In attendance at the launch of the Littlewoods Ireland Camogie National Leagues, from left, Shelly Farrell, Kilkenny, Kelley Hopkins, Roscommon, Anna Geary, Littlewoods Ireland Ambassador and ex-Cork camogie player, Siobhan Flannery, Offaly, and Sarah O'Donovan, Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sport

Littlewoods Ireland Camogie Leagues Launched in Style

New sponsor Littlewoods Ireland and the Camogie Association were today joined by a host of Ireland’s top Camogie players as the Littlewoods Ireland Camogie Leagues were launched in style in Dublin’s Radisson Blu Hotel.

 

All three divisions, represented by over 700 players and 22 counties, are preparing to battle it out in the Littlewoods Ireland Camogie Leagues, which throw-in on Saturday February 18th. Reigning champions Kilkenny will set out on their campaign to achieve back-to-back titles at home to Tipperary with 26 teams in action across all three divisions on the opening weekend of the 2017 Leagues.

 

Last year’s runner-up Galway, begin their campaign with an away trip to neighbours, Clare. All-Ireland runners-up Cork host a Dublin side under the new management of former All-Ireland winning Kilkenny goalkeeper David Herity. Limerick host Division 1 newcomers Meath, whilst Wexford make the short trip to Waterford to begin their campaign. This year’s Division 1 champions will also lift a newly commissioned Division 1 trophy.

 

This is the first year that the Camogie Leagues have had a title sponsor with Littlewoods Ireland, Ireland’s leading online department store, announcing their three-year deal with the Camogie Association in December 2016.  At the launch, Littlewoods Ireland announced details of their ‘Style of Play’ campaign which will highlight the skill and style showcased by the players on the pitch, throughout the League. Match highlights from selected feature games will be showcased by both Littlewoods Ireland and the Camogie Association’s digital channels along with a new ‘Style of Play Award’ for the best score in each feature match running right the way through the Division One League campaign.

 

This will be supported by a #StyleOfPlay video series, which will look into the lives of Kilkenny’s Shelly Farrell, Offaly’s Siobhán Flannery, Dublin’s Sarah O’Donovan and Littlewoods Ireland ambassador and four-time All-Ireland winner Anna Geary.

 

Littlewoods Ireland will be working closely with the Camogie Association throughout the Leagues to bring Camogie to as wide an audience as possible both at the games and online.

 

Speaking about the upcoming Littlewoods Ireland Camogie Leagues President of the Camogie Association Catherine Neary said: “I am eagerly anticipating the start of the Littlewoods Ireland Camogie Leagues which will commence on February 18th. The Leagues are an important step for players to begin their intercounty season and provide an opportunity for emerging players to develop and establish themselves within their county team. It is important to recognise the effort and dedication of the players across all counties in their pursuit of a coveted League title. All of the counties involved will be striving to make the League Finals come April.

 

She added; “In particular the Camogie Association wishes to acknowledge the support of the Leagues by its new sponsors Littlewoods Ireland. Our partnership with Littlewoods Ireland is an exciting prospect to work with them to bring Camogie to new audiences.”

 

Littlewoods Ireland Managing Director Geoff Scully stated that; “Over the coming years we will be working closely with the Camogie Association on a number of shared objectives such as bringing this great sport to a larger audience through innovative means along with highlighting the skill and commitment of the players through our ‘Style of Play’ campaign, and rewarding the most dedicated fans”.

 

He went on to say; “We want to make a meaningful impact as sponsor of the Camogie and Hurling and by creating a greater conversation around the game and showcasing it to more people, we hope it will inspire more girls to play at a grassroots level and more people to watch the sport of Camogie.”

 

For all results and fixture details of the Littlewoods Ireland Camogie Leagues visit www.camogie.ie and follow the Camogie Association and Littlewoods Ireland on social media. The #StyleOfPlay highlights, awards and video series will be shown on Littlewoods Ireland social media channels throughout the Leagues.

www.littlewoodsireland.ie

 

ROUND 1 FIXTURES

 

Littlewoods Ireland Camogie Leagues Division 1

Saturday February 18th

Group 1

  • Cork v Dublin
  • Kilkenny v Tipperary

Group 2

  • Clare v Galway
  • Limerick v Meath

 

Sunday February 19th

Group 1 

  • Waterford v Wexford

 

Littlewoods Ireland Camogie Leagues Division 2

Saturday February 18th

Group 2

  • Kildare v Westmeath

 

Sunday February 19th

Group 1

  • Carlow v Derry
  • Kilkenny v Down
  • Wexford v Laois

Group 2

  • Antrim v Armagh
  • Cork v Galway

 

Littlewoods Ireland Camogie Leagues Division 3

Saturday February 18th

  • Dublin v Roscommon

 

Sunday February 19th

  • Kerry v Tyrone