Cats keep going for three years longer

WHATEVER else befalls Kilkenny in Sunday’s All-Ireland SHC semi-final clash with Galway, they should not run out of energy.

At a media briefing in Langton’s yesterday, the County Board announced a three-year extension to their sponsorship with Lucozade Sport, a deal which includes product supply to Kilkenny teams at every grade, hurling and football.

Speaking on behalf of the company, Ms Jocelyn Emerson, Marketing Director, said “As a healthcare company, we are fully committed not alone to providing sportsmen and sportswomen with the best product possible, but also of ensuring that those involved in sport have the best possible nutritional information available to them. That is why we have teamed up with the NCTC in Limerick, and also why we have set up the Lucozade Sport Science Academy. We take our commitment to Kilkenny, and to the GAA in general, very seriously. We have been supporting the GAA since 1994, and over the years have worked closely with a growing number of county boards, helping them support all their athletes in training, match preparation and recovery.”

Already this year, it is estimated that the Kilkenny senior team has used in excess of 3,000 litres of Lucozade Sport.

Lucozade Sport has been involved with the GAA for over 11 seasons, and now sponsors 22 of the 32 counties, hurling and football. The product was developed by GlaxoSmithKline (for whom Kilkenny star midfielder Derek Lyng is a medical rep and attended yesterday’s briefing), and provides a range of sports energy products, including recovery powders, for GAA teams and players.

Kilkenny County Board Secretary Pat Dunphy expressed his satisfaction at the contract extension. “We are delighted to be able to continue our agreement with Lucozade Sport for another three years. They have been outstanding supporters of Gaelic games at all levels in Kilkenny over the years, and we look forward to their continued support and input over the coming seasons.”