Galway GAA sponsors Supermacs are to pay €20,000 towards a team holiday for the county’s hurlers, still coming to terms with losing a second All-Ireland SHC final in four years.
The Tribesmen lost to Kilkenny in Croke Park on Sunday, defeated 1-22 to 1-18 by the same county who beat them in the 2012 final.
Manager director of Supermacs Pat McDonagh, a life-long Galway supporter, feels the players deserve the holiday for the work they put in throughout the season.
“I don’t think people appreciate the sacrifices players make,” McDonagh told the Irish Examiner. “They have put in a huge effort, not just this year but over the years to become top class inter-county hurlers.”
“The players are dejected, they gave it everything and came so close.”
#galway team are home. #proud #sponsors #GaillimhAbu #supermacs #sponsors pic.twitter.com/kxou6eB59b
— Supermac's (@SupermacsIRE) September 7, 2015
McDonagh backed the players to bounce back from the defeat and hoped they holiday would help prepare them to try again next season.
“Soon they will get ready to do it all over again, so they deserve a break. That is why we are making the contribution.”
He continued: “It will help them get away and help them gel as they get ready to go again. It’s the least they deserve after all the entertainment they have given us.”
Supermacs have been involved in sponsoring Galway teams for 25 years, and McDonagh called on all Galway supporters to keep their flags out.
Leave all Flags, Banners and Bunting up and let's show our support for the Senior Camogie Team playing in the Final next Sunday.
— Galway GAA (@Galway_GAA) September 7, 2015
The Galway camogie team play Cork in Sunday’s All-Ireland final.