CRICKET Ireland has announced the end of its kit deal with Strabane sports manufacturer O’Neills after almost 11 years.
The Co Tyrone company, which also has a base in Dublin, was confirmed as the official kit supplier for the Irish national side in April 2012.
In a statement on Tuesday, Cricket Ireland said: “As with most long-term partnerships, circumstances evolve with both parties and in late 2022 both Cricket Ireland and O’Neills mutually agreed to end the partnership at the expiration of the current agreement (which concluded on December 31 2022).”
The announcement came as the Irish men’s cricket squad continued their tour of Bangladesh.
According to reports, Italian sportswear company Macron will supply Cricket Ireland from the summer of 2023.
Paul O’Sullivan, business development manager for Cricket Ireland, said the sporting body and O’Neills had parted amicably.
“It is a credit to O’Neills and Cricket Ireland that both parties worked so collegiately right to the end of the contract – with O’Neills supplying orders right up to the current men’s tour of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka,” he said.
“The decision to not renew the contract was not arrived at easily, given our respect for our friends at O’Neills.
“However, when we both shared our vision for the future there was a mutual acceptance that the partnership may have run its course, which happens at times.
“Given this we believe that this is a time to step back and say a sincere and heartfelt thanks to the dedication, skill and hard work of everyone in O’Neills, especially those on the factory floor who have literally created thousands of pieces of kit over the years.”
Alison Perry, marketing manager for O’Neills, said: “We have had a very long and happy relationship with Cricket Ireland. While we appreciate the collaboration we had in the past, both parties are now pursuing a different direction. We are grateful for the partnership and we wish Cricket Ireland continued success and the very best in their future endeavours.”
