GAA keen to secure chief sponsors in any new deal

THE GAA is hopeful of being able to retain Bank of Ireland and Guinness as major sponsors when they begin negotiations in earnest on their new multi-sponsor model for the hurling and football championships from next year onwards.

“We have briefed them all along the way at all stages of our plans and they will be the first people we will be sitting down with when we get our package finalised,’’ said the Association’s Marketing Director Dermot Power yesterday.

He was speaking after the formal launch of the 2007 Championship in Croke Park, which will be the last to be sponsored (solely) by Bank of Ireland.