Glenisk secure naming rights for O'Connor Park as Galvin for Men strike big sponsorship deal with Offaly GAA

GLENISK have extended their sponsorship of Offaly GAA by securing naming rights for the county's playing headquarters in O'Connor Park, Tullamore while Tullamore retail firm, Galvin for Men have struck a significant six figure deal to have their name on the sleeves of Offaly jersies.

The deal still has to be approved by Tullamore GAA Club but after a revised lease agreement last year ending a three year stand off between them and the County Board over the terms of the lease, that should be a formality.

Tullamore's entitlement to a cut from any deal for naming rights and concerts was one of the County Board's main issues with the previous deal and this will be the new agreement's first big test.

It is a significant extension of their support for GAA in the county by Glenisk. The Killeigh based firm replaced Carroll Cuisine as the main sponsors of county teams last year. Carroll Meats/Cuisine had been the county's main sponsors since such sponsorships were first allowed by the GAA back in the early 1990s and replacing them was a big step by the County Board.

Developed and owned by a popular Killeigh family, the Cleary's, Glenisk are an organic yogurt and milk manufacturing company with a national profile, supplying the country's biggest supermarkets. They have recovered from a devastating fire at their Newtown headquarters in September 2021 and their sponsorship of Offaly GAA as well as the county camogie and ladies football teams were unveiled last year.

The deal was announced by chairman Michael Duignan at an Offaly GAA County Board meeting on Monday evening. It was sanctioned by delegates on the understanding that Tullamore GAA also have to sign off on it. Once Tullamore agree, the ground will become known as Glenisk O'Connor Park.

They replace Bord na Mona, whose decision to avail of an opt out clause five years into a 10 year deal three years ago was greeted with disappointment and surprise by the GAA community in Offaly. While Bord na Mona were fully entitled to withdraw under the terms of their deal, they were seen as a good fit for Offaly GAA – there are considerable emotional ties between Bord na Mona and Offaly as they were a major employer in the county for decades and their presence and that of ESB was a major factor in the county being so successful from the 1960s through to 2000.

The terms of the deal were not revealed but Michael Duignan told delegates that he hoped they would raise €100,000 each year between naming rights and revenue from advertising hoardings at O'Connor Park – he appealed to businesses to take up advertising boards in the ground, noting that many of the existing ones do so to support GAA in the county rather than for any real promotional benefit. He revealed that a package has been drawn up entitling businesses to two All-Ireland tickets and two passes to club games. He revealed that space is now available at the Park Avenue end of the ground, costing €5,000.

He also announced a major sponsorship deal with long standing Tullamore clothing company, Galvin for Men. Their name will now go on the sleeve of Offaly's senior and U-20 football and hurling jersies with Glenisk occupying prime space on the front and back – the youth mental health organisation Jigsaw will remain on the sleeves of county minor and underage teams.

A nationally promiment firm, attracting customers from far outside county boundaries, Galvin for Men was established by a well known local family, the Galvin's several decades ago. It was sold by Paul Galvin to an employee, Leslie Keenaghan a number of years ago. Michael Duignan thanked the firm for their support, revealing that it was at “substantial six figure level”.