O’Connell ‘Buzzing’ ahead of RBS Six Nations
Paul O’Connell looked right at home in his role as a Six Nations Captain as the tournament was launched in London’s Hurlingham Club on Wednesday.
“We have a great buzz coming into the competition with the provinces doing so well,” he said.
“There is a massive rivalry with Wales and we are looking forward to the opening game at the Aviva Stadium.”
“Of course there will be motivation from the World Cup but revenge will be spoken of more in the media than in the dressing room.”
“We need to start each game at a good level and play well consistently for 80 minutes, that’s the challenge for us. If we can do that we can beat anyone in the tournament.”
Ulster Bank will again take many of the branding opportunities in Ireland through its parent group RBS’s sponsorship of the tournament.
The bank is a founder member of Sport for Business and strengthened its link with Irish Rugby last year, becoming the Official Community Partner to the IRFU, a partnership which includes title sponsorship of the All-Ireland Club League along with the Irish Club International team until 2014.  It also supports grass roots rugby through the Ulster Bank Rugby Force initiative.
Setanta Sports Cup Maintains Prize fund of €180,000
The prize fund for this year’s Setanta Sports Cup will remain the same as in 2011 with €50,000 for the winners, €30,000 for the runners up, €15,000 for each of the defeated semi-finalists, €10,000 for each of the defeated quarter finalists and €7,500 for clubs defeated in round one.
Colin Morgan, CEO Setanta Ireland: “As sponsors and broadcasters of the 2012 tournament we are delighted to be embarking on another year of our involvement,” said Colin Morgan, CEO of Setanta Ireland.
“We were involved in the creation of the competition in 2005 and this year we are really looking forward to the second year of the new changes introduced by the organising committee in 2011.”
The first round draw pitches Bray Wanderers against Glentoran, Bohemians against Portadown, Lisburn Distillery against Derry City and Cliftonville against St. Patrick’s Athletic.
Those games will be played over two legs on February 13th and 20th.
The four winners to emerge from the first round will join the four seeded clubs, last year’s winners Shamrock Rovers, Crusaders, Linfield and Sligo Rovers in the quarter-final draw, with those games played on March 5th and March 20th.
“The Setanta Sports Cup is a unique event with a unique atmosphere and we are proud for it to sit our alongside our other premium sports content,” added Morgan.
Setanta unveils GAA coverage of Allianz National Leagues
It was a busy day for Setanta Sports who also unveiled their schedule of coverage for this year’s Allianz National Football and Hurling Leagues.
The cameras will be at Croke Park on Saturday February 4th for the sparkling opening game of the League season when Dublin host Kerry in a rematch of last year’s All Ireland Final.
Kerry’s Kieran Donaghy and Football of the Year Alan Brogan were on hand to launch Setanta’s schedule with both players looking forward to finding out what the new GAA season has in store.
“It’s been a great few months since September and we have thoroughly enjoyed it but we’re in a new year now and we can’t wait to get going again. What better way to kick it all off than by playing Kerry in Croke Park under lights,” Brogan said.
As well as Dublin and Kerry, GAA fans can look forward to the meeting of Tyrone and Kildare, both matches will be screened live on Setanta Ireland, while Down will take on Donegal.
Live coverage aside, Setanta has a raft of exciting entertainment and programming lined up for GAA fans including the ‘45 Challenge’ which will see GAA clubs from around Dublin fighting it out for €5,000 worth of O’Neills gear.
The game will also be replicated on Setanta’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/setantasportsireland enabling fans to test their skills from the comfort of their own homes and offices.
“We have a huge amount of exciting programming lined up for GAA fans over the coming months,” said Brian Quinn, Customer Acquisition Director, Setanta Sports.
Behan Olympic funds to help preparations
Kieran Behan, Ireland’s first Olympic gymnast since 1996 and only the second in the history of the games has received a cheque for €20,000 from the Olympic Council of Ireland to help in his preparations for London 2012. He was presented with the cheque by Pat Hickey, President of the Olympic Council of Ireland at the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin.
“Kieran has shown fantastic grit, courage and determination to reach his Olympic goal,” said Hickey.  “He is a stunning addition to Ireland’s challenge for Olympic success in London.”
“He has a winning attitude that will inspire both the Irish Olympic team members and the public at large. He will do Ireland proud, that’s for sure”.
Emirates Boss reveals sports sponsorship desire
The latest issue of Sport for Business Weekly contains an exclusive interview with Tim Burnell, the Vice President Corporate Communications with Emirates airlines.  In it he talks about the airlines involvement with sport around the world and how Irish sport is likely to be part of the marketing mix for their new service between Dublin and Dubai.
There is coverage as well of the ambitious plans announced this week by Cricket Ireland; a look at how online prediction games are being used as valuable fundraisers by clubs; and all the latest news and initiatives in Irish sports marketing.

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