Irish Handball has announced that in addition to their generous tournament sponsor, M Donnelly, three ‘Friends of Irish Handball’ have come on board, namely Gaelic Telecom, Ladbrokes and O’B Sport, all of whom are committed to the development of one of the national sports on a national and international stage.

On behalf of Ladbrokes, Bryan Coleman said: 'We are delighted to begin our partnership with one of the nation’s oldest games, and indeed its governing body, the Irish Handball Council. Handball has a long and deep-rooted history in Ireland and with the current injection of a new dynamic lift to the sport; it will have an even brighter future over the coming months and years.

Ladbrokes are proud to be associated with the game and firmly believe handball can become as well recognised as it’s sister GAA sports, hurling and football, in the not to distant future.

As well as this, Ladbrokes are extremely excited about providing new betting options on a range of GAA sports, fulfilling the demand that currently exists in the Irish market for local people, local clubs and local sports.

We look forward to this weekend’s All-Ireland Handball finals, and wish all the competitors the best of luck at the take to the court and Croke Park Handball headquarters.

Gaelic Telecom is the official Telecoms partner of the GAA and is based in Dublin and Armagh employing over 300 people. For the past three years Gaelic Telecom have been working with the constituent units of the GAA organisation in all 32 Counties and the partnership has proven to be very successful. The partnership has generated millions in revenue for clubs and schools all over Ireland and will continue to do so.

Gaelic Telecom is currently working with the Handball Association to launch the Gaelic telecom initiative to its members and they hope to have a close and beneficial relationship with the association as its implements its Vision 2012 strategy. Gaelic Telecom believe Handball truly represents the tradition, history, athleticism and local values associated with the GAA and we are happy to be associated with these ideals, the organisation and the event itself.

O'B Sport is wholly Irish owned, and managed, brand was launched in 2003 and has quickly become a leading presence in Irish Sport.

The brand is a subsidiary of O'Brien Textiles Ltd., leading managers of outsourced garment production to the Irish clothing industry. The company manages production for many leading Irish companies in fashion, contract and sportswear, and indeed has produced and managed production for a wide range of product for suppliers to many sports including clothing licensees of the GAA.

Martin Donnelly said he delighted to continue his successful relationship with the Irish Handball Council, The All Ireland 60 x 30 Championships and the GAA as a whole: 'We are incredibly proud to be at the forefront of improving the fortunes of one of Ireland’s oldest, most athletic and skillful games.'