Sligo IT in tough defence of Sigerson title

CHAMPIONS IT Sligo face a difficult opening defence of their Datapac Sigerson Cup title with a second-round game away to Dundalk IT this afternoon (2pm).

The Connacht institute is chasing a hat-trick of titles, but must do so without 10 of last year's team.

Leitrim's Barry McWeeney, Andy Moran (Mayo), Michael Doherty (Donegal) and John McCarthy (Cork), will spearhead Sligo's challenge.

Dundalk's cause isn't helped by the loss of Adrian Reid to a serious groin injury. They field a young side backboned by members of last year's Ryan Cup-winning team Derek Crilly, Michael Lennon, Ashley White and Alan Clarke. Home advantage should give them a slight edge.

The UCC/NUI Galway tie should draw the crowds to the Mardyke. The Cork students enjoyed a good run in the McGrath Cup and have had quality challenge games. There are concerns about John Hayes, Liam Ó Lonáin and Colm O'Connell. Decisions on their participation will be made later today.

It's been a decade since UCC last won the Sigerson. At full-strength they would be more than a match for their Galway counterparts, who are reliant on Michael Meehan, Finian Hanley, Dara Blake and Eamon Duffy.

Home advantage, plus a team that includes Ronan Hussey, Donncha Walsh, Fintan Gould and John Whycherley, should ensure a UCC win.

UCD travel south to Templemore to take on the Gardaí in what could be the game of the round.

The Dubliners will be without Sean Brady, Martin Dunne and Niall McEntee but will field a very strong side including John McCarthy, one of Limerick's stars in the NFL win over Roscommon, Austin O'Malley and Dermot Geraghty (both Mayo), Craig Rodgers (Laois) and Paul Earls (Wicklow).

Garda College are also rich in talent and will push the Dublin students all the way. James Masters, Vincent Hurley (Cork), Padraig Mullarkey (Kildare), Pat Kelly (Mayo), Miceal O'Shea (Kerry) and David Marshall (Dublin) will be in their starting 15.

Cork IT journey to Athlone to take on the local IT and hope that Brian Sheehan will play. The Kerry senior is back in training but is lacking match practice, which may not see him start.

Daniel Goulding, who scored Cork's goal against Offaly in the NFL defeat, Paul Kerrigan, Stephen O'Donoghue and Kerry senior Darren O'Sullivan will all start for Cork.

Athlone include James Kavanagh and Adrian Kelly, who played starring roles for Kildare in their surprise victory over Armagh. James Coughlan, who figured prominently for Offaly in their win over Cork, will also start. Athlone get the nod to reach the last eight.

GMIT will include four Galway seniors in their team for the visit of St Mary's (Belfast). Roscommon's Ger Heneghan, who impressed in Sunday's defeat by Limerick, hopes to maintain that good form.

Damien Curley, Brian O'Donoghue, Tom Costello Alan Burke (all Galway) and Barry Prior (Leitrim) will test the Belfast teaching college, who go into the game with the advantage of a first-round win over IT Tallaght.

Mary's played well in that win and could have a big say in the destination of this year's title should they get over this hurdle. Leo Meenan, Brian Keenan and Jason Brown, who did the bulk of the scoring last time out, will again be the key men for Mary's, who should shade the issue.

Queens, last year's beaten finalists, will be looking to go one further this year, but must negotiate tricky opposition in NUI Maynooth, who have the benefit of a first-round win over UL.

Another northern college always among the fancied teams is UUJ, who should carry too much power for DIT, despite having to travel to the capital.