Athlone student and Buccaneers club player, Fionn McDonnell, is the envy of many rugby supporters, as his fingerprints adorn ‘Ireland’s Ball’, which will be formally presented to the Irish senior rugby squad prior to their departure for the World Cup in Japan.
Vodafone Ireland, official sponsor 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, with the Athlone native being chosen to represent County Westmeath in this novel initiative.
‘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.
Vodafone has launched a search for one lucky individual to present Ireland’s Ball to the Irish Rugby team before they depart for Japan with the presentation to take place at the Aviva Stadium on September 6.
Contributors to the ball include Maeve Cox (Meath ), the first baby born in Ireland in 2019; Ciara Griffin (Kerry ), Captain of the Women’s Rugby team; John Burke (Clare ), who summited Everest in 2017; Brian John Spencer, an artist from Belfast and Matt NiGrioffa (Connemara ) an Irish speaking lobster fisherman and founding member of An Ghaeltacht Rugbaí, the only Irish speaking rugby team in the world.
