Some of Ireland’s most talented GAA stars gathered in Dublin to kick off Ulster Bank’s sponsorship campaign for the 2008 GAA Football Championships.

Led by mascot Henri Hippo, the ‘UB Stars’ team consists of an unrivalled selection of top footballers and hurlers, all working for various Ulster Bank branches and business centres across the country. The ‘UB Stars’ will be appearing all over the country as part of the sponsorship campaign, including the highlight, Ulster Bank’s Virtual GAA Roadshow, which will be touring the country over the coming weeks.

Dublin star Bryan Cullen led the line for the footballers while Cork’s Seán Óg O’hAilpín was at the forefront of the exceptional hurling talent within Ulster Bank. The ‘Star’ himself Kieran Donaghy, allegedly unavailable for the day, was rumoured to be the man inside the Henri Hippo costume! Other top talent in the ‘UB Stars’ team includes, Cork hurling captain John Gardiner, Kilkenny’s PJ Delaney and Michael Fennelly and footballers Darren O’Sullivan from Kerry and Galway’s Joe Bergin.

The ‘UB Stars’ and fellow Ulster Bank staff got a sneak preview of the new, custom built, eight metre virtual GAA game at today’s event, with Henri Hippo first in line to try his luck at the kicking challenge. Featuring at three key locations in May the game is open to young and old and anyone who successfully kicks a goal or point will be entered into a draw for Championship tickets. Each Virtual GAA event will run from 12 noon - 5pm in the following locations.

Saturday 10th May - Eyre Square, Galway City
Saturday 17th May - Upper Tannery Car Park, Tralee, Co. Kerry
Saturday 24th May - An Grianan Theatre, Port Rd, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal

Commenting on the campaign launch, Cormac McCarthy, Chief Executive, Ulster Bank Group said; “We have an outstanding line-up of some of the most talented GAA players in the country working throughout our branch and business center network. We are delighted to have so many of them on hand today to officially launch our sponsorship campaign of the 2008 GAA Football Championships.”

He added; “The Virtual GAA Roadshow is just one of many innovative ways we will be supporting our association with the GAA throughout the country. It illustrates our commitment to making the sponsorship as creative and engaging as possible.”

‘UB Stars’ team in full:

Henri Hippo (Ulster Bank)
Kieran Donaghy (Kerry)
Bryan Cullen (Dublin)
Seán Óg O'hAilpín (Cork)
John Gardiner (Cork)
Michael Fennelly (Kilkenny)
PJ Delaney (Kilkenny)
Finian Hanley (Galway)
Joe Bergin (Galway)
Colm Flanagan (Monaghan)
Darren O’Sullivan (Kerry)
Kevin McGuigan (Down)
Kevin McGuckin (Derry)
Damien Sheridan (Longford)
Enda Lyons (Leitrim)

Henri Hippo leads out the Ulster Bank GAA Stars at the bank's head office in Dublin