I am delighted to be joining you here this afternoon for the launch of the 2008 Allianz National Football League.
For GAA fans everywhere, including myself, the month of February is eagerly awaited every year, as it marks the beginning of the football and hurling leagues. 2007 was a bumper year for the leagues and this was reflected in the attendance figures. Almost 82,000 people descended on a floodlit Croke Park for the football opener between Dublin and Tyrone. Last year also saw TG4 record their highest ever viewership, with over half a million people tuning into the Hurling League Final to watch Waterford’s historic victory over Kilkenny.
And it is thanks to the Allianz Leagues also that we witnessed two historic finals. Donegal won the Division One football title for the first time ever, while Waterford took the hurling title for the first time in 44 years. I have no doubt that 2008 will prove to be another exciting and enjoyable year for football and hurling fans everywhere.
A leading factor in the promotion of our national games has been the “live” coverage by TG4 and Setanta throughout the leagues. I am delighted to see that RTE and BBC will continue coverage of the highlights. It is this peak in media coverage and match attendances, that has ensured the Leagues' continuing high profile among Irish sporting competitions.
Of course, the success of the league would not be possible without the invaluable support of Allianz, who, this year, celebrate their 16th consecutive season as league sponsors. I want to thank Brendan Murphy, Donal Bollard and all the team here at Allianz for their unwavering commitment and loyalty to the leagues over the years. I also wish to commend your continuing sponsorship of Cumann na mBunscol, which supports Gaelic games in our schools.
I know Allianz sponsorship is not only confined to our national games. Golfer, Paul McGinley; Ballerina, Monica Loughman; and Business2Arts Awards also receive your ongoing support. And I want to thank you for helping so many community projects over the years.
In many ways, today marks the end of an era - and the beginning of a new one. With the recent closure of the Burlington Hotel - so long associated with GAA - and Allianz’s forthcoming move, this will be the last league launch ever on Burlington Road. But life is all about change and we must move with the times. I am pleased to hear that you are relocating to magnificent new offices in Elm Park and I wish Allianz every success in your new home.
And for Liam Mulvihill also, it will certainly be a new beginning. As Director General of the GAA since 1979, Liam - a man of great foresight and vision - successfully guided the Association through a period of enormous change in every sphere of its development. Indeed, he masterminded many of the key changes himself and in doing so, kept the Association on top, as Ireland's premier sporting organisation. Liam, while it is impossible to list all your achievements here today, I want to pay tribute to you for your huge contribution to the Gaelic Athletic Association and to thank you, once again, on behalf of all of us, for your unstinting and wholehearted commitment to our national games. You leave a formidable legacy behind you, not least, the new Croke Park - and your successor, Paraic Duffy, will have his work cut out to match your many achievements.
It is a remarkable achievement that, after nearly 29 years in office, you have only one regret - and that is that Longford never won an All Ireland! But that is not something you can be held responsible for. And, in any event, I know that the dream will never die for you. Liam, I hope you have a long and happy retirement with family and friends.
I also want to congratulate Paraic Duffy, who takes up his new position later this week. Paraic, I wish you every success in your new role. I know you will be well able for it.
And finally, I want to pay tribute to all the players, managers and teams who make the games so vibrant and exciting. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to our national sports. Thank you for all the excitement and joy you bring us. I wish each and every one of you the very best of luck in the forthcoming leagues and also for the year ahead.
Go raibh maith agaibh go léir.
ENDS.