O2 Extends Ireland Rugby Deal

O2 has extended its shirt sponsorship deal with Ireland’s national rugby union team until 2016 – after the Irish Rugby Football Union announced that the O2 logo will remain on the Ireland senior international playing and training kits.

Financial details of the sponsorship have not been disclosed for the deal – which covers the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England.

O2 began its support of Irish rugby in 2002 when the company became the official mobile telecommunications partner of the IRFU, and in 2006, 02 expanded its partnership by becoming the official sponsor of the Ireland national team.

Stephen Shurrock, chief executive of Telefonica Ireland, said: ‘O2 is extremely proud to have been a loyal partner to the Ireland team over the last five years’.

‘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’.