UUJ can compete in Sigerson

Boss Damian Barton can now look forward to games

UUJ will be able to defend the Heineken Sigerson Cup after a Croke Park hearing decided against throwing out the Ulster university from the competition.

The GAA were considering removing the holders from the competion following the fiasco of the losing of the Sigerson Cup trophy.

But while Jordanstown will open their Sigerson campaign with a first round game against Waterford on Friday, the club have not escaped punishment.

Club president John Farrell has been given a 24-week ban arising from the affair.

A tightlipped Farrell confirmed that he had been banned on Tuesday evening but refused to comment further.

However, an appeal by Farrell, who has 20 years services with UUJ, can be expected.

The Sigerson trophy went missing last April shortly after Jordanstown had won the 2001 competition.

However, it belatedly turned up on a student's doorstep last Wednesday morning.