Gaelic Games:Telecommunications company O2 will end their sponsorship deal with the Cork County Board at the end of the present contract on December 31st, 2012.
It will bring an end to a 15-year relationship between the pair and was believed to be only second in terms of investment to Dublin’s deal with Vodafone in sponsorship of county sides.
In a joint statement released this afternoon, O2 marketing director Eugene Mitchell said: “We have enjoyed a tremendous relationship with the Cork County Board since 1998, during which time we have shared in many memorable moments and achievements by the footballers and hurlers, including 26 national and 46 Munster titles.
“On behalf of O2, I would like to extend our gratitude to the County Board officers, to the players, team managements and supporters. We wish continued good fortune to all Cork teams and their loyal fans for the future.”
Bob Ryan, chairman of the Cork County Board, said: “We are obviously very sorry to lose O2 as sponsors of Cork GAA after 15 mutually successful years. The County Board officers, our hurling and football Players, our team managements and our supporters have enjoyed an excellent relationship with O2 and with its executives and representatives.
“We wish to thank them for their partnership and generous support over the years. We are currently in negotiations with a number of interested parties about the sponsorship of Cork GAA from 2013 onwards”.
O2, which is owned by Spanish company Telefonica, sponsors both the Ireland and England rugby teams.