Littlewoods Ireland today launched their sponsorship of the GAA Go Games provincial days at an event in Croke Park. They were joined by their ambassador and Waterford hurler Austin Gleeson, Dublin Ladies footballer Noelle Healy and Kerry footballer Donnchadh Walsh.

The fashion, electrical and homewares retailer signed a three-year deal with the GAA which has seen them sponsor the ongoing National Camogie Leagues, as well as the Hurling Championship, which gets underway in the coming months and runs until 2019.

As part of the sponsorship agreement Littlewoods Ireland partnered with the GAA Go Games provincial days, an initiative which sees 7,000 children take part in mini versions of hurling and football blitzes at Croke Park over the course of two weeks in April. As part of the initiative Littlewoods Ireland will provide a Go Games jersey and boot bag to each child participating.

The GAA Go Games, established in 2004, are small sided versions of Hurling and Gaelic Football for children up to 11 years old. The “Go” is part of an initiative within the GAA meaning that every child gets a chance to play and participation takes precedence over performance. Since it began, the participation has grown year-on- year with more than 150,000 now taking part in the GAA Go Games across primary schools and clubs.

Pat Cullhane, GAA National Games Development Officer said: “The 2017 edition of the GAA Go Games will see almost 7,000 children from all 32 counties of Ireland given the chance to play GAA Go Games in Croke Park over eight days during the school Easter holidays. In addition to this, it is expected that 30,000 children will play in special GAA Go Games blitzes around the country during this time – this is known as National Go Games week."

The Littlewoods Ireland Lounge will be onsite throughout all eight days of the GAA Go Games offering a place for parents and spectators attending to relax and unwind. The Lounge will include complimentary teas, coffees and a range of refreshments and will give visitors the opportunity to browse fashion rails displaying the latest fashion trends on offer from Littlewoods Ireland latest brands V by Very. There will also be an opportunity to enter a competition to be in with a chance to win family tickets to the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final which, for the first time, will be sponsored by Littlewoods Ireland.

Speaking at the event, Geoff Scully, Managing Director of Littlewoods Ireland said: “Littlewoods Ireland are delighted to be partnering with the GAA to launch this year’s Go Games Provincial Days as part of our partnership with both the GAA and camogie associations.

"The fabric of the GAA is built around its unique place in the heart of every community in Ireland and the Go Games has been an incredibly powerful platform for encouraging young people to participate and enjoy Gaelic games around the country.

"We are very proud to be part of these special events in Croke Park and hope to bring some innovation through the introduction of the new Littlewoods Ireland Lounge which will offer a stylish place for parents and spectators to relax and enjoy the Go Games while showcasing some of what Littlewoods Ireland has to offer."

The Littlewoods Ireland Facebook page will be featuring photos of all the rising stars who are taking part in the Go Games across the four provinces for the duration of games.