Czech car manufacturer Skoda is poised to become the new sponsors of All-Ireland hurling champions Tipperary.

The Irish Examiner on Friday reported that the company was in advanced talks with Tipp officials over a major sponsorship deal.

The newspaper reported Tim Floyd, the Tipperary County Board secretary, as suggesting the conclusion of any agreement was a matter of weeks away.

However, it went on to claim that an announcement could be made prior to the All-Ireland champions' first big game of 2011, the National Hurling League Division 1 opener against old rivals Kilkenny next weekend.

Skoda, a wholly-owned subsidiary of German giants Volkswagen, is currently embarking on a major new worldwide publicity drive, and believe that a prominent position on the jerseys of the All-Ireland champions would be the perfect place to start on these shores.

Tipperary's main sponsor for most of the past decade has been the Enfer Group, a scientific company with bases in the county and Kildare. Tweet

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