Irish FA Presents New Title Sponsorship Deal With Danske Bank For Premiership

The Irish FA announced Danske Bank as the new title sponsor of the Premiership. The Danske Bank Premiership, as the league will now be named, kicks off on Aug. 11 and marks a significant investment by the bank in local football. Danske Bank is the parent company of local bank Northern Bank, which will rebrand as Danske Bank in November. The opening fixtures in the '12-13 Danske Bank Premiership see champions Linfield travel to Ballymena United, whilst newcomers Ballinamallard United open with a home fixture against Dungannon Swifts (Irish FA). In Belfast, Stuart McKinley reported that "the IFA didn't reveal how long the deal with Danske Bank will run for, or the level of investment they will put into the local game." However, it is understood to be initially for 12 months and will at least match the £80,000 ($125,600) per year sum that was pumped in by previous sponsors Carling (BELFAST TELEGRAPH, 7/28).