The Dublin GAA football team have signed up to a sponsorship deal with the Gibson Hotel beside the O2, making it their ‘Hotel of Choice’.
The hotel will host the teams press conferences and events over the next three years and will benefit from special appearances by members of the panel in and around match weekends.
There are obviously no training facilities as would be the case with Carton House or other hotels that have deals with different sporting organisations but there is clearly value in association with a group of players that dominate summer in the city and are likely to be strong contenders for All Ireland glory again in 2013.
Vodafone are the main sponsors of Dublin GAA in a deal worth around €1.5 million a year.  Renault came on board as official car partners in 2012 supplying eight cars to seven footballers and the county hurling manager, Anthony Daly.
The deal with the Gibson Hotel is just with the football team however in a deal brokered by James Brogan, a recent member of the panel who has set up a management agency Legacy with his cousin Bernard.
“The Gibson is the centre piece hotel in a part of Dublin which is looking proudly to the future,” said Dublin Manager Jim Gavin at the announcement of the deal.
“It is a landmark hotel which represents all that is positive and progressive about our capital city and it is a fitting partner and a great asset for the Dublin footballers.”
”When the opportunity arose to partner the footballing Dubs we jumped at it,” added Gibson Hotel manager Adrian McLaughlin.  “The Gibson always has a warm welcome for all sports fans. We are close to Croke Park and Parnell Park and will be throwing our doors open this year as last to fans from every corner of the country throughout the Championship season.”