by Saskia Clarke and James Curran

Oram, Oram, we want Moram. 

With our strong ties to Ireland across 4OC, we are super excited (a smidgen of rí-rá agus ruaille buaille) to share that we are now the number 1 sponsors of Oram Sarsfield’s GAA u-13’s team!!

The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) was founded in 1884 and sits at the centre of the community across the country. Oram Sarsfield’s GAA is a Gaelic football team based in Castleblayney, Monaghan, and the lads have just kicked off the 2023 U13 Spring League in their new, bright shiny 4OC-sponsored jerseys.

It was a very deliberate decision to put the white logo on a yellow background as we are a very modest bunch and didn’t really want anyone to know about our partnership. Isn’t that right Paul?

Tommy, 12 years old, Centre half-forward

Tommy has said the team has had “better performance since having the 4OC jersey”. He also mentioned that he would like some new 4OC boots and football.

In the spirit of doing the right thing, we’re always looking for ways to add value to our communities through local organisations and charities. We are currently working with the Big Kid Foundation in Brixton and have now taken the chance to get involved with the Oram U13’s team, as it’s close to one of our Executives’ hearts (and house).

Community

Our CEO, Paul Marray, has deep roots in Monaghan, with his father being a native of the county, playing in a victorious MacRory Cup campaign back in 1952 (that’s Paul’s Dad, not Paul). With one of his extended family managing the current Oram U13’s team, Paul leapt at the chance to get back involved in working with his other local community. Paul’s posh Sarf London accent provides a clue to his other home.

Be in with a chance to win a 2021 Cadbury’s Caramel Easter Egg – let us know through the Contact Page, which one of these fine lads you think is Paul’s dad and why.

For those not in the know, local clubs and organisations are the heart of the GAA (est. 1884). These clubs are often the centre of social life in towns and villages up and down the country, providing opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to come together and participate. They provide opportunities for people of all ages and skill levels to participate in sports, develop a range of skills and take part in ‘friendly’ competition with other teams in their county.

Nat, 16 years old (definitely not 16 years old!); “Support Liverpool!”.

In many cases, these clubs are run entirely by volunteers, who dedicate their time and energy to train, manage and promote the sports and create a sense of community around them. By sponsoring the team, a little bit of pressure is taken off the coaches and managers who can focus their time and effort on developing the team’s skills on the pitch.

The GAA plays an important role in connecting communities with their cultural heritage and identity. In recognition of the importance of community-based sports initiatives across the country, getting involved felt like the right choice.

Investing in the future. (Young people, not Cryptopence).

At the grassroots level, Gaelic sports are typically organised and run by local clubs and volunteers comprised mainly of family and friends. One of lived values is that ‘we work closely together, look out for each other, and create an environment that encourages everyone to try new things’.  We feel that this has a genuine synergy with the GAA community mentality “one life, one club”.

We want to see our people and the communities around us thrive and succeed. We encourage our staff to develop and progress, just as local clubs encourage youth at the grassroots level. We hope that by investing in our talented youth, we can play a small part in their development and progression through the ranks.

From all of 4OC… good luck for the rest of the season! We’ll leave the last words to Danny, who’s been around the block a few times:

Danny, 10 years old, Sweeper:  “…would like a chicken mascot called Fred”

To infinity and beyond

If you’d like to follow 4OC’s lead, or take a lesson from Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, feel free to invest anywhere up to £2m in the Oram U-13s, which should help propel them up the league. You can find out more about the club here: https://www.instagram.com/oramgfc/

If you want to keep up with the lad’s progress this season, you can track their matches and league positions here: https://www.monaghangaa.ie/fixtures-results/.

For us, it’s about finally being in the position to give a little something back. It’s a big part of why 4OC was set up and we look forward to getting more involved with more communities, working together to make things better.