TG4 has today announced a five-year extension of their sponsorship of the All-Ireland Ladies Football inter-county championships, with the new deal set to last until the conclusion of the 2027 season.
This deal extends TG4’s long-standing sponsorship and broadcast rights agreement with the Ladies Gaelic Football Association and ensures that the partners will work closely together in 2024 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the LGFA.
TG4 have been the title sponsor of the All-Ireland Ladies Football Championships since 2001 and the partnership has evolved into one of the most recognised and innovative in world sport.
We spoke to TG4 Director General Alan Esslemont about why it was important in a number of different ways.
This is the second major sponsorship renewal for the LGFA in 2022 after National League sponsors Lidl committed to a further four years, taking the LGFA’s retail partners up to and including 2025.
It also comes after the Camogie Association signed a five year deal with Glen Dimplex for the All Ireland Championship in the small ball game.
TG4 has committed to screening 13 fixtures live during the 2022 All-Ireland Championships, beginning on Saturday, June 11, with a double-header from the group stages of the TG4 All-Ireland Senior Championship.
The summer schedule will run until TG4 All-Ireland Finals day on Sunday, July 31, when the Junior, Intermediate and Senior Championship Finals will be screened exclusively live on TG4.
The Junior Final will get underway at 11.45am, the Intermediate decider will commence at 1.45pm, and the Senior Final will throw in at 4pm.
Peil na mBan Beo will be available to audiences globally on the TG4 Player and on the TG4 Mobile and Smart TV App.
Former Galway star Máire Ní Bhraonáin will lead TG4’s Peil na mBan Beo coverage once again for the forthcoming Championship season.
The commentary team will be headed up by Brian Tyers. They will be joined by expert panellists including former Cork stars Rena Buckley and Rhóna Ní Bhuachalla, ex-Waterford ace Michelle Ryan, former Dublin player Sinéad Finnegan, current TG4 Senior Players’ Player of the Year and 2021 All-Ireland Senior medallist Vikki Wall from Meath, and current Donegal player Emer Gallagher.
TG4’s coverage will be produced once more by Waterford-based production company, Nemeton TV.
TG4 will also provide live coverage of the eagerly-anticipated TG4 Leinster Senior Final between Dublin and Meath from Croke Park next Saturday.
The LGFA and TG4 have also confirmed that all other games that are not being televised in the TG4 All-Ireland Championships will be available to view via the LGFA’s live-streaming service.
Remarkable
“In 2000, both Ladies Football and the Irish language were matters deemed to be of very marginal concern in Ireland,” said Esslemont.
“By standing together as partners for over twenty years, LGFA and TG4 have managed to attain remarkable national success and status, bringing change to those societal views.”
“However, much work remains to be done and I believe that this five-year deal between TG4 and the LGFA gives a very clear signal of our joint intent to redouble our efforts to achieve a better parity.”
“For TG4 to fully achieve that parity, we need Government to address the TG4 Post-Covid funding strategy which aims to see TG4 moving from the margins of the public service media ecosystem to a place which better reflects the importance of the Irish language in today’s society in Ireland.”
“In our new agreement with the LGFA, TG4 commits over the five years to gradually strengthen our live coverage of LGFA competitions and develop new programming which reflects and supports the LGFA community in Ireland and internationally.”
“We also pledge to produce a raft of high-quality programming which will celebrate the LGFA’s 50th anniversary in 2024.”
“‘Cothrom na Féinne’ or ‘Fair Play’ is a key pillar of TG4 strategy and I am delighted to announce a new TG4 sponsorship – the sponsorship of the LGFA Referees Panel.”
“I hope that this will reinforce and support the work of all the officials who dedicate their time to ensure the impartial and equitable arbitration of play in Ladies Gaelic Football.”
“It has been both a privilege and pleasure for me to be able to work with Mícheál Naughton and with Helen O’ Rourke and her wonderful team to bring this deal to an agreement.”
“I would also like to thank my own staff at TG4 and especially the production team at Nemeton TV for their dedication, week in and week out, in bringing the highest quality coverage to our screens.”
Thrilled
“We are thrilled to announce the extension of our remarkable partnership with TG4 – and for an additional five years,” added Mícheál Naughton, President of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association.
“TG4 have been with us since 2001 when they provided live coverage of our Senior All-Ireland Final for the very first time when Laois got the better of Mayo in a memorable game.”
“Since then, TG4’s commitment and dedication to Ladies Gaelic Football has helped the sport to prosper to unprecedented levels.”
“We have had record attendances at our TG4 All-Ireland Finals and record viewing figures in recent times – and we very much hope that trend will continue as we look ahead to the next five seasons alongside TG4.”
“It is really exciting that TG4 will be on board with us throughout our 50th anniversary celebrations in 2024 – and planning for an exciting schedule of Ladies Football programming is well underway.”
“With so many fans of our sport dotted around the globe, it is hugely important that we can cater for a worldwide audience and TG4’s ability to provide that coverage is invaluable in that regard.”
“We look forward now with huge anticipation to what promises to be another memorable Championship season, which will culminate with our TG4 All-Ireland Finals at Croke Park on Sunday, July 31.”
“Many thanks to TG4 Director General Alan Esslemont, Head of Sport, Rónán Ó Coisdealbha and the entire TG4 team for this outstanding vote of confidence in our Association and in our sport.”
“We need the help of our clubs and counties to ensure that our inter-county players receive the support in the stands and on the terraces throughout the Championship season.”
“You can also tune in for live TV coverage of the 13 games on offer – with the other 47 fixtures in the 2022 TG4 All-Ireland Championships available to view via our live-streaming service.”
Sport for Business Partners
