Dublin - Telecommunications company O2 has extended its shirt sponsorship deal with Ireland’s national rugby union team through to 2016.
The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) announced on Monday that the O2 logo will remain on the Ireland senior international playing and training kits. Financial details have not been disclosed, but the deal will cover the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England.
The 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand will start next month, with Ireland set to be one of the leading challengers. O2 kicked off its support of Irish rugby in 2002 when the company became the official mobile telecommunications partner of the IRFU. In 2006, O2 expanded its partnership by becoming the official sponsor of the Ireland national team.
"O2 is extremely proud to have been a loyal partner to the Ireland team over the last five years," said Stephen Shurrock, chief executive of Telefonica Ireland, which operates the O2 brand in Ireland.
"We look forward to sharing in the ambitions and successes of Irish rugby in the years ahead, and to bringing our customers and all rugby supporters closer to the action in the process."
IRFU president John Hussey added: "This has been one of the best and most successful sponsorships in Irish sport. We thank O2 for their continued commitment and we look forward to enjoying many more successful years both for O2 and the Ireland team."
The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) announced on Monday that the O2 logo will remain on the Ireland senior international playing and training kits. Financial details have not been disclosed, but the deal will cover the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England.
The 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand will start next month, with Ireland set to be one of the leading challengers. O2 kicked off its support of Irish rugby in 2002 when the company became the official mobile telecommunications partner of the IRFU. In 2006, O2 expanded its partnership by becoming the official sponsor of the Ireland national team.
"O2 is extremely proud to have been a loyal partner to the Ireland team over the last five years," said Stephen Shurrock, chief executive of Telefonica Ireland, which operates the O2 brand in Ireland.
"We look forward to sharing in the ambitions and successes of Irish rugby in the years ahead, and to bringing our customers and all rugby supporters closer to the action in the process."
IRFU president John Hussey added: "This has been one of the best and most successful sponsorships in Irish sport. We thank O2 for their continued commitment and we look forward to enjoying many more successful years both for O2 and the Ireland team."