Monaghan buck trend with new sponsorship deal

Monaghan GAA county teams have been given a timely pre-season boost, following the announcement of multi-national financial company Investec as their new sponsors.

Investec, who also sponsor Irish golfer Paul McGinley, will invest in all Monaghan GAA teams from minor up to senior level in both football and hurling, initially for a two-year period.

With bonuses also included, this could yield €150,000 per annum if silverware can be produced.

Ten years ago Harte Peat stepped in as sponsors after the Monaghan County Board struggled to get a backer.

Current Monaghan Chairman John Connolly revealed that sponsorship only yielded IR£9,000 (€11,500) at the time, but that the new Investec investment is worth a minimum of €60,000 per year.

"About eight years ago we were struggling to get a sponsor and Harte Peat came in and gave us IR£9,000 (€11,500) and we've come a long way, but only because of the players," he said.

"Our county players have been up with the best in the past few years, the likes of the Kerrys and Tyrones.

"This deal is worth over €60,000 plus per year and it is very good for us. There are bonuses built into that and if we won the All-Ireland it would be worth €150,000. That's wishful thinking!

"But that's the incentive built in and it's the first time we have done that. It's built in and our contract is signed and we are quite happy."

He added: "Obviously we have to win the Ulster Championship to benefit, we probably focus on our footballers, but our hurlers are there too.

"We know we aren't going to win the Ulster Championship in hurling, but it has gone well under Frank Brady in the past 12 months."

Connolly believes that in the current economic climate, Monaghan have struck a very good deal.

In such instance last week, Wexford Creamery announced that they are ending their association as Wexford sponsors.

"We are well aware of the financial situation in the country and that big money isn't available to throw around.

"We were very fortunate to have somebody like this come in and back us on a two-year deal, and it will probably roll on for three years, and on a sound footing as well.

"I know Wexford and other counties as well could have problems trying to replace their sponsors."

Connolly also hailed Croke Park for their investment in counties, and he believes that many County Boards would struggle financially - but for generous grants handed out by the GAA.

"We get very good support from Croke Park. There's an infrastructure committee there chaired by Dan McCartan of Down. He's a very good operator.

"Three years ago we put in an application for €100,000; last year we applied for €400,000. But you only get it on work done - we have done a lot of work on our training grounds and we got a million euro from the Government as well.

"We probably got €1.8m between the Government and Croke Park for that project, the debt is manageable and we are happy with that.

"You would hear people slating Croke Park but I've said that only for Croke Park and the structures they have, counties would be gone down the swanny...there's no question about it."