Former Monaghan ace leads way as Pink Or Blue Gloves Campaign hoping to Raise €100,000 for Action Breast and Action Prostate Cancer

February 2, 2012

This weekend marks the start of the Allianz Football League nationwide, and with it the unusual sight of players wearing Pink or Blue gloves during matches.

Over 960 Pairs of gloves were distributed to every county football panel this week, and players have been asked to wear the Pink or Blue gloves with the aim of raising awareness and €100,000 for Action Breast and Action Prostate Cancer.

The fundraising initiative is a partnership between the Irish Cancer Society and the popular Gaelic Games brand, GaelicPerformance.

Speaking about the campaign, GaelicPerformance founder and former Monaghan senior footballer Dermot McArdle said:

“GaelicPerformance were honoured to be asked to develop a range of Pink or Blue gloves for the Irish Cancer Society. From the very start, our main emphasis was on quality and performance. We wanted to produce a glove that players in every club would be delighted to wear because of the cause involved, and wanted to wear because the gloves looked great and performed brilliantly. With the support of the GPA, we have been able to ask players in every county squad to show their support by wearing Pink or Blue gloves throughout the national league and Championships in 2012. Hopefully Club players nationwide will show their support by wearing the pink or blue gloves this year”

Action Breast Cancer and Action Prostate Cancer are programmes of the Irish Cancer Society, Ireland’s leading provider of breast cancer and prostate cancer information and support. Action Breast Cancer and Action Prostate Cancer services are free, confidential and accessible by calling our Freefone Helpline on 1800 200 700 or by visiting cancer.ie

The Pink or Blue gloves are only available online through the GaelicPerformance Store, and discounts are offered for bulk orders for clubs and teams.

To get your Pink or Blue gloves, log onto www.gaelicperformance.com

For More Information: Contact - Dermot McArdle, GaelicPerformance: 086 352 5130; dermotmcardle@gaelicperformance.com; www.facebook.com/gp.gaelicperformance; @GPerformance

At the launch of the PwC's partnership with the GPA and GAA were (l-r) Dónal Óg Cusack (Cork hurling captain and GPA Chairman), Cian O'Sullivan (Dublin), Criostóir Ó Cuana (Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael), Seán Cavanagh (Tryone), Ronan Murphy (Senior Partner, PwC), Henry Shefflin (Kilkenny), Joe Canning (Galway), Dessie Farrell (CEO, Gaelic Players Association)

PwC partnership with GAA and GPA marks historic first for Gaelic games

Tues, January 24, 2012

The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) and Gaelic Players Association (GPA) are delighted to announce that PwC, Ireland’s largest professional services Firm, is to become the official partner of both Associations for the next three years.

The PwC sponsorship marks a historic first joint commercial venture between the GAA and the players’ body as well as PwC’s first sponsorship with Gaelic games.

Speaking at today’s launch, Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael, Críostóir Ó Cuana, said “This is an exciting development for all parties concerned, not least because it offers further tangible evidence of the excellent working relationship that we have developed with the GPA but also because of the possibilities that working with PwC offers. PwC’s reputation precedes it and in striving for excellence and best practice we share many of the same values. I look forward to a fruitful alliance in the years ahead.”

Ronan Murphy, Senior Partner at PwC, said “We at PwC are delighted to be entering into this partnership with the GAA and the Gaelic Players Association.

“The GAA has established itself as one of the leading sports organisations in the world, which is evidenced by its enormous national and international following, its integration into Ireland’s culture and its superb facilities built up by its membership throughout the 32 counties.  All of this is the result of hard work, efficient organisation and cooperation at every level in the Association.  This new partnership is a perfect fit for PwC, as our values of Leadership, Teamwork and Excellence reflect the Association’s culture and underpin the success of both of our organisations.

“We also look forward to working closely with the GPA and the GAA to play our part in ensuring the continued success of the Player Development Programme.

“We are very encouraged by the positive reaction from our people and our clients to today’s announcement and we look forward to a strong and fruitful relationship with the GAA and the GPA in the years ahead.”

GPA Chief Executive, Dessie Farrell added “this historic agreement is testimony to PwC’s commitment to supporting Gaelic games and our players, something which is particularly commendable in these difficult times.  We are absolutely delighted to be involved with such a prestigious firm.  PwC’s dedication to excellence, teamwork and leadership resonates strongly with the core values within the GPA. We will be working in partnership with PwC to further enhance our Player Development Programme in the coming years.”

Supported by the GAA, the GPA’s Player Development Programme, launched in 2010, assists county hurlers and footballers with their off-field careers through a comprehensive range of supports in the areas of education, career development, health and wellbeing, life skills and benevolent fund.

'It was an honour to be part of this Kilkenny team - Brennan'

January 14, 2012

Kilkenny legend Eddie Brennan has confirmed that he has called time on his illustrious county hurling career.

Speaking to the GPA today, the eight-time All-Ireland winner said that he believed the time was right to move on, something he had been contemplating since last September’s triumph over Tipp.

“To be honest I’ve been thinking a lot about it since last September. Our son Harry was born the week of the final and a new chapter has opened in my life.

“I suppose the first reaction after winning against Tipp was relief that we had won the title back and that was the most important thing for me, that Kilkenny were back on top. However, it meant the opportunity, rare enough for players, to retire on a high.

“As I said that wasn’t the most important thing but as I was considering the move anyway, it helped me to make up my mind.

“I don’t believe this is an end for me, rather one door closing and another opening, moving on to another part of my life, particularly at home with the family.

“I am very honoured, privileged to have been part of this Kilkenny panel under Brian Cody. It has been an incredible journey and I am well aware how lucky and privileged I am to have enjoyed the success I did. I was also lucky not to have sustained any serious injuries and I look around at some of my former team mates and I know they can’t say the same thing.

“County hurling is 100 percent commitment, end of story. You can’t half throw yourself into it, regardless of how important your responsibilities are elsewhere. So I believe the time is right for me,” added the 33 year old Graigue Ballycallan man.

Brennan, a long-time GPA activist and National Executive Committee member, says he is also proud of the progress the players’ body has made during his time as a hurler with Kilkenny, a period that coincided with the emergence of the GPA.

“I am very proud of what the GPA has achieved and where it is now. I am also looking forward to giving more time to the Association now that I have retired, particularly sharing my own experiences with younger players.

“I’d also like to thank the many, many people in Kilkenny who have helped and supported me throughout my career and to all the great players who I had the honour of lining out alongside.”

Brennan, who made his senior debut with the Cats in 2000, won eight All-Ireland senior medals, four All-Stars, four league titles, 10 Leinster championships and an U21 All-Ireland.