The panels have been announced for this year's Electric Ireland Fitzgibbon Cup.
The Electric Ireland Fitzgibbon Cup is on the horizon, beginning on Wednesday January 15, with reigning champs Mary Immaculate in action on the opening day of competition against ATU Galway.
Mary I famously stopped UL's three-in-a-row bid in last year's decider and the Limerick rivals are drawn together in Group A, along with SETU Waterford and ATU Galway.
There are three groups of four teams with the top two from each group qualifying for the knock-out stages.
The winners of groups A and B go straight through to the semi-finals with the second place finishers heading for the quarters. The winners and runners-up of group C both go to the last eight.
Full group stage draws
Group A
- UL 2. SETU Waterford 3. ATU Galway G 4. MICL
Group B
- UCC 2. UCD 3. UoG 4. MTU Cork
Group C
- DCU DE 2. TUS MW 3. Maynooth University
Ten big names in action
Adam English (UL)
The Limerick sensation is tipped to make a breakthrough into Limerick's starting fifteen having inspired his club Doon to county championship glory this year. He hit 0-2 off the bench in Limerick's loss to Cork in last year's All-Ireland semi-final.
Adam English of University of Limerick during the Electric Ireland HE GAA Fitzgibbon Cup Quarter-Final match between University of Limerick and University College Dublin at UL Grounds in Limerick. Photo by Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile
Adam Screeney (UL)
Screeney continues to deliver for club and county, helping Offaly to All-Ireland U20 glory last year before winning a second county championship in a row for Kilcormac Killoughey.
Cathal O'Neill (UL)
One of the highest profile players in the competition, given that he was won three All-Irelands and was an All-Star nominee this year.
Gearoid O'Connor (UL)
Stood out for UL last year, before starting for Tipperary in their Munster championship campaign.
Gearoid O'Connor of University of Limerick during the Electric Ireland Higher Education GAA Fitzgibbon Cup final match between University of Limerick and Mary Immaculate College at Tom Healy Park in Abbeydorney, Kerry. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Ben Cunningham (UCC)
The Cork man missed on Cork's championship campaign last year after injuries, but big things are expected in the months to come, having hit 0-2 in a recent challenge match against Waterford.
Eoin Downey (UCC)
The All-Star full back showed his abilities for Cork last summer, helping them to the All-Ireland final with a string of outstanding displays.
Shane O'Brien (Mary I)
The Kilmallock player broke into the Limerick forward line last year, starring in the Munster final win over Clare before hitting 0-2 off the bench against Cork.
Adam Hogan (Mary I)
Hogan's year of years began with Fitzgibbon glory last February before going onto win with his club and his county, ending his season as an All-Star and Young Hurler of the year.
Gavin Lee (University of Galway)
The Clarinbridge man became a fixture on the Galway team last year, and will hope to kick on further with that experience under his belt.
18 May 2024; Gavin Lee of Galway celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the Leinster GAA Hurling Senior Championship Round 4 match between Antrim and Galway at Corrigan Park in Belfast. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
Dan Bourke (University of Galway)
Bourke was the star of Offaly's All-Ireland under-2o triumph before starting the Joe McDonagh Cup final the following week, scoring 0-1 from centre forward.
See the full Electric Ireland Fitzgibbon Cup panels here.
