THIS time of the year, the prestigious Fitzgibbon and Sigerson Cup competitions crank into action, with the third-level Gaelic games scene becoming the proverbial beehive. Newly appointed Gaelic Games Development Officer at NUI Galway, Michael O’Connor, will certainly testify to that.

Although only months in the job, taking over from another Clare man Adrian Hassett, O’Connor has took it upon himself – and the university – to host the knockout stages of the Fitzgibbon Cup on the first weekend of March. To add to his workload in 2011, NUI Galway will then host the grand finale of the Sigerson Cup and its associate competitions.

“We decided that we would go and have a cut at it,” says O’Connor. “Maybe it was because I was new to the job. I had a fit of madness. If I had second thoughts, I may have thought otherwise about it now,” he laughs.

That said, O’Connor is more than capable of spearheading and, more importantly, coordinating the ventures locally. In addition to being a regular GAA contributor to local newspapers and radio stations in his native Clare and neighbouring Galway, O’Connor has served in a number of roles on the Clare County Board, including Youth Officer and Coaching Officer. He is also a past secretary of the Juvenile Hurling Board. So, he is no stranger to the administration side of Gaelic games.

“There is still an awful lot of work in it,” says O’Connor. “You have to get the students involved and there are numerous, numerous issues to deal with. I must compliment the college authorities, though. They have been absolutely brilliant.”

He also praises a long line of individuals, including Director of Elite Athletes, Gary Ryan, while also paying tribute to his old friend, Tony ‘Horse’ Regan, who retired as Head of Sport at the university after 36 years in charge last autumn.

Indeed, in many ways, the man fondly known as ‘Horse’ is responsible for O’Connor’s appointment. Earlier this decade, the Clare man decided to return to college, attending NUI Galway, where he met up with Regan, who promptly ‘invited’ the Crusheen man to get involved in the hurling club.

O’Connor, who has trained teams at all levels in Crusheen, except senior, duly did by taking charge of the Freshers and, in 2005, his young charges claimed that particular first year championship. Of that side, Liam Mellows’ John Lee, Mullagh’s Finian Coone and Newmarket’s David Barrett all still represent the university with distinction. It was arguably the highlight of O’Connor’s five-year association with the Freshers side.

As the Clare man continues to grow into his new role, organising training session and games, and looking at ways to further promote Gaelic games in the college, he is also becoming increasingly aware of the need to offer students a balanced approach … ensuring that as many as possible can play while, at the same time, respecting their educational requirements.

“In this modern day, the academic needs of the students are more important than ever. They can’t just be happy now, unlike years ago, to go and get a basic degree and move on to the next level. They need the highest degree possible, especially in the current climate, where even a lot of the well-qualified good young players are finding it very difficult to get work. So, that has now to become their priority.”

For more read page 52 of this week's Connacht Tribune.