GAELIC GAMES NEWS:GIVEN HIS practically unending commitments over the past year, the last thing Joe Canning must have fancied yesterday was the thought of another GAA competition looming on the horizon.

Yet the Galway hurler, who, remarkably, turned 20 only a few weeks ago, was typically enthusiastic about the draws for the 2009 Sigerson, Fitzgibbon and other third-level cup competitions.

Canning, of course, has a special interest in the Fitzgibbon Cup. Now in his third year at Limerick Institute of Technology, where he's studying business and marketing, Canning played a key role in helping the college make the 2008 final, which was widely acclaimed as one of the best hurling matches of the year.

Despite scoring a massive 1-16, Canning's team went down to Waterford IT after extra-time.

So, 2009 offers the chance to make amends, and Limerick were drawn in a testing group with UCD and the Tipperary Institute-St Patrick's. The group matches begin on February 5th, the same week as the National Hurling League is set to begin - and Canning also has the small matter to attend to of club duties with Portumna, who will be contesting the All-Ireland semi-finals on February 22nd.

It will, clearly, be a busy start to the season. Canning's first commitment will be with his club, and will therefore sit out the early rounds of the league with Galway; the Fitzgibbon gets second preference.

"It's not too bad a draw, actually," said Canning, who attended the draws in Croke Park yesterday. "We're missing quite a few players from last year, but we'd be happy enough about the chances this time. Of course it's not going to be easy. There's no such thing as an easy match in the Fitzgibbon, especially when you're playing in February. But we're looking forward to it.

"We're out in the first two weeks of February, and we're not out with the club until February 22nd, so it should be okay to manage to the two. It will be busy, but sure, what else would you be at?"

The club semi-final, against Kilkenny champions Ballyhale Shamrocks, has the potential to be a classic, as Portumna look to defend their All-Ireland title. Inevitably, Canning is not looking beyond that: "Ballyhale are looking impressive, obviously. It looks like they're the up and coming team again, whereas we might be deteriorating.

"There's talk it's the big clash of the new year, but I think that's very disrespectful to Cushendall and De La Salle, because they are every bit as good. So we're just concentrating on our semi-final for the moment."

When he does get back playing with Galway, whether that's after March 17th or a few weeks before, Canning will notice two major changes; a new manager, in John McIntyre, and a new focus, as Galway make their historic move into the Leinster championship.

"We're delighted, anyway, as players. I think it's something the players always wanted. It means Galway are out on January 18th, I think, in the Walsh Cup, although us Portumna players won't be involved. But everyone is looking forward to playing in Leinster. We'll get more matches, and learn how to gel more as a team, and that can only be better for us in the efforts to win an All-Ireland.

"But it's not something you wake up in the morning and think, 'we're going to win an All-Ireland'. It's going to take more time, and people have to realise that.

"I think the one thing with Galway over the last few years was that we were brilliant one day, poor the next; but with more competitive matches we could be more consistent.

"We met John (McIntyre) once or twice there as a group, and they certainly seem very professional. From a players' point of view, I think we are very happy with the appointment. I haven't really rubbed shoulders with him before, except he writes, obviously, for the Connacht Tribune, and used to say the good and the bad about us.

"But some of the lads do know him from his time with Loughrea and also Clarinbridge. In the end, we didn't really mind who got it. But he put a very good backroom team together with a lot of experience."

Next year's Fitzgibbon will be hosted by Trinity College, while the Sigerson Cup, in which the University of Ulster at Jordanstown will be defending their title, will be hosted by Cork IT.

Also attending the draws was GAA president-elect Christy Cooney, who highlighted the role the competitions play within the GAA.

"The playing of Gaelic Games at university and college level is an important part of the association. It is the bedrock for the development of players, and also coaches and administrators.

"These competitions are therefore important and will continue to be an important part of the GAA calendar. But it's not just about the Sigerson Cup and Fitzgibbon Cup and the other competitions. It's also about bringing the skills and experiences back to the clubs and counties.

"It also creates a bond and spirit, and all that helps make better players, coaches and administrators."

Sigerson Cup and Fitzgibbon Cup Draws

SIGERSON CUP 2009

2pm unless stated, ET if necessary

Round One (January 28th):St Mary's, BMC, IT Carlow, DKIT, UL, IT Tralee, AIT, GMIT, NUIM: A: IT Tralee v Athlone IT; B: St Mary's Belfast v Carlow IT; C: NUI Maynooth v University of Limerick; D: BMC v Dundalk IT; E: GMIT bye.

Round Two (February 4th):14 teams. Four round one winners, one bye, and QUB, UUJ, DIT, DCU, UCD, UCC, Garda, IT Sligo, NUIG: F: UCD v Winners C (NUI Maynooth/UL); G: QUB v UUJ; H: Winner D (BMC/DKIT) v Garda College; I: Winner B (St Mary's/CWIT) v NUI Galway; J: DIT v Winners A (IT Tralee/Athlone IT); K: E (GMIT) v UCC; L: IT Sligo v DCU.

Quarter-finals (February 18th):CIT and 7 round two winners): M: Winner G v Winner I; N: Cork IT v Winner L; O: Winner K v Winner J; P: Winner H v Winner F.

Semi-finals, final (February 27th-28th):at Cork IT.

FITZGIBBON CUP 2009

2pm unless stated, ET if necessary

Round Robin:12 teams, 4 seeded teams (UCD, UCC, UL, St Pat's ) and DIT, Garda, Tipp Inst/St Pat's, LIT, NUIG, GMIT, WIT, CIT). Four groups of three teams, top two in each group qualify for quarter-finals.

Group A:UCD, Limerick IT, Tipp Inst/St Pat's. Group B: UL, Waterford IT, DIT.

Group C:St Pat's Drumcondra/Mater Dei, NUI Galway, Garda College.

Group D:UCC, GMIT, CIT.

Round One:Thursday, February 5th.

Round Two:Wednesday, February 11th. Round Three: Tuesday, February 17th. Quarter-finals (February 25th, group winners at home): K: Winner A v Runner-Up B; L: Winner C v Runner-Up D; M: Winner D v Runner-Up A; N: Winner B v Runner-Up C.

Semi-finals (March 6th, at Trinity College):

O: K v L; P: M v N.

Final (March 7th):O v P.