In future, third-level football's coveted Sigerson Cup may not be given to the winning team for any longer than the presentation ceremony. Des Cullinane, chairman of the higher-level authority Comhairle Ard Oideachais, threatened this drastic action after the cup was finally returned to holders the University of Ulster at Jordanstown.
"Long term we've learned a valuable lesson about procedure," he said yesterday. "We will talk about it but may have to present the trophy and then formally hand it over into the keeping of the winning college."
After months of rumour and an admission by UUJ earlier in the week that the Sigerson had gone missing, the trophy was recovered by the Belfast college yesterday. The recovery took place just before tonight's meeting of the CAO is due to consider Jordanstown's failure to return the cup before the deadline of December 24th.
Cullinane didn't want to speculate on what had finally caused the silverware to surface. Nonetheless pressure had been mounting with suggestions UUJ could be expelled from this year's competition and an impassioned plea on television by UTV sports broadcaster Adrian Logan.
"There had been so many rumours on websites about the Sigerson's whereabouts," said Cullinane, "but it was only a week ago that it was factually confirmed to us that it was missing."
Ironically the trophy is a new piece, commissioned last year to replace the original, which had been in circulation since 1911. Jordanstown were the inaugural recipients.
Meanwhile, Leixlip player David Jordan makes his competitive debut for Kildare when they entertain Sligo in a repeat of the celebrated All-Ireland qualifier won by Peter Ford's side last July. Jordan, a former county minor player, will start at corner forward.
Anthony Rainbow, Ronan Sweeney and Martin Lynch have been declared fit enough to start. All three were doubtful because of injury for the postponed opening game against Cavan. Glen Ryan was not considered because of an ankle injury and Dermot Earley is committed to GMIT in the Sigerson Cup.
KILDARE (SF v Sligo): E Murphy; C Davey, R Quinn, K Doyle; B Lacey, A Rainbow, T Harris; K Brennan, R Sweeney; M Lynch, K O'Dwyer, J Doyle; T Fennin, J Doyle, D Jordan.
MONAGHAN (SF v Carlow): G Murphy; G McQuaid, D McDermott, C Flanagan; JP Mone, R Ronaghan, D McArdle; E Lennon, J Hughes; T Freeman, R Woods, J McElroy; C Malone, P Duffy, D Freeman.
TIPPERARY (SF v Wexford): P Ryan; N Kelly, L Cronin, N Sheehan; S Maher, S Collum, C O'Dwyer; N Fitzgerald, M Tarrant; D Byrne, F O'Callaghan, D O'Brien; T Ormonde, AN Other, B Hickey.
LIMERICK (SH v Clare, at Doon on Sunday): J Quaid; S McDonogh, TJ Ryan, J Foley; P Lawlor, B Geary, M FOley; C Carey, M O'Brien; P O'Grady, S O'Connor, J Moran; J Butler, O O'Neill, M Keane.
