Marketing communications company Core has teamed up with Sky to develop a platform for the later's sponsorship of the Irish Women's football team.

The standalone primary partnership between Sky and the FAI, the first of its kind, was announced last September and the deal runs for four years.

It will see the broadcaster partnering with the team through two major tournaments, the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand and the 2025 Euros.

Core will now become Sky's agency of record for the landmark deal, with the partnership beginning immediately ahead of the team’s crucial qualifying campaign for the FIFA Women’s World Cup this year.

Commenting on Core’s appointment, Orlaith Ryan, Sky Ireland’s Chief Commercial Officer, said: "Our primary ambition for our Women’s National Team partnership is to drive support and awareness for the squad and do everything we can to get the country behind them. Core has developed a unique platform for our above the line campaign that will help us to achieve just that."

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Adding to those comments, Jill Downey, Managing Director of Core Sponsorship said: "As a sponsorship professional this is one of those career-high points, a partnership you are privileged to work on. Women’s football is the fastest growing sport in the world.

"This team is packed with talent and its potential to inspire and lift the nation is enormous. They have a committed and loyal fan base which we want to grow exponentially. We cannot wait to work with Sky and the FAI to give this team the platform it deserves."

The first game that will see Core's involvement will pitt Vera Pauw's side against Sweden, the number 2 ranked side in the world, on April 12 in their World Cup qualifier group stage clash.

Caitriona Ní Laoire, Managing Director at Core Creative added: "We are really excited to start developing and creating the winning sponsorship platform with Sky and the team ahead of their next FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier in Sweden.

"Collaborating across Core on this has been a real joy. The highlight for me, is seeing the power of our deep specialism in strategy and sponsorship and watching how this expertise has been harnessed by our creative team to produce brilliant work. We cannot wait to bring it to life."

Image: Caitriona Ní Laoire, Managing Director at Core Creative and Jill Downey, Manging Director of Core Sponsorship