The finals of the Independent.ie Higher Education Fitzgibbon Cup senior hurling championship, which will be hosted by NUI Galway (February 24-25), were officially launched today at the University.

It was announced that the final of the Independent.ie Fitzgibbon Cup will be held in Pearse Stadium, Salthill. The semi-finals of the competition will be played in Dangan, the NUI Galway Sports Grounds, along with the semi-finals of the Ryan Cup and the Fergal Maher Cups.

The final of the Cup, which is sponsored by Independent.ie for the third year, will also be broadcast live on TG4 and takes place on Saturday, 25 February, 2017.

The annual Independent.ie Fitzgibbon Cup dinner will take place on Friday, 24 February in the Westwood Hotel, where the late Joe McDonagh's association with Gaelic Games at the University will be celebrated on a night I gCuimhne ar Joe.

While in college, Joe played for the UCG football and hurling teams, winning a Fresher's hurling medal in 1972 and featuring in several Sigerson and Fitzgibbon campaigns. As a postgraduate student in 1977 he finally collected his Fitzgibbon Cup medal, having beaten Maynooth in the final, 1-14, 1-12.

In the history of the Cup, NUI Galway has won the title 10 times, the last in 2010 when hosted by the University. Previous to that that was 37 years ago in 1980 when also hosted in the west. In the 2016 championship, Mary Immaculate College hurlers were crowned title holders for the first time after defeating their local rivals University of Limerick in extra time. Trinity College Dublin took in the Ryan Cup, and IT Sligo took the Fergal Maher Cup.

Commenting on the upcoming championship, Mike Heskin, NUI Galway Director of Sport, said: "NUI Galway is delighted to host the Fitzgibbon Cup sponsored by Independent.ie at the NUI Galway Sport Complex in Dangan.

"It will be a great festival of hurling with inter county players from all over the country. We are very grateful for the assistance provided by Galway GAA, Croke Park and our sponsors Bank of Ireland in hosting this event. 

"NUI Galway have won the competition on ten occasions and we hope 2017 will see the University back in the top flight of third level hurling.

"I would especially encourage all hurling lovers in the West of Ireland to come and support the teams over the weekend."

Arlene Regan, Marketing Manager, Independent.ie said; "We are delighted to be sponsors of the Independent.ie Sigerson and Fitzgibbon Cups for the third year running. 

"These competitions showcase the best of the young GAA talent in the country and as a media organisation that is steeped in GAA tradition, we value our partnership greatly. 

"Best of luck to all the participants this year - if last year is anything to go by, there is a very exciting few months ahead."

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