Fergal Cronin, Kildare, Danny Toner, Down, Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Jarlath Burns, Darragh Lohan, Clare, and Michael Reilly, Kildare, pictured at the launch of the 2025 Electric Ireland Celtic Challenge launch at Croke Park. Photo by Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile
The 2025 Electric Ireland Celtic Challenge competition gets underway on Saturday 5th April with 38 teams from all 32 counties taking part in one of the most innovative and developmental initiatives within the GAA calendar.
The Electric Ireland Celtic Challenge has played an integral role in expanding the games programme for top tier and developing counties since 2016. The group format provides teams with the opportunity to play three groups games over the space of three weekends. Quarter-Final pairings are performance based with counties playing up to six games in the competition.
Counties have the opportunity to enter multiple teams with the success of this model clearly evidenced in 2024 as there was success right across the tiers as Fermanagh, Louth and Tyrone joined Kilkenny, East Cork and Laois as winners.
From a developmental context, positives this year include Cork, Tipperary, Derry, Kildare, Meath and Clare enter two teams into the competition.
The Electric Ireland Celtic Challenge is named in recognition of the original juvenile hurling club known as ‘Celtic’. The Divisional trophies are named in memory of 6 of the 14 civilians who were shot dead in Croke Park on Bloody Sunday, 21st November 1920. Michael Hogan [aged 24], Tom Hogan [aged 21], John William Scott [aged 14], William Robinson [aged 11], Jerome O’Leary aged 10] and Michael Feery.
Uachtarán CLG Jarlath Burns said: “The Electric Ireland Celtic Challenge is a significant competition for the GAA as there are six different levels with the inclusion of seconds teams from some counties where some of our developing counties can pit their wits against some of our strongest teams. With 38 teams in the competition this year and it allows everyone to play at a level that is commensurate with the level of where they are in the development of their own county”.
Director of Coaching & Games Shane Flanagan said: “Every year the Electric Ireland Celtic Challenge competition provides a superb
programme of games for our players at all levels. As an integral part of our Player Pathway, the Celtic Challenge provides counties with an opportunity to face teams at their level while supporting young players making the transition to play senior intercounty in the future.
Speaking at the launch, Robert Crabbe, Group Sponsorship & PR Manager, Electric Ireland, commented: “At Electric Ireland, we are proud supporters of the Gaelic Games and the development of its players. We are delighted to announce the launch of this year's Electric Ireland Celtic Challenge Cup. With 38 teams participating from 32 counties, we are committed to ensuring that the Electric Ireland Celtic Challenge Cup becomes a defining and significant experience in these players’ journeys, to help build a path for future excellence. We wish everyone taking part this season the best of luck.”
The full list of fixtures can be found www.gaa.ie/celticchallenge
