GPA to award 10 scholarships after 50,000 energiser

THE GPA will award scholarships to 10 of their members in January after they receive a 50,000 cheque from Club Energise, a direct result of the first four successful months of their association with the isotonic sports drink.

Club Energise has sold over 1.5 million bottles since its launch on August 18, surpassing projected figures and making it the most popular product ever launched by C&C.

The scholarships will be open to senior inter-county players and some minor stars.

"The success of Club Energise, using its alignment with our national games to successfully position itself in a market previously led by international brands is indicative of the passion of Gaelic games and the support for our players that exists amongst the GAA community," Dessie Farrell, chief executive of the GPA, said.

"It has proven that GAA stars are effective brand ambassadors More funds from the deal with Club Energise will go towards the setting up of a Funds Administration Committee, which will include Armagh's All-Ireland winning captain Kieran McGeeney. The role of this committee will be to manage and oversee the investment of income from the Club Energise/GPA relationship into the scholarship schemes, youth development programmes and club grant schemes.

While McGeeney will chair the committee, he will be joined by Gary O'Mahoney, a tax director with Ernst&Young and Micheal McArdle, Marketing Director with C&C Ireland.

McArdle believes Club Energise will make the GPA over half a million euro over the next three years and while they are still drawing guidelines for the club grant scheme, Farrell says the criteria will be very specific. "The grants will not be given out wily-nily. The club will have to show commitment and purpose to what we are trying to achieve, particularly with youth development. Peter Canavan has given Tyrone fans the perfect Christmas present by pledging to carry on next year.

"I intend to be back," he said. "There are just a few things to be sorted out, especially with regards to the ankle. I still don't know if I need an operation I'll have to get it looked at and reassessed. After that I'll be in a better position to say when I'll be back."

The Errigal Ciaran clubman almost missed the All-Ireland final after sustaining the ankle injury in the early stages of the All-Ireland semi-final win over Kerry. He has yet to make a full recovery and medical examinations after Christmas will reveal the full extent of the damage.

"I'd love to be part of the push to win the All-Ireland again next year," he added. "Retaining the All-Ireland would be our main ambition and it would certainly be a big thing for me. It's not an easy thing to do ."

Kilkenny County Board is promoting a 'race day' at Leopardstown on December 27 when the featured race will be 'The Paddy Power Chase'.

It's part of the All-Ireland champions' fund-raising, which will see the players, management and officials going off to Australia in January to celebrate the second year of the 'double double' of League and championship success.

Tickets for the day cost 150 and include lunch and entertainment, access to the reserved enclosure, the assistance of celebrity tipsters and coach transfer from Kilkenny. They are available from Langtons Kilkenny (056 772178) or by e-mail [e-mail].

Meanwhile, the President of the Camogie Association, Miriam O'Callaghan, will be in Cork tonight to attend the annual Munster Convention in the Metropole Hotel (8.30pm).