Skoda unveils 2014 Tipp GAA strip

Skoda Ireland has unveiled the new 2014 Tipperary GAA strip at Croke Park and announced that it will be extending its sponsorship by another year with over €800,000 invested in the county since the start of the sponsorship, writes Trish Whelan.

Tipperary Senior hurling stars Brendan Maher, Noel McGrath and Kieran Bergin along with Tipperary Senior Football Captain Paddy Codd and Senior Footballer Alan Campbell, were on hand to showcase the new strip and discuss ambitions for the 2014 championship season.

The full sponsorship of Tipperary GAA covers both the hurling and football codes and includes all grades from minor to senior inter-county teams over the next year. As part of the extended sponsorship deal, the new look Tipperary jersey for next season was unveiled displaying the Skoda brand name and an 1884 motif in honour of the foundation of the GAA in Thurles on 1 November 1884.

Raymond Leddy, Head of Marketing & Product, Skoda Ireland (pictured left) says since they came on board as partners in 2011, they have evolved the sponsorship to involve their network of dealers across the country to support GAA at a local level as well as county level. He added the Tipperary sponsorship has been an integral part of Skoda's marketing efforts which has seen Skoda increase market share from 5.2 percent back in 2011 to record share of 6.7 percent as it is today.

Skoda has used the Tipperary GAA partnership as a platform for developing a programme of local dealer sponsorships with grass roots GAA clubs including Tippeary dealer Ryan Motor Power who sponsor the Tipperary Camogie; Waterford dealer Martin Barrett who sponsor De La Salle GAA Club, Waterford; Sligo dealer Burns Car Sales who sponsor St Johns GAA Club, Sligo; Kerry dealer Liam Lynch Car Sales who sponsor IT Tralee; Wicklow dealer Sinnott Skoda who sponsor Rathnew GAA Club; and Bandon dealer Finbarr Galvin Ltd who sponsor Bandon GAA Club.