Renewed sponsorship of leagues to net GAA £1m

The decision by Church and General to renew its sponsorship of the National Football and Hurling Leagues for a further three years will, it is estimated, cost the company almost £1 million. This figure includes the continued backing of Cumann na mBunscoil, who promote and develop Gaelic games in primary schools.

As the revamped football league gets under way this weekend - with the re-enactment of the 1947 All-Ireland final between Kerry, the reigning league and All-Ireland champions, and Ulster champions Cavan considered the high-point - yesterday's announcement will extend the company's sponsorship to seven years, making it one of the longest in Irish sport.

"Whereas most sponsorships are intended alone to capture the imagination in the high-profile areas, we believe there is a critical role to be played at grassroots level," said Damien O'Neill of Church and General. It is believed the company's financial commitment - in terms of sponsorship and promotion to the National Leagues and the primary schools sport - is over £250,000 a year.

"I'm delighted this sponsorship has been extended for a further three years," said Joe McDonagh, the president of the GAA. "They have proven to be effective and imaginative . . . and I am certain that both the hurling and football leagues in the new experiment would, perhaps with some adjustment, evolve to even greater success."

Meanwhile, former All-Star forward James McCartan will miss Down's opening National League Section D visit to play Wicklow at Aughrim on Sunday. McCartan, who assisted Down to two All-Ireland titles in the 1990s, sustained a shoulder injury while playing for Irish League soccer club Glenavon last weekend and is expected to be out of action for at least one month.

Longford have reshuffled their side for the Section B encounter with Donegal at Pearse Park on Sunday. There are six changes in personnel from the team that lost to Offaly in the Leinster championship in May.

Dessie Barry, Enda Ledwith, Ollie Reilly, Trevor Smullen, Eugene McCormick and Brendan Donoghue have been replaced by Sean Mimnagh, John Kenny, Gerry Delaney, David Hannify, Aidan Keogh and Ciaran Fox, five of whom are making their senior debuts. The exception is Fox who returns at corner forward after recovering from a long-term injury.

Gay Sheerin, Roscommon's new manager, has also made his mark for his side's opening league match with Clare in Section D at Cusack Park, Ennis. Sheerin has made seven changes in personnel from the team that lost to Sligo in the Connacht semi-final with Brian Morkan, Lorcan Dowd and Fergal O'Donnell all recalled to the side.

Laois, meanwhile, have called up Stephen Kelly, an inspiring figure in their All-Ireland minor success, for their Section A encounter with Carlow at Dr Cullen Park. However, Laois have been forced to plan without players from county finalists Portlaoise and Stradbally for the match.

Noel McGuire from the Easkey club will make his league debut for Sligo at right full back for Sunday's game against Dublin at Markievicz Park. Sligo will be without defender Niall Carew who is ruled out because of injury.