Summer begins with the Ulster GAA Championships

The 2013 Ulster GAA Championship has been launched at the Ulster Museum in Belfast by Ulster GAA President Martin McAviney and GAA President Liam O’Neill. They were joined by managers and players of all of Ulster’s nine counties representing Gaelic Football and Hurling in a unique night of celebration.

2013 marks the 125th Anniversary of the Ulster Football Championship and the Ulster Museum in Botanic Gardens was transformed into an exhibition of Ulster’s finest memories over those 125 years.

Ulster GAA President Martin McAviney said, “We are here in the Ulster Museum to celebrate the many great moments and memories of 125 years of the Ulster Football Championship, and while we look back at past glories we also look forward to another great season of Championship Football and Hurling.

“I’m delighted to welcome players and managers from all nine Ulster counties and Gaels across Ulster look forward to seeing these men on pitches over the summer months battling it out for the Anglo Celt Cup and the Liam Harvey. We are very proud to have Sam Maguire in the Ulster Museum tonight and we all hope that Sam will remain in Ulster for another year!

“Ulster Football is exceptional strong at the minute, with Monaghan and Derry picking up League titles at the weekend and Tyrone just missing out to Dublin; while Donegal’s grasp is still firmly on Sam Maguire and this all makes way for a fantastic Championship.

“As a lover of hurling, I am also looking forward to another interesting Championship for hurling. With Armagh, Down and Derry all battling it out for a place in the Ulster Final against Antrim, it’s sure to be another year of excitement and expectation.”

“It has now never been easier to get a ticket, all fans can purchase tickets now for all Ulster Championship Games from gaa.tickets.ie

“Within a half an hour of going on sale 1000 tickets were sold online for the Donegal v Tyrone game today.”

“2013 is going to be a fantastic championship for Ulster and we urge all our patrons to come out in strong numbers to support their counties, for as the strap line for the 1916 Ulster championship ‘You must join the crowd’ still rings through today because after all Nothing Beats Being There.”

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Ulster GAA caught up with some of the players and managers at the launch of the 2013 Ulster GAA Football and Hurling Championships.
Take a look at what they had to say ahead of this year’s Championship action: