AIB to continue AIL sponsorship

Allied Irish Banks have agreed to continue their sponsorship of the All Ireland League for the upcoming season.

It will give the IRFU more time to come to a satisfactory conclusion on the format of the league in the years ahead.

Mr John Hickey, the general manager of AIB said: "Until such time as agreement was reached as to the format of the league going forward, it was difficult for the Bank to commit to any longer period than a one-year sponsorship deal, but once a new format is agreed between the IRFU and the clubs, the Bank will then review the sponsorship going forward."

In response, the President of the IRFU, Barry Keogh, noted: "The AIB League has endured as Ireland's premier inter-club championship and continues to provide the high point of the club season across all divisions."

The AIB League 2004/2005 season will officially kick off on Saturday October 16, and continue until next May 2005, with the AIB League Finals scheduled for Saturday May 7, 2005.