There was a strong sense of Déise pride in Waterford this week as Walsh Park officially became Azzurri Walsh Park, following a landmark multi-year naming rights partnership between Waterford GAA and local sportswear company Azzurri Sport.
The agreement marks another step forward in the county’s evolving commercial strategy, coming just months after Fraher Field in Dungarvan was renamed Cappoquin Logistics Fraher Field under a separate naming rights deal earlier this year.
Together, the partnerships highlight Waterford GAA’s growing ability to blend community, commerce, and culture, creating sustainable models to fund future investment in local sport.
Azzurri’s connection with Waterford GAA runs deep. The company has been the county’s kit supplier since 2003.
“We are delighted to welcome Azzurri Sport as the new naming sponsor of Walsh Park,” said Neil Moore, Chair of Waterford GAA.
“This partnership represents shared values of community, identity, and ambition. The support of Azzurri will make a real difference to the future of our players, our facilities, and our games at every level.”
“As a proud Waterford company, we are honoured to be associated with Walsh Park,” added Jack Molloy, Director at Azzurri Sport.
“This is a venue that means so much to the people of this city and county, and our partnership reflects our continued commitment to supporting Gaelic games and the communities that sustain them.”
The partnership follows a period of major transformation at the venue. Between 2018 and 2022, Walsh Park underwent a multi-phase redevelopment that modernised its stands, upgraded player and media facilities, improved accessibility, and added new seating and safety systems.
The works reduced the capacity to around 11,000, but ensured the ground meets modern comfort and safety standards. The upgrades also restored Waterford’s ability to host Munster Championship and Allianz League matches on home soil.
The new deal follows the naming rights agreement with Cappoquin Logistics for Fraher Field, which was announced in February. Together, they give Waterford’s two main GAA venues long-term commercial partners for the first time, both locally based, and both deeply connected to the Déise sporting community.
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