Cork Colleges in Focus – UCC & MTU Cork

Cork will have a major stake in the 2026 Electric Ireland Higher Education GAA Championships, with UCC and MTU Cork drawn together in Group B of the Fitzgibbon Cup — guaranteeing a Leeside derby under lights in early January.

In the Sigerson Cup, MTU Cork face a huge opener at home to UL, while UCC travel to ATU Sligo in Round 1.

Full competition structure, match regulations, and scheduled fixtures involving Cork teams are included below.

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SIGERSON CUP 2026 — Cork Teams

Round 1

(F) ATU Sligo v UCC – Tues/Wed 06-07/01/26 @ 19:30
(G) MTU Cork v UL – Wed 07/01/26 @ 19:30

Further Round 2A, 2B and Round 3 fixtures included in official schedule.

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FITZGIBBON CUP 2026 — Group B (Cork Group)

1️⃣ UCC
2️⃣ MTU Cork
3️⃣ Garda College

Group winners → Home QF. Runners-up also progress.

Round 1

UCC v MTU Cork – Thu 08/01/26 @ 19:30
Garda College – Bye

Round 2

MTU Cork v Garda College – Wed/Thu 14-15/01/26 @ 19:30
UCC – Bye

Round 3

Garda College v UCC – Wed/Thu 21-22/01/26 @ 19:30
MTU Cork – Bye

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FITZGIBBON CUP Knockout Stages

Quarter-Finals (home advantage for Group winners):
Wed/Thu 28-29/01/26 @ 19:30

Semi-Final Week: commencing 02/02/26 (venues TBC)
Final Week: commencing 09/02/26

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RELEGATION NOTE

Two teams will be relegated from the Fitzgibbon Cup in 2026, with relegation play-offs for bottom teams after the group stage. Relegated teams join a new Tier Two competition in 2027 alongside the four 2026 Ryan Cup semi-finalists.

OFFICIAL COMPETITION NOTES

• Dates, times, and venues to be confirmed by the CCC.

• All knockout games will be played on a home-and-away basis subject to the 300km rule.

• Finish-on-the-day rules apply in all knockout fixtures:
  ➤ Two 10-minute periods of extra-time, then penalties if required.

• Default throw-in times:
  ➤ 2pm for home teams without floodlights
  ➤ 7:30pm for home teams with floodlights

• If the host team’s pitch is unavailable or unplayable, the venue may be:
  ➤ Reversed or
  ➤ Moved to a venue designated by CA
  (Astroturf/3G/4G pitches approved for Higher Ed competitions)

• An Coiste Feidhmiúcháin decision is final in all matters.