Football in Bannigan's blood
December 31, 2007
In August this year, Halifax, which is the first completely new retail-banking network in Ireland for over a century opened its Monaghan bank branch. Aughnamullen native Gabriel Bannigan is Head of Retail and Intermediary, Bank of Scotland (Ireland) and he spoke to the Monaghan Yearbook about his role in overseeing the new bank throughout the country and also discussed his strong football connections including a sponsorship agreement with the GPA.
Gabriel began his new role in February this year, having spent almost 20 years with the Bank of Ireland in many locations both here and the UK.
In his role with Bank of Ireland, Gabriel held many different positions including Head of Strategy & Marketing and Managing Director of Bank of Ireland Insurance Services, while his UK role saw him as the Managing Director of Bristol & West Financial Services.
The Monaghan man was offered the opportunity to head up Bank of Scotland's new retail bank in Ireland, operating under the Halifax brand, while he also has responsibility for the Intermediary homeloans and asset finance business under the Bank of Scotland brand.
Gabriel revealed that the offer from Bank of Scotland gave him a once in a lifetime opportunity and that was something that he was not about to turn down.
"I was given the opportunity to build a new retail bank, which hasn't happened in over 100 years. We opened the Monaghan branch in August and it personally was a proud day. The new premises is ideally located on the Diamond in the centre of the town, while the layout is quite unlike other banks."
The Monaghan branch was Halifax's 31st outlet to be opened, but Gabriel revealed that it will be far from the last as another 15 are planned by the end of next year.
"Last year the first branch was opened in Dún Laoghaire and since then we have been busy opening branches all over the country, while by next year there will be 46 in operation."
From Head Office in St Stephen's Green, Gabriel oversees the branch network and he takes great pride and satisfaction in his relatively new position.
"I think Halifax has emerged as the true challenger brand in Ireland. Our ethos is always giving customers extra and it is fantastic to be able to save customers who switch their mortgage or credit card to Halifax a lot of money, whilst our new current account is revolutionary in the market.
"For years it cost people a lot of money to have a current account - now we are paying 10% credit interest and Irish consumers are benefiting enormously.
"I'd have to admit that I am passionate about my role and am enjoying it immensely. There is still plenty of work to do, but every day there is a new challenge."
Gabriel's determination and dedication could be attributed to his footballing background that began at underage level with Aughnamullen. Football was an important factor in the Bannigan household as his late father Packie was a founder member of the club and captained the side to their first junior title in 1957. Growing up, Gabriel and his brothers Paudie and Owen donned the jersey with pride, while all three also wore the Monaghan jersey at different periods.
Gabriel has a unique record at underage level with the club, but he also ponders at what might have been when his adult career was in full swing.
"We had a very good team at underage level and won every grade the whole way up. That bunch of players came through together, but we never really fulfilled our potential and should have won at least one championship
"Aughnamullen were defeated in four county senior semi-finals, which for any club is hard to take, while we also lost out to Scotstown by a single point in the '93 SFL final. It was a great shame that we just could not make the breakthrough, especially as we are a small country club and it would have meant so much.
"I'm delighted to see the club back up in the intermediate ranks and some of the players that I played with are still playing, which I think is brilliant."
Gabriel is still a keen follower of the club, while his brother Owen is the current chairman and the family ties has been financially beneficial to Aughnamullen.
The club were unlucky to lose out in the Ulster club junior football championship final this year when defeated by Tyrone side Rock on the narrowest of margins.
"Of course, I was nabbed to sponsor the club," he joked. "It is something that I'm proud to do and hopefully they can win more silverware in the near future.
Gabriel's involvement in football has not waned in anyway and during his time as Manager of the Monaghan/Cavan district, Gabriel was involved in sponsoring the first ever Ulster club intermediate football championship, which was initiated by the Clontibret club in Monaghan and has now become an important part of the GAA calendar.
Since then, Gabriel has been involved in more corporate sponsorship as Halifax are now sponsors of the GPA having agreed a five year deal last July.
"Basically it all came about after Dessie Farrell and I met for a coffee one day and he explained what the association's aims were and I was impressed by what he had to say. I meet ex-players on a regular basis and have built up a good network of friends through the GAA."
As part of the sponsorship, Halifax will be the title sponsor for Gaelic Performance, the Gaelic skills training camp, and also for Ireland's first Gaelic skills 3D coaching software, which is the brainchild of Monaghan footballer Dermot McArdle.
The Gaelic Performance coaching software is Ireland's first computer programme developed to better the skills of Gaelic players for all ages. The software will be distributed to over 40,000 coaches throughout Ireland.
"This sponsorship is a significant investment in the development of young players, enabling Halifax to promote our brand at a grass roots level while supporting players of all levels throughout the thirty-two counties. Both Halifax and the GPA share common 'people' values, dedication and commitment, which makes this sponsorship a perfect fit for our brand as our retail network continues to grow. This strategic partnership will give us the opportunity to support the development of Gaelic games in local communities."
Gabriel now resides in Dublin and his passion for football has not dwindled in anyway as he is now involved with the St Sylvester's club in Malahide.
"I'm involved in the management and coaching side of things with the senior team. Our senior panel is young and has the potential to win some silverware. They have showed signs of massive improvement in recent years and there has been great success at underage level."
However, he has not forgotten his roots and in 2008, nothing would give Gabriel more pleasure than to see his beloved Aughnamullen and Monaghan pick up some silverware in their respective campaigns.
"Hopefully Aughnamullen will build on their success and make a real impact in the intermediate championship, they certainly have the players to do so. Monaghan need to reproduce the same hunger as they did in 2007. We have some of the most talented footballers in the country playing and Seamus has done a marvellous job with them so far. They have nothing to fear and I wouldn't be one bit surprised if they won the Ulster title at the very least," he concluded.
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