It has been a wonderful summer of Hurling and on the eve of the All Ireland Final between Galway and Limerick Sport for Business caught up with each of the Championship sponsors to see what the year has been like for them…
Here is what we found out from Niall O’Callaghan of Centra…
How has 2018 been for you as a sponsor?
2018 has been an amazing year. The opening up of the championship has seen some outstanding ties.
Centra’s #WeAreHurling campaign celebrates the passion displayed by all of those in Ireland’s collective hurling community, by shining a light on the many people who devote their lives to the game – making our national sport a pillar of Irish pride.
The campaign also aims to amplify hurling in the hearts and minds of the nation. The interest in the games can definitely be seen in our Centra stores with the sale of tickets at an all-time high. Tribute to this should go to the players and management up and down the country putting on some amazing displays.
Hurling has had a golden summer in terms of games and glory. How does that reflect on the brand?
We have had strong associations with the GAA for many years now and we take passion in bringing this to life in local communities.
Our 464 Centra stores are dedicated to supporting and promoting hurling at a grassroots level. They ensure that our enthusiasm for this game continues for generations to come.
This summer, we have brought a selection of the finest inter-county stars to stores across the country including some of those on the pitch on Sunday – Cian Lynch and Gearoid McInerney – plus some of the legends of the game like Henry Shefflin.
While this reflects on our brand nationally, it is at a local level that our retailers that bring our sponsorship to life, which reflects superbly on our brand.
Did the shorter but more intense season work for you?
While the championship is run over a shorter period, interest was at an all-time high. We have seen this in our stores as a ticket agent, but again credit must go to the players and those who get the players to stadiums like Croke Park and Semple Stadium.
In our #WeAreHurling campaign, we have highlighted some of these remarkable people. One example of this is Cork Chairperson, Tracey Kennedy.
Overcoming obstacles, from cancer to advancing in the once male-dominated bastion of the GAA committee room, Tracey is thriving as the first female chair of Cork County Board – becoming a role model to many in recent times. These are the people that bring the Championship to life no matter the length of the season.
What activation plans do you have for Sunday?
Sunday is all about the game with both teams taking centre stage. We will preview the game on our Centra Ireland Facebook page this Friday with Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh, Seán Óg Ó hAilpín and Derek McGrath giving us there thoughts as part of our #WeAreHurling series.
Can you give me a prediction on how you think the game will go?
At the start year, everyone would have said Galway but this Limerick team have something different. As Centra, we would love an extra 70 mins because we never want this championship to end. A draw.
Sport for Business gives a platform to its members to go deeper into the why’s as well as the what’s of sponsorship. Find out more from the other All Ireland Hurling Championship sponsors Pippa Doyle at Littlewoods Ireland and Sorcha Fennel Sheehan from Bord Gais Energy.
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Image Credits: Sportsfile
