English Premiership rugby union team London Irish has agreed a five-year partnership with Irish sportswear manufacturer O’Neills.
Under the terms of the deal, O’Neills will produce all playing and replica kit for London Irish at senior and academy levels – ranging from under-13 to first-team level.
O’Neills will take responsibility for the management of a new London Irish online store and develop an international third party retailer network globally.
Traditionally a producer of kits for Gaelic football and hurling, O’Neills has expanded into rugby and soccer across the UK, Ireland and the USA.
O’Neills managing director Kieran Kennedy said: “As a brand it makes perfect sense to affiliate ourselves with a club that has a following in both Ireland and the UK as O’Neills’ presence in both countries continues to grow. This deal gives us an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to rugby and we look forward to working with London Irish going forward.”
London Irish’s new O’Neills kits will be unveiled at the team’s final match of the 2013-14 Premiership season against Sale Sharks on Saturday. The financial terms of the agreement were undisclosed.