By Tom Degun

January 25 - The Paralympic Council of Ireland (PCI) today announced that O'Neills Irish International Sportswear Company will be the official kit supplier of the country's Paralympic team for the London 2012 Games.


The announcement sees O'Neills continue their extensive support for Irish Paralympic sport which began in the build up to the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games where Ireland claimed five medals, three of which were gold.

The deal - representing approximately 1,800 items of clothing - will provide significant value in kind support to the Irish team with O’Neills ensuring Irish athletes have specially designed ceremony, training and competition clothing at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

Jimmy Gradwell, the President of the PCI, said: "It is an honour to have O’Neills as official kit supplier to the Irish Paralympic team as we move towards London 2012.

"We have outstanding athletes who are being supplied with top class technical and leisure wear by a leading Irish company.

"The road to London is an exciting prospect and we look forward to having O’Neills by our side."

O’Neills marketing manager Cormac Farrell said: "O’Neills are delighted to continue the very fine relationship with the Paralympic Council of Ireland, working with these committed athletes with London 2012 as their goal. 

"This sponsorship reinforces our company slogan: 'The Choice of Champions'."

Liam Harbison, chief executive of the PCI and Chef de Mission of the Irish Team for the London Games said: "I am delighted we are continuing our relationship with O’Neills for the London 2012 cycle following their outstanding partnership with the PCI for Beijing 2008.

"London is virtually a home Games for the Irish team and to have a top class Irish company supplying clothing and support to us on such a world stage is fantastic.

"I look forward to continuing and building on our positive working relationship with O’Neills and seeing Irish athletes on the podium in London in O’Neills kit."

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