Get kicking with a season of 'Extraordinary Days'

2006 Bank of Ireland Football Sponsorship even BETTER with
Call to public to relive their extraordinary GAA
Memories for the chance to win €10,000!

Today Friday 30th June 2006 Bank of Ireland is delighted to announce the launch of its new marketing campaign to support the 2006 Bank of Ireland Football Championship. This years' theme is 'Extraordinary' in recognition of the extraordinary passion and dedication that both players and fans bring to the game. This commitment and devotion, expressed each year by both the players and fans illustrates the extraordinary place that Gaelic Football has in Irish society and is at the heart of two new 40-second TV adverts 'Wake Up' and 'Ice Bath' which will be complemented by a national outdoor campaign.

This is the 13th year of Bank of Ireland's sponsorship of what is undoubtedly the biggest and most popular event in the GAA calendar. With a marketing spend of over €1.5 million for 2006, the longstanding partnership between Bank of Ireland and GAA has successfully positioned the Football Championship as a nationwide phenomenon. Its popularity continues to grow year on year with over 1.3 million people attending the 2005 season and up to 70 games due to be played this year.

Commenting on Bank of Ireland's new marketing campaign, Michelle Spillane, Head of Marketing Communications, Bank of Ireland said ' The Bank of Ireland Football Championship is a great sponsorship and we are committed to making it even more exciting with this campaign. The players and supporters have made this Championship what it has become today: an extraordinary display of passion, commitment and devotion to this magnificent game. The 'extraordinary' theme is recognition of the characteristics that make the Bank of Ireland Football Championship a truly unique sporting event'

To capture the imagination of GAA fans nationwide, Bank of Ireland will run an 'Extraordinary Days' competition on local radio stations throughout August inviting listeners to describe their 'Extraordinary Days' in the history of GAA. These stories can be great moments in the history of the game to personal moments that changed the day forever in the minds of the individual fan. Each local finalist will automatically win much sought after tickets to the Bank of Ireland Football Championship Final, in addition to being in with the chance to win €10,000.

Four provincial finalists will be selected by well-known GAA commentators Micheál O'Mhuircheartaigh and Des Cahill with the 'Extraordinary Days' overall winner being unveiled live on RTE television on the eve of this years' Bank of Ireland Football Championship Final.

For further details about the Bank of Ireland 'Extraordinary Days' promotion, listen in to your local radio station from 7th August 2006.

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