Pictured at AIB’s launch of the 2019 All Ireland Senior Football Championship were, from left, Kerry and Dingle footballer Paul Geaney, Dublin and Ballymun Kickhams footballer James McCarthy, Galway and Tuam Stars footballer Gary O’Donnell, and Donegal and Cill Chartha footballer Ryan McHugh.
AIB, proud sponsors of both Club and County, today launched the Senior Football Championship with Ryan McHugh (Cill Chartha and Donegal), Gary O’Donnell (Tuam Stars and Galway), Eoghan Kerin (Annaghdown and Galway), James McCarthy (Ballymun Kickhams and Dublin) and Paul Geaney (Dingle and Kerry).
With two weekends of championship action having now taken place in all four provinces, today’s five footballers are looking forward to a highly competitive summer. Each of them has achieved Provincial glory for their county in 2018 and they’ll be hoping to retain their respective silverware in 2019.
Galway’s Gary O’Donnell and Eoghan Kerin have already kickstarted their summer campaign with a win across the pond in Ruislip over Ciaran Deely’s London. They’ll now face Sligo in Markievicz Park on Sunday, May 19th.
Meanwhile, Dublin’s James McCarthy and Donegal’s Ryan McHugh will have their first outings on Saturday May 25th and Sunday May 26th, respectively. While Kerry’s Paul Geaney will face either Clare or Waterford in the Munster SFC semi-final on Saturday, June 1st.
Backing both Club and County, AIB is also the long-term sponsor the AIB GAA Club Championships which sees footballers, hurlers and camogie players battle it out through the winter months to claim #TheToughest prize of all. This is AIB’s 28th year in association with the GAA, a partnership AIB are especially proud of. Without Club, there would be no County. It’s where players are born and bred to go on to represent their counties.
AIB recognize that in order to compete in #TheToughest games in the GAA, whether at club or county level, players dedicate their time and energy with the support of their families and communities to put it all on the line for All-Ireland glory.
Denis O’Callaghan, Head of AIB Retail Banking, emphasized the importance of AIB’s partnerships with the GAA. “We are very proud to be backing both Club and County and delighted to now enter our fifth year sponsoring the GAA All-Ireland Football Championship. We have been involved with the Club Championships for 28 years but our 5th year sponsoring county is an honoured milestone for us.
“Our involvement with the Club Championships has given us a real understanding of the hard work at club level. They are one of the most unique, competitive and toughest competitions to win in sport. This hard work is what fuels the County Championship and the enjoyment that it provides to communities right around the country.
For exclusive content and to see why AIB are backing Club and County follow us @AIB_GAA on Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook and AIB.ie/GAA.
