Here are six of the many events taking place over this weekend where commercial partners in particular will be looking for a good return on the investment they have made in different areas of Irish sport.
2014 SSE Airtricity League Launch1. SSE Airtricity
The domestic soccer season gets under way tonight and SSE Airtricity will be looking for a good start to its #FanPoweredFootball initiative across social and outdoor media. The company has made a major long term commitment and will be looking for a strong response from fans at the turnstiles as well as media.
AIG’s Season Launch2. AIG
Dublin GAA looks for its biggest day of the year so far with senior hurling and football teams in action in a double header at Croke Park. Sure its the Sundays in September that matter most but with rival Aviva posting good numbers this week the pressure will remain on AIG sponsorships to deliver as they have done so far.
Glohealth Athletics3. Glohealth
The European Championship Indoor Athletics take place in Prague over the weekend and a strong performance by athletes like Mark English will raise the profile of the sport’s long term major backer here.  The Glohealth investment is across all grades and ages but it is at the top level that the role models for future success are created.
Tourism Ireland announces sponsorship of Ireland team for cricket world cup 2015.4. Discover Ireland
Two wins out of three and this weekend the Irish Cricket World Cup adventure hits Hobart in Tasmania for another must win game against Zimbabwe.  Ireland’s main tourist body has been enjoying massive global coverage so far.  They will be looking for that to last and this is a great opportunity for Kevin O’Brien and the team to bounce back from defeat to South Africa.
Bank of Ireland Lowry5. Bank of Ireland
Shane Lowry is challenging Rory McIlroy in terms of headlines as he performs well in the Doral Open going into the weekend.  He’s playing at the Masters and if he could score a breakthrough win in America in advance of that his stock will soar.  Watch out next week for another sponsorship announcement around the young rising star involving an Irish company…
gaa_world_games_launch20146. Etihad Airways
The World GAA Games take place this weekend in Abu Dhabi.  Etihad are backing the event on their home patch and showing why they spend money on Irish sport to a local audience will be important.