The official launch of the Ulster Bank Sigerson Cup, the highlight of the Higher Education football season, was held at a reception in the Institute of Technology, Carlow. This is the first time ever that IT Carlow has hosted this prestigious event which will be held in the college on Friday 7th and Saturday 8th March. The Trench Cup (Div 2) and the Corn na Mac Léinn Cup (Div 3) will also be hosted by the college on 7th and 8th March. Speakers at the launch included Uachtaran Cumman Luthchleas Gael Nickey Brennan and Peter Dunne, Ulster Bank Area Manager Retail South East, the sponsors of the Sigerson Cup. Dr. Ruaidhri Neavyn, President of IT Carlow welcomed everybody to the official launch and said that the college was truly delighted to host the event. "It is an honour and a privilege for the college to host such a prestigious sporting event and I would like to congratulate the committee in IT Carlow for organising what I hope will be a memorable tournament for all. We look forward to welcoming participating teams and visitors to the college over the weekend of the 7th and 8th of March and in particular I would like to wish all the teams every success" he said. The president of the GAA, Mr. Nickey Brennan said that greater importance than ever is now attached to the Sigerson Cup. "When Dr George Sigerson donated his salary in 1911 from his first post in UCD so that a trophy could be purchased for the competition, he could hardly have foreseen the success of the competition or the national status that it would achieve throughout the years" "I hope that the competition will be an expression of skill and sportsmanship commensurate with the status of the competition and the players who are participating in it and we wish the Institute of Technology, Carlow the very best as our hosts this year," he added Round One of the Ulster Bank Sigerson Cup commences on Thursday 7th February with the quarter finals on Wednesday 27th February followed by the semi-finals on Friday 7th March. The final will be held on Saturday 8th March 2008. Speaking on behalf of sponsors Ulster Bank Mr. Peter Dunne, Area Manager Retail South East said "We are delighted to launch our second year in partnership with the GAA Higher Education Council and in particular the Ulster Bank Sigerson Cup, the highlight of the Higher Education football season. This new partnership continues to be an extremely significant one for Ulster Bank due to the relevance of the student market and the growing popularity of Gaelic Games throughout the country. We look forward to being part of what is always a keenly fought competition, full of talent and passion," he concluded. There will also be a football symposium in the college in Carlow on Thursday 6th March. A Presidential debate between the three candidates seeking the GAA Presidency will take place. For additional information log onto www.itcarlow.ie Tweet

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