Creagh come on board as Antrim sponsors

Creagh Concrete, one of Ireland's leading producers of concrete products, has tied up a three-year sponsorship deal with Antrim GAA.

The company will brand the Saffrons' senior teams' playing gear - in both hurling and football - as well as partnering the county in other innovative ways.

The deal was brokered, in part, by 'Club Aontroma', the Saffrons' fundraising body and it sees the Toomebridge-based Creagh Concrete replace Bushmill Distillery after their eleven-year association with Antrim teams.

Antrim GAA chairman John McSparran said: "We are delighted to be have secured a long term partnership deal with Creagh Concrete which will help us to improve the fortunes of the county, on and off the pitch.

"We have been looking for the right commercial partner over the last few months and it is important to us to work with a company with roots in and commitment to Antrim.

"There have been a number of important developments within the county in recent months including the installation of floodlights at Casement Park and the launch of our strategic review," he added.

"This partnership with Creagh Concrete will help us to build on those and to work towards our long-term goal of real success with our teams."

"We have been involved in helping out local clubs and other sports associations in smaller ways and we wanted to step up that support. We were impressed with the professionalism we encountered within the Antrim set-up and we want to support the county's move towards a successful future," said Seamus McKeague, Creagh Concrete's managing director.

Club Aontroma chairman Eamonn Prenter insisted the deal heralds a 'new beginning' in the way Antrim goes about its business.

"We worked with the county Board on the sponsorship issue and the whole approach was thorough and professional. Club Aontroma has managed to initiate a degree of interest in Antrim's affairs, which until now was dormant. This important deal with Creagh Concrete is another major step forward," said Prenter.