Bank of Ireland heats up Football Championship fever in primary schools nationwide

36 All-Ireland Final tickets up for grabs in 'extraordinary' competition

Bank of Ireland has substantially increased football championship fever in primary schools across the country with the announcement of an exciting nationwide competition to design the most extraordinary GAA kit in Ireland. Up for grabs are tickets for 32 pupils and 4 adults to the All-Ireland Final on the 16th September 2007. In addition the winning school will have the opportunity to showcase the winning kit design to the crowd at the pre-match ceremony.

Entry to the competition is to be undertaken as a group project and is open to all primary school students aged 9 to 12 years. Each school will receive a pack that will include full details of how to enter and entries must be received by Friday, 29th June 2007 to be in with a chance to win this extraordinary prize. Students are encouraged to be as creative and as imaginative as they like and the use of different materials is encouraged. Alison Underwood, a designer with O'Neill Sports and double All-Ireland medal winner and six-time All Star recipient Peter Canavan, will judge the entries.

Speaking about the competition, Peter Canavan, who is also a PE teacher for Holy Trinity College, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone said: " It's fantastic to be involved with Bank of Ireland in such an exciting and motivating competition for our young players. As a teacher myself, I can see that GAA plays a very important role in the lives and development of the new sporting stars of the future. This competition gives kids a chance to work as part of a team to create a unique GAA kit that demonstrates their passion for the game, and what better location to showcase this than at the All Ireland Football Final! I am looking forward to receiving lots of entries in what I'm sure will be a strongly contested competition."

The winning school will be notified on Monday, 3rd September 2007, giving a memorable start to the new academic year for one lucky school.

The competition has been launched to celebrate the 14th year of Bank of Ireland's sponsorship of the Football Championship - one of the biggest sponsorships in Ireland. This year Bank of Ireland supports the Championship with another 'extraordinary' campaign that reflects the passion and dedication that both players and fans bring to the game. The commitment and devotion expressed each year by players and fans alike illustrate the extraordinary place that Gaelic Football has in Irish society.

ENDS

For further information:

Deirdre Kingston
Group Corporate
Communications
Bank of Ireland
Tel:01 6043788

Kathryn Gallagher
Sponsorships
Tel:01 6043618