Former IT Sligo student and star Monaghan footballer Paul Finlay has been shortlisted in a panel that will form the prestigious Sigerson Cup Team of the Century. Paul was a member of the very first IT Sligo team that won the competition in 2002 and again in 2004.
The shortlisted 60 names include some of the greatest Gaelic footballers to have ever graced the fields of play. Already the former IT Sligo player’s name is being mentioned in the same breath as Galway legend, the late Enda Colleran, Billy Morgan of Cork, Peter Canavan of Tyrone, Padraig Carney and Sean Flanagan of Mayo, Colm O’Rourke of Meath and Sligo’s Paddy Henry, who played with NUI Maynooth.
Since its inception, the Sigerson Cup has been the premier competition for college Gaelic Football and one of the most prestigious titles in higher education sport. It is something which Paul takes in his stride, but he is equally honoured to be mentioned in a group of such top class Gaelic footballers.
“The two Sigerson Cup victories that I won with IT Sligo are up there with the best medals that I have won in Gaelic football. They were great games, great memories and I still keep in contact with some of the lads. It is an honour in itself to be mentioned with some of the legends of Gaelic football,” Paul said.
For the Ballybay man, it has been a case of trying to make that step forward with Monaghan since leaving IT Sligo, where he graduated with a Certificate in Business Studies. A Division Two NFL title followed in 2005, but it has not been all plain sailing.
“In Monaghan, we have been striving hard to make that breakthrough. It was a one point defeat by Kerry in the All Ireland quarter final of 2007, a four point defeat in the quarter finals by the same team in 2009 and there have been two Ulster senior final defeats, the last one to Tyrone this year.”
“We have that ability to go further. As a county, we have made huge strides and I think that with the right attitude and preparation, 2011 might finally be our year. There is always talk of senior members of any team retiring. Looking back at IT Sligo, we needed to make our own breakthrough in 2002 and I believe Monaghan can do it in next year’s Ulster championship.”
Paul now works as a Sales representative with Gypsum Industries in Kingscourt, Co Cavan.
A selection committee under the chairmanship of Mayo’s Dr Mick Loftus will decide the final Sigerson team.
IT Sligo has won the Sigerson Cup on three occasions – 2002, 2004 and 2005. IT Sligo was one of the first IT’s to break the stranglehold of University dominance of the Sigerson Cup.
IT Sligo graduate Paul Finlay who has been shortlisted on a panel that will form the prestigious Sigerson Cup Team of the Century. Paul played with IT Sligo when it won the Cup in 2002 and 2004.