Hosts Sligo set to have little real advantage

Sligo Institute of Technology host this weekend's Sigerson Cup finals knowing that home territory will offer little advantage over the other seven teams seeking to win the inter-varsity football title.

Tralee IT are the only team in recent years to turn home advantage into overall success, and even with holders Queen's University already eliminated, team selector Michael Harte is well aware of the challenge that lies ahead.

"We would be fancied to do well locally," he says, "but we might not have the depth in the panel to win it outright. A couple of our key players are carrying a couple of knocks as well and we're waiting to see whether or not they will be available."

Sligo were, however, successful in this year's league final, and include two prolific scorers in Fermanagh's Rory Gallagher and Sligo's Dessie Sloyane. Brendan Philips, also of Sligo, has been the key man in the defence.

UCD provide the first obstacle in Friday's quarter-final, and as last year's beaten finalists, their manager Dave Billings can afford to be a little more confident.

"Our panel would be just as strong as last year," he says. "We had a nervous game against DCU earlier this month but managed to come through that by a point. I know Sligo are a very well organised side and we will be up against it there."

Colin Moran proved crucial in UCD's win over DCU and the Dublin forward will be excused from inter-county duty in Sunday's re-fixed NFL with Kerry.

Dublin will also have to do without Paddy Christie who is involved with St Patrick's in the Trench Cup.

TG4 will provide live coverage of Sunday's final from Markievicz Park, starting at 2.20, as well as live coverage of Saturday's All-Ireland club hurling replay between Sixmilebridge and Graigue-Ballycallan from Thurles (2.20).