Amid the start of the GAA All Ireland Football Championship and the conclusion of the Allianz Hurling League over the weekend, it was also the start of the 2025 Electric Ireland Celtic Challenge competition.
38 teams from all 32 counties are taking part in one of the most innovative and developmental initiatives within the GAA calendar.
The competition has played an integral role in expanding the games programme for top tier and developing counties since 2016.
The group format provides teams with the opportunity to play three group games over the space of three weekends. Quarter-Final pairings are performance based with counties playing up to six games in the competition.
Counties have the opportunity to enter multiple teams with the success of this model clearly evidenced in 2024 as there was success right across the tiers as Fermanagh, Louth and Tyrone joined Kilkenny, East Cork and Laois as winners.
From a developmental context, positives this year include Cork, Tipperary, Derry, Kildare, Meath and Clare enter two teams into the competition.
The Electric Ireland Celtic Challenge is named in recognition of the original juvenile hurling club known as ‘Celtic’.
The Divisional trophies are named in memory of 6 of the 14 civilians who were shot dead in Croke Park on Bloody Sunday, 21st November 1920. Michael Hogan [aged 24], Tom Hogan [aged 21], John William Scott [aged 14], William Robinson [aged 11], Jerome O’Leary aged 10] and Michael Feery.
“The Electric Ireland Celtic Challenge is a significant competition for the GAA as there are six different levels with the inclusion of second teams from some counties where some of our developing counties can pit their wits against some of our strongest teams,” said GAA President Jarlath Burns.
“With 38 teams in the competition this year, it allows everyone to play at a level that is commensurate with the level of where they are in the development of their county”.
“Every year, the Electric Ireland Celtic Challenge competition provides a superb programme of games for our players at all levels,” added Shane Flanagan, Director of Coaching and Games at the GAA.
“As an integral part of our Player Pathway, the Celtic Challenge allows counties to face teams at their level while supporting young players transitioning to play senior intercounty in the future.”
“At Electric Ireland, we are proud supporters of the Gaelic Games and the development of its players,” said Rob Crabbe, Group Sponsorship and PR Manager at Electric Ireland.
“We are delighted to announce the launch of this year’s Electric Ireland Celtic Challenge Cup. With 38 teams participating from 32 counties, we are committed to ensuring that the Electric Ireland Celtic Challenge Cup becomes a defining and significant experience in these players’ journeys, to help build a path for future excellence.”
Further Reading for Sport for Business members: Electric Ireland Launch 2025 Higher Education Championship
SPORT FOR BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE
This has successfully brought young players along, especially in counties where the opportunity to play meaningful competitive games is more limited. Initially backed by the Bank of Ireland, it now fits very neatly into the Electric Ireland youth sports portfolio.
WHAT’S UP NEXT?
The remainder of the group games will take place over the next two weekends, leading to a Finals Day on June 7th
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