Substantial GAA underage sponsorship deal agreed

A major Westmeath GAA underage sponsorship deal has been agreed with Kilbeggan natives, Michael and James Stones, who run the hugely successful MJS Building and Development company in New York.

The agreed package, which is quite substantial, ensures the MJS logo will adorn the Westmeath underage jerseys and training gear for the next three years. The company will also sponsor the various underage leagues and championships in Westmeath.

In another local twist to the deal, Eddie Casey of KC Sports will provide all of the gear for the development squads in the county.

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner on the night, Michael Stones said he is proud to be associated with Westmeath GAA and referred to his family’s strong link with the association for many years, with his late dad, John, a staunch Offaly man.

“He would be very proud to see us associated with Westmeath GAA and to see the name on the Westmeath jersey,” said Mr Stones.

“We are hugely involved with the Westmeath GAA Club in New York and have major connections with Kilbeggan, where we played our underage football. We also played hurling with Castletown Geoghegan, so that’s where our interest and passion blossomed. When the opportunity arose to get involved in this project, we jumped at it.”

He recalled how Westmeath’s success in the Tailteann Cup last year caused a great stir in the county and brought joy to so many people, particularly the younger generation.

“There’s no better way to support Westmeath than to pump finance into the underage structure and help it get stronger. That’s vital for the future,” he observed.

The company, which started in 2018, has gone from strength to strength in the city that never sleeps.

“We’re super proud of it and we’re very busy,” he remarked, noting that the sponsorship deal will help create an important link between Westmeath and New York, providing a gateway to further fundraising possibilities.