Significant change to Fitzgibbon and Sigerson Cup schedules in the works

UL manager Brian Ryan said the Fitzgibbon and Sigerson Cup finals being played at Croke Park would "reclaim that lost ground" for the competitions

Tue, 02 Dec, 2025 - 17:00

Paul Keane

Fitzgibbon Cup winning UL manager Brian Ryan has signposted a significant announcement regarding the third level finals, with the possibility of a Croke Park double header in early 2026.

Speaking after the draw for the Electric Ireland sponsored third level championships, which placed holders UL in a group including 2025 runners-up DCU, Ryan said his understanding is that 'there is some change coming' around scheduling.

He said this was signalled by GAA President Jarlath Burns at the draw and Ryan revealed his own belief that Croke Park could be on the cards for the finals.

Ryan's UL defeated DCU in the 2025 Fitzgibbon Cup final at the Connacht Centre of Excellence last February, three days after the Sigerson Cup final was staged there.

"I'm just reading the tea leaves," said Ryan. "All I know is that Jarlath Burns said there's a big announcement coming. And all I know is I went up immediately afterwards and said, 'When is the first game on?' Because I thought it was around the 14th or 15th (of January).

"So if the President of the GAA tells you there's a big announcement coming and if the administration tells you you're starting a week earlier, and if they tell you then that the finals aren't yet fixed, that we have to be flexible, from all those three things you draw conclusions from."

Former Limerick underage boss Ryan said using Croke Park would give the third level championships a big boost.

"It would be great for the game and great for the players," he said. "I think it would give both competitions, you know, it would reclaim that lost ground I suppose that they have lost in recent years."

Meanwhile, Ryan said it's unlikely that his son, also Brian, who helped Na Fianna win the All-Ireland club SHC last January, will play for Dublin. It was reported that midfielder Ryan, who made the 2024/2025 Club Hurling Team of the Year, was called up by Dublin last winter but he didn't subsequently feature for the 2025 All-Ireland semi-finalists.

Asked if he might feature in 2026, his father shook his head.

"I wouldn't think so, no," said Ryan. "I don't think he's interested. He was very honoured to be offered but my understanding from chatting to him is that he's just concentrating on the club."

2026 Sigerson Cup round 1 draw

(A) TUS Midlands v MTU Kerry - Tues/Wed 06-07/01/26 @ 19:30

(B) TU Dublin v DKIT - Tues/Wed 06-07/01/26 @ 19:30

(D) University College Dublin v ATU Galway - Tues/Wed 06-07/01/26 @ 19:30

(E) Queens v University of Galway - Tues/Wed 06-07/01/26 @ 19:30

(F) ATU Sligo v UCC - Tues/Wed 06-07/01/26 @ 19:30

(G) MTU Cork v University of Limerick - Tues/Wed 06-07/01/26 @ 19:30

(H) DCU Dóchas Éireann v Ulster University - Tues/Wed 06-07/01/26 @ 19:30

2026 Fitzgibbon Cup draw

Group A 1. University of Limerick 2. Maynooth University 3. DCU Dóchas Éireann

Group B 1. UCC 2. MTU Cork 3. Garda College

Group C 1. University of Galway 2. UCD 3. TUS Midwest