This year’s Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Camogie Championship has received a huge boost with confirmation that both senior semi-finals, as well as the All-Ireland Finals, will be broadcast live on RTÉ One television.
The news was revealed at the launch of the Championship season in Croke Park yesterday, with Liberty Insurance adding to the sense this would be a big year for Camogie by also announcing an innovative summer campaign – ‘Squad Goals’ – designed to find Ireland’s most skilful Camogie squad.
Both 2016 All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship Semi-Finals will be broadcast live for the first time on Saturday, August 13th from Kilkenny’s Nowlan Park.
Growing appeal
“Camogie is one of the fastest-growing games in the country right now, with more people watching and playing than ever before,” said Camogie Association President Catherine Neary.
“Live coverage of the semi-finals is not only a huge additional carrot for the quarter-finalists but an extra opportunity for TV viewers to enjoy the thrilling spectacle of top-level Camogie.”
“We expect that the additional investment by the Association and Liberty Insurance in TV coverage, in conjunction with RTE, will continue to raise the profile of this year’s Championship and further showcase the skills of the game and the dedication of our players.”
“We are fortunate and grateful to have Liberty Insurance partnering with us again this year, helping to promote women’s sport with some fantastic ideas to boost attendances and participation.”
Squad Goals
One such initiative was also announced at today’s event, where Liberty Insurance revealed details of its nationwide ‘Squad Goals’ campaign which will give two Camogie teams the opportunity to play at half-time in Croke Park on the occasion of the Senior All-Ireland Final in September.
“We’re delighted to be continuing with this year’s #supporthersport campaign which was so successful last year,” said Deirdre Ashe, Director of Personal Lines for Liberty Insurance.
“Women’s sport is critical to us. Standing back as a business we have a large consumer base among women and supporting women’s sport reflects well on the brand.”
“The influence of sport is very important, personally and through family.”
“The relationship with Camogie gives us great engagement at grassroots level and on the national level.”
“This sponsorship plays an important role in engaging with people who are involved in their communities and living healthy lives.”
“Our research has confirmed that female participation in sport is strongly influenced by attending sporting events at a young age so we’re again encouraging parents and the wider public to bring their daughters, granddaughters, nieces, cousins or friends to this year’s Camogie Championships.”
“We’re excited too about this year’s Squad Goals Challenge that will inspire Camogie teams and players throughout the country to get involved, with the opportunity to step onto Croke Park on All-Ireland Finals Day and win funding for their clubs adding to the campaign’s appeal.”
Full details of the Squad Goals Challenge will be revealed on Sport for Business and on the Camogie Association and Liberty Insurance Social Media Channels on Monday, June 20th.
‘Our Game, Your Game’
Also at today’s launch, the Camogie Association premiered its 2016 ‘Our Game, Your Game’ video with further details of the campaign’s development over the coming months.
“The focus for this year’s campaign is on the off the pitch preparation side to the game,” said Catherine Neary. “We’re working with five high-profile Camogie ambassadors who explain what it takes to reach the top level and how a strong and healthy body and mind help players to achieve their full potential.”
The Camogie Association also confirmed that it and the LGFA have reached a reciprocal agreement to avoid major fixture clashes in this year’s Championship, including avoidance of a previously recurring clash between the All-Ireland Camogie Championship and the Ladies Football Munster Final, as well as the All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship Semi-Final and Ladies Football All-Ireland Quarter-Final.
The 2016 Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Camogie Championships sees reigning champions, Cork, in search of a three-in-a-row title and their 27th title overall which would move them to the top of the Roll of Honour.
