Features

Limerick GAA signs stadium sponsor in first for Ireland

The Limerick County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association (Limerick GAA) has signed a wide-ranging partnership with the Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT), granting the educational institution naming rights to the Irish city’s Gaelic Grounds stadium.

As part of the 10-year agreement, the 49,000-seat stadium will be renamed as the LIT Gaelic Grounds. LIT will pay €300,000 (£258,000/$338,000) to Limerick GAA over the 10-year period for naming rights to the stadium.

According to Limerick GAA, the deal is the first of its kind in Ireland. The agreement will also include a dedicated scholarship scheme for Limerick GAA Club members to attend LIT, along with internships and work experience for LIT students in sports coaching, event management, marketing and other areas.

LIT will also support Limerick GAA clubs, which in return will have access to LIT campus facilities. Limerick GAA grounds will also serve as a ‘living lab’ for LIT students for educational and other purposes.

Over the next 10 years, Limerick GAA’s headquarters are set for major redevelopment, with a new plaza-type area and new stadium facilities in the pipeline.

LIT president Dr. Vincent Cunnane said: “We have both been in the business of supporting our communities for a long time and coming together to do this in a defined way now makes huge sense.

“This partnership is a win-win-win for Limerick, for LIT students and for Limerick GAA. It’s a symbiotic relationship where, for example, our students with be able to get invaluable and relevant work experience around for their chosen career area, with the benefit of their energy and education also being very much felt in the GAA.

“At the same time we will also be offering scholarships every year for Limerick GAA club members to come to college in LIT, and we will also be putting in place programmes drawn from specific LIT expertise to support smaller clubs.”

The new name for the Gaelic Grounds will come into effect on May 1.

Image: LIT