Roscommon hopeful on sponsor plan

Roscommon chairman Michael Fahey is confident the motion going to Congress later this month increasing an inter-county team’s jersey sponsors from one to two will be passed.

Last year, the county put forward a proposal calling for the number to be increased to four. The motion, which was initially put forward by Castlerea St Kevin’s, was never debated but instead referred to the GAA’s commercial department.

With Croke Park’s backing, it will be voted on in Derry with the wording reading as, “additional branding on other area(s) of Inter-County Jerseys shall be allowed as per specifications approved by Central Council and with authorisation in each case being given by the Management Committee”.

The understanding is the additional branding represents one extra sponsor and Fahey is completely supportive of it. “We’re happy with what is being put forward. We understand the reasons for it being deferred last year. It has been our aim to increase access to sponsorship for inter-county teams in these difficult times.

“Management committee are backing it so from that point of view we would be optimistic that it will be passed.”

With counties like Cork taking their time in finding sponsors, Fahey doesn’t believe traditionalists will argue much against the idea of creating more advertising space on inter-county jerseys.

“I don’t think that’s an issue. It has strong support and it’s a practical solution to a current problem that a lot of county boards are having. We were asked to be innovative and creative about revenue streams and the motion from Castlerea was exactly that.”

Roscommon are currently into the second year of their two-season deal with John and Lily Murphy, who support the hospice movement in the county.

“There’s no commercial benefit to John and Lily Murphy,” said Fahey.