Press release

Launch of ESB 2009 Minor Hurling And Football Championships

7th April 2009: Leading GAA figures gathered in Croke Park today for the launch of ESB's sponsorship of the 2009 Minor Hurling and Football Championships.

Now in its fifth year, ESB's sponsorship of the Minor Championships began in September 2004, benefiting hundreds of young hurlers and footballers throughout Ireland.

ESB Chief Executive, Padraig McManus and GAA President, Nickey Brennan, were joined by special guests at the launch. These included Kilkenny Senior Hurling Manager, Brian Cody; Tyrone Senior Football Manager, Mickey Harte; Kilkenny Minor Hurling Manager, Richie Mulrooney; Tyrone Minor Football Manager, Raymond Monroe; Kilkenny's 2008 winning Minor Hurling Captain, Tom Breen and Tyrone's 2008 winning Football Captain, Ryan Pickering.

Former All Ireland winners and ESB employees, including Joe Dooley and Sean Lowry (Offaly), Ambrose O'Donovan (Kerry), Paul Clancy, (Galway), and Jamsie McHugh (Donegal) also attended the event.

Speaking at the launch, Padraig McManus said that nurturing young players leads to enormous benefits in terms of positive development at personal, team and community level.

"Clearly, when young players are supported in a practical way, positive results follow. However, our sponsorship is not just about winning. ESB sees its involvement in this sponsorship as a means of putting real resources into youth in every county to enable them to reach their sporting potential", he said.

The past five years has seen the continued growth and expansion of the games in all counties and ESB is "very pleased to be associated with what is really a powerful source of social cohesion", he said.

Speaking at the launch, Nickey Brennan said "Our Minor grade is a vital passage for our under-age players in the direction of adult sporting activity and our sponsorship arrangement with ESB for the last five years has enhanced a level that has traditionally been held in high regard by football and hurling followers".

"Last year's Championships provided excellent entertainment with Tyrone and Kilkenny coming out on top and we look forward to competitions of similar quality and intensity and working with ESB to further enhance the profiles of the games and the tremendous players that illuminate them," Nickey said.

Ends

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