Camogie fans are set for a triple delight following the announcement at the launch of the Gala All-Ireland Camogie Championships that the Intermediate camogie final will be played with the Senior and Premier Junior finals for the first time in GAA headquarters this year.
President of the Camogie Association Joan O’Flynn was joined by Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport Mary Hanafin, Mr Gary Desmond, CEO of Gala; and captains of the 28 participating counties as well as a number of managers for this year’s championship launch at Croke Park.
Speaking at the launch President of the Camogie Association Joan O’Flynn:
“I am excited that we will now have six high quality teams bringing the best of camogie skill, rivalry and competitiveness to GAA Headquarters. All-Ireland Finals Day is the camogie showdown of the year - and we want people from all over the country to come to enjoy a wonderful sporting spectacle as well as a great family day out.
Adding the Gala All- Ireland Intermediate final to the bill widens the opportunity for more Camogie players to reach Croke Park.”
Special tribute was paid to championship sponsors Gala who are now entering their fifth year with the Association.
Speaking at the launch, Gary Desmond, CEO of Gala, said: “Our partnership with the Camogie Association has gone from strength to strength over the past five years. The addition of the Gala Performance Award last year was immensely successful, and recognised the commitment of the Senior Camogie players who are always on form, delivering outstanding performances.
“The Gala Performance Award is a further progression in our sponsorship of the Gala All-Ireland Camogie Championship. This mirrors the ethos of the Gala Group which is growing year-on-year.”
The 2010 Gala All-Ireland Camogie Championships commence on June 12th with current senior All-Ireland champions Cork beginning the defence of their crown against rivals Tipperary. This year all teams in each grade will compete on a round robin basis before proceeding to the knock-out stages.
Camogie fans can continue to enjoy coverage of this year’s finals on RTÉ; highlights of championship action on RTÉ ‘The Sunday Game’ as well as live web coverage of selected matches.
