THE PEOPLE Newspaper Group has announced its sponsorship of the G.A.A. in Wexford for a three-year period.
The company’s strong links with the local community will be strengthened even further by the decision to give a significant financial boost to the county’s biggest sporting organisation.
The progressive move has been warmly welcomed by both parties, with Michael Ryan, Operations Director of People Newspapers, expressing delight at this new partnership which was finalised last week.
‘As a company we are committed to playing our part in local development, and this is a goal we share with the G.A.A. which plays a major role in every parish in the county,’ he said.
‘In particular, we recognise the marvellous work of dedicated voluntary mentors in honing the life skills of younger members of society, and that’s why our sponsorship will have a special emphasis on enhancing the Coiste na nOg section.’
Diarmuid Devereux, adult Co. Chairman, who negotiated the agreement on behalf of Wexford County Board, was fulsome in his praise of the People Group for coming on board in these difficult financial times.
‘I am deeply indebted to the People Newspapers for their support and I am looking forward to a fruitful relationship,’ he said.
‘Down through the years all of the greatest exploits of our club and county teams have been celebrated in tremendous detail through words and pictures in the People, Guardian and Standard.
‘Our local newspaper is a part of what we are, and this partnership is full of potential for both parties.’
His view was echoed by Bobby Goff, Chairman of Coiste na nOg Loch Garman, who said: ‘I am delighted that Coiste na nOg Loch Garman and the People Newspaper Group have come together in this sponsorship arrangement, and hopefully it can be a long and fruitful relationship which can only benefit both parties going forward.
‘I personally am very proud that a business as prestigious as the People Group recognise the great work that Wexford G.A.A. are doing for the young people of our county.’
The agreement will see the Minor championships in both codes sponsored by the Wexford People. The Under-14 championships will come under the banner of the New Ross Standard, while young players throughout the county will also be competing for the Enniscorthy Guardian Juvenile hurling and Gorey Guardian Juvenile football championships respectively.
The links between the People Group and Wexford G.A.A. stretch right back to the formation of the Association in the county in the late 19th century.
Indeed, when the first County Board was formed in Wexford on November 21, 1885, the Chairman was Edward Walsh who was Editor of People Newspapers at the time.
Current Group Sports Editor Alan Aherne served as P.R.O. of Coiste na nOg from 1992 to 2000, Assistant Secretary of the adult Board from 1996 to 2000, and P.R.O. of the adult Board from 2001 to 2006, while that latter role was also filled with distinction by Seán Nolan and Brendan Furlong in the past.
At the launch of The People Newspaper Group’s sponsorship of The U-14, Juvenile and Minor hurling and Football championships were (L-R): PJ Howlin,PRO Coiste Na nOg, Rory Murphy, PRO Wexford GAA, Michael Ryan, Operations Director of People Newspapers, Bobby Goff, Chairman Coiste Na nOg, Alan Aherne, Group Sports Editor People Newspapers, Marion Doyle, Secretary Coiste Na nOg.
Pictured in Wexford Park after the announcement of People Newspaper’s sponsorship of Under age championships for Wexford GAA are Alan Aherne, Group Sports Editor People Newspapers and Diarmuid Devereux, Chairman Wexford GAA Co. Board and some of the stars of the future who had displayed their skills at half time in the Wexford versus Antrim NHL Division 1 B clash.
