Irish rugby team ring in new O2 sponsorship deal

COMMUNICATIONS giant O2 have been unveiled as the new sponsor of the Irish rugby team.

The sponsorship, announced yesterday at O2’s Customer Care headquarters in Limerick, commences today and runs for a period of six years, to the end of 2011/12 season.

Speaking on behalf of the IRFU, Andy Crawford, President, welcomed the new association: “Seems to me we’re doing a lot of celebrating these days in Irish rugby; we’re celebrating again today, a joint celebration with O2, and it gives me great pleasure to announce this sponsorship.

“In formally welcoming them on board, I’d like to say how fitting it is that the famous brand name of O2, Ireland’s leading communications company, should adorn the Irish rugby jersey for the first time. O2 has been a wonderful and cherished supporter of Irish rugby for a number of years, at a number of levels, including sponsorship of the West Stand in Lansdowne Road; they have also been the official communications sponsor to the IRFU.

“We’re delighted now to further consolidate that relationship, look forward to many good years ahead. I understand that O2 have a number of initiatives in mind to augment their brand-name on the Irish jersey, and judging by the way they go about their business, I have every confidence they will be seen to actively leverage their sponsorship of the team.”

The sponsorship comes on two levels, the senior team and the A side. This means that over the next month they will have wonderful exposure, particularly with the team in New Zealand/Australia, but also with the A squad travelling to the Churchill Cup in North America.”

Responding on behalf of O2, CEO (Ireland) Danuta Gray said: “O2 has been involved in Irish rugby for the last six years but it’s always been our ambition to be the main sponsor on the shirt. To see everyone arrive this morning in the new shirt (the whole squad was present at the launch) makes us really proud, and very pleased to be the new major sponsors of Irish rugby.

“I would like, however, to make an apology to all our customers. This is our main customer care centre, and I think most of our customer care agents are looking out the window, wanting to see the lads!

” I’d like to recognise the progress the IRFU has made, the structures they’ve put in place in making Irish rugby the success it is, not just at national and senior level but also the work that’s done at schools level. I’m really excited that O2 have become the sponsor at this time, when we’re seeing success at all levels of Irish rugby.”

The value of the sponsorship was not disclosed but, according to Philip Browne, CEO of the IRFU, it’s a substantial sum. “Suffice to say it’s an arrangement that’s very satisfactory for Irish rugby, satisfactory from O2’s point of view as well.”