GAELIC SPORTS WORLD Issue 28 – June 20, 2015 | Page 47

Flanagan feels that chances missed in the loss to Roscommon in the Connacht Championship hurt their cause and
if they can fix this there is hope.
“London’s poor shooting let them down against Roscommon but there performance overall was positive and
they can take a lot from that. If London can convert the
chances they make then they certainly can give Cavan a
run for their money.”
IRISH TV SPONSORSHIP DEAL
Off the field there has been plenty of activity recently as
this week Irish TV announced a sponsorship deal with
London GAA. The arrangement sees London GAA and
Irish TV agreeing a five-year naming rights sponsorship
for London’s Ruislip grounds to be known as Irish TV
Grounds.
The Irish TV partnership comes at a good time for London GAA as they recently got approval to go ahead with
their new €5 million stadium redevelopment and with
broader media exposure the future is looking bright for
this international GAA outlet.
The redevelopment consists of a new 2,400 all-seater
stand, four new dressing rooms, new administration offices, car parking, media facilities, a small floodlit training area and terracing.
In a press release on gaa.ie, GAA President Aogán Ó
Fearghail at the announcement launch in London on
Monday last, said, that “the new redeveloped Ruislip will
be a beacon and it will be something that people of Irish
heritage and of no Irish heritage will be happy to come
too. It is going to be very special because Irish TV are a
part of it.” He added that he was delighted to have Irish
TV as GAA partners.

media outlet was the perfect fit for London GAA, “Irish
TV has its finger on the pulse of community and sporting life in London and in the UK and they are the perfect
title sponsor for our new grounds. The Irish TV Grounds
will be a better place to play and to watch Gaelic Games
in London and can only help reinforce the strong sense of
community which is so evident amongst the many generations of Irish people living in the UK.”
Irish TV not only broadcast in Ireland via Freesat 400,
eVision 191 and online but are also available in the UK
through the Sky channel 191. Over the past two years the
outlet has broadcast live the London championships finals. The new arrangement is set to give London GAA
a major boost especially with the new stadium and their
games showcased in London and throughout the UK and
Ireland.
Irish TV CEO Pierce O’Reilly said he was delighted to
be working with the GAA and viewed London GAA as
having a central role to play going forward.
“Over the past two years we have developed an excellent
relationship with Croke Park and the GAA and we see
this partnership with London GAA as a key milestone in
cementing that relationship going forward,” he said.
“These historic grounds have provided a safe first port
of call for thousands of emigrants over the past c