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The 2010 ESB GAA Minor Championships have been launched today in Croke Park by ESB Chief Executive Padraig McManus, and Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael, Criostóir Ó Cuana.

Kerry footballer and secondary school teacher, Marc O’Se, former minor hurling star, John Gardiner and leading Irish multi-sport coach, Mike McGurn provided a preview of the ESB Positive Energy programme which was announced at today’s launch to a captive audience of minor players and managers including 2009 ESB Minor Championship winners, Pete Carragher (Armagh Football Captain) and Daithi Burke (Galway Hurling Captain).

The ESB “Positive Energy” programme will run throughout the 2010 ESB Minor Championship.

It is designed to enhance the experience and provide support for players participating in this year’s championship.

It will include a variety of useful support initiatives including:-

• Positive steps for combining exam study with training
• Coping with pressure and nerves
• Goal setting and building self-confidence
• Performing on the big day
• Achieving a positive life-sport balance.

Speaking at today’s launch, Uachtaran Chumann Luthchleas Gael, Criostóir Ó Cuana said, “Last year’s ESB GAA Minor Championships provided some excellent entertainment and superb spectacles and with the 2010 competitions already up and running we can expect more of the same in the coming months. ESB have been supportive and imaginative partners for our competitions at this grade and I laud their latest initiative which takes the form of a Positive Energy Programme.”

“This has the potential to further enhance the experience of playing football and hurling at inter-county minor level while at the same time acknowledging the practical challenges that this involves for the young men lucky enough to make the grade at what is a vital time in their lives. I wish everyone involved every success with the programme,” he continued.

ESB Chief Executive, Padraig McManus said, “What makes the ESB GAA Minor Championships unique is the age of our players, and the particular pressures they face, not just as inter-county players, but as any normal 16 or 17 year olds facing into exams, college applications, and all the additional pressures this brings with it.  ESB recognises that this is pivotal time in their lives as they compete at national and local level.”

“In conjunction with the GAA, we will be rolling out the ESB Positive Energy programme for players throughout the 2010 championship. Our focus is on sustainability, and our goal is to provide useful tools to help them excel as inter-county players, and successfully deal with the various pressures they face, from studying for the Leaving certificate, preparing for college, or playing in Croke Park for the first time,” he stated.

The programme will start in May, with a guide for minor players sitting the Leaving Certificate compiled by experts including secondary school teachers who are also GAA players.

“Combining training and playing for your club or your county with the daily pressures of school, college or a job is a challenge every player faces,” said Marc O’Sé at today’s launch, “but it’s probably never more concentrated than during leaving certificate year. The ESB Positive Energy programme will help provide players with simple tips that will reduce the pressures they face.”

The ESB GAA Minor Championships have already got underway for 2010, with wins for Kerry, Limerick, Cork and Clare in the ESB Munster GAA Minor Football Championship, Kildare and Westmeath in the ESB Leinster GAA Minor Hurling Championship and for Wicklow, Westmeath, Laois, Kildare, Offaly and Meath in the ESB Leinster GAA Minor Football Championship last weekend.

Also attending the launch were ESB employees who have excelled with the GAA including:-
Paul Clancy (Galway), James McHugh (Donegal), Conal Bonnar (Tipperary), Ambrose O Donovan (Kerry), Michael Lowry (Offaly), Sean Lowry (Offaly), Mick Roche (Galway), Paul Stapleton (Limerick), Paddy Stapleton (Tipperary), John O Riordan (Limerick), Hugh Connaughton (Wicklow), Christy Goulding (Dublin), Shauna Brady (Donegal), Kieran Duff (Dublin), and Colum Grogan (Chairman/Secretary ESB GAA).