11 June 2026
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHN9biorklA&feature=youtu.be
The Ladies Gaelic Football Association is delighted to announce AirNav Ireland as the new sponsor of the All-Ireland U-16 Championships. This is a ground-breaking announcement as, for the very first time, the LGFA will have a title sponsor of these competitions, and for a three-year term covering the seasons 2026-2028.
This exciting news comes at an opportune time as 12 counties prepare for the 2026 AirNav Ireland All-Ireland U-16 semi-finals, to be played on Wednesday/Thursday June 24/25.
The ‘C’ semi-finals are fixed for Wednesday June 24, with Derry up against Leitrim, while Clare take on Wicklow. On Thursday June 25, attention switches to the ‘A’ and ‘B’ semi-finals. In the ‘B’ grade, Armagh will play Roscommon and Tipperary are set to battle it out with Laois in last-four ties. In the ‘A’ grade, it’ll be Cavan against Galway and Cork taking on Kildare in the semi-finals.
The 2026 AirNav All-Ireland U-16 finals are scheduled for Tuesday July 14 (‘C’) and Wednesday July 15 (‘A’ and ‘B’).
The stature and profile of the competitions will receive a significant boost with the arrival of AirNav Ireland as title sponsor.
AirNav Ireland is Ireland’s air navigation service provider, responsible for the safe, efficient and sustainable management of air traffic across Irish-controlled airspace.
Working at the centre of the country’s aviation infrastructure, AirNav Ireland supports hundreds of thousands of flights each year, connecting people, businesses and communities across Ireland, Europe and beyond. In doing so, the organisation keeps more than 160 million passengers safe annually- equivalent to filling over five Croke Parks every day - through precision, teamwork and an unwavering focus on safety.
Its teams of air traffic controllers, engineers and aviation specialists work in a high-performance environment where focus, teamwork, communication and sound decision-making matter every minute. AirNav Ireland invests continuously in people, training and technology to meet the changing needs of aviation.
At its core, AirNav Ireland is guided by its SKIES values - Safety is their promise; Key to their success – their people; Integrity in everything they do; Environment - reducing climate impact through innovation; and Service excellence -delivering a world-leading service. These values strongly align with those of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, where dedication, leadership, inclusion and the pursuit of excellence empower individuals and teams to perform at their very best, both on and off the field.
Through this partnership, AirNav Ireland is proud to support participation, opportunity and positive role models for young women and girls in communities across Ireland.
Ladies Gaelic Football Association President Trina Murray commented: “On behalf of the LGFA, I am delighted to welcome AirNav Ireland as the new sponsor of our All-Ireland U-16 Championships.
“This partnership represents a significant investment in the future of Ladies Gaelic Football and will help us continue providing meaningful opportunities for young players to develop, compete and thrive.
“We greatly appreciate AirNav Ireland’s commitment to supporting grassroots sport and empowering the next generation. As excitement builds ahead of the semi-finals, I want to wish all competing counties the very best of luck. Enjoy the occasion, play with pride, and create lasting memories for your teams and supporters alike.”
Rachel Martin, AirNav Ireland’s Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, said the company was proud to sponsor the Ladies Gaelic Football Association’s All-Ireland U-16 Championships.
She commented: “This sponsorship provides an opportunity to raise awareness among young women of the skills and career opportunities available in air traffic management. “Many of the qualities demonstrated by the players competing in these competitions, including teamwork, concentration, decision-making and communication, are also essential for air traffic controllers.
These professionals play a vital role in managing aircraft flying through Irish airspace and Irish airports. By increasing awareness of the air traffic control profession, we hope to encourage many of the participants to explore these rewarding career opportunities.”
About AirNav Ireland:
AirNav Ireland provides air traffic management services in the 451,000 km2 of airspace controlled by Ireland. This airspace forms a crucial gateway for air traffic between Europe and North America. AirNav Ireland’s continued investment in its people and in cutting-edge technology underscores its commitment to shaping the future of aviation safety. Details of all training programmes are available on www.airnav.ie
For further information:
LGFA – Jackie Cahill (Head of Communications and Sponsorship) – [email protected]
AirNav Ireland – [email protected]
11/06/2026 AirNav Ireland Unveiled as New Sponsors of LGFA All-Ireland U-16 Championships - FotoWeb 8.0
