Photo Credit: Sportsfile
Cricket Ireland and O’Neills Sportswear have paid tribute to their successful partnership since 2012 – a period during which Irish cricket’s profile and global standing grew significantly and the national teams carried the famous Irish clothing brand to all corners of the globe.
Originally announced in April 2012, the partnership saw O’Neills take over as Cricket Ireland’s Official Kit Supplier for international teams.
Over subsequent years, the partnership grew into other areas of support, notably the membership area, retail sales and supply of peak domestic competition and underage pathway kit.
As with most long-term partnerships, circumstances evolve with both parties and in late 2022 both Cricket Ireland and O’Neills mutually agreed to end the partnership at the expiration of the current agreement (which concluded on 31 December 2022).
Paul O’Sullivan, Business Development Manager for Cricket Ireland, said:
“It’s not often that when a long-term commercial partnership ends that relations remain as amicable as ever, but it is a credit to O’Neills and Cricket Ireland that both parties worked so collegiately right to the end of the contract – with O’Neills supplying orders right up to the current men’s tour of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
“The decision to not renew the contract was not arrived at easily, given our respect for our friends at O’Neills. However, when we both shared our vision for the future there was a mutual acceptance that the partnership may have run its course, which happens at times. Given this we believe that this is a time to step back and say a sincere and heartfelt thanks to the dedication, skill and hard work of everyone in O’Neills, especially those on the factory floor who have literally created thousands of pieces of kit over the years.
“Our thanks to John Tumilty and his team and wish them well for the future. O’Neills is, and will always be, part of the Irish cricket family and history.”
Alison Perry, Marketing Manager for O’Neills, said:
“We have had a very long and happy relationship with Cricket Ireland. While we appreciate the collaboration we had in the past, both parties are now pursuing a different direction. We are grateful for the partnership and we wish Cricket Ireland continued success and the very best in their future endeavours.”
