Less than four weeks after the conclusion of its first year as title sponsor of the All Ireland Football Championship, AIB has launched the 24th year of its sponsorship of the GAA Club Championships.
The club game featured strongly throughout the banks promotion of the inter county scene this summer with Paul Flynn, Aidan O’Shea and James O’Donoghue starring in TV ads and stings.
O’Donoghue was involved in the Club launch yesterday as well, representing his club Killarney Legion, alongside Thurles Sarsfield and Tipperary hurler Padraic Maher and Milford and Cork camogie player Ashling Thompson.
“To win an AIB Club Championship would mean everything to me”, he said.
“It’s so difficult to win because games come thick and fast and you have to be mentally ready for a battle week in, week out. You also have to be physically and mentally tough to endure the difficult winter conditions.”
“To win an All-Ireland with my club would definitely be one of the ultimate achievements for me.”
“We’ve come close in the past but just fell short”, added Thurles Sarsfields and Tipperary man, Pádraic Maher. “All the hard work and sacrifices myself and my team mates whom I grew up with have to make. The chance to win an AIB All-Ireland Championship with your friends and family would definitely be one of the most rewarding achievements for me”.
“I’ve been lucky enough to have won an All-Ireland with Milford, but I can’t wait to challenge again for it this year. It’s unique in that everything starts at the club and it’s so difficult to win an All-Ireland title. The sense of pride you feel is incredible”, Milford and Cork’s Ashling Thompson said.
This is the first year of a three year extension to one of the longest running partnerships in Irish sport and the brand will be using #TheToughest motif across mainstream and social media campaigns between now and the Day of the Hurling and Football Club Finals on St Patrick’s day 2016.
“Our sponsorship now includes Senior, Intermediate and Junior Championships across hurling, football and camogie and the new Senior Football Championship has been a great addition to this portfolio,” said Denis O’Callaghan, Head of AIB Branch Banking.
“We are proud to be backing Club and County for the first time ever this year, and especially pleased to extend our sponsorship of the Club Championships for a 24th consecutive year.”
“The Club Championships is one of the most unique, competitive and toughest competitions to win in sport and we’re proud to be supporting #TheToughest all the way.”
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