Dubs seal €4.65m Vodafone deal

Dublin GAA will benefit to the tune of €4.65m over the next six years following the confirmation this afternoon that Vodafone will sponsor all of the Metropolitans football and hurling teams.

Speculation that the telecoms company would be announced as the new sponsor, after department store Arnotts ended it's association after 18 years had been rife for the last couple of months.

The six-year deal will see all teams from Minor to Senior sponsored, with a midway review while there will also be additional benefits including telecoms support for the duration of the deal.

Dublin GAA Chairman Gerry Harrington welcomed the announcement, after the county's search for a sponsorship deal finally came to fruiton.

"It is testament to the level of support for Dublin GAA that we have secured a leading Irish and international brand as our new sponsors," he said.

"This is a major vote of confidence in Dublin GAA. This sponsorship deal is a massive boost to Dublin GAA and all Dublin GAA clubs and members.

"The sponsorship revenue is essential to helping towards the running costs associated with all Dublin GAA teams at every level and the ongoing work in increasing participation and standards in every corner of the county.

"We are very much looking forward to working closely with Vodafone over the next six years to ensure this partnership is mutually beneficial."

It is the second time for Vodafone to sponsor a GAA county after the mobile network previously had its logo carried on Clare GAA teams. It has also extended its sponsorship of the GAA All-Stars scheme for another year.

Vodafone Ireland chief executive Charles Butterworth said that his company were proud to extend its relationship with the GAA to the Dublin County Board and its teams.

"Dublin is the biggest county brand in Gaelic games and one of the most historic and successful," he said. "Vodafone is the biggest brand in telecoms and a global company with local roots so this, is a winning partnership and we look forward to supporting the county in 2010 and for the duration of what will be a successful partnership."

The new sponsorship deal tied with the unveiling of the new Dublin GAA jersey which will be available from Friday February 5, ahead of the Dubs' first league tie of the year away to Kerry.

Dublin will wear the new jersey for the first time this weekend, when they face rivals Meath in the O'Byrne Cup quarter-final at Parnell Park.