Vodafone Ireland today announced that its current sponsorship deal with Dublin GAA is to conclude at the end of the championship year.

The decision was taken following a recent review by Vodafone Ireland of the company’s wider sponsorship strategy and in accordance with the terms of the partnership. The mobile phone company will continue a relationship with Dublin GAA as an associate sponsor beyond this year’s championship, into 2014.

Vodafone Head of Brand Anne Mulcahy said: “Our sponsorship of Dublin GAA covered one of the most successful periods ever for the county across all codes and age groups. It’s a time that will live long in the memory of fans.

“We look forward this year to delivering another busy programme of activities that, together with our financial backing, will help maintain the hugely successful ongoing promotion of the games in the capital. We also look forward to continuing our relationship with Dublin as an associate partner and wish them well in securing a new lead sponsor for 2014.”

Dublin GAA Chairman Andy Kettle said that the county has never been in a stronger position as it sets about securing a sponsor for the 2014 season. “Vodafone have been excellent partners. They raised the sponsorship of Dublin GAA to a new level by way of the range of activity and support, financial and otherwise, they brought to the table. We thank them for that support over the course of the past three years and in the year ahead. The partnership between Vodafone and Dublin has been one of the most successful and mutually beneficial sports sponsorship of recent times,” he said.

“We will go to market in the summer to secure a new sponsor in the confidence that this is by far the strongest county brand and sponsorship property in the GAA and also one of the most coveted and high profile sports sponsorships in Ireland.

“As part of our new commercial strategy, a new sponsor will continue to enjoy the exposure and affinity that Dublin GAA provides with our massive fan base and large participation numbers. Evidence of this is the successful Spring Series, which has attracted attendances in the region of 30,000 for league matches played in Croke Park.

“We have enjoyed an incredibly successful three years across both codes and all age groups. The success of our underage teams in particular and the emergence of the hurlers ensures that the momentum and success built up over recent years in football and hurling is going to continue long into the future.”