eir commits to sponsor the GAA Football All-Ireland Championship in a deal spanning five years and representing a multi-million euro investment by Ireland’s largest telecommunications company
eir, official telecommunications provider of the GAA, has today announced its intention to partner with the GAA until 2020 in what is a major sponsorship deal for both parties. The multi-million euro sponsorship will be supported by an advertising and communications campaign that is being developed to showcase how technology is positively impacting the game, players’ preparation, fans and communities involved. As the main technology partner, eir connects people, places and GAA fans across the country.
Technology is playing an increasingly important role in how fans enjoy the game, how players prepare for the game and how analysts and fans read the game. Audiences have moved from being literally on the side lines of a game to being virtual pundits following the seismic increase in use of social media and further engagement via trending hashtags and tweets. Players have seen huge changes as well, both on and off the pitch, and when it comes to training, devices and apps are regularly utilised to help with player preparation, performance analysis and nutrition advice.
Jon Florsheim, Managing Director of eir Consumer commented at the launch, “Fans used to just watch a game but now technology is central to how they can enjoy the whole experience including pre-match speculation, on the spot commentary and post-match analysis all of which happen via a huge range of social media sites and devices. For us, this partnership is a natural fit; the GAA provides the sporting talent; the communities provide the fans and eir provides the technology which enhances the whole experience.”
The new advert ‘New Play Same Passion’ – was shot in May and features GAA Senior Players Cillian O’Connor from Co Mayo and Fionn Fitzgerald from Co Kerry. ‘New Play Same Passion’ marries what we all know about traditional GAA training; wet winter training sessions in mud filled fields, never ending county gym routines and relentless coaching meetings. But the ordinary is flipped on its head to show how technology is aiding the game and we are shown coaches using a tablet to track a players’ performance; a mobile outlining a nutrition plan; an LCD screen identifying their opponent’s stats. “‘New Play Same Passion’ is putting technology, which eir provides, at the centre of the game, for players, fans and communities” said Jon Florsheim. The campaign will air on June 6 and run over the course of the Championship and will be supported by TV stings for live matches, digital marketing and social media activity as well as content activation including game previews and analysis.
GAA devotees should check out the new eir.ie/GAA website (www.eir.ie/GAA ) where they can play a Weekly Quiz to win match tickets; test their match prediction skills against eir GAA Ambassadors Tomas O Sé and Ciarán Whelan, in a season long Predictor Game and be in with a chance to win weekly tickets and much coveted All-Ireland Final tickets.
Páraic Duffy, Director General of the GAA, said, “ We are pleased to confirm a five-year extension to our strong relationship with eir and I look forward to seeing their expertise being brought to bear on our games over that period. eir, like the GAA, justifiably pride themselves in connecting people across the Ireland and indeed abroad, and the ongoing advances in communication technology makes that process easier with each passing year. Similarly, never before has science and technology so closely accompanied both the playing and watching of our games and I am excited about seeing how modern modes of communication and technology will continue to enhance and improve the experience of both the players and supporters in the years ahead.”
