Croke Park braced for epic weekend as AIB builds up to Tailteann Cup Final and All-Ireland SFC semi-finals

AIB, proud supporters of club and county, is bringing together current managers and former county legends to preview the Tailteann Cup Final and All-Ireland Senior Championship Semi-Finals taking place this weekend, July 11th and 12th. AIB launched its campaign in support of the 2026 GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship in April, by celebrating the profound impact of the managers, coaches, mentors, and backroom teams who support the players on Gaelic football’s biggest stage and in doing so, lift all those around them.

The 2026 Championship season has widely been regarded as one of the best in living memory – with huge scorelines, big upsets, and stirring comebacks across each weekend of the Championship. Each one of these tantalising moments on the pitch is made possible by an unwavering backroom team, supporting the ambitions of the players on the pitch. AIB understands that behind every county are those who lift us all, which is why this campaign shines a light on the people whose dedication makes every Championship moment possible.

The final pairing of the Tailteann Cup sees an experienced Down side come up against underdogs Wicklow. Conor Laverty (Down) and Oisín McConville (Wicklow) will be head-to-head this Saturday in a tactical battle for Tailteann Cup honours. Down will come to this game as favourites, having narrowly overcome a strong Fermanagh in their semi-final tie. Wicklow have consistently overcome expectations in the competition this year and will be looking to cause an upset in Croke Park on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the race for the Sam Maguire has been whittled down to the final four, with Paul Galvin (Kerry), Kevin McManamon (Dublin), Bevan Duffy (Louth) and Conor Mortimer (Mayo) teaming up with AIB today to preview the fixtures.

Behind every tactical masterclass and match-defining moment this weekend, the common thread is the constant support structure provided by the backroom teams. As the season reaches its climax, AIB is delighted to announce the return of the Volunteer VIP competition. This competition gives GAA volunteers and backroom staff members the opportunity to win a ‘money-can’t-buy’ behind-the-scenes tour of Croke Park on the morning of the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Final, as well as coveted tickets to the match. AIB recognises the commitment and dedication of GAA volunteers nationwide, the people who give so much of their time each year to their club and county. Volunteers are the foundation on which the GAA is built, and AIB is delighted to celebrate them once again. The competition is now live and will close on Sunday, July 19th – nominate your volunteer here: https://www.gaaplus.ie/VIPexperience.

AIB remains committed to supporting Gaelic games, having renewed its sponsorship of both the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship and AIB Club Championships until 2028. This long-standing partnership also includes sponsorship of the AIB Camogie Club Championships and the AIB Ladies Gaelic Football Club Championship, making AIB the first and only sponsor to support the four codes of Gaelic games.

AIB Chief Executive Officer, Colin Hunt said: “At AIB, we believe that communities thrive when they are backed by dedication, passion, and a shared sense of purpose. This is exactly what we see within our Gaelic Games communities. While the spotlight rightly shines on the players during these thrilling knock-out fixtures, we know that their success is built on the shoulders of the managers, coaches, medical staff, and volunteers who lift them every single day. We are delighted to celebrate these unsung heroes through our campaign and give them the opportunity to share a very special All-Ireland Final Sunday through our Volunteer VIP competition.”

Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael, Jarlath Burns stated: "The journey to Croke Park in July is one of the most cherished times in the Irish sporting calendar, and the drama of this year’s Championship has been second to none. Crucial to this spectacle are the people behind the scenes—the backroom teams and volunteers who work tirelessly out of the limelight to prepare our players for the grandest stage. AIB’s commitment to our games continues to help us foster and celebrate this unique community spirit. This campaign is a beautiful tribute to the passion and selflessness that defines the GAA, and we thank AIB for their continued dedication to honouring both the players on the field and the incredible people behind them."

For exclusive content and behind-the-scenes action from the AIB GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championships, follow @AIB_GAA on Twitter and Instagram, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AIBGAA.