Slieve Gullion Credit Union have been unveiled as the new title sponsors of the Armagh Minor Club Championship with a five-year deal worth a five-figure sum.
It is another impressive piece of business by hard-working Armagh LGFA Chairperson Sinead Reel who is proving very effective in harnessing support for ladies gaelic football in the Orchard county.
Under her tenure, the Carrickdale Hotel have renewed their long-term arrangement as headline sponsors of the Armagh senior team, with Taranto and Kilmore Farm as subsidiary sponsors.
The Keady-based Bureau de Change generously supports the Armagh age group teams with a package which also includes some underage club competitions outside of the Minor Championship.
It is believed Buttercrane Shopping Centre are ready to extend their sponsorship of the Armagh Club Championships at adult level to a third season and now Slieve Gullion Credit Union has come on board as another piece of the jigsaw.
Dozens of businesses have signed up for the Friends of Armagh Ladies 2019 initiative, pledging a minimum of £250 each and Armagh LGFA is also trying to raise funds towards its ambitious McKeever Park development at Killean.
Speaking at last Monday’s night’s Slieve Gullion Credit Union Minor Championship launch in Forkhill, attended by representatives of the competing clubs, Reel welcomed the new partnership.
“I’m delighted with this new sponsorship deal with my own local Credit Union and want to thank the board members, in particular Colm Fearon along with manager Caroline O’Brien, who helped push this over the line for us,” said Sinead.
“It’s great to know we have this support for ladies football in Armagh and it’s an endorsement of the good work which is being done at all levels and the ambitions we have to take this sport forward.
“We’ve got a wonderful welcome at this well-attended launch here in Forkhill and I look forward to being involved in this long-term partnership in the time ahead.
“For now we have a great first edition of the Slieve Gullion Credit Union Minor Championship to look forward to, an important competition for clubs which also showcases the exciting young talent coming through right across the county.
“Let the football begin and I’d also encourage everyone involved with Armagh ladies football in the catchment area of Slieve Gullion Credit Union to call in and speak to any of their advisers for guidance on savings or loans.”
Speaking on behalf of SGCU, Chairperson Aoibeann Walsh echoed Reel’s enthusiasm and outlined how this partnership was a natural fit for the new sponsors.
“Slieve Gullion Credit Union is proud to be the new title sponsor of Armagh LGFA’s Minor Championship for the next five seasons. This partnership highlights our dedication to be involved in our local community,” said Aoibeann.
“We share a lot of similarities with Armagh LGFA. We are both run by community volunteers and have at our core a community and socially responsible ethos.
“Slieve Gullion prides itself on making a difference in the community and sport is something which brings society many benefits. Ladies gaelic football has enjoyed great growth in recent years, not least locally, and this new partnership will help build on this in the years ahead.
“Clubs are the bedrock of any sport and the Minor Championship is the showcase competition in the county for the emerging generation of players.
“The Slieve Gullion Credit Union Championship has a special place in the calendar and will take centre stage over the next few weeks at the end of the domestic season.
“Along with our partners in Armagh LGFA, we wish all the competing clubs, players, management teams and match officials well and look forward to an autumn feast of football.”
