DANSKE BANK ULSTER COLLEGES GAA

Changes in Post-Primary GAA structures with effect from September

June 10, 2013

Next year there will be no separate Vocational Schools’ and Colleges’ AllIreland  championships in hurling and football.

Instead, there will be a combined All-Ireland Post-Primary Schools’ championship with four tiers from Grade A to D in football and A to C in hurling, and each province is entitled to only one representative in each tier.

At a recent joint meeting, representatives from both the Ulster Vocationals’ andUlsterColleges’ committees agreed onUlster’s representation for the immediate future.

The MacRory Cup winners will still qualify for the Hogan Cup, now in its 61st year.

The Vocational Schools’ senior championship for the Markey Cup will continue in its present format with the winners playing off with the Ulster Colleges’ MacLarnon Cup winners for a semi-final place in the All-Ireland B championship in 2014.

The winners of the Colleges’ O’Doherty Cup will go forward to the All-Ireland C championship, while the winners of the Colleges’ Nolan Cup and Vocational Schools’ Ward Cup will play off for the opportunity to contest the All-Ireland D competition.

In addition,Ulster’s representatives in the All Ireland Junior Competition will be the winners of the Vocational Schools’ Arthurs Cup.

In hurling there will be three tiers at All-Ireland level – although this will have less of an impact in Ulster as there has not been an under 18 championship within the Vocational Schools’ structure.

The Mageean Cup winners will compete for the All-Ireland B championship as has been the situation for quite some time, while the winners of Ulster Colleges’ Casement Cup will go through to the All-Ireland C championship with flexibility to allow entry to any Vocational School that wishes to compete at senior level.

Vocational Schools’ Secretary Jimmy Smyth was pleased with the outcome of theUlstermeeting.

“Both our organisations have competitions with long histories, competitions that carry with them huge significance for schools that have their names inscribed on trophies.”

“We are pleased that those competitions will continue within their current structures and, if you like, the brand name remains.

“Our Vocational Schools’ committee, in the main, caters for smaller, rural-based schools and we are particularly pleased that the Arthurs Cup, which has delivered 19 different winners in its 40 year history, is now the qualifier for the All-Ireland Junior championship.”

Ulster Colleges’ secretary Seamus Woods also expressed his satisfaction.

“Both UlsterVocational Schools and Ulster Colleges are substantial organisations that together cater for over 130 schools. We have attempted to recognise the significant work being done in both sectors, and have moved to provide structures to accommodate each.

“We have agreed to review as and when the situation arises but we are both confident that what has been put in place will meet the needs of all the schools within our province for the next few years.”