Seamus Callanan joins All-Ireland football winner Patrick Kielty for launch of Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps 2017

An All-Ireland winner, comedian and TV host took to the pitch at Croke Park this week for the first time in 30 years, for the launch of Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps 2017. 

Lifelong GAA fan Patrick Kielty, who was also a Minor All-Ireland football winner with Down in 1987, was joined by a panel of GAA All-Stars, including Tipp star Seamus Callanan, to kick-start Ireland’s largest summer camps for children.

2016 was a record-breaking year for what are considered Ireland’s most popular summer camps. More than 127,000 children took part in Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps last year, a huge increase of 25 per cent on the previous year.

Patrick Kielty flew in from his home in LA and lined out with the 2017 Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps ambassadors and All-Stars; Mayo footballer, Lee Keegan, Tipperary Hurler, Seamus Callanan, Monaghan ladies footballer, Caoimhe Mohan and Wexford camogie player, Kate Kelly.

Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps are for children aged 6 – 13 years who can enjoy a week of on-the-pitch action learning new skills, making new friends, being active and having fun during the school holidays in July and August. This is Kellogg’s sixth year of sponsorship and participation in the camps has increased year-on-year with an estimated one in four children in Ireland attending a camp.

Remembering his GAA days fondly, Kielty said. “Myself and my brothers were football mad growing up in Dundrum, Co. Down and as kids, every spare second was spent on the pitch across the road from our house playing out our own All-Ireland Finals. To be part of a Down minor team on All-Ireland Final Day was a dream come true – even if I didn’t make it off the bench that day. Though some would say that’s the reason why we won!

“Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps are brilliant for children, and their parents. Getting kids active is so important these days and Cúl camps are a fantastic way for them to learn new skills and have fun with their team mates.  And as someone who was once lucky enough to be a small part of a winning team at Croke Park, I’d also say watch this space – there could be one or two All-Ireland winners of the future pulling on their boots at a Cúl Camp this year”

Patrick’s return to Croke Park was his first since hosting The Special Olympics Opening Ceremony in 2003, an event he describes as “still my favourite gig of all time.” His connection with the GAA was also rekindled in 2008 when he took part in a Celebrity Bainisteoir TV special, which saw him coach UK club Tir Chonaill Gaels to victory over Westmeath side Maryland.

At the Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps children receive training in hurling, camogie, football and ladies football and some camps offer rounders and handball.  Such is the popularity and affordability of the camps that they are also organised in the UK, Australia, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, the US, Canada and across Europe.

Training with the stars

Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps offer incredible value for a week of training, fun and activity and have been lauded as the best value summer camps in Ireland. Priced at €60 and dropping to €50 for a second child and just €40 for a third and additional children, all participants will also receive a GAA zipped training top, jersey and backpack.

In addition, one camp in each province will receive a surprise visit and an opportunity to meet and train with one of the four Kellogg’s Cúl Camps’ GAA ambassadors; Kate Kelly, (Wexford camogie), Lee Keegan, (Mayo football), Seamus Callanan (Tipperary hurling) or Caoimhe Mohan (Monaghan ladies Football).

Fuelling energy 

Kellogg’s involvement with Cúl Camps stems from its commitment to promoting and encouraging physical activity.  Educating children on the importance of nutrition to support active play is a key component of Cúl Camps and Kellogg’s believes in the power of breakfast to fuel activity both on and off the pitch. 

Jim McNeill, Kellogg’s managing director for Ireland said; “Good nutrition and physical activity go hand in hand, and that was one of the reasons why Kellogg’s became involved with Cúl Camps six years ago.  It’s important to have a nourishing breakfast to kick-start the day, and the thousands of children taking part in Cúl Camps, right across the country, need nutritious sources of energy for all of their activities.”

This year the children will once again enjoy a week of fun and activity, and there will also be a strong emphasis on how making good food choices fuels physical performance both on and off the pitch.

GAA Director General, Páraic Duffy addressed guests at the launch of the 2017 Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps and said: “Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps have become synonymous with the summer holidays for families all over Ireland.  They bring friends and communities together and let children do what they do best - have fun.  Hundreds of thousands of children have benefited from and enjoyed the camps since their inception and this would not have been possible without the support of our sponsors and our camp coordinators.  We are hugely grateful to our four stellar, All-Star ambassadors for their support and we’re particularly pleased to welcome Patrick Kielty back to the GAA fold, proof indeed that once a GAA person, always a GAA person.”

For families and clubs

As part of this year’s campaign Kellogg’s is giving families the opportunity to win €5,000 worth of training gear for their local club, plus a €500 family voucher by purchasing special packs of Kellogg’s cereal and snacks in-store. For more information parents can log on to www.kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie