Supermac’s funds University of Galway football and hurling programmes

Supermac’s has been confirmed as the new sponsor of Gaelic games at the University of Galway, according to the Irish Post, giving the Galway-founded fast food group a role in supporting students who balance their studies with sporting ambition across men’s football, ladies football and hurling. The Irish Post reported that the partnership involves a significant investment in the development of Gaelic sports at the university.

According to the Irish Post, the university will receive funding for its men’s football, ladies football and hurling programmes, including new playing jerseys, team kit and other essential resources. The jerseys, produced by McKeever Sports, the new official kit supplier for University of Galway Gaelic Games, were showcased at a launch event this month, the Irish Post reported.

Supermac’s is Ireland’s largest home-grown fast food business, founded in Ballinasloe, Co Galway in 1978 by Pat McDonagh.

University of Galway is a bilingual university established in 1845, with more than 19,700 students and more than 40 student-led sports clubs, according to the university.

McKeever Sports is an Irish-owned, family-run sports and teamwear supplier headquartered in Portadown, Co Armagh, founded in 2004, with more than 80 employees, according to its website.

Des Ryan, director of sport and physical wellbeing at University of Galway, said this week, as reported by the Irish Post: “We are delighted to announce this new partnership with Supermac’s.” He added that the sponsorship will make a real difference to the three clubs.

Pat McDonagh, founder and managing director of Supermac’s, said in comments reported by the Irish Post that the company’s support for the GAA has always been about more than having its name on a jersey, and about supporting communities.

Supermac’s passed €300 million in revenue for the first time, with over 120 restaurants and just under 2,500 staff, according to Business Plus.

The University of Galway has won the Sigerson Cup 23 times, according to Wikipedia, behind University College Dublin’s 34 titles.

For the sector, the partnership shows a home-grown brand extending a long-running GAA association from county level into higher education, funding the clubs that sit at the highest level of student Gaelic games.