McEntee helps Irish Greyhound Derby celebrate 55th anniversary as new sponsor announced

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Helen McEntee, yesterday (Monday) attended the launch of the Irish Greyhound Derby’s 55th anniversary celebrations in Shelbourne Park, as the Derby announced a new three year sponsorship deal with Enterprise Targeting Solutions (ETS).

Speaking after the event, Deputy McEntee said: ‘It was a great honour to address the Irish Greyhound Derby as it celebrates its 55th anniversary. It’s an event that otherwise would have been attended by my dad, Shane, and I am humbled to haven taken his place’.

“The event marks a new era for the Derby as it announces a new three year sponsorship deal with ETS, worth just under €750,000. Attracting an investor of such a high calibre is a testament to the strength of the greyhound industry, and I have no doubt that the deal was hard fought at a time when attracting sponsorship can be a major challenge for many sporting bodies.

“When my father worked as Junior Minister in the Department of Agriculture, he recognised the potential in the greyhound industry, despite not having a huge amount of knowledge about it previously. He became very passionate about how he, and his Department, could make the industry even stronger. The Irish Greyhound Industry has an extremely proud history, and it is vital that we safeguard the passion and pride associated with the sector going forward. I hope to work with the Derby in the years ahead to ensure the industry gets the recognition and support it needs.

“A night at the dogs can be so many things for so many people, whether it’s a night out or a celebration, a busy night behind the bar for the hospitality trade or another chance for bookies to engage with punters. And most of all it is the lifeblood for trainers and owners, who put their heart and soul into breeding, rearing and training greyhounds. The industry supports a wide range of sectors industries and is a driver of economic activity; in other words it’s just the kind of business that our Minister for Enterprise, Richard Bruton TD, believes is fundamental to the development of the Irish economy.

“The new sponsors, ETS, are due to launch in the Irish market later this year, offering innovation, renewable energy and targeted financial solutions to SMEs across the country. I am acutely aware of the fact that small businesses are still going through a very tough time. The Government is determined to help SMEs while attracting new companies like ETS to Ireland.

“I wish the Irish Greyhound Derby and ETS great success with their new sponsorship deal, and I have no doubt the Derby has many more successful years ahead to look forward to.”