Kirby Group Engineering has signed a five-year deal to sponsor Galway camogie.
The agreement with Galway County Camogie Board will see Kirby’s logo feature on the jerseys of the senior, U23 and U18 teams.
The company say the deal underlines their commitment to support local communities where it operates in Ireland, the UK, mainland Europe and South Africa.
Established in 1964, family-founded firm Kirby is a leading mechanical and engineering contractor. It directly employs over 1,800 people and three years ago, it unveiled a third-level bursary programme which aims to provide women with valuable opportunities in the broader engineering industry.
Henry McCann, CEO at Kirby, said: “We’ve been working in Galway since 1997 and have witnessed the incredible growth and success of the camogie squads across the county, particularly the Senior County team who featured in last year’s league and All-Ireland finals.
"The hard work and dedication on display across the county is truly inspirational and aligns so well with how Kirby strives to deliver for our clients.
"We’re looking forward to playing our part in supporting camogie in Galway from the grassroots up and wish the teams all the very best for 2025”.
Galway senior camogie vice-captain Dervla Higgins said: “Camogie is in a fantastic place in Galway at the moment, we’re seeing great results and there’s a really healthy culture where we have players of all age groups coming through clubs countywide.
"It’s a really important time for the organisation and knowing that Kirby has our backs means we can focus on the game and developing our talent and skills for the future”.
Paul Kelly, chairperson of Galway Camogie welcomed the deal, commenting: “Galway has gone from strength to strength over the past few years with our Senior and U16 teams making their respective All Ireland Finals in 2024, while at club level, Sarsfields are the current All Ireland Senior Club Champions.
"By showing commitment to local communities and diversity in sport, Kirby is helping to keep camogie at this incredibly high standard for a long time to come.
"We’re delighted to be working with them and we’re looking forward to a really successful partnership."
Kirby opened an €8m off-site manufacturing facility in Co. Laois last November, and McCann stepped up at CEO in January after Mark Flanagan stepped down.
The company projected record revenues in excess of €700m for 2024. The latest available accounts for KGE Group Holdings Ltd show the Limerick-based group made an operating profit of €23.2m from turnover of €636.1m in 2023.
The group had retained earnings of €44.3m and equity of €59.7m at the end of 2023. Kirby has more than 1,400 employees.
Photo: (l-r) Galway senior camogie vice-captain Dervla Higgins, Kirby CEO Henry McCann, and Galway senior camogie vice-captain Aoife Donohue. (Pic: Andrew Downes, xposure)
