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DCU star Michael Murphy INPHO/Morgan Treacy
Third Level

Here's your 2013 Sigerson Cup Guide: Part 1

This year’s Sigerson Cup throws in on Tuesday afternoon. Here’s the first part of a team guide to the competition.

THE 2013 SIGERSON Cup throws in tomorrow afternoon.

Seven first round games are down for decision around the country.

The preliminary round tie between UL and DCU also takes place.

Here’s a focus on Athlone IT, Carlow IT, Cork IT, DCU, Dublin IT, GMIT, IT Sligo and IT Tralee.

ATHLONE IT

Who are their inter-county stars… Westmeath quartet James Dolan, Gary Connaughton, Ger Egan and Paul Bannon, and Roscommon’s Cathal Shine.
What’s their history… Athlone IT have never reached the Sigerson Cup final but contested the semi-final stage twice.
How are the bookies rating them… 50/1
Where are they likely to finish… As competition hosts they will be hoping to thrive and at least have home advantage for their first game against Carlow IT.

CARLOW IT

Who are their inter-county stars… Wexford’s Ben Brosnan, Cork’s Brian Hurley, Carlow’s Sean Gannon and Laois player Conor Boyle.
What’s their history… Carlow IT, quarter-finalists two years ago, are still searching for their first final appearance.
How are the bookies rating them… 20/1
Where are they likely to finish… They face an away trip to Athlone IT at the opening hurdle but have been handed tougher draws in the past.

CORK IT

Who are their inter-county stars… Cork duo Ciaran Sheehan and Brian O’Regan, the Kerry pair of Mark Griffin and James Walsh, and Donough Leahy (Tipperary).
What’s their history… Four years ago CIT claimed their maiden Sigerson crown on home soil in the final against Dublin IT by 1-15 to 1-10.
How are the bookies rating them… 8/1
Where are they likely to finish… The draw is favorable as they start off at home to GMIT and a semi-final place is a realistic goal.

DCU

Who are their inter-county stars… Donegal’s Michael Murphy, Longford’s Michael Quinn, Galway’s Fiontain O Curraoin, Cavan’s Jack Brady and the Dublin trio of Paul Flynn, James McCarthy and Johnny Cooper.
What’s their history… DCU are the reigning champions. Their final win against NUI Maynooth last year secured them their third title in five years.
How are the bookies rating them… 11/10
Where are they likely to finish… With a wealth of talent at the disposal of coach Niall Moyna, they will be ambitious. First up is as an away trip to UL that must be negotiated.

DUBLIN IT

Who are their inter-county stars… Mayo duo Aidan O’Shea and Jason Doherty, Kerry’s Darran O’Sullivan, Cork’s Mark Collins, Meath pair Bryan Menton and Alan Nestor, and Offaly’s Bernard Allen.
What’s their history… Dublin IT had never won the title, losing out in their only final appearance four years ago against Cork IT.
How are the bookies rating them… 5/1
Where are they likely to finish… Will be hoping to mount a strong assault on the title given the power they possess. Their first test is a tricky one though as they travel to Dangan to face NUI Galway.

Mayo’s Aidan O’Shea will be in action for Dublin IT. Pic: INPHO/Morgan Treacy

GMIT

Who are their inter-county stars… The Galway trio of Jonathan Duane, Eric Monahan and Johnny Ryan along with Donegal All-Ireland winner Anthony Thompson.
What’s their history… GMIT have never won the competition but they did reach the semi-final in 2008 when they were defeated by Garda College.
How are the bookies rating them… 150/1
Where are they likely to finish… They have a difficult opening trip to face Cork IT at the opening stage and are one of the competition’s outsiders.

IT SLIGO

Who are their inter-county stars… The Mayo duo of Kevin Keane and Danny Geraghty along with the Sligo trio of Ross Donovan, David Maye and Stephen Coen.
What’s their history… IT Sligo have three titles to their name, all amassed during a golden period between 2002 and 2005.
How are the bookies rating them… 25/1
Where are they likely to finish… They are away to NUI Maynooth in the opening hurdle and the Kildare outfit have been very competitive in recent years. Victory there would put IT Sligo on the road again against either Dublin IT or NUI Galway.

IT TRALEE

Who are their inter-county stars… Paul O’Sullivan, Shane Carroll and Michael Brosnan have represented Kerry at underage level in recent years while Ian Corbett is a Limerick senior.
What’s their history… IT Tralee won three consecutive finals between 1997 and 1999 against UL, UUJ and Garda College respectively.
How are the bookies rating them… 200/1
Where are they likely to finish… IT Tralee, trained by Austin Stacks Wayne Quillinan, have struggled to make an impact in recent years and face a tough job in the opening round against St Mary’s.