EirGrid today announced a five-year extension of its partnership with the GAA as Official Timing Sponsor, with the deal running through to 2025. The state-owned company charged with delivering a cleaner energy future for Ireland through management of Ireland’s electricity grid, is now in its sixth year as the Official Timing Partner to the GAA and is also the sponsor of the EirGrid U20 Football Championship.

EirGrid is responsible for the management and development of Ireland’s electricity grid and as the official timing partner to the GAA, will once again celebrate one of the most crucial roles in Gaelic Games, the manager. The prestigious EirGrid Manager of the Month awards have been recognising and rewarding managerial excellence since their launch in 2019.

Each month during the 2021 All-Ireland Football and Hurling Championships, a managerial moment that changed the course of a match will be selected with the manager being named EirGrid Manager of the Month and awarded a premium sports watch.

During the 2020 All-Ireland Championship, Tipperary manager David Power was named the EirGrid November Manager of the Month after his sides historic defeat of Cork in Páirc Uí Chaoimh ending their 85 year wait for a Munster Football title. While the December award went to Dublin manager Dessie Farrell as he steered his side to an historic 6th All Ireland title in a row defeating Mayo in the All-Ireland Final.

Speaking about the partnership Suzanne Collins at EirGrid said: “At EirGrid, we are delighted to be extending our partnership with the GAA as the official timing sponsors for a further five years. We are extremely proud of our enduring support of the GAA and are delighted to be continuing the tradition that recognises and celebrates the significant role of the manager in the All-Ireland championship as part of our Timing Partnership.

Managers sacrifice a huge amount of time and energy preparing their teams and tactics resulting in a dynamic and modern spectacle which is a sporting highlight for so many people across the country. Recognising their role in managing and shaping these moments is a privilege and an honour for EirGrid and we wish the teams and managers from every county the very best of luck as we enter into the 2021 Championship.”

Commenting on the launch of the competition, Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael, Larry McCarthy said: “Managers are critically important to all teams and their in-depth level of expertise provide the influence to shape games. Through the Managerial Moments awards, EirGrid have created a platform to recognise and celebrate the special moments on the pitch that are shaped by managers.

We are excited to see which key managerial moments will spark this year’s All-Ireland Championship.”

EirGrid works closely with people and communities throughout the country, ensuring that clean and reliable energy is available when and where it is needed. EirGrid’s longstanding investment in Gaelic Games provides additional ways to connect with and support local communities.

For more information log on to www.eirgridgroup.com or visit follow EirGrid on Facebook / Twitter using #EirGridGAA.