THE IRISH COMPANY which tapped a commercially viable oil well off the coast of Cork has become the title sponsor of the country’s Olympic sailing team.
Providence Resources and the Irish Sailing Association announced a new sponsorship deal today which will support the team’s preparations for London 2012.
At a minimum, Ireland will have three boats in the water this summer. Annalise Murphy (Laser Radial), Peter O’Leary and David Burrows (Star), and Ryan Seaton and Matt McGovern (49er) all booked their places with strong performances at the World Sailing Championships in Perth last December.
The Irish challenge could potentially grow to six as Ger Owens and Scott Flanigan (470), James Espey (Laser) and Ross Hamilton (Finn) will have further chances to qualify later this month.
“This support has given the whole team a huge boost in our preparations for London 2012,” Murphy said at today’s announcement.
“We have a very busy schedule of training and events between now and then. There is huge excitement in the build up to the Games and we are looking forward to focusing on our performance.”
Providence Resources are currently undertaking the largest multi-basin drilling campaign in the history of the state.