No guillotine for NUIG

SUGGESTIONS that the NUI Galway’s involvement in the senior football championship could be near the end of its days met with strong resistance at the County Football AGM in Loughgeorge last week.

NUI Galway delegate, Michael O’Connor, said that while the College wouldn’t have as strong a team in late summer as in the earlier part of the season, they were – and always had been – ‘delighted’ to take part in the competition.

He said that over 1,000 students from Galway second level schools started in NUIG this year with 120 players from the county registered with their six adult teams, including three ‘freshers’ (first years) squads.

“Down through the years, we have never failed to field in the senior championship even though it might have taken a big effort to put a team together.

“We understand that there will be calls for the need to change but we are very proud to be involved in the Galway senior championship. The players are delighted to play in this competition,” said O’Connor.

His contribution at the Galway Football Committee AGM in Loughgeorge last Thursday came after Football Secretary, Seamus O’Grady, in his annual report questioned the purpose served by NUIG’s involvement in the championship.

However at Convention, O’Grady said that there was no suggestion of any sudden decision being taken to end NUIGs involvement in the senior championship – there would have to be extensive consultation on the matter, he added.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.