The 2019 Bord Gáis Energy GAA Hurling U-20 All-Ireland Championship was officially launched today, at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin’s Grand Canal Square. This year’s competition marks the first campaign under the new U-20 grade, with Carlow and Antrim opening proceedings on May 25th in the first round of the Leinster Championship.

Entering its 11th year as title sponsor of the competition, Bord Gáis Energy has shown its continued commitment to shining a light on the rising stars of the game by announcing an all new line-up of U-20 ambassadors for the forthcoming season.

Following in the footsteps of household names such as Joe Canning, Kyle Hayes and Seamus Callanan are:

• Ronan Connolly (Limerick)

• Paddy Cadell (Tipperary)

• Darren Morrissey (Galway)

• Adrian Mullen (Kilkenny)

• Billy Power (Waterford)

• Brian Turnbull (Cork)

• Diarmuid Ryan (Clare)

• Davy Keogh (Dublin)

• Charlie McGuckin (Wexford)

Bord Gáis Energy Retail Director, Colin Bebbington said: “We’re extremely pleased to welcome the eleventh year of our partnership with the GAA and our sponsorship of the Bord Gáis Energy GAA Hurling U-20 All-Ireland Championship. Over the past decade, our partnership with the GAA has enabled us to make a positive difference in communities across the country and this will continue to be an extremely important part of what we do as an organisation as the competition enters a new era under a new grade.

Through the Bord Gáis Energy Rewards Club, we endeavour to offer our customers unmissable GAA rewards throughout the season. This year we will continue our fan focus, giving customers the opportunity to present Man of the Match awards live on TG4, welcome the U-20 players to the pitch as match-day flag bearers, and attend special #HurlingToTheCore training camps which will be hosted by our 2019 ambassadors right across the country.

I’d like to extend my thanks to our colleagues in the GAA for their collaboration in bringing these initiatives to life and wish each of our U-20 ambassadors the very best for the season ahead.”

Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael, John Horan added: “This grade of hurling has long been one of the jewels in our stable of competitions and the mid-week action in the weeks ahead is eagerly anticipated by hurling followers across the island.

“I would like to acknowledge Bord Gáis Energy’s support of hurling in general but for our U20 championship in particular. Their use of ambassadors in addition to the other innovations they bring to their promotion of the games, helps us bring the competition to as wide an audience as possible and I look forward to the matches in the weeks ahead.”

Bord Gáis Energy has been title sponsor of the Bord Gáis Energy GAA Hurling All-Ireland U-20 (U-21) Championship since 2008. 2019 also marks the third year of Bord Gáis Energy’s sponsorship of the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship, which will continue for a further three years to 2022. Bord Gáis Energy is also title sponsor of the GAA Legends Tours of Croke Park.