Millions of World Cup fans will be cheering on their national teams by donning replica jerseys made from yarn that is manufactured in Co Donegal.
Letterkenny-based Unifi Textured Yarns (Europe) Ltd is supplying the material used in 19 of the national jerseys, including defending champions France, Spain, Brazil, Germany, Argentina, England, Sweden, Nigeria, Japan and the Republic of Ireland.
The firm, which employs 726 people, decided to develop new types of yarn geared towards the sports and leisure-wear market. And now big brand names such as Adidas, Nike, Umbro and Puma are using its yarn.
"We are targeting this particular market as well as the corporate and fashion end," explained Unifi marketing manager Ms Dolores Carr.
Although competition is intense, the firm has been boosted by capturing a valuable slice of the lucrative spin-off from the World Cup.
"The selection process for fibre and fabric for jerseys is almost as competitive as the matches themselves," commented Unifi European product development manager, Mr Mick Siddons.
Unifi also makes the yarn that is used in replica jerseys by a number of cross-channel clubs, including Manchester United, Arsenal, Leeds, Chelsea and Celtic.
In some cases, the players use the same jerseys as those sold as replicas; in other instances they may use ones that incorporate additional design features which are more expensive.
Unifi has a 15 per cent share of the European polyester yarn market - over 99 per cent of its output in Letterkenny is exported - and also supplies the automotive industry.
In recent years, the company has begun to brand more of its products and, with Asian firms entering the lower end of the market, it has concentrated on new lines and the higher quality end of the market.
Among its other customers are Ford, Rover and Renault, which uses Unifi yarn in the seat fabric of its Megane range.
The yarn is also used in a wide variety of products ranging from upholstery to apparel, sewing thread and even the filters used in highlighter markers.
Unifi has been one of the major industrial success stories in the north-west.
A subsidiary of the American-based Unifi Incorporated, it began operations in Donegal in 1984 when it took over the former Courtaulds factory. More than €143 million has since been invested in the Letterkenny plant.
Its size is illustrated by the fact that it consumes more electricity than the town of Sligo.