Fergal Maher Cup Explained

Fergal Maher Cup
Irish:Corn Fergal Maher
Code:Hurling (Third Division)
Region:Third-Level Institutions
Firstwin:Athlone IT
Title Holders:St Mary's University College, Belfast
Currentordinal:2
Super:nd
Most Titles:IT Tallaght
Mostordinal:3
Website:Official Website

The Fergal Maher Cup is a hurling cup competition for Third-level Colleges. The Cup is awarded to the winners of the Tier 3 Championship (the Fitzgibbon Cup and Ryan Cup are the Tier 1 and Tier 2 Higher Education Hurling Championships).

The Fergal Maher Cup Championship is administered by Comhairle Ard Oideachais Cumann Lúthchleas Gael (CLG), the Gaelic Athletic Association's Higher Education Council which oversees Third-Level GAA championships. The GAA Higher Education Cup Championships are currently sponsored by the Electric Ireland[1] following on from the Irish Daily Mail, Ulster Bank, Datapac, Bus Éireann and Independent.ie.

History

The Cup is named in memory of Fergal Maher, a student and hurler at Dublin City University who hailed from Leixlip. Fergal was fatally injured when struck by a car near The Sheaf O'Wheat at Bracetown, Clonee, County Meath on 22 March 1998.[2] [3] At the time of his death Fergal Maher was a 2nd year engineering student at DCU and was Honorary Secretary of the DCU Hurling club. He played Ryan Cup hurling for DCU and at age 18 he captained the Kildare U21 hurling team.

The Cup was first presented for the Third Division Championship in 2002, the inaugural winner being Athlone Institute of Technology. In 2002/03 IT Tallaght achieved its maiden hurling title in this competition. King's Inns hurling club was launched in 2005 and in its first season won the trophy. The first President of the King's Inn Hurling Club was the President of the High Court (2001-2006), the Honourable Mr Justice Joseph Finnegan. In 2007/08 Edinburgh Napier University, winners of the British University Hurling Championship in both 2006/07 and 2007/08, became the first overseas winner of the Fergal Maher Cup.

Fergal Maher Tournament 2018-19

2018-19 Group A Qualifying

RoundTeam 1ScoreTeam 2ScoreWhere PlayedDate
Rd1Letterkenny Institute of Technology0-05St Mary's University College Belfast10-23O'Donnell Park, Letterkenny11 February 2019
Rd1Ulster University MageeCCUlster University ColeraineW/OUniversity of Ulster Magee30 January 2019
Rd2St Mary's University College BelfastW/OUlster University MageeCCSt Mary's University College6 February 2019
Rd2Ulster University Coleraine5-12Ulster University Magee5-05Owenbeg, Dungiven, Derry6 February 2019
Rd3Ulster University Coleraine0-0†St Mary's University College Belfast0-0†Owenbeg, Dungiven, Derry18 February 2019
Rd3Letterkenny Institute of TechnologyW/OUlster University MageeCCLetterkenny Institute of Technology13 February 2019

2018-19 Group B Qualifying

RoundTeam 1ScoreTeam 2ScoreWhere PlayedDate
Rd1Institute of Technology Tallaght1-12Marino Institute of Education2-14Thomas Davis All Weather Pitch31 January 2019
Rd2Institute of Technology Blanchardstown3-11Marino Institute of Education7-15TIT Blanchardstown GAA Pitch6 February 2019
Rd3Institute of Technology BlanchardstownCCInstitute of Technology TallaghtW/OIT Blanchardstown GAA Pitch25 February 2019

2018-19 Group C Qualifying

2018-19 Finals

Roll of honour

Colleges by wins

TeamCountyWinsLast win
IT TallaghtDublin32014
Cadet SchoolKildare32020
St. Mary's University College/
Belfast Metropolitan College		Antrim22018
IT SligoSligo22016
St. Patrick's College, ThurlesTipperary22013
Edinburgh Napier UniversityScotland22010
Coláiste Phádraig Droim ConrachDublin21996
Dundalk ITLouth21997
GMIT LetterfrackGalway/Mayo12017
Galway/Roscommon ETBGalway/Roscommon12015
LIT TipperaryTipperary12012
King's InnsDublin12006
GMIT CastlebarMayo12004
NUI MaynoothKildare12003
Athlone ITWestmeath12002
UU ColeraineDerry11998
Mary Immaculate College, LimerickLimerick11995
Tralee ITKerry11989
NIHE Dublin/DCUDublin11988

Fergal Maher Cup Champion Colleges

Captains of winning teams

YearCaptainCollegeCounty
1987/88NIHE Dublin
1988/89Gerard Galvin[4] Tralee RTCLimerick
1989/90Diarmuid McCarthyDundalk RTCLouth
1990/91Cadet School
1991/92Cadet School
1992/93Sligo RTC
1993/94Coláiste Phádraig Droim Conrach
1994/95Mary Immaculate College
1995/96Coláiste Phádraig Droim Conrach
1996/97Dundalk RTC
1997/98UU Coleraine
1998/99No Championship——
1999/00No Championship——
2000/01No Championship——
2001/02Athlone IT
2002/03NUI Maynooth
2003/04Michael Donohue[5] GMIT CastlebarGalway
2004/05IT Tallaght
2005/06James McDonald[6] King's InnsWexford
2006/07Michael Griffin[7] IT TallaghtDublin
2007/08Conor DelaneyEdinburgh Napier UniversityKilkenny
2008/09Ciaran CliffordSt. Mary's/BMCCuchulainns, Armagh
2009/10Shane Bennett[8] Edinburgh Napier UniversityWaterford
2010/11Michael LawlorSt. Patrick's College, Thurles
2011/12Séamus LawlorLIT TipperaryWaterford
2012/13Barry McLoughlin[9] St Patrick's College, ThurlesTipperary
2013/14Eric FinnIT TallaghtDublin
2014/15Joseph Mooney[10] Galway/Roscommon Education & Training BoardGalway
2015/16Damien Golden[11] IT Sligohttps://www.itsligo.ie/2016/02/29/fergalmahercupwinners27022016/Westmeath
2016/17Tom Rigney[12] [13] GMIT LetterfrackTipperary
2017/18
2016/17Tom RigneyGMIT LetterfrackTipperary
2017/18Conor Johnston[14] St Mary's University College, BelfastAntrim[15]
2018/19Paul Gunning[16] St Mary's University College, BelfastWestmeath
2019/20Dean RileyCadet SchoolGalway

Man of The Match awardees

YearMOTMTop ScorerCollegeCountyPoints scored
1987/88NIHE Dublin/DCU
NIHE Dublin/DCU
1988/89Institute of Technology, Tralee
Gerard GalvinLimerick0-9
1998/99No Championship————
1999/00No Championship—— ——
2000/01No Championship—— ——
2001/02Athlone Institute of Technology
Athlone Institute of Technology
2002/03NUI Maynooth
NUI Maynooth
2003/04Gavin KearyGMIT CastlebarGalway
GMIT Castlebar
2004/05IT Tallaght
IT Tallaght
2005/06King's Inns
King's Inns
2006/07IT Tallaght
F. Rabbittee[17] IT Tallaght2-3
2007/08Andy Coen[18] Edinburgh Napier UniversityGalway
Edinburgh Napier University
2008/09Declan CoulterSt Mary's UC/BMCArmagh0-11 (4f)
Declan CoulterSt Mary's UC/BMC
2009/10Tony Boyle[19] Edinburgh Napier UniversityTipperary
Edinburgh Napier University
2010/11St. Patrick's College, Thurles
St. Patrick's College, Thurles
2011/12Séamus LawlorLIT TipperaryWaterford0-2
James LogueLIT TipperaryTipperary1-2(1f,1/'65)
2012/13Rory Hickey[20] Rory HickeySt. Patrick's College, ThurlesKilkenny4-5(1-0 pen,3f)
2013/14Aodhán ClabbyAodhán ClabbyIT TallaghtDublin0-14 (6f,2/'65)
2014/15David ManganGalway/Roscommon Education & Training BoardGalway0-3
Joseph MooneyGalway/Roscommon Education & Training BoardGalway1-1
2015-16Jack GalvinIT SligoWestmeath
2016-17Sean Claffey[21] GMIT LetterfrackGalway
2017-18Conor Johnston[22] St Mary's University College, BelfastAntrim
2018-19Tiarnan Murphy[23] St Mary's University College, BelfastAntrim3-0

Finals listed by year

Academic
Year		WinnersScoreRunners-upScoreVenueDate
1979/80[24] Cork RTC [Cork IT]Galway RTC v Northern Ireland Polytechnic
1980/81
1981/82[25] Limerick Technical CollegeN.U.U.Drumcondra, Dublin6 March 1982
1982/83
1983/84
1984/85
1985/86
1986/87
1987/88[26] NIHE DublinDundalk RTC or Magee College
1988/89Tralee RTC1-13St. Patrick's College, Thurles0-025 April 1989?
1989/90[27] Dundalk RTCArmy Apprentice School v Air Corps
1990/91[28] Cadet SchoolUU Coleraine v Tralee RTC
1991/92Cadet SchoolMary Immaculate College, LimerickNewbridge8 March 1992
1992/93[29] Sligo RTC6-07Cadet School3-08Naas17 February 1993
1993/94Coláiste Phádraig Droim Conrach
1994/95Mary Immaculate College, Limerick
1995/96Coláiste Phádraig Droim Conrach
1996/97Dundalk RTC
1997/98UU Coleraine
1998/99No Div 3 championship—————
1999/00No Div 3 championship—————
2000/01No Div 3 championship—————
2001/02Athlone Institute of Technology
2002/03NUI Maynooth
2003/04[30] GMIT Castlebar3-13GMIT Letterfrack1-05Garrycastle, Athlone6 March 2004
2004/05[31] Institute of Technology, Tallaght1-08Dundalk Institute of Technology1-05LIT, Limerick5 March 2005
2005/06[32] [33] King's Inns2-13IT Tallaght1-14 (AET)Mardyke Sports Ground, Cork 4 March 2006
2006/07IT Tallaght4-14King's Inns0-05Carlow IT, Carlow10 March 2007
2007/08[34] Edinburgh Napier University3-08GMIT Letterfrack1-10CIT, Bishopstown, Cork1 March 2008
2008/09[35] St Mary's University College/
Belfast Metropolitan College		3-14Edinburgh Napier University2-16TCD Grounds, Santry, Dublin7 March 2009
2009/10[36] Edinburgh Napier University3-16Dundalk Institute of Technology1-10Dangan Sports Grounds, Galway6 March 2010
2010/11[37] [38] St. Patrick's College, Thurles2-11Cork Colleges of Further Education1-04WIT, Carraiganore, Waterford26 February 2011
2011/12[39] [40] LIT Tipperary2-06St. Patrick's College, Thurles0-08The Farm, Curraheen, Cork3 March 2012
2012/13[41] St. Patrick's College, Thurles4-19St. Mary's University College (Belfast)1-07Carnmore GAA Club, Galway2 March 2013
2013/14[42] [43] IT Tallaght0-28Cork Colleges of Further Education2-20The Dub, QUB, Belfast1 March 2014
2014/15Galway/Roscommon Education & Training Board2-10Cork Colleges of Further Education1-09Limerick IT Grounds28 February 2015
2015/16[44] IT Sligo4-12GMIT Letterfrack0-13CIT, Bishopstown, Cork27 February 2016
2016/17GMIT Letterfrack5-12Marino Institute of Education4-09Dangan Sports Grounds, Galway25 February 2017
2017/18St Mary's University College (Belfast)0-20Galway-Mayo IT Letterfrack3-09Mallow, County Cork24 February 2018
2018/19[45] St Mary's University College (Belfast)4-12Marino Institute of Education1-08WIT Sports Campus23 February 2019

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Independent.ie is official sponsor of all Higher Education GAA competitions.
  2. Dónal McAnallen, 2012, The Cups That Cheered: A History of the Sigerson, Fitzgibbon and Higher Education Gaelic Games, The Collins Press, Cork
  3. Irish Times, March 24, 1998, p. 27; Meath Chronicle, March 28, 1998, p. 26
  4. Kerryman, April 7, 1989, p. 14
  5. Web site: All-Ireland Victory for Hurlers.
  6. Irish Times, March 6, 2006, Sport, p. A6
  7. Web site: Captain Griff Leads IT Tallaght - Ballyboden St. Enda's GAA - Gaelic Football, Hurling, Camogie, and Ladies Football - Dublin, Leinster, Ireland.. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20071119025913/http://bodengaa.ie/news/captain_griff_leads_it_tallaght.450.2278.html. 2007-11-19.
  8. Web site: Shane Bennett's speech after winning the Fergal Maher Cup 2010. YouTube.
  9. Web site: St. Patrick's College Thurles Reclaim Fergal Maher Cup | Thurles Information.
  10. Fergal Maher Cup: Goals from Mooney and McMahon prove vital in Colleges final - Galway-Ros ETB complete the double, Connacht Tribune, 6 March 2015, Sport, page 46; Fergal Maher Cup: Goals from Mooney and McMahon prove vital in Colleges final - Galway-Ros ETB complete the double, Galway City Tribune, 6 March 2015, Sport, page 117
  11. Irish Examiner, 29 February 2016, http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/conor-ocarroll-hat-trick-inspires-trinity-384663.html
  12. Irish Examiner, 27 February 2017, Sport, p. 29, Maher praises Garda College dedication after Ryan Cup win
  13. Tipperary Star, 1 June 2017, Three Tipperary men help Connemara college to realise a hurling dream, http://www.tipperarystar.ie/news/sport/252929/three-tipperary-men-help-connemara-college-to-realise-a-hurling-dream.html
  14. Web site: Sportsfile - St Mary's University College v GMIT Letterfrack - Electric Ireland HE GAA Fergal Maher Cup Final - 1459107.
  15. Web site: Conor Johnston - Antrim GAA.
  16. Web site: Sportsfile - Marino Institute of Education v St Mary's University College Belfast - Electric Ireland HE GAA Fergal Maher Cup Final - 1655509.
  17. Irish Independent, March 11, 2007, Sport, p. 12
  18. https://archive.today/20130713142859/http://www.bebo.com/BlogView.jsp?MemberId=2358868879&BlogId=6183757664
  19. Nenagh Guardian, March 20, 2010, Sports, p. TG 8
  20. Kildare Nationalist, March 2, 2013, Web site: Kildare Nationalist — Lehane the shining light as UCC win third Fitzgibbon in five years - Kildare Nationalist . 2013-07-04 . dead . https://archive.today/20130702073619/http://www.kildare-nationalist.ie/2013/03/02/lehane-the-shining-light-as-ucc-win-third-fitzgibbon-in-five-years/ . 2013-07-02 .
  21. Twitter HE GAA@HigherEdGAA: Our 2017 @Independent_ie Fergal Maher Cup winners GMIT Letterfrack receive the cup Tom Rigney (Captain) and Sean Claffey (Man of the Match)
  22. Web site: Sportsfile - Man of the Match at St Mary's University College v GMIT Letterfrack - Electric Ireland HE GAA Fergal Maher Cup Final - 1459090.
  23. https://www.sportsfile.com/id/1654764/;''Gaelic Life, February 28-March 6, 2019, Extra Time, p. 38
  24. Irish Independent, 14 May 1980, p. 16, AGM insists on big slice of the cake (Higher Education AGM)
  25. Irish Press, 6 March 1982, p. 15, Full Guide to Weekend Fixtures
  26. Semi-finals, 27 February 1988: NIHE Dublin v St Patrick's College, Thurles, Dundalk RTC v Magee College, Irish Independent, February 27, 1988, p. 23; Irish Press, March 23, 1988, p. 15
  27. Semi-finals, The Curragh: Army Apprentice School v Air Corps; Dundalk RTC v St Patricks' College, Thurles; Irish Press, April 7, 1990, Sport, p. 35
  28. Semi-final, Na Fianna Grounds: UU Coleraine v Tralee RTC; Irish Independent, February 7, 1991, p. 14
  29. Semi-finals: Sligo RTC 2-06 Letterkenny RTC 1-02; Cadets 1-11 Waterford RTC 2-07; Sunday Independent, February 7, 1993, p. 18L; Irish Independent, February 18, 1993, p. 12; Limerick Leader, February 27, 1993, p. 27
  30. Nenagh Guardian, March 20, 2004, p. 12; http://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/kfmhqlkfidmh/
  31. Semi-finals, Meelick, Co. Clare: Dundalk IT 3-09 Letterkenny 0-06; IT Tallaght v GMIT Castlebar; Irish Times, March 4, 2005, p. 22; Irish Times, March 5, 2005, Sports Supplement, p. 4; http://www.bodengaa.ie/news/strong_boden_presence_on_tallaght_institute_success.450.1570.html
  32. Sunday Independent, March 5, 2006, Sport, p. 12; Irish Independent, March 6, 2006, Sport, p. 14; Nenagh Guardian March 11, 2006, p. 27; http://lists.topica.com/lists/hurlinglist/read/message.html?sort=t&mid=912912207
  33. Semi-finals: IT Tallaght 2-12 University of Dundee 2-06, Kings Inns 3-15 Letterkenny IT 3-07, http://www.hoganstand.com/general/results/2006/march.aspx
  34. Semi-finals (Cork IT): GMIT Letterfrack 2-12 v St. Mary's, Belfast 1-10; Napier University 3-25 Marino Institute 1-06, Irish Examiner, March 1, 2008, http://www.irishexaminer.com/archives/2008/0301/ireland/results-56692.html; Enniscorthy Guardian, March 5, 2008, http://www.independent.ie/regionals/enniscorthyguardian/sport/other-sports/wexford-links-to-napier-win-27226138.html; http://www.bebo.com/c/profile?MemberId=330028347
  35. Semi-finals: Napier University 6-23 Coláiste Mhuire Marino 0-3; St Mary’s-BMC 3-16 King’s Inns 0-6 Irish Independent, March 7, 2009, Sport, p. 19; https://archive.today/20130712044103/http://www.wexfordsupporters.com/boards/viewtopic.php?p=12203&sid=c36837cca852990a7865455feab6cd3e; http://209.200.237.116/~gaabo3/board/index.php?topic=1347.5425;wap2
  36. Semi-finals, Kenny Park, Athenry, Co. Galway: Napier University 9-13 Colaiste Mhuire Marino 0-07; Dundalk IT 4-13 IT Tallaght 1-11 Irish Independent, March 6, 2010, Sport, p. 24; Irish Independent, March 8, 2010, Sport, p. 24; DkITimes, Fitzgibbon Cup Weekend, A Sporting Special as DkIT reach Maher Cup Final, Maher Cup Final by Marie Greenan, pp. 3-4
  37. Semi-finals, De La Salle G.A.A. Club Grounds, Gracedieu, Waterford: St. Patrick's College, Thurles v Cork Colleges of Further Education, Southern Regional College v Dundalk IT; Sunday Independent, February 27, 2011, Sport, p. 15
  38. Luceat 2011, St Patrick's College, Thurles, pp. 16-17, St Patrick's College, Thurles 2-11 Cork Colleges of Further Education 1-4
  39. Match Report LIT Tipperary v St. Patrick's
  40. Semi-final, The Farm, UCC, Cork: LIT Tipperary 2-16 IT Tallaght 4-04, St. Patrick's College, Thurles 0-16 Edinburgh Napier University 2-08, Eircom Sports Hub - http://eircomsports.eircom.net/Rugby-World-Cup/news/gaa/other/ucc-and-cit-set-up-all-cork-fitzgibbon-cup-decider.aspx;Sunday Independent, March 4, 2012, Sport, p. 15; Irish Independent, March 5, 2012, Sport, p. 26; Nenagh Guardian, March 10, 2012, Sport, p. TG8
  41. Semi-finals, Clarinbridge, Co. Galway; St. Patrick's College, Thurles 2-23 Marino Institute 4-08, St. Mary's University College (Belfast) 1-20 Edinburgh Napier University 2-08, Web site: Kildare Nationalist — Mary I to face UCC in Fitzgibbon final - Kildare Nationalist . 2013-07-09 . dead . https://archive.today/20130710025535/http://www.kildare-nationalist.ie/2013/03/01/mary-i-to-face-ucc-in-fitzgibbon-final/ . 2013-07-10 ., Web site: Archived copy . 2013-07-11 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160305211714/http://www.rebelog.ie/results/01-09-2012/08-02-2013/08-03-2013 . 2016-03-05 . ; Nenagh Guardian, March 9, 2013, Sport, p. TG5; Hurlers Reclaim Fergal Maher Cup - St. Patrick's College, Thurles Website
  42. Web site: Fixtures. 23 November 2019.
  43. Web site: Fixtures & Results | GAA.ie . 2014-03-02 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140302234251/http://www.gaa.ie/fixtures-and-results/current-year-results/ . 2014-03-02 .
  44. Web site: Fixtures & Results - GAAHigherEducation . 2016-02-29 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160306004207/http://www.he.gaa.ie/fixtures-results . 2016-03-06 .
  45. Gaelic Life, February 28-March 6, 2019, GAA Gallery, p. 26; Waterford News and Star, 26 February 2019, Sport, p. 12

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