Tipperary's Semple Stadium will be sponsored by FBD Insurance for the next five years, in a deal that will see the stadium renamed as ‘FBD Semple Stadium’.

FBD Insurance teamed up with Tipperary hurler Pádraic Maher, Tipperary footballer Steven O’Brien, Tipperary camogie player Cáit Devane and Tipperary ladies footballer Niamh Martin to make the announcement on Tuesday 18 January.

FBD Insurance is expanding its partnership with Tipperary GAA, as it has been sponsors of Tipperary club championships for the past three years and of the Tipperary camogie championships since last year.

FBD is also the title sponsor of the Connacht League since 1995. Played in January each year, the competition acts as an important steppingstone for emerging players to enter the elite level of senior inter county football.

Homegrown

As Ireland’s largest homegrown insurer with 34 local sales offices nationwide, FBD Insurance also offers ongoing support to local GAA clubs throughout the country through its local office sponsorship fund.

Speaking at the launch, FBD Insurance CEO Tomás O’Midheach said: “At FBD Insurance, we aim to serve the needs of farmers, small businesses and consumers across Ireland.

"Our ongoing work with the GAA supports that endeavour. Semple Stadium is a historic and celebrated GAA ground, an important landmark not just in Tipperary, but as part of our national sporting infrastructure.

"FBD is delighted to support Semple Stadium over the coming five years as we acknowledge the importance of a thriving stadium for local businesses and communities. ”

Welcoming the announcement, chair of the Semple Stadium management committee Con Hogan said: “We are really pleased that FBD Insurance [has] agreed to support FBD Semple Stadium for the next five years.

"The stadium is a hugely important asset, not alone for Tipperary, but for the GAA at provincial and national level, and we plan to continue to develop and enhance the facility over the coming years. The support of FBD will go a long way in enabling us to do just that.”

Tipperary hurler Pádraic Maher added: “I think the new partnership with FBD will offer a huge boost to Tipperary GAA and to Semple Stadium. "As a player, it’s great to see homegrown companies coming on board to offer their backing to sport. I am looking forward to having many more memorable occasions in FBD Semple Stadium as both a player and supporter.”