Powers up the ante on player sponsorship

BOOKMAKERS Paddy Power who last month were embroiled in a controversial hurling sponsorship agreement are considering future deals with intercounty players.

The bookmaking firm incurred the wrath of Croke Park after sponsoring the hurls of Wexford’s Paul Codd and Damien Fitzhenry and Cork’s Sean Óg Ó hÁiplin in the All-Ireland SHC semi-final.

Subsequently, GAA President Sean Kelly threatened to sever a three-year corporate box agreement with the company at Croke Park over what he dubbed “a cheap shot,” while the players faced a 24-week ban for contravening Rule 14 of the GAA’s official guide.

However, the bookmaking giant has not been deterred by the controversy and now plan to expand their link with gaelic games next year.

“We have a few things in mind,” spokesman Paddy Power admitted yesterday. “We have a few ideas that are floating around with regards to the football and hurling championships and to player sponsorship but we can’t finalise anything until we have consulted with the players themselves. But yes there are loads of little ideas being considered.

“And we will try not to be as controversial this time,” he added.

Despite the controversy which greeted last month’s high profile campaign, Power stressed that all parties were satisfied with the agreement, and the aftermath.

“We are very happy. Some of the players wanted to make a point and that is exactly what they did. The fee was €750 per game but we paid them all the equivalent of getting to the All-Ireland final which was €2250. It was well worth it. We believed in it strongly, we believed in it 100% so yes it was well worth it.”

And he added that the company’s corporate box will be fully utilised on Sunday for the Guinness All-Ireland SHC Final meeting of Cork and Kilkenny.

“We have a full house there on Sunday, with lots of customers and staff hoping to enjoy the game.”