Published: Wednesday, 16th June, 2010 11:38am

Anglo-Celt announces new official GAA annual

Pictured launching The Road to Breffni this week were Linda O'Reilly, Anglo-Celt Editor; Paul Fitzpatrick, Sports Editor; Yvonne Jackson, Advertising Manager, David Givney, Cavan senior footballer and Declan Woods, PRO.

The Anglo-Celt, in association with the Cavan county GAA board, has announced the launch of a brand new and exciting Cavan GAA Yearbook which will be in the shops for December 1 next.

'The Road To Breffni', a 350-page, full-colour annual packed full of interviews, features, results and photographs, was officially unveiled at the Club Breifne Celebration Night in the Hotel Kilmore by Mr Frank Mulrennan, Director of Operations with Celtic Media Group - the Irish-owned and based company which publishes The Anglo-Celt among other regional titles - and county chairman Tom Reilly.

Edited by award-winning Anglo-Celt Sports Editor Paul Fitzpatrick, The Road to Breffni will, promised Mr Mulrennan, provide a new, fresh and innovative product focusing on all aspects of GAA activity in this county.

"We see The Road To Breffni not just as an invaluable book of record, but also as a way of highlighting the achievements and ongoing work of the GAA in this county at all levels and in all codes," stated Mr Mulrennan.

"For the first time, our yearbook will be on the shelves for December 1 and will make a perfect stocking-filler for fans, young and old, at home or abroad. We promise to deliver a high quality annual and, most importantly, to support the local GAA scene financially in doing so."

Research has revealed that 82% of adults within 20 minutes drive of Cavan Town read The Anglo-Celt, which is the highest penetration in the country, stated Mr Mulrennan.

"Our newspaper," he said, "has been in existence since 1846. We are a very strong brand and joining forces with the local GAA on this project will help bolster both groups going forward in what are turbulent times."

The Anglo-Celt has committed to delivering what Mr Reilly described as an "excellent and generous revenue stream" to the county GAA board over what will initially be a two-year term.

"What that means," explained Mr Reilly, "is that, unlike previous years, very significant funds generated from the sales of this book will go directly back to the association in this county."

Mr Reilly stated that a letter will be issued to all GAA clubs informing them of the exciting new yearbook and encouraging their support. He expressed his satisfaction at the new agreement and highlighted the work of county board PRO Declan Woods in the lead-up to the announcement.

Paul Fitzpatrick, who previously edited national GAA yearbook HighBall (winner of the Print Publishers Association of Ireland Annual of the Year 2006), will edit this yearbook.

"There will be a major focus on editorial content and covering all of our games, including football, hurling, handball, Scor, rounders, camogie and ladies football," said the Redhills GFC clubman.

"This will be a fresh, original product and I'm confident it will be a huge success."

Linda O'Reilly, Editor of The Anglo-Celt, will also be involved in overseeing the production side of the new book, while advertising sales will be headed by Sales Manager Yvonne Jackson and will also involve advertising executive Niamh Brennan.

More details will follow in The Anglo-Celt.