Armagh GAA today launched a unique initiative that will allow people to name or dedicate a Seat for Life at the new-look Athletic Grounds.

The venue, which officially opens with Armagh's National League clash with Dublin on Saturday, 5th February 2011, recently completed a £4.75m redevelopment project and boasts new facilities and an increased 19,500 capacity.

The new East Stand is home to the 5,600 seats in the Seat for Life campaign.

A Seat for Life allows anyone to name or dedicate a seat while at the same time contribute to the future success of Gaelic Games in the County.

Each seat will carry an engraved plate with a personalised message, for example, In Memory of My Father John P Smith, Armagh.

My Armagh, the fund-raising committee of the Armagh County Board, will manage the Seat for Life initiative and has launched a facility on their website, www.armagh-gaa.com, to enable online purchasing. Purchasing will also be available via each of the clubs within the County. The My Armagh website will also host a gallery for those who have dedicated a Seat for Life to post images and stories about their dedications.

Paul Kelly, Chairman of My Armagh, said: "This is a unique opportunity for GAA supporters of Armagh or anyone with a love of the sport to dedicate a seat to themselves or someone they know in the new Athletic Grounds.

"It's an exciting project and with only 5,600 seats available, we anticipate a keen demand for them. It is expected that the Armagh people and those from outside the county, in particular ex-pats, will love this idea and will welcome the opportunity to get involved."

My Armagh has appointed Ambassadors for the Seat for Life initiative, Armagh greats of past and present including Joe Kernan, Jimmy Smyth, Paddy Moriarty, Paul McGrane, Jarlath Burns, current Armagh captain Stephen McDonnell, Jimmy Whan, Jimmy Carlisle and Gerard Houlahan.

Each Ambassador has dedicated a seat to loved ones or those who they recognise as great servants to the GAA in the county.

Joe Kernan, the man who led Armagh to a first All-Ireland victory in 2002, dedicated his Seat for Life to fellow Crossmaglen clubman Tom McCreesh.

Joe said: "I think the Seat for Life project is wonderful. I have been able to dedicate a seat to Tom McCreesh, a man I have the greatest admiration and respect for. It means that on every occasion I am in the Athletic Grounds I will be reminded of Tom and his contribution to the GAA."

To purchase a Seat for Life, log on to www.armagh-gaa.com/My-Armagh.

There are three easy payment plans - a once-off payment of £100, a three-month or 12-month subscription plan costing £120.

Promotional booklets are also available at all Armagh GAA clubs.

My Armagh Seat for Life Ambassadors

The My Armagh Seat for Life Ambassadors are among the all-time greatest players and loyal servants to Armagh GAA.

They were chosen by the My Armagh committee and represent a wide range of clubs in the County - as well as playing codes. Their role will be to engage with clubs and communities in relation to the Seat for Life initiative.

Each Ambassador was given the opportunity to dedicate a seat to a person they hold in high regard.

JARLATH BURNS: Dedicated Silverbridge clubman, Jarlath was captain of the Armagh side that ended a 17-year wait for an Ulster title in 1999. A fluent Irish speaker, teacher and passionate patriot, he epitomises all that is great about the GAA and is the perfect role model to aspiring players.

A powerhouse midfielder in his day, Jarlath now sits comfortably in the BBC NI studio along with Donegal great Martin McHugh as a match pundit and also writes a column for Gaelic Life newspaper.

Jarlath's Seat for Life is dedicated to the late Michael Donnelly.

JIMMY CARLISLE: Regarded as the greatest hurler ever to emerge from the County, Jimmy also made the grade in senior football. Hurling, though, was his first love. He represented the Cuchulainn hurling club throughout his career and played football for Armagh Harps.

Jimmy was captain of the County hurling team that reached the All-Ireland Junior final in 1965, only to suffer defeat to Roscommon. He also represented Ulster. He featured for Armagh's football team on a number of occasions, fondly remembering trips to Down, Monaghan, Carlow and Donegal. For six years he served on the Hurling Development Committee at Croke Park - under former Presidents Paddy Flynn and Joe McDonagh.

He was chairman of the Ulster Hurling Board, the Armagh hurling board and the Cuchulainn Hurling Board all at the same time. He also has the honour of having a School's Hurling Cup competition named after him.

Jimmy's Seat for Life is dedicated to PJ Toner for his services to hurling, football and camogie in Armagh.

GERARD HOULAHAN: Pearse Og clubman Gerard was a member of the Armagh senior side between 1984 and 2000, winning an Ulster title (1999) and an All-Star. A respected forward, he was a crowd favourite and is today regarded as one of the finest players to wear the orange jersey.

Gerard - also known as Ger - was once recruited by the Ulster Rugby squad to consult on ball-handling skills and also played soccer for Armagh City.

He was named in an Irish News poll of the Top 125 GAA Talents in the Association's 125th anniversary celebrations and is today a regular GAA commentator and columnist.

Gerard's Seat for Life is dedicated to Bro L.F. Ennis.

JOE KERNAN: The man who finally brought the Sam Maguire to Armagh for a first-ever time in 2002 had an illustrious playing career beforehand.

He won two All-Stars, the first in 1977 and the second in 1982. He scored two goals in the 1977 All-Ireland final defeat to reigning champions Dublin - earning him a place in GAA folklore long before he led the county to All-Ireland glory as manager. He also represented Ulster, winning numerous Railway Cup titles.

Joe led Armagh back to the All-Ireland final in 2003 as defending champions but suffered defeat to Tyrone. In 2004 Armagh won the Ulster title in the first final to be played at Croke Park. The following year Joe guided Armagh to a first-ever National League title and the County also won the Ulster title for a third successive year.

He won five senior county titles with Crossmaglen Rangers and his managerial reign of his club brought a remarkable three All-Ireland titles. He is one of the greatest club and county team managers of all time. He is also the current manager of Ulster.

Joe's Seat for Life is dedicated to Tom McCreesh, the Crossmaglen Rangers, Armagh and Ulster legend.

PADDY MORIARTY: The one and only Paddy 'Mo' from the Wolfe Tones club is a GAA legend who won the first of his two Allstar awards as a teenager in 1972.

He won his second All-Star in 1977 - the same year Armagh lost the All-Ireland final. He lifted Ulster medals in '77, '80 and '82 and played in various key positions in an illustrious and rewarding career.

Paddy was named on the Irish Independent's Top 125 GAA Greatest Stars list.

Paddy's Seat for Life is dedicated to his later father-in-law John Byrne of Sarsfields GAC.

STEPHEN McDONNELL: A member of the All-Ireland winning team of 2002, Newry-born Stephen is now a veteran in the current County team and as captain led Armagh to Division Two National League title success in 2010.

In 2002 he also won a coveted All-Star and picked up another Ulster title in 2006. In 2010 he captained Ireland in the International Rules series against Australia.

Stephen's Seat for Life is dedicated to fellow Killeavy clubman, the late Peter McGleenon.

PAUL McGRANE: The Ballyhegan Davitts clubman was captain of the 1992 minor team beaten by Meath in the All-Ireland and, 10 years later, was back in Croke Park to pocket a senior medal. McGrane played in all of Armagh's seven Ulster final wins.

He also won a National League title and two All-Stars before retiring from county football in 2009.

He represented Ulster and also Ireland in the International Rules series.

Paul's Seat for Life is dedicated to Peter McGrane.

JIMMY SMYTH: Arguably one of the finest talents to ever wear the Armagh jersey, Jimmy Smyth first emerged as a key player with the St Colman's Newry team that won the Hogan Cup in 1967. The following year Smyth made his debut for the County and at the same time won a County Championship with Clan na nGael - and would go on to lift a host of county and three successive provincial titles.

As captain of Armagh in 1977, Jimmy lifted a first Ulster title to end a 24 year wait. A dramatic draw with Roscommon in the All-Ireland semi-final was largely achieved by Jimmy's rallying performance - he also won an All-Star that summer.

After victory in the replay, Armagh faced champions Dublin in the final and it was to prove a step to far for the Orchard county men. Since his retirement in 1981, Jimmy has worked with BBC NI as a commentator on the Ulster and All-Ireland Championship.

Jimmy's Seat for Life is dedicated to Brian Smyth.

JIMMY WHAN: Antrim's loss was to be Armagh's gain when Belfast-born Jimmy Whan moved to live with relatives in Lisdrumbrocus. He made his county debut as a Minor in 1953 and was an Ulster title winner the same year.

His senior county career would span over 10 years and along the way he picked up for Inter-provincial titles while representing Ulster. He won an All-Star in 1963 and more recently was recognised by the Armagh & District Council for his services to sport in the county.

He was also selected in the Armagh Team of the Millennium.

Jimmy's Seat for Life is dedicated to his uncle PJ Fegan. Tweet

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