There is expected to be significant interest in the sponsorship of the GAA championships, with a proposed three sponsors for hurling and three for football. Despite the sums expected to be involved . . . estimated to be in the region of 1m per annum in addition to promotional spend . . . the GAA fully anticipates interest from current and new sponsors. With TV rights up for negotiation and anything up to five or six live games a weekend on offer next year, the GAA championships are still the hottest sponsorship property in town, even if you have to share them.

The feeling here is that Guinness will definitely stay involved in hurling and Bank Of Ireland will look to remain attached to football, leaving a straight fight between the likes of O2 and Vodafone and Toyota, Opel and Nissan.

It would not be a huge surprise to see one of the big insurance companies with a GAA bent such as Quinn Direct or FBD looking to get involved, or indeed major global brands.

Whatever happens, it has been a victory of sorts for Commercial and Marketing Director Dermot Power who has ensured the GAA can deliver for sponsors, particularly in relation to signage at big games in Croke Park where a sponsor paying over 1m per annum could not be expected to share advertising space with rivals.