Cork GAA look for a new sponsor

The Cork County Board hope to have a new sponsor on board within weeks to succeed O2 who announced yesterday that they were terminating their association with the board after a 15-year relationship.

County Board chairman Bob Ryan told the Evening Echo today that he was confident that a replacement for the telecommunications company will be in place sooner rather than later and that there will be a new brand name on all Cork jerseys at the start of the 2013 campaign.

That campaign begins with the McGrath Cup in football in January and the Waterford Crystal Cup in hurling shortly afterwards and the partnership between the new sponsor and the board should be firmly in place by then, he said.

“All I can say at the moment is that we are in talks with a number of very interested parties and I would be confident that we will have a new sponsor for our teams in place in the short term and that means within weeks.

“The talks with the interested parties are ongoing but we are not in position to elaborate.”

The financial arrangement between the County Board and the new sponsor was something he would not comment on, stating that it was strictly confidential at all times.

“That has always been the position and it will remain that way, it will be between ourselves and the sponsor.’’

In the treasurer’s report to the County Convention in 2011 it was stated, however, that, excluding sponsored gear and equipment, the gross commercial income from for the year was €369,672 as against €305,500 for 2010.

On the decision of O2 to terminate their association with the Board, Mr Ryan was loud in his praise for the "considerable contribution" that they had made over the past 15 years.

“They were excellent sponsors and I believe that they were delighted with their investment.

“During our association the county won 26 national titles and 46 provincial titles and that is something that cannot be matched anywhere’’.

Cork were previously sponsored by Barry’s Tea and Esat Digiphone.

In a statement issued today, O2 Marketing Director Eugene Mitchell didn’t give a reason why they were terminating the association.

“We have enjoyed a tremendous relationship with the Cork County Board since 1998 during which time we have shared many memorable moments and achievements by both the hurlers and the footballers’’.

“On behalf of O2, we wish the continued good fortune to all Cork teams and their loyal fans for the future.’’