Eight-time All-Ireland winning Kilkenny hurler, Michael Fennelly, All-Star winning former Tyrone captain, Sean Cavanagh, four-time All-Star Galway defender, Ollie Canning and All-Star winning Cork footballer, Daniel Goulding have teamed up with Electric Ireland for this year’s ‘This is Major’ campaign as part of its ongoing sponsorship of the GAA Minor Championships.

Each of these GAA legends honed their craft at Minor level and appreciate the importance of how much this Championship shapes you as a player. Throughout the campaign each of the legends will reminisce on some of their own personal Minor Championship memories, hoping to impart some of their wisdom on the GAA Minor players of today.

Cavanagh, Canning, Fennelly and Goulding will also serve as a four-man awards selection panel to help recognise the talent that the Electric Ireland GAA Minor Championships has to offer. The panel will select six Player of the Week nominations each week, three from football and three from hurling. These players are put to a weekly public vote to decide the Player of the Week for football and hurling on the Electric Ireland Facebook.

All weekly nominees will be in with a chance of making the Electric Ireland Hurling and Football Team of the Year at the Electric Ireland Minor Star Awards where the overall individual Player of the Year in both codes will also be announced.

The Electric Ireland Minor Star Awards highlight the major achievements at the Minor grade of individual performers from the entire season and takes place in Croke Park in October. The awards recognise the effort of not only the Minor players but those who support them day in day out, from their coaches to their parents, teachers and clubs. The awards create a major moment by celebrating the best ‘on the pitch’ performances throughout the season.

Speaking at the Launch, Former Tyrone Captain Sean Cavanagh said: "I am thrilled to be involved with this year’s Electric Ireland ‘This is Major’ campaign. Quite often young players are so preoccupied with the future, they don’t stand still to appreciate their successes in the now. The Player of the Week and Minor Star Awards encourage the players to take a moment to enjoy their achievements and celebrate them."

Niall Dineen, Head of Commercial, of Electric Ireland said at the launch: "Electric Ireland has a long tradition of supporting young people in sport and we are delighted to continue our ongoing sponsorship of the GAA Minor Championships. ‘‘This is Major’ recognises the talent of these young hurlers and footballers and shines a spotlight on the major moments in their young sporting lives through our Minor Star Awards."

Uachtarán CLG John Horan said: "The Electric Ireland GAA Football and Hurling All-Ireland Minor Championships are an excellent testament to what is to come in the future for the GAA. Some of the GAA’s best known legends began their careers as Minors and this has always been a major life memory for these players. The GAA is delighted to have Electric Ireland’s continuous support and involvement in these Championships, ensuring these players come out of their Minor season with major memories and moments to remember fondly."

Having been sponsor of the GAA All-Ireland Minor Championships since 2012, Electric Ireland will continue the partnership until 2021.

Electric Ireland’s campaign, entitled ‘This is Major’ emphasises the concept that ‘there is nothing minor about playing minor’ and is designed to empower young players, recognising that to them, their families, clubs and communities, playing Minor is major!