GAA to take control with its own marketing campaign

FOR the first time ever the GAA is to launch its own marketing campaigns — using high-profile players — for the upcoming season.

Speaking at the formal launch of the Bank of Ireland football championship in Dublin yesterday, association president Nickey Brennan admitted that up to now they had been “over-dependant” on the media to promote their games.

He said they “could not thank enough” the various branches of the media for doing it so effectively.

Agreeing that promotional campaigns from their major sponsors had been “very good”, he stressed that the GAA needed to be proactive themselves.

He added that the All-Ireland colleges football final in Carlow on Monday was as good an advertisement for Gaelic football as anyone could hope for.

Mr Brennan used yesterday’s launch to send best wishes to Tyrone star Brian McGuigan, who broke his leg at the weekend.

“While we are all in celebratory mood, we should recognise that he is sitting in a hospital bed waiting for an operation. There are probably many other players around the country who may be struggling to get fit for the championship and we hope that their dreams will be realised.’’

Speaking on behalf of Bank of Ireland, network director Tim O’Neill said they were proud of a successful and long-standing partnership with the GAA. They became involved with the All-Star scheme in 1979 and sponsorship of the football championship dates from 1994.

He said the growing popularity of the games was evidenced by the increasing attendances each year — 1.3 million people in 2005 — and high viewing figures on television.

This year’s championship marks the third in a four-year sponsorship agreement.