Wicklow GAA have signed a lucrative new sponsorship deal which will make them one of the top earning counties in the country, despite their relative lack of success on the pitch in recent times.
The Garden County have partnered with Echelon Data Centres and the home builder Beakonshaw, with their pact from 2023-2028 worth €1.5million. That's an annual rate of €300,000.
It is believed to be the fourth highest sponsorship deal among counties in the GAA at the moment. Only Dublin (AIG), Kerry (Kerry Group), and Cork (Sports Direct) will earn a higher amount next year from their sponsorship deals.
That is a remarkable achievement for a county that will play in Divisions 4 and 2B of the football and hurling leagues respectively in 2023.
Their county grounds will be named Echelon Park Aughrim for the duration of the partnership.
Wicklow GAA chairman Martin Fitzgerald said that the new deal should go a long way towards improving the long-term future of Gaelic games in the county.
The continued development of our players is a key strategic focus for us. The positive impact that this investment will have at all levels in Wicklow GAA is unprecedented and may be the most important partnership for our future development as an organisation.
It will allow us to increase support for clubs and schools at grass roots level – and it will also allow us to put in place the structures and resources required for our footballers and hurlers to compete at a national level.
Wicklow GAA has ambitious plans for our minor and senior teams – but success takes talent, dedication, and resources. We believe we have the talent and dedication; now, thanks to this sponsorship deal with Echelon Data Centres and Beakonshaw, we have the financial backing to make it happen.
Of course, Wicklow remain as one of the great untapped resources in the GAA. Despite being among the main populations centres in the country, the county have never won a provincial title at senior level in either code.
There is a long way to go before that is likely to change, although they will be hoping that this new partnership will help them along the way.
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