GAA on lookout for new HawkEye sponsor as Specsavers set to step away

ON THE LOOKOUT: Specsavers are stepping away from sponsoring Hawkeye. Pic: INPHO/Lorraine O'Sullivan

The GAA are on the lookout for a new HawkEye sponsor as Specsavers are set to step away after 11 years.

The opticians have been associated with the score detection technology since June 2013. The Specsavers logo appeared on the large screens in Croke Park and FBD Semple Stadium when the system was called on to adjudicate a point attempt or illustrated that an umpiring decision was wrong.

The GAA will expect to command a six-figure sum per annum for the partnership. Harvey Norman are the current official statistics partner with the GAA but may be tempted to link themselves with HawkEye, which is owned by Sony. Specsavers had previously sponsored HawkEye at cricket matches.

It is believed Croke Park are also seeking backers for at least one of their U20 championships. Eirgrid have been associated with football competition going back to 2015 and their current agreement has expired. O’Neills have one more year remaining in their four-year deal.

All six associate senior sponsorships – Allianz, AIB and SuperValu for football and Bord Gáis, Centra and Eir for hurling – are expected to be on board again for 2025.

Collectively, sponsorship was worth €7.1 million to the GAA in the last financial year up to September 30, 2023, having been €8.136m for the previous 12-month period.

Meanwhile, Galway chairman Paul Bellew is to contest the position of Central Council delegate with Salthill-Knocknacarra secretary David Burke. Pádraig Pearses man Bellew, who enters his last year at the helm of the board, is also facing opposition from Tuam Stars Alan Mongey for the chair.

In Offaly, former Progressive Democrats TD Tom Parlon is set to succeed Michael Duignan as chairman as the former inter-county forward has completed his five-year term. Coolderry man Parlon is the only candidate for the role as is Brendan Minnock for secretary as Colm Cummins is stepping down.

Duignan as Central Council delegate and Pádraig O’Meara as PRO are among the few executive members who are returning for 2025. Recent GAA presidential candidate Pat Teehan is set to return to the Offaly top table as assistant secretary.

Elsewhere, the economic and social impact study of Gaelic games on the island of Ireland commissioned by the GAA has been delivered to the association’s, LGFA and Camogie Association’s leadership teams.

Representatives from Ulster University and Sheffield Hallam University presented the findings in Croke Park last week with the investment return expected to be significant. The 14-month study will be announced at a launch in the coming weeks.