GAA clips wings of Limerick’s Red Bull deal

PLANS by the Limerick County Board to switch sponsorship from ‘Red Cow’ to ‘Red Bull’ have been scuppered.

With the four-year package with Moran's Red Cow Hotel having ended, Limerick were negotiating with the Red Bull drinks company, but were discouraged by Croke Park.

Board chairman Pat Fitzgerald claimed yesterday that while they had agreed in principle with Red Bull to a three-year sponsorship deal, they had not yet made an official presentation of the package to headquarters.

It is understood Red Bull were prepared to part with almost €1m for a three year deal.

However, Tom Moran, proprietor of the Red Cow Moran's Hotel, and a native of Limerick, aims to assist the County Board.

Said Moran: "When I told them of my decision I was pleased they had another sponsor waiting in the wings.

"However, I understand that the authorities in Croke Park were not too keen on the idea of Red Bull as sponsors.

"Why they discriminated, I don't know ... what's the difference between Red Cow and Red Bull?" I am prepared to help out in any way that I can. Maybe I will go back for one more year we will see how things develop."

Limerick, having invested €12m in the redevelopment of the Gaelic Grounds, are naturally disappointed Red Bull will not be coming on board.

A sponsorship deal covering all county teams would have allowed them to concentrate their efforts on fundraising to reduce the 6m debt on the Ennis Road venue.

In another development, Limerick board secretary James Hartigan said, despite newspaper reports, they had agreed with new senior hurling team manager Padjoe Whelahan that he would concentrate all his efforts on Limerick and have no further involvement with his club, Birr.

Meath county board has released a statement saying it 'regrets' having to slap a 48-week ban on controversial forward Graham Geraghty.

The former Allstar and All-Ireland winning captain was given the marathon suspension after an incident with his club side, Senchalstown, where it was alleged he physically abused the referee after a championship game against Ballivor.

Since receiving the ban, Geraghty has appeared on the Late Late Show on RTÉ to offer his side of the story, saying he did nothing more than slap the official's notebook from his hand. County boss Sean Boylan has also urged the board to re-open the case.

With attention re-focused on the incident after the release of Geraghty's book, and the upholding of the ban by the Leinster Council following an appeal, Meath officers were forced to issue a statement.

"Coiste na Mí fully appreciate Graham's contribution to Meath football over so many years and regret very much that it has been obliged under a Rule to suspend one of our greatest players," the statement read.