O’Neills Named New Kit Supply Partner of London Irish

London Irish have confirmed that sport manufacturer O’Neills has signed a five-year kit supply deal with the Aviva Premiership Rugby side.

The deal will see O’Neills produce all playing and replica kit for the club at Senior and Academy levels, buy | ranging from under-13 to the first team squad.

O’Neills will also take responsibility for the management of a new London Irish online store and develop an international third party retailer network globally.

Commenting on the announcement, rx London Irish Commercial Director Jim O’Toole said: “This is a landmark agreement for London Irish. The combination of O’Neills Irish sporting apparel heritage and an excellent supply chain solution make them ideal partners in the revamping of our entire philosophy and approach on merchandising.

“O’Neills online marketing expertise, capsule allied to bespoke solutions via the internet for our supporters worldwide, was a key factor in this decision.

“We were also impressed by the O’Neills distribution network to third party retailers in the UK, Ireland, the Middle East, Asia and North America that will make it easier and more cost effective for our supporters to access the new range.”

A return to green

The move to O’Neills will see the team playing back in their traditional green colour, and is a further indication of the business strategy adopted by the consortium of Irish businessmen who took control of the club in December 2013.

O’Neills Managing Director, Kieran Kennedy, added: “We are proud to be partnering with London Irish for the next five years and we hope the supporters are looking forward to seeing the new range.

“As a brand it makes perfect sense to affiliate ourselves with a Club that has a following in both Ireland and the UK as O’Neills’ presence in both countries continues to grow.

“This deal gives us an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to rugby and we look forward to working with London Irish going forward.”