EirGrid, the state-owned company that develops and manages the flow of electricity across the land, has launched a new award to recognise the Managerial Moments In Time that capture the public’s imagination and light up the All-Ireland Football and Hurling Championships.

EirGrid unveiled a panel of experts charged with identifying the top managerial moments throughout the Championships including former Dublin football manager Paul Caffrey and former Tipperary hurling and current Na Piarsaigh manager Michael Ryan.

The EirGrid Manger Moment In Time will be announced monthly with each manager being awarded a high-end sports watch. At the end of the season, one moment will be named the EirGrid Manager Moment In Time of the year, with the manager being awarded a top of the range LED digital clock and scoreboard to be installed at a club of their choice.

There will be monthly winners for July, August and September with the overall winner being selected from the three-monthly winners.

Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael, John Horan said: “As we all know our competitions are not just about those who get the cross the white line to dissect posts and make goal nets shake. The games are also about those who train, prepare, plan and scheme to try and help players bring success to a given team or county.

“To that end, the EirGrid Managerial Moments initiative is tactic acknowledgement of the influence and input of our coaches, who do so much to influence events on the field from the start to the end of our championships and I look forward to seeing what memorable achievements emerge from another busy summer of action.”

Speaking about the new EirGrid Manager Moment In Time, Valerie Hedin from EirGrid said: “At EirGrid we manage and develop the national grid ensuring a safe and reliable flow of energy across the land. Football and hurling managers play a huge role in the development and management of the talent and players who thrill and entertain with their skill, dedication and energy.

Whilst the players skills and achievements are widely recognised, at EirGrid we wanted to use our partnership as timing partner to the GAA as a platform to recognise and celebrate the managerial tactics, calls and far reaching influence that they have on the action that takes place on the pitch.

We are delighted to have two former inter-county managers of such high distinction as Paul and Michael to join our judging panel and look forward to enjoying and appreciating the Championship from a slightly different, but equally impressive, perspective.”

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