The time was right for iconic Tullamore firm to jump on Offaly GAA train

THE timing was perfect for one of Tullamore's iconic firms to finally jump aboard the Offaly GAA train, after decades of watching on from the sidelines.

Located just a few hundred metres up the road from O'Connor Park, Condron Concrete have become one of Offaly GAA's main financial backers in the past year.

A locally owned firm and one of the town's big employers, Condron Concrete have played a pivotal part in life in Tullamore and surrounding areas since being established by a famous Killeigh man, the late Johnny Condron over fifty years ago in 1969.

They have now committed to supporting the Offaly GAA Coaching and Games development programme for a three year term, contributing over €100,000 each year to help pay for their many full time coaches. Their contribution will be a major help to Offaly GAA and will go close to clearing their contribution towards the wages of full time coaches – Leinster Council and the clubs who avail of full time Games Promotion Officers also help pay the expenses.

Several renowned GAA players and workers have been employed by Condron Concrete over the years and Johnny Condron was a keen fan while they represent a heart-warming, self-made, local success story. While they did support the GAA and other local groups over the years, it was often noted, albeit in hushed tones and quiet whispers, that they were not one of the major backers of Offaly GAA and approaches to them did not always yield a positive response over the years.

That has now changed quite dramatically and a number of circumstances have led to this. The timing was perfect for the managing director, also John Condron, and son of the founder, to commit very significant money to Offaly GAA. Dervill Dolan, who stepped down as Offaly GAA treasurer after five years recently, was an important link as he does consultancy and accountancy work for the firm..

Dolan's presence and John Condron wishing to celebrate the legacy of his father and the many people who have made up Condron Concrete over the years, led to this very important new sponsorship deal being struck.

It was formally launched on Wednesday morning with Offaly GAA chairman Tom Parlon and secretary Brendan Minnock present along with most of their full time coaches and workers.

For John Condron, there was a desire to support local causes, in Offaly, the GAA is the single biggest organisation and through Dervill Dolan, he was informed of the efforts they were making to bring the glory days back to the county. Condron Concrete are spreading their sporting net wider than just the GAA – they have naming rights for Tullamore Rugby Club's grounds at Spollanstown while they are also sponsoring Offaly formula 3 driver Alex Dunne, from Clonbullogue.

Their support of Offaly GAA, however, is their biggest deal and it is a terrific boost to Offaly GAA, who have attracted some major new sponsors in recent years.

John Condron himself is not a big GAA fan but again, circumstances meant that the timing was ideal for him to come on board. His 19 year old son Luke plays football with Durrow, where they live, and is a great follower of Offaly GAA. This brought his father to games and he became more aware of the progress being made and what it took to run the GAA in a county.

Condron Concrete had an advertising hoarding in O'Connor Park for a couple of years before John actually saw it at a game and he got great pleasure out of attending some of the Offaly U-20 hurling games last year – he was at the All-Ireland final win over Tipperary in Kilkenny and witnessed the excitement of people, what it meant to them at first hand.

The firm's founder Johnny Condron started out in farming, went into land reclamation and then he developed the idea of making concrete pipes in 1969. They branched out into roof tiles in 1979 and then plastic pipes fifteen years ago while John Condron is big into sustainability and developing this through solar panels and other initiatives. This week, 57 customers travelled from the UK to look at their plant – they do 40% of their extensive business in the UK and employ 170 people. They have thirty trucks, each with a picture of his father on the back cab.

John Condron explained the role his son Luke played in generating his enthusiasm for the GAA, as well as his father and Dervill Dolan.

“I had long chats with Dervill about how we could help Offaly. In the past it wouldn't have been great but now I want to try and help the youth,” he said. “Hopefully regenerate Offaly. The excitement last summer with the U20s winning was magic and if we could do it with senior, it would be something else. Luke is a huge GAA fan, something like my father. He goes to all games in Croke Park and others and it was through him that regenerated my interest in it. I wouldn't have been going to games but Luke got me going. Dervill got me to do a sign in O'Connor Park and the first time I saw it was at an Offaly hurling game a couple of years later.”

While they have committed for a three year deal, it is not a free ride and John Condron expects results. “If I see the results and see it happening I will do it for another three years but I have to see it happening on the ground. I run my business here and benchmark everything. I will benchmark Offaly the same way. Don't you worry I will be checking it out and they will have to prove to me they are doing the work, it is not a freebie. 100%, that is the way I do it.”

This does not mean a demand for All-Ireland honours but he wants to hear stories that the coaches are getting to the children and do what the work on the ground.

He admitted that they hadn't always supported Offaly GAA but pointed out that they went through some tough years with recessions. “All I can do is talk about now and I wanted to do something for my father. I like to help Offaly and I will help Alex Dunne in motor sport. It is fantastic Offaly won an All-Ireland U-20 but wouldn't it be great if we won a senior title. I am a proud Offaly person and if I can get Offaly on the map, it will be great. I am passionate about that.”

John Condron grew up in Clonminch before moving to Durrow in 1985. He played hurling when he was young but athletics was his sporting passion as a young teenager and man. As an adult, he supported his twin boys Alex and Ryan as they pursued swimming at a high level from the 1990s on. Now 30 years of age, Alex swam for Ireland and then pursued the sport in Florida, winning several titles while Ryan swam in Athlone and won national club and schools' medals – the duo are now working with Condron Concrete.

He attended a big Offaly GAA function to honour to seven All-Ireland senior winning captains last year and there were gasps on the night when he paid €16,000 for a signed jersey. That jersey is now proudly displayed at their offices on the Arden Road, along with other signed jerseys and GAA memorabilia. Again, it was legacy reasons that prompted his very generous gesture that night.

John explained that his father's “right hand person” was well known Killeigh man Brendan O'Rourke, who later became a director of the company. Brendan's brother Mick won All-Ireland senior football medals with Offaly in 1971 and 1972 while his son John O'Rourke is “my right hand person”.

“I wanted to do it for them and I wanted to help Offaly,” he smiled.