Down county board has agreed a new sponsorship deal with The Canal Court Hotel.

It's the 14th year of the sponsorship which looked to have come to an end after last year's championship when the Newry-based hotel indicated that they wouldn't be agreeing a new deal.

"After last year's championship, The Canal Court said that maybe it was a time for change," Down secretary Sean Og McAteer explained to The Irish News.

"They left it free for us to go and talk to other people. If other people were interested they said they wouldn't stand in the way. But if we still wanted to talk to them then they would talk to us."

The Mourne County subsequently agreed a separate deal with The Canal Court for this year's Allianz League campaign, and it has now been confirmed that the hotel will be staying on for the championship. Since the GAA allowed teams to carry sponsors' logos on their jerseys over 20 years, Down have only had three backers - Kersten Hunik, Ulster Bank and The Canal Court Hotel.

McAteer denied that other companies hadn't shown an interest in taking on the sponsorship in these difficult economic times.

"We had interest from other parties," he insisted.

"I made it clear in my report to the convention that we would be looking elsewhere. I thanked The Canal Court for their support. But we are delighted that we are going into this year's championship with their backing. They have been great supporters to us." Tweet

Most Read Stories