Niall Quinn Launches 2009 TG4 Ladies Football Championships

Niall Quinn Launches 2009 TG4 Ladies Football Championships
TG4 Extends Sponsorship Deal with Ladies Football

The 2009 TG4 Ladies Football Championships were launched today at Croke Park by Sunderland AFC Chairman, Niall Quinn.

Quinn’s niece Aoife O’Dwyer won an Intermediate All Ireland medal with Tipperary last September and his daughter plays underage for Kildare. The Sunderland Chairman was joined by players from the 32 participating counties to officially launch the Championship.

Ladies Football announced that Championship sponsors TG4 have extended their deal with the Association and will sponsor the All Ireland Ladies Football Championships until 2012. TG4 are in their ninth year as sponsors of the Championship and will broadcast 18 live Championship games this summer as well as the All Ireland Minor final.

Pól O’Gallchoir, Ceannasai, TG4, said, “Pól O’Gallchoir, Ceannasai, TG4, said, “Now, in more difficult times, we have an opportunity to re-assess the importance of our Irishness, of our language, our culture and of our games. This is our ninth year as sponsor, broadcaster and true friend of Ladies Football and we look forward to another season with hope and expectation. Good luck to all the participating counties, their management and supporters.”

Pat Quill, Uactharán Peil Gael na mBan, said, “We are delighted to extend our partnership with TG4 for a further three years. TG4 have played an important role in promoting our game and we look forward to working closely with them over the coming years. The standard of Championship football has improved year on year across all three strands and we look forward to some exciting football over the summer months.”

The 2009 TG4 Senior All Ireland Championship will see Cork vie to maintain their grip on the Brendan Martin Cup and record their fifth consecutive senior title. Cork retained their Division 1 national league title earlier in May but the Rebellettes uncharacteristically lost twice on their way to the final.

Mary O’Connor, the Cork captain said, “Every team sets out hoping to be in Croke Park come September but it is a tough long road to get there. As champions everyone wants to knock you off that pedestal and we are very aware of that and that brings its own pressure. Any of the top eight teams can beat each other on their day so we will just take it one game at a time.”

Last year’s beaten senior finalists, Monaghan and are again among the contenders for All Ireland honours this year.

Sharon Courtney, captain of Monaghan, said, “Anything can happen in Championship football so you can’t look too far ahead. You can’t look to September or you’ll never get there. We’ll take every game as it comes and hopefully that will lead us to Croke Park and ultimately lifting the Brendan Martin Cup.”

The draw for the Senior Championship Round 1 qualifiers was carried out at Croke Park by Niall Quinn and Pól O’Gallchóir. All three games will be broadcast live on TG4, two as a doubleheader on 26th July with the remaining Round 1 qualifier taking place on 2nd August as a double header with the All Ireland Minor final.

The Intermediate Championship is wide open with last year’s beaten finalists Clare strong contenders for All Ireland honours. Recently crowned National League Div 3 winners Roscommon will be vying for silverware while Waterford will be eyeing a speedy return to the top flight.

In the Junior Championship Wicklow will be looking to capitalise on their impressive league form while Derry look like real contenders again this summer.

The Senior, Intermediate and Junior Championship finals will take place in Croke Park on Sunday 27th September and all three games will be televised live on TG4.

Round 1 Qualifier Draw ____________________ v ____________________

__________________ __ v ____________________

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For Additional Information:

Patricia Monahan, Cumann Peil Gael na mBan
E: patricia@ladiesgaelic.ie T: 01 8363156 / 087 252 3998

David O’Siochain, Pembroke Communications
E: david@pembrokecomms.ie T: 01 649 6322 / 087 936 2440

Claire Turvey, Pembroke Communications
E: Claire@pembrokecomms.ie T: 01 649 6312 / 087 983 4851
www.ladiesgaelic.ie
Notes for Editors:

o Cumann Peil Gael na mBán was founded in 1974
o Ladies Football has over 135,000 members
o There are over 1,000 ladies football clubs in Ireland and overseas
o Ladies Football is the largest female team participation sport in the country
o Pat Quill is the President of Ladies Football
o Helen O’Rourke is the CEO of Ladies Football

Senior Championship Teams
Armagh, Cork, Donegal, Down, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Kerry, Laois, Leitrim, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Sligo, Tipperary, Tyrone

Intermediate Championship Teams
Cavan, Clare, Fermanagh, Wexford, Longford, Kilkenny, Waterford, Westmeath, Roscommon

Junior Championship Teams
Antrim, Carlow, Offaly, Wicklow, Limerick, Derry, Louth

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