Bringing on the Green

Mick Galway with Antoinette Thunder 10/2/2013

Kelsey Reynolds (late 20s) from Ringsend and Tara Kelly (early 30s) from Donnybrook got the chance to participate in one of O2’s ‘Bring on the Green’ campaigns during Ireland’s bid to win the Six Nations.

Reynolds and Kelly became official jersey guardians during the Ireland and England game in the Aviva Stadium where Ireland were defeated by their old rivals. “We had to meet in the Shelbourne Hotel at 8:15am where we were given the jerseys,” said Tara who was randomly selected after registering with 02’s website. The guardians were greeted at the Aviva Stadium by rugby officials, given access to the Irish team dressing room where they got to hang jerseys at each player’s individual area. “We were brought back to the team hotel and had breakfast with Paul O’Connell and then had a few drinks after the match,” Tara says.

“I love the idea of jersey guardians,” said Ireland and Munster player Paul O’Connell. “Every year O2 come up with something new and different for supporters to engage with the team.” Previously, O2 launched the ‘Be the Difference’ campaign which won the European Sponsorship Association’s (ESA) Business to Consumer sponsorship award in 2010. In 2011 they had ‘make the roar be the difference campaign’ were supporters could upload the best roars and upload them to the O2 website. A few were picked and shown on the Aviva’s big screen.

“The experience of them getting into the team dressing room is so special; I’m really enjoying playing a part in it” says O’Connell.

The jersey guardians competition has been a key feature of O2’s ‘Bring on the Green’ campaign, which coincided with the kick off of the Six Nations. O2 also gave 23 other rugby supporters a chance to deliver the green jerseys when Ireland took on France last month.

The jersey guardians competition is a key feature of O2’s rugby supporters’ campaign that has used online advertising and social media as a way to garner attention. Most of you will be aware of O2 TV advertisements showing former Irish player Jonathan Sexton kicking a rugby ball in the middle of a field, or videos showing Brian O’Driscoll and Paul O’Connell going door to door to request a rugby game.

For more information on how to ‘Bring on the Green’ and support the team log on to www.O2.ie/rugby via your mobile device.

By Liam Cahill