As the Irish team prepares to depart for Japan and the Rugby World Cup, team sponsor Vodafone formally presented ‘Ireland’s Ball’ yesterday to  Peter O’Mahony, Chris Farrell, Joey Carbery and Jacob Stockdale.

Ireland’s Ball will travel to Japan with the team as a symbol of the #TeamOfUs support for Irish Rugby from fans in Ireland and around the world.

The grip has been created using an impression of the partial fingerprints of 32 people from around ireland, one each from every county.

Contributors to the ball include Maeve Cox from Meath, the first baby born in Ireland in 2019; Irish Women’s team captain Ciara Griffin from Kerry, John Burke from Clare who summited Everest in 2017; Brian John Spencer an artist from Belfast, and Matt Ni Grioffa an Irish speaking lobster fisherman and founding member of An Ghaeltacht Rugbaí, the only Irish speaking rugby team in the world.

“Vodafone’s mission with Irish Rugby is to create the most interconnected team and fanbase on the planet through the #TeamOfUs,” said Vodafone’s Head of Sponsorship and Business Brand Gerry Nixon.

“Our ‘Everyone In’ campaign is an invitation, to everyone around the country, and indeed every Irish rugby fan around the world, to come together and connect with Irish rugby in the build-up to and during their time in Japan.”

“We are conscious that most fans won’t be able to travel to Japan and we wanted to show the team the level of support that exists in every corner of Ireland.”

“We identified 32 people from 32 counties to share their fingerprints via a bespoke App so we could create Ireland’s Ball, a rugby ball that represents all of Ireland and carries our identity.”

Vodafone announced on friday that they were extending their partnership with Irish Rugby for another four years.
Read More: Vodafone Extends Partnership with Irish Rugby




Image Credits: Dan Sheridan, Inpho.ie