Higher Education GAA
Higher Education GAAis the governing body overseeing the Gaelic games ofhurling,camogieandGaelic footballat third level institutions. The body coordinates competitions in both Ireland and Britain, and is a part of the parent organisation, theGaelic Athletic Association.The main competitions are theFitzgibbon Cupfor hurling andSigerson Cupfor football.
Hurling[edit]
Fitzgibbon Cup[edit]
TheFitzgibbon Cupis named after Edwin Fitzgibbon, aCapuchin friarand, from 1911 to 1936, a professor ofphilosophyatUniversity College Cork.
In 1912 Fitzgibbon donated most of his annual salary to purchase the trophy. For the first 30 years, the cup was dominated by UCC andUCD,withUCGwinning occasionally.Queen's University Belfastfirst took part in 1946, and won their only title in 1953.
The popularity of the championship grew, and, in the 1960s and 1970s three more colleges entered:Trinity College, Dublin,UU ColeraineandNUI Maynooth.In the late 1980s, all teams in Division One of the Higher Education League were admitted. Since the event went open, in the 1990s, several newer third level institutions from Limerick and Waterford entered and quickly dominated the competition.Waterford ITwon the title four times in six years, but UCC are the leaders in the roll of honour, with 39 titles, the last in 1998.
Gaelic football[edit]
Sigerson Cup[edit]
In 1911, theSigerson Cupwas first presented by George Sigerson to foster unity amongst the constituent colleges of theNational Universities of Ireland,which was won for the first time byUCD.The competition has since broadened its membership with teams representing a wider variety of Universities and College.
Gaelic games in British universities[edit]
Gaelic football[edit]
Gaelic football is organised at about 40 different universities in Britain from the strongest teams - JMU and St. Mary's - down to newer and weaker teams such as Worcester and Lincoln. The ancient universities of Cambridge and Oxford also compete in an annual Varsity Match. Since 2003 the main competition - the University Championships - have been recognised by theBritish Universities Sports Association.
Hurling[edit]
Hurling - although at a smaller level - is also growing the UK. Nine teams took part in the most recentBritish University Hurling Championship.A select team play annually against theScottish Universities Shinty team.
Ladies' Gaelic football[edit]
A championship also exists for Ladies' Gaelic football - theBritish University Ladies' Gaelic football Championship.The current holders areLiverpool Hope University College.