New awards scheme for GPA

Opel Ireland and the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) have linked up in an exciting new sponsorship to support GAA players.

The centrepiece of the new sponsorship will be a Players' Awards programme, entitled "the Opel Gaelic Players Awards".

The programme will commence with immediate effect, and will run over a three-year period.

The Awards scheme will run from February to October each year incorporating both the National League and All-Ireland Championship seasons.

The awards programme will consist of three elements and it will recognise the outstanding achievement of:

- One inter county hurler and footballer a month

- A team of the year for both games

- A hurler and footballer of the year

This is a major expansion of the GPA Players of the Year Awards, which Opel sponsored in 2005, and at which Stephen O'Neill (Tyrone) and John Gardiner (Cork) were honoured in Football and Hurling respectively.

Each of the monthly and annual award winners (team and individuals) will be selected by GPA members from a shortlist nominated by two independent panels.

The football panel will be chaired by John O'Mahony, former All-Ireland winning Galway manager.

Donal O'Grady, who guided the Cork hurling team to All-Ireland success, will chair the panel for the hurling awards.

Both chairs will be joined by three former players on each of the respective panels including Kevin O’Brien, Martin McHugh and Tony Davis on the football panel and Cyril Farrell, Dominic McKinley and Michael Duignan on the hurling panel.

The value of the sponsorship is approximately €1m per annum.

GPA Chief Executive Dessie Farrell said: "We are thrilled at the opportunity to work with an experienced brand like Opel, which has a proven track record in sports sponsorship in Ireland and Europe.

"Our main priority is to support GAA players and to ensure that they have the necessary back-up to thrive in their football and hurling careers.

"This sponsorship will recognise the dedication of players across the country and we are delighted that Opel is prepared to support and reward the players' achievements."