Italian sportswear giant, Macron, has today been named as the official title sponsor of the Galway Cup. Formerly known as the Umbro Galway Cup, the prestigious underage soccer tournament - now entering its 9th year - was officially launched at Drom Soccer Park this afternoon (Tuesday, January 15th) by former Irish International soccer player, Kevin Kilbane. In conjunction with the launch, Salthill Devon FC has also announced their multi-year partnership with Macron as the club’s official kit supplier. This agreement also includes the club’s Airtricity/League of Ireland side.
As a European leader in the production of active sportswear, Macron boast an array of partnerships with top level sports clubs all over the world. Macron’s first contract in professional football began with Bologna FC in 2001 and since then has succeeded in becoming an internationally recognized brand. Macron sportswear are current gear suppliers to Napoli, Monaco, Braga, RCD Mallorca, AZ Alkmaar, Leeds United and West Ham United, among other football professional clubs, along with leading Rugby outfits, including Edinburgh Rugby.
To celebrate the company’s 40thanniversary, Macron last year established Macron Kits in Dublin and has since added a number of League of Ireland clubs to its stable. These include First Division champions Limerick FC, as well as Shelbourne, Bohemians, Waterford United, Finn Harps and Longford Town.
Macron’s Irish operation offers playing kit, performance wear, sports equipment and leisure wear across multiple sports, including soccer, basketball and rugby.
This new partnership between the Galway Cup and Macron is a five year agreement and comes after Umbro’s eight year run as title sponsor of the event. Denis Burke, tournament organiser commented, “We are excited to name Macron as our new title sponsor of the Galway Cup. I would like to extend a massive thank you to Umbro for eight years sponsoring and supporting the Galway Cup. With that said – we are delighted to announce the collaboration between Macron and the Galway Cup, making the 2013 edition the start of the Macron Galway Cup”.
John Fallon, Director of Macron Kits said “It is an absolute privilege for Macron sportswear to be associated with and be title sponsor of the prestigious Galway Cup Competition & kit supplier to Salthill Devon FC. The commitment to the Galway Cup by Macron represents the largest-ever sponsorship of an underage club tournament in Ireland and will help us further establish the Macron brand in the west of Ireland”.
The 2013 Macron Galway Cup takes place at Drom Soccer Park, home of Salthill Devon FC, from the 7th to 10th of August. The competition will welcome teams from all over Ireland as well as the world over for the thrilling four day event. The tournament, which showcases the talents of some of the brightest rising stars of our generation, has since its inception, become a major recruiting opportunity for the FAI.
For further information on the upcoming event, check out www.GalwayCup.com, search ‘Macron Galway Cup’ on Facebook