Sigerson campaign enhances appeal as LyIT readies for 'whole new territory'

Letterkenny Institute of Technology’s presence in the Sigerson Cup quarter-finals is seen as a further indicator of the college’s rising standing with its sport.

LyIT, managed by Maxi Curran, travel to face NUIG in Tuesday evening’s last eight clash at Dangan (throw-in 6.30pm).

Two years ago, LyIT, when making their maiden voyage into the Sigerson Cup, reached the semi-finals and suffered a heartbreaking 2-9 to 1-9 defeat at the hands of IT Carlow.

Last Tuesday, LyIT stunned UCD wit a 0-7 to 0-6 win to book their place in the quarter-finals. It was the first ever Sigerson Cup game hosted in Donegal.

When the 2023 version gets underway, the name LyIT will be absent.

This April, the campuses of institutes - LyIT, GMIT and IT Sligo - will come under the new designation of the Atlantic Technological University. It is something Curran believes will further cement the sporting standing of the Port Road campus.

“We’re moving into a whole new territory,” Curran says.

“The college is going from strength to strength. We’re attracting the best footballers in Donegal who are coming to do the courses that they want to do.

“Historically, those guys would have been heading away to do these courses. They can get the academic qualifications on their own doorstep now.

“That has to be a plus for Donegal. County football is a seven-day-a-week job and having the guys at home to live like that is a great advantage.”

In 2012, the same year he captained Donegal to the All-Ireland title, Michael Murphy won a Sigerson Cup with DCU. At the time, Donegal had such a volume of players in the capital that Jim McGuinness organised collective sessions for the Dublin-based players.

Murphy is now working as the Head of Sport at LyIT, where there remain plans for a major sporting development.

Upon his appointment last May, he said: “LYIT is really ready to continue to progress.

“The main aim is to get the students to the highest level within their sport and also in their academic education.”

Last week, Curran mentioned how LyIT were dancing now with the ‘giants’ of the Sigerson Cup.

“We have a bit of momentum now and there is a bit of belief there with what we’re doing,” he says.

“It’s something that’s only going to go from strength to strength. It’s a great story and hopefully it goes on another step or two.”

Joel Bradley-Walsh has been one of the standout performers, scoring a hat-trick against UL two weeks ago and adding four points against UCD.

“We’re putting out name on the board a wee bit,” the Sean MacCumhaills man says.

“It was great to get the first Sigerson game in the county. That was a big difference for us. There was a wee sense of pressure with everyone going out to support us.”