Donaghy and Brogan Launch Setanta’s 2012 Programming

All-Ireland Final rematch kicks off the live and exclusive GAA season on Setanta

Kerry star forward Kieran Donaghy and Footballer of the Year Alan Brogan came face to face in the capital today for the first time since Dublin’s famous victory over the Kingdom in the 2011 All-Ireland Final. As fate would have it, the two sides will meet in a mouth-watering rematch at Croke Park to kick off the 2012 GAA Allianz Leagues, a match that will be screened live only on Setanta Sports.

Footballer of the Year Alan Brogan said, “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 and what better way to kick it all off than by playing Kerry in Croke Park under lights. It’s a great game to launch the Setanta Sports GAA season as well and great to see that a Dublin club like Round Towers in Clondalkin are also the focus of their programming with ‘The Club’ programme.”

“The Spring Series is a great initiative by the Dublin County Board and it gives other counties a chance to play in Croke Park when they otherwise wouldn’t,” added Kerry star Kieran Donaghy. “Obviously it will be strange being back but 2012 is a new year and while it is only the first game it will be nice for the fans of both counties and indeed for those watching on Setanta Sports to have such a great game to look forward to so early in the year.”

Setanta has a raft of exciting entertainment and programming lined up for GAA fans over the coming months, including the ‘45 Challenge’ which will see GAA clubs from around Dublin fighting it out for €5,000 worth of O’Neills gear. The battle will be played out over the course of Setanta’s live coverage of the Leagues starting on Saturday, 4th February. 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. “The rematch between Kerry and Dublin will be electric and we couldn’t have wished for a better start to the season. To mark it, Kieran and Alan will be contributing to a special one off match preview to be screened on Saturday at 9.45pm.

In addition to the live matches, we’ve invested in developing some really interesting and diverse programmes that look at different aspects of the GAA including ladies football and the travails of our overseas players.”

In addition to 14 GAA Allianz League matches, Setanta’s GAA programme includes “THE CLUB”, a brand new TV series looking at the lives of female GAA players both on and off the pitch. iTalkSport on Sunday mornings will have a particular GAA focus with Paul Galvin appearing on the 5th and 12th of February.

Another GAA documentary, “AN EXILES HOME IN THE BRONX” airs on Feb 13th. This documentary gives a fly-on-the-wall view of the New York Senior Gaelic football team in the lead up to their First Round Connacht Senior Football Championship Qualifier against Roscommon.