Maxi Curran set for Sigerson battle but calls for scheduling reform

ATU Donegal manager Maxi Curran is hoping to get his side off on the right track with a win against the University of Limerick on Wednesday in the opening round of the Sigerson Cup.

With 29 players from Donegal involved in Curran’s squad, the 2023 Donegal ladies manager is hoping to improve on last year’s Sigerson Cup where ATU lost both of their matches to DCU and Ulster University.

And while Curran is eager to turn the tide and establish ATU as a formidable force in the competition, he states that last season has no bearing in this year’s event.

“Last year is long gone in the memory. Squads change, the team this year is different from last year. Every year there is something different and you have to go with it,” Curran said.

Over the past few years, January has always been a balancing act for players going between university or college teams and inter-county sides due to the compact season, something Curran admits needs to be fixed if the Sigerson Cup wishes to survive.

“We know trying to balance the Sigerson Cup competition with all the other GAA competitions this time of year is not an easy one,” said Curran.

“We have this conversation every season in that, the Sigerson is crammed into a time of year when players are tied up with other teams, especially with county.

“Like in fairness, we are in the county window at the minute, it’s their time of year, and trying to get your hands on people is hard but look it is what it is, and we’ll just get on with it.

“You could say there’s no winner having the Sigerson on this time of year.”

While Curran recognises the Sigerson Cup's significance and its role in showcasing university-level talent, he advocates for a reconsideration of its scheduling. A shift to a more accommodating time of the year, one that aligns with the availability of university players, which could enhance the competition's overall competitiveness and appeal.

“The future of the competition . . . it may lie as a pre-Christmas competition in the future if it wants to have any longevity. It has great history and tradition, and the lads want to play in it, so in terms of scheduling, it needs to be fixed to make it more appealing.

“A big issue is you never fully know who is available because players are involved in so much football. Jason McGee came off with a knock against Tyrone, then last season we lost Rory O’Donnell and Jack McSharry through injury. They were a big loss to us because if we had those two, we probably would’ve beaten Ulster University last year.”

Planning his own journey in Donegal GAA in 2024 is not something that has crossed Curran’s mind as of yet, with his sole focus set on Wednesday night’s match.

“I’ve no plans yet. I’ll deal with that after the Sigerson is over. Something might come up but for now, all the concentration is on the match this week.”

ATU Donegal: Jack McSharry (Na Cealla Beaga), Blake McGarvey (Cloughaneely), Jake Kelly (Glenswilly), Nevin O'Donnell (Shannon Gaels, Co Leitrim), Fionnan Coyle (Gaoth Dobhair), Eoin McLaughlin (Moville), Dylan Dorrian (Milford), Conor Gernon (Iniskeen, Co Monahan), Ferdia Doherty (Naomh Muire), Conor Cannon (Naomh Muire), Denis McHugh (Aghyaran, Co Tyrone), Jason McGee (Cloughaneely), Luke McGlynn (Glenfin), Kealan Dunleavy (Glenswilly), Oisin Caulfield (Na Rossa), Jack Gallagher (Glenswilly), Michael Leech (Moville), Cian Rooney (Aodh Ruadh), Shane Black (Milford), Shane Toolan (BonnieConlon, Co Mayo), Anthony Doherty (Carndonagh), Rory O'Donnell (Milford), Ryan O’Donnell (Kilcar), Eoin Dowling (St Eunan’s), Daniel Gildea (Naomh Conaill), Conal McDermott (St Mary’s Convoy), Kevin Jordan (Buncrana), Eoin de Burca (Gaoth Dobhair), Liam Gaughan (Tourlestrane, Co Sligo), Bobby McGettigan (Termon), Dylan Doogan (St Eunan’s), Cormac McColgan (Naomh Padraig Uisce Chaoin), Paddy Teevan, (Ballyhaise, Co Cavan), Shea McBride (Milford), Cian Mulligan (Sean MacCumhaill’s).