By Ciaran Woods
c.woods@gaeliclife.com
DUBLIN may be having difficulties finding a sponsor to adorn their famous navy and sky blue kit for next year, but Ulster counties report no such problems ahead of the start of the new season.
Dublin chiefs revealed this week that they have yet to secure a sponsor to replace department store Arnott's, who ended their 18-year association with the Dubs this year. As yet, they have not found anyone willing to pay the estimated ¤800,000 a year price to have their name on the kit of both the senior footballers and the resurgent hurlers.
Of the nine Ulster counties, only Antrim are currently between sponsorship arrangements, with Donegal having already changed for 2010 and the remaining seven either in the middle of agreements or expecting to retain their current sponsor on an ongoing basis.
After such a successful 2009 on the football front, Antrim have a number of options available to them, according to Saffrons chiefs. Their two-year arrangement with Creagh Concrete expired at the end of the season, and as well as Creagh being keen to come back on board, the Saffrons have a number of other offers on the table. A decision is expected to be made in the coming weeks to allow kit manufacturers O'Neills plenty of time to get the jerseys with the new sponsor logo on the shelves in time for Christmas, if the decision is taken to run with a different sponsor.
Armagh have an ongoing relationship with Morgan Fuels which they hope will only be a matter of renegotiating for next season, as is the case for Fermanagh (Tracey Concrete) and Down (Canal Court Hotel). None of the three counties expect any change in sponsorship to occur.
Cavan's current agreement with Kingspan comes to an end at the end of the 2010 season, and Breffni officials are confident that the insulation giant will renew their arrangement.
Tyrone too are entering the final year of their sponsorship agreement with Rocwell Water, which will expire when the Red Hand's campaign comes to a close next season. Given the high profile that the county have enjoyed over the past decade, it's unlikely that Tyrone will have much problem finding a replacement.
Derry are one year into their three-year performance-related sponsorship deal with bookies Ladbrokes, while Monaghan are also one year into their deal with Investec, which was signed for two years with the option of a further two.
The only Ulster county who have so far definitely changed sponsor is Donegal. They have pulled the plug on their long-running association with the Abbey Hotel in favour of Donegal Creameries, which will become the jersey sponsor for 2010.
