Sponsor’s dream as dairy gets the cream

DAIRY Co-op giant Glanbia are enjoying a sponsorship dream.

With their logos emblazoned on both Kilkenny and Waterford jerseys on Sunday, they are assured of a presence on All-Ireland SHC final day.

Uniquely, the Ballyragget-based company is the only company that sponsors two counties. The reigning All-Ireland champions will have the Avonmore milk brand name on their black and amber jerseys, while the Waterford team will carry the GAIN Feeds logo.

“We are proud of our sponsorship involvement with both counties which began in 1998,” Glanbia sponsorship manager Kieran O’Connor said.

“Since then Kilkenny have won three All-Irelands and six provincial titles, while Waterford have landed two Munster crowns. The counties also met in the 1998 semi-final, with Kilkenny prevailing by a point.”

Glanbia will also have a strong link with the second semi-final between Cork and Wexford on Sunday week.

Cork players Brian Murphy and Timmy McCarthy are milk suppliers to Glanbia while Wexford defender David (Doc) O’Connor is a member of staff.

Sunday will be an extra busy day for O’Connor, who will be commentating on the game for Waterford local radio station WLR FM.