occasion, Liverpool Hope from Merseyside, have finished top of the pile of British universities and will take part in the Trench Cup this Friday. Although they have yet to taste success in this competition, just like every other British representative that went before them, they are confident they can give a good account of themselves this weekend.
Liverpool Hope easily conquered all before them in Britain two weeks ago, sorry that should read, over the last two weekends. The British representatives for the Trench come from the blitz format which took place in Lancashire two weeks ago, however the blitz instead had to be finished just this weekend past due to any 'unplayable pitch'. This resulted in Liverpool Hope having to make a 450-mile roundtrip on Sunday to Edinburgh, where they gained an easy victory against Dundee. Preparations have not been great regarding this aspect, as joint-manager Michael Higgins testifies to 'Ideally, the British championship would go ahead two weeks prior to the Trench cup. However, it was played on Sunday in Edinburgh, leaving us a fourteen hour trip to play the final and defeat Dundee. A number of our players have picked up niggling injuries while winning in Edinburgh, and as you can see this is why it has frustrated so many as to why the game was postponed so close to an All- Ireland semi-final. Time hasn't been on our side with regard to preparation. Training, buses, boats and accommodation, I'm sure you can imagine has been difficult to organise in such a short space of time. A few of us have had to spin so many plates in the last few days to ensure everything was well organised, not ideal with jobs/university work ongoing at the same time.' There was huge frustration in Liverpool last Sunday morning, not only due to the match being called off, but in the manner it was done. Hope took out their anger on poor Dundee, although they were not the epicentre of the resentment.

Higgins however is a positive coach and he likes to point to the proficiency of his own squad and shaping their own chances of success. 'With regard to training, the lads have taken it to a new level in recent years. I'm very lucky to have a squad of players that are extremely dedicated to the cause and willing to sacrifice anything and everything in order to achieve our set goals which were set back in September. Players have attended a 3-4 sessions per week.' The huge panel of 30 have had to train in various parts of the city from the muck in Wavertree, to the scenic Sefton Park, to the Derry Matthew's Boxing Academy to the astroturf at Hope itself.

These great training sessions, as well as the calibre of player that Liverpool Hope can attract, makes them the team to beat in Britain. They have got to the Trench weekend the last three years and their case was made all the easier as their city rivals John Moores, for one reason or another, did not take part in this year's championship. It probably would not have made much of a difference as Hope were convincing winners against Moores in the league stages in November. Hope had a small scare as they pulled away late in the semi-final two weekends ago. Higgins states 'there is a great atmosphere around the squad at the minute and lads have kept their feet on the ground and aren't getting too far ahead of themselves. The boys can still recall the disappointing defeat in last year's Trench semi-final, and we have used this to our advantage, helping us to remain focused on the task at hand versus Dundalk IT on Friday afternoon.' Last year's experience was humbling, one that the Liverpool men will want to forget. They limped out of the competition with a 3-12 to 0-03 defeat to St.Patrick's Drumcondra.

Dundalk IT are Hope's opponents on Friday (1pm throw in) and will fancy their chances of progressing to the final. While Hope leave on the 10:30 ferry on Wednesday night, it is quite feasible that the Louth men could leave for Belfast on the same day of the game. These arrangements are something the British champions have annually just had to get on with. Dundalk IT will be strong and have one eye on the final, they are managed by Oisin McConville who will certainly not want to be a defeated manager two weeks on the trot at the semi-final stage. O'Higgins again proves positive 'I'm hoping they (Hope) can do themselves justice and represent British Universities GAA well while back on home soil. There is 60 minutes still to be played, so in my mind, of course we have a chance!.'
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Players to watch

Stephen O'Connor
O'Connor is the team's joint-captain and he certainly leads by example. He is the type of player who you would want in every line of your team; however Higgins and David McTeggart (team selector) sees him best serving the team in the full forward line. His fantastic ball-winning skills, bulk and superb scoring skills sees him the ideal target man. If he does not perform, Hope's chances of an upset are halved. He scored 3-05 in the British inal last week and won player of the tournament.

Garvan Jones
The Fermanagh u-21 county player, is the other man in the forward line who needs to light up Belfast, if Hope are to progress. He has an eye for a score, witnessed by his 1-07 last week. Will he be needed in midfield or pushed further forward to help O'Connor? This will be a huge dilemma for the sideline to contend with.

Ciaran O'Brien
The Derry man is the other joint-captain is a tigerish defender who will line out at full-back for the Merseyside outfit. He will no doubt patrol the DKIT dangerman.
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Liverpool Hope Trench Cup Squad
Conleth Mc Geary Edendork Tyrone
Martin O'Hara Gort Na Mona Antrim
Ciaran O'Brien Glack Derry
Callum Mahoney Saul Down
Conor Mc Evoy St Johns Antrim
Kieran McIntyre Glack Derry
Chris Regan Liatroim Down
Matthew Hollywood Bredagh Down
Rory Sharvin Kilclief Down
Conor Boyle John Bosco Down
Garvan Jones Derrygonnelly Fermanagh
Conleth Mc Caughan Ballycastle Antrim
Stevie O'Connor St Endas Antrim
Gearoid Mc Dermott Sean Dolans Derry
Aidan Mc Cartan Bryansford Down
Cathal Meegan Eskra Tyrone
Eoin Coyle Cookstown Tyrone
Davey Blaney Dundrum Down
Peter Herron Fianna Tyrone
Seamus Rafferty Belcoo Fermanagh
Barry McKernan Dungannon Tyrone
Eunan Coleman Carrickmore Tyrone
Piaras Mc Elduff Omagh Tyrone
Karl McCallion Bellaghy Derry
Fiontan Eastwood St Endas Antrim
Cathal Sloan Saul Down
Stephen McMahon Saul Down
Matthew Megoran Wolfetones Armagh
Christopher Nugent Errigal Ciaran Tyrone
Ciaran Mc Grady Saul Down
Ciaran Doolin Wolfe Tones Lancashire

Manager: Michael Higgins (County Down)
Higgins is from Ballymartin in County Down. He played at centre-half back for Liverpool Hope in 2012 when they got to the Trench Cup final, they were defeated by Trinity. He has transferred to John Mitchels in Lancashire and caught the tail-end of their All-Ireland run.

Selectors: Dave McTaggert (Louth)
'Big Dave' has lined out for Hope for a number of years and has transferred to John Mitchels in Lancashire last year. He was an ever-present at full back this year for the Liverpool.

Captain (s):Stevie O'Connor and Ciaran O'Brien

Sponsor: Kellys Dispensary, Pogue Mahone and The Liffey

[oakleafer]

Only men from the 6 counties in the Liverpool Hope squad!?

[shark]

Only men from the 6 counties in the Liverpool Hope squad!?

College in UK has got too expensive for those living in the Eurozone. And that's before you factor in the opportunity cost of SUSI grants.

[ballinaman]

UCD hosing UL 3-9 to 0-2 at the moment...coming up to half time.

[Keyboard Warrior]

Is it just the Sigerson cup final shown live on TG4?

Yes

[Captain Obvious]

UCD hosing UL 3-9 to 0-2 at the moment...coming up to half time.

UCD 4-12 UL 1-9 the final score the second semi final should be a closer contest.

[brokencrossbar1]

DKIT beat Hope by 22,  Hope only scored 2 points,  they'd no Hope you could say!  (I'll get the coat!)

[Captain Obvious]

A very wasteful UUJ wides and goal chances. DCU lead by three points at the break.

[drici]

http://www.irishnews.com/sport/gaafootball/2016/02/19/news/liveblog-sigerson-cup-semi-finals-ucd-v-ul-and-dcu-v-uu-423346/

2nd Half starting soon.

[Keyser soze]

Any updates? Anyone??

[GrandMasterFlash]

Tight stuff. Seems to be a Monaghan shoot out between Hughes (UU) and Carey (DCU) ...

[GrandMasterFlash]

Any updates? Anyone??

Live blog: http://www.irishnews.com/sport/gaafootball/2016/02/19/news/liveblog-sigerson-cup-semi-finals-ucd-v-ul-and-dcu-v-uu-423346/

[FarneyMan]

Tight stuff. Seems to be a Monaghan shoot out between Hughes (UU) and Carey (DCU) ...

Or even a Scotstown shootout...