GAA teams and businesses can be compared in many ways as in each it takes hard work, dedication and a lot of effort to be successful in both. 

Combining all these attributes on a consistent basis takes a great degree of aptitude, but there are some companies around the country equipped to do so and this helps them provide the best service possible for their customers.
Athlone-based Oliver Carty Ltd is one such business and for this year's edition of 'Maroon & White', we profile the family owned company and speak to Managing Director Ted Carty about the success that they have had over the years.
Ted's father Oliver Carty set up the business 51 years ago and from humble beginnings and through hard work and determination, it has become one of the country's leading suppliers of pork and bacon products.
This family-run business now has two premises at Monksland, Athlone and employs 140 people where they specialize in supplying retailers with their vast array of branded and own-branded pork, bacon and rasher products.
Carty Meats are not unfamiliar with picking up awards for their products and such is their attention to providing top class products to a large customer base that these awards are obtained on a regular basis.
"We pride ourselves on delivering quality products to our customers and we have been doing that since my father set up the business back in 1960," said Ted.
The main driver of growth has been a contract to supply Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland (SuperValu and Centra stores) with their own-label bacon and rasher products. Over 70% of Oliver Carty Ltd business is with Musgrave Group. The company commenced supplying MRPI with bacon in 1998 and currently supply SuperValu and Centra with all its own-brand and serve-over rashers, own-brand bacon joints and primal bacon.
"We are category partners with Musgraves and this means that we supply all their SuperValu and Centra stores around the country with our bacon products.
"This means that any pack of rashers or loin of bacon for instance that is packed in the SuperValu or Centra brand comes from us. There are approximately 190 Super Valu and 470 Centra stores throughout Ireland and it is our job to supply all of these with their own brand bacon products."
Through their two separate sites at Monksland, all bacon is processed and packaged there before being sent to Musgrave's central hubs in Dublin and Cork for distribution.
"We would slice three million rashers a week at one of the factories in Monksland, while there could be 80 to 90 tonne of joints processed a week also.
"All our meat is Irish grown and Bord Bia approved. We buy from different places around Ireland including Rosderra Irish Meats Group which has plants in Edenderry and Roscrea as well as Staunton Foods Ltd in Cork."
National Accounts Manager Mary Kelly (a staunch Kerry supporter) revealed that the contract with Musgraves covered the majority of their business.
"Musgraves would certainly be our biggest customer. We have a good partnership with them and it is one that we hope to continue for many years to come."
Based in Athlone, the company has close associations with both Westmeath and Roscommon and when it comes to sponsorship, the company have been very generous and supply sponsorship to St Brigid's and Clann na nGael in Roscommon as well as Westmeath based clubs Athlone and Garrycastle.
Ted lined out in the light blue jersey of Athlone at underage level right up to minor and is an avid GAA supporter. He was delighted to see St Brigids lift the Connacht title last year, while he also felt Garrycastle were unfortunate in their quest for provincial honours.
"It was great to see the local teams do so well. St Brigid's were probably fortunate to be in the Connacht final, but once it went to extra-time there was only going to be one winner.
"Garrycastle were unlucky against Kilmacud Crokes, it was certainly a game that they could have won and if they took their chances near the end, they would have been in the final.
"Football is very strong in these parts and it's great to see all the clubs doing well. I've always had a keen interest in the game and we try to help out where we can."
The success of Roscommon footballers in 2010 may have surprised many, but it is a testament of the hard work that they have put in at underage level over the last few years.
For Westmeath, it is something of a transition period, but early season performances and the unearthing of some new talent suggests that they are heading in the right direction and it may not be too long before they are challenging for provincial honours once again.
 
 
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