Frank Murphy says 'substantial' money will be required for naming rights at Páirc Uí Chaoimh

SELLING the naming rights for Páirc Uí Chaoimh is an ongoing process, Cork County Board secretary Frank Murphy told the Evening Echo at the announcement yesterday that Chill Insurance’s sponsorship has been renewed for two more years.

A host of Cork hurlers and footballers along with inter-county managers Ronan McCarthy and John Meyler were on hand in the Páirc as the deal to cover 2019 and 2020 was announced while a new jersey is expected to be launched in the coming months.

A number of counties have secured naming rights through sponsorship for their stadiums and the long-serving secretary, whose successor is currently being sought before his departure at the end of the year, outlined the importance of putting the right deal in place.

“There’s work being done in that field, professionally being done.

“It’s as simple as this, it’s easy enough to get a naming rights sponsor, it’s about how much they are they prepared to pay.

“Certainly we would not be prepared to have it go as an addendum to the name of Páirc Uí Chaoimh unless the financial gain was substantial.

“It is a process that is ongoing and is being worked on professionally for us.’’

He went on to stress the importance of sponsorship to the county in its development and promotion of Gaelic games.

“Sponsorship is vital. As you would be aware our costs at inter-county level last year was one and three-quarter million.

“Bear in mind that is essentially a cost of expenses mainly and also medical treatment for our players and other facilities that are provided.

“It is also important to stress that our managers, our selectors, coaches, doctors, they are only on expenses, they are not paid any fee.

“You do have the physios and other professional consultants who have a fee but that is negotiated with them.

“Essentially, we maintain an amateur position in relation to our team managements’’

Murphy went on to state that he was delighted with the continuation of the association with its main sponsor Chill Insurance.

“They have been our county sponsor for the past six years and they are extending it for two more years with a right of renewal at the end of that.

“They have been very generous to our teams over the period of their sponsorship and we have been fortunate to have had very main good sponsors over the years with Esat Digiphone/02 and Barry’s Tea before Chill Insurance.”

Meanwhile, Peter Keane has been appointed as the new Kerry boss, having enjoyed great success at minor level.

His brother Ray is based in Cork and is the manager of St Finbarr’s, who take on Carbery Rangers this Sunday at 4pm in the Páirc for a spot in county final. That clash comes after Duhallow-Castlehaven, at 2.15pm.