PwC agree new sponsorship deal with GPA to benefit female inter-county players

Gráinne Egan and Ciara O’Sullivan are the first ever winners of the PwC GPA Women’s Player of the Month Awards

Ciarán Clarke and David Clifford named the PwC GAA/GPA Players of the Month in hurling and football for May

In a significant boost in terms of investment and recognition of female inter-county players, PwC and the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) have agreed a sponsorship that sees the establishment of a new monthly awards scheme to recognise outstanding individual achievements in camogie and football.

The PwC GPA Women’s Player of the Month Awards are being presented for the first-time alongside their male equivalents.  The prizes on offer for the winners will match those presented to the male monthly winners.

Gráinne Egan and Ciara O’Sullivan are the first ever winners of the PwC GPA Women’s Player of the Month Awards for camogie and football respectively, picking up the awards for May.

PwC are now proud sponsors of the Player of the Month Awards across camogie, hurling and football, men’s and women’s. Ciarán Clarke and David Clifford are the PwC GAA/GPA Players of the Month Awards winners for May in hurling and football respectively.

Gráinne Egan starred for Offaly’s football and camogie teams during May and on one memorable weekend she racked up a combined 4-13 as she helped the Faithful County to two wins.

Cork’s Ciara O’Sullivan sparkled for the Rebels’ footballers throughout May and helped them into the League semi-finals, where they will take on Donegal.

Ciarán Clarke has been a key player for Antrim on their return to Division 1 hurling and his 1-11 against Clare in their opening day win was particularly eye-catching, a haul which included 1-1 from play.

Clifford again underlined his class with a string of high-quality performances for Kerry footballers in May, including a spectacular hat-trick of goals in the win over Galway and 1-6 in the dramatic draw with Dublin.

Commenting on the announcement, Feargal O’Rourke, Managing Partner, PwC, said: “We at PwC are proud to be partnering with the GPA to launch these Player of the Month Awards for Camogie and Ladies Football. The effort, dedication and skill of women Gaelic players is exceptional and we believe they should be celebrated equally. At PwC we foster a culture of diversity, equality and inclusion, values which are reflected in these awards. We’re looking forward to a great summer of action in all four Championships and seeing the best players recognised by their peers as Player of the Month Award winners.

“On behalf of PwC, I would like to issue our heartfelt congratulations to Gráinne, Ciara, Ciarán and David on being named the winners of the Player of the Month Awards for May. All four of these brilliant players produced outstanding individual displays, whilst also delivering as real team players. 

Uachtarán Cumann Lúthchleas Gael, Larry McCarthy said: “Congratulations to our first PwC GAA/GPA Player of the Month Award winners for the 2021 season. It is fantastic to see games back countywide and the entertainment provided by all teams in May has been exceptional. 

“David continues to show us his footballing talents every time he plays continuing the tradition of exceptional Kerry footballers down through the years. Ciarán was central to the rise of Antrim hurling back to Division 1. He has continued his excellent form into 2021 at the top level and is hugely deserving of this award. 

“Congratulations to both players and my thanks on behalf of the GAA to PwC for their continued support of our games.”

Speaking on behalf of the Interim CEO of the GPA, Ciarán Barr added: “Congratulations to all four winners who have been honoured today.  Their performances were outstanding in May and deservedly recognised by their peers.

“PwC’s support for inter-county players is once again coming to the fore with today’s inaugural PwC GPA Women’s Player of the Month Awards and that support is something for which we are extremely thankful. 

“When the GPA merged with the WGPA we added the pillar of Equality to our constitution.  That centred on the requirement to address Equality when it came to Investment, Recognition and Opportunity for both genders.  This sponsorship is another step along that road and, coupled with the recent announcement by the Department of Sport around public funding of female inter-county players, shows how serious we are around achieving equitable treatment for our female membership.”

The PwC GPA Women’s Player of the Month and PwC GAA/GPA Players of the Month Award winners are voted for by the GPA’s membership.