Limerick success boosts O’Neill’s coffers
SALES of Limerick jerseys during the county’s All-Ireland-winning run helped sportswear firm O’Neill’s to increase its revenues and profits for 2018.
That’s according to company finance director Paul Towell, who said Limerick jerseys were among the best sellers along with sales of Galway jerseys and new-style Kerry jerseys.
Mr Towell said that O’Neills struggled to cope with demand from the Limerick public for jerseys due to the shortened All-Ireland hurling championship.
“There was less time in the lead-up to the All-Ireland for the production of the jerseys, and that did make it difficult,” he said.
Mr Towell said that from a business point of view, the firm prefers the old format of All-Ireland finals being staged in September. “Under this new trial format, there is less time for hype and excitement to be built up,” he said.
Mr Towell said the best-selling jersey this year was Galway’s, with more than 20,000 sold.
Mr Towell was commenting on new accounts showing that O’Neill firm Balbriggan Textiles Ltd recorded pre-tax profits last year of €1.58m.
Gross profit increased marginally, from €11.06m to €11.09m.
The company’s Northern Ireland arm recorded pre-tax profits of £1m as the company increased its gross profit by 9pc to £5.9m.