Ireland’s Ball – Everyone In

Vodafone Ireland, official sponsors of the Irish Rugby team, has revealed ‘Ireland’s Ball’ ahead of the team’s departure to Japan.

In partnership with Gilbert, Vodafone has created a world first ball grip that features the fingerprints of 32 people representing the 32 counties of Ireland. Ireland’s Ball will travel to Japan with the team as a symbol of the #TeamOfUs support for Irish Rugby from fans in Ireland and around the world.

Ireland’s Ball is a unique rugby ball that celebrates the diverse fabric of modern Irish society. The 32 people selected to contribute their fingerprint to Ireland’s Ball represent Irish rugby fans and the #TeamOfUs from every corner of the country.

Contributors to the ball include Maeve Cox (Meath), the first baby born in Ireland in 2019; Ciara Griffin (Kerry), captain of the Ireland Women’s rugby team; John Burke (Clare), who reached the summit of Everest in 2017; Brian John Spencer, an artist from Belfast, and Matt Ni Grioffa (Connemara), an Irish speaking lobster fisherman and founding member of An Ghaeltacht Rugbaí.

A full list of participants can be found at rugby.vodafone.ie.

Commenting on the campaign, Vodafone’s Head of Sponsorship and Business Brand, Gerry Nixon, said:

Vodafone’s mission with Irish Rugby is to create the most interconnected team and fan-base on the planet through the #TeamOfUs. Our ‘Everyone In’ campaign is an invitation, to everyone around the country, and indeed every Irish rugby fan around the world, to come together and connect with Irish Rugby in the build-up to and during their time in Japan.

“We are conscious that most fans won’t be able to travel to Japan and we wanted to show the team the level of support that exists in every corner of Ireland. We identified 32 people from 32 counties to share their fingerprints via a bespoke App so we could create Ireland’s Ball, a rugby ball that represents all of Ireland and carries our identity.

“The ball will travel to Japan with the team this September as a symbol of our support. Now we are looking for one person to present Ireland’s Ball to the team on behalf of the entire nation.”