Last week we covered the commercial deals that are supporting the clubs in the 2023 SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division.

Today we turn our attention to the clubs that are playing in the Men’s First Division and the different levels of support they attract from local partners.

 

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ATHLONE TOWN

Principal Commercial Partner: Hayden and Co Solicitors is the club’s main commercial partner for 2023.

Other Commercial Partnerships:  Joe Lynch Toyota

Kit Supplier: Umbro

Ownership Structure: The club is the oldest in the League of Ireland having been founded in 1887.  It settled a legal wrangle over ownership of the ground in 2019 and this year has signed a strategic partnership with the US Based Valeo FC.

Initiatives: The success of the Women’s team in reaching the Extra.ie FAI Cup Final last season and winning the first President’s Cup has fired enthusiasm around the club.

Twitter: @AthloneTownAFC 5.3 K followers (3.1K in 2021

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BRAY WANDERERS

Principal Commercial Partner: VisualPrint.ie is on the senior shirt front this season.  Sean Mulryan’s Ballymore is on the shirt of all the underage teams.

Other Commercial Partnerships: Dunnes Stores, Windsor Motors, IMC Cinemas, Ballymore and Permanent TSB

Kit Supplier: Umbro

Ownership Structure: Cabinteely FC acquired 51 percent of the club in 2021 and saw a merger of the two sides at the League of Ireland level.  The club decided to continue with the name of Bray Wanderers, 100 years old last year, and to remain playing games at the Carlisle Grounds in Bray.

Initiatives: There seems to be a strong focus on the underage teams this season with extensive coverage across the social media channels.

Twitter: @BrayWanderers 20.4K Followers (16.5K in 2021)

 

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COBH RAMBLERS

Principal Commercial Partner: McCarthy Insurance Group have renewed for a second year as the club’s main commercial partner.

Other Commercial Partnerships: Corks 96FM, Belvelly Castle, Doyle Shipping Group, Keary’s Nissan

Kit Supplier: Joma

Ownership Structure: The club remains fully fan-owned but is seeking inward investment.

Initiatives: The club celebrated its centenary in 2022.

Twitter: @CobhRamblersFC 14.6K Followers (12.2K in 2021)

 

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FINN HARPS

Principal Commercial Partner: Local retailer SoLo is the main shirt front partner for the 2023 season

Other Commercial Partnerships: Joey O’Leary Financial Services

Kit Supplier: Joma

Ownership Structure: The club is fully owned by the fans

Initiatives: The playing budget has been halved after relegation but the focus now has switched in what is being put forward as a long-term positive to having professional management and developing players from across the North West

Twitter: @FinnHarpsFC 23K Followers (16.9K in 2021)

 

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GALWAY UNITED

Principal Commercial Partner: The Comer Group is the main commercial partner as it has been now for the past decade

Other Commercial Partnerships: TitanHQ, Kingfisher, Foras na Gaeilge, Sweeney Oil, Bon Secours Hospital , Midwest Fire and Security and others.

Kit Supplier: O’Neills

Ownership Structure: Brian and Luke Comer bought an 85 percent stake in the club last year with the remaining 15 percent in the hands of a Fans cooperative group.

Initiatives: The Galway United Friends Co-Operative allows ‘ownership’ of the club for €15 a month.

Twitter: @GalwayUnitedFC 18K followers (15K in 2021)

 

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KERRY FC

Principal Commercial Partner: Kerry Airport Ireland are the new club’s first Principal Partner

Other Commercial Partnerships: The Rose, Meadowlands and Great Southern Hotels are listed as Gold Partners alongside Adams Hyundai Dealership.  There are an additional five ‘Green Partners’ and a very impressive 32 Associate sponsors listed on the website, as well as Halpin Sports Sponsorship.

Kit Supplier: New Balance

Ownership Structure: The club is a partnership between the Kerry District League and a number of individuals including manager Billy Dennehy and Chairman Brian Ainscough.

Initiatives: There is a huge level of enthusiasm for Kerry’s first League of Ireland club with family-friendly open days at the Munthawk Park ground and more.

Twitter: @KerryFC 7.8K Followers

 

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LONGFORD TOWN

Principal Commercial Partner: The Bishopsgate Group came on board as main club sponsors in 2019 and remain so through 2023.

Other Commercial Partnerships: The Munnelly Group, Future Ticketing, Intersport Elverys, Solas Office Hygiene.

Kit Supplier: Macron

Ownership Structure: The club and the ground have been owned by a company trading as Domeford Limited since 2007.  Jim Hanley is the long-time Chairman of the club.

Initiatives: The club’s twitter account is lively to follow during matches. ’91’ Cobh think they’ve scored but it’s about 3 years offside.’

Twitter: @LongfordTownFC 13.8K followers (12.2K in 2021)

 

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TREATY UNITED

Principal Commercial Partner: Derrin Group took over the main sponsorship from UPMC last year and will remain on the new O’Neills shirt front for 2023.

Other Commercial Partnerships: EI Electronics are on the shirt front of the Women’s Premier Division Team.

Kit Supplier: O’Neills

 

Ownership Structure: Treaty United was formed in 2020 by a group of individuals intent on restoring League of Ireland football to Limerick.

Initiatives: Alan Kenny was appointed as the club’s first commercial manager prior to the start of this season.

Twitter: @TreatyUnitedFC 9,352 followers (4,175 in 2021)

 

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WATERFORD FC

Principal Commercial Partner: DG Foods came on board as the main club sponsor during the 2022 season and will remain so for the 2023 campaign.

Other Commercial Partnerships: The club had previous relationships with the Viking Hotel, Mortgage Corporation, UPMC, and Waterford Institute of Technology (Now SETU).  There is no listing of club sponsors on the website.

Kit Supplier: Umbro

Ownership Structure: In August 2022, Fleetwood Town owner Andy Pilley completed a takeover of the club. “The secret of success here will be the whole city coming together. The football club needs to become aligned with the community, the supporters, the business community and the Council. For me this is a long-term investment into a club and the city,” he said at the time.

Initiatives:  Waterford FC has a new partnership with Waterford Food Bank for the 2023 season.  In conjunction with the club, Waterford Food Bank will host a food collection at every home game in the RSC where they will be accepting donations of non-perishable foods such as cereals, rice, pasta, sauces, tea, coffee, soups, tinned goods, and biscuits.

Twitter: @WaterfordFCie 21.8K followers (17.7K in 2021)

 

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WEXFORD FC

Principal Commercial Partner: Campion Insurance are the new shirt front sponsor for the 2023 season and we will be featuring them in a special interview from Wexford later on this month.

Other Commercial Partnerships: The Talbot Collection and Pettits SuperValu also feature on the Wexford FC shirt

Kit Supplier: Summa Sportswear

Ownership Structure: Wexford FC and Wexford Youths Women FC are owned by the Wexford Supporters Trust (WST), a supporter-run cooperative.

Initiatives: Wexford FC and Wexford Youth in the Women’s Premier Division have a partnership with Head in the Game and the captains will wear a branded armband promoting the mental health advocacy group throughout the season.

Twitter: @Wexford FC 12.9K followers (10.5K Followers in 2021)