After a hiatus of a number of years, DIT will once again run the Gleeson Cup this season. It will take place on Wednesday, 11th March in St. Brendan’s Hospital Grangegorman in Phibsboro (KO: 2.30pm)…
The Gleeson Cup, once an All-Ireland competition, became a big event during the early 1990’s as the Inter DIT Cup and was contested for between the Bolton St Bears, the Kevin St Kings, the Aungier St Angels, the Mountjoy Sq Marauders, the Cathal Brugha St Cardinals and the Rathmines Ravens; with the Kings being the aristocrats of the competition.
It was then reformed early this decade as an annual head to head between the North and Southside Colleges.
Unfortunately, due to the scheduling of the colleges calendar and the lack of participation in rugby within DIT, it became difficult to maintain the competition and it was last held in 2004. Now this season with rugby in DIT going from strength to strength and with the college fielding three sides, 1sts, 2nds and Freshers, it has become possible to hold it once more.
The match will also be one of the main events of the DIT Rag week which this year is raising money for the Console charity.
Although the match is essentially a friendly, both sides are taking it very seriously and there has noticeably been an added bite to the intensity of training sessions recently. With the breakdown of the DIT 1st XV being roughly half and half on each side of the Liffey both sides are relatively evenly matched and neither are keen to lose the battle for bragging rights. This internal grudge match promises to be an enthralling encounter and all supporters are encouraged to attend.
Keep an eye out for posters around the DIT campuses for further details, starting line ups and match info.
