Common's Hardware became the new sponsors of the Meath senior football championship in 2006. The sponsorship further strengthened the company's links with the local GAA scene, having been the main sponsor to Navan O'Mahony's for many years. Common's Hardware underlined its commitment to the local GAA scene by entering into an agreement with the Meath county board earlier this year to sponsor the senior football championship. For many years, Common's Hardware has sponsored Navan O'Mahony's and its decision to take on the sponsorship of the county's premier club competition makes the Navan-based company one of Meath GAA's most generous supporters. "We've always been proud of our association with the GAA and this latest sponsorship deal is proof of this," says John O'Byrne, who is manager and director of Common's Hardware. "We've sponsored Navan O'Mahony's for a good few years at this stage and when the opportunity came along to sponsor the county senior football championship, we jumped at it. We're delighted to be associated with the championship - it's always very competitive and any one of a number of teams can win it." Common's Hardware was established 22 years ago by John's father Seamus, who is still involved as a director. The company, which takes its name from Common's Road where it's located, was purchased by PH Ross Ltd last April, but this hasn't led to any major changes. "It was a smooth transition," John explains. "The name is still the same, the shop is still the same and the staff hasn't changed. PH Ross is a Dublin-based company specialising in heating, plumbing and sanitary ware products and Common's Hardware was seen as a very good strategic fit for their business. "We had been a family-run business for 22 years and I can't see much changing as a result of this takeover. The aim of the company is to expand and grow, and to increase our business as much as possible. We're probably the biggest hardware store in the North Leinster area and we want to keep it that way." When it comes to hardware retailing and the construction industry, price and service are all the important factors, and in this regard, Common's Hardware has no equal. Common's Hardware stocks everything from power tools and bathroom suites to paint and garden fencing. "We cater for all your housing needs. Cement, piping, doors - you name it, we have it. We stock everything you need to build a new house, with the exception of concrete blocks," John says. Common's Hardware is a member of Topline, Ireland's leading hardware buying group with over 100 strategically positioned independent members located throughout Ireland. Topline's dedicated team of buyers travel the world to ensure that members have a price advantage over competitors in virtually every single product category. All of Topline's members are dedicated to providing the highest standards of friendly customer care, quality products and competitive prices to their customer base. The current network of indigenous and home-grown leading hardware stores, coupled with industry expertise and experience, allows Topline to service the complete needs of the construction and related industries in Ireland. The O'Byrne family has had a long association with Navan O'Mahony's. John's late mother Maureen was a lifelong member of the Brew's Hill club, while his father Seamus has always been an avid supporter. John, who grew up in Flower Hill but now lives in Castletown with his wife Caroline and two young children, Sarah Jane and John Paul, is also a keen O'Mahony's supporter. However, his preferred sports as a player were soccer and rugby. "I love the Gaelic, but I was a better soccer and rugby player. I've been involved with Navan Town for a long time and am registrar for the Meath and District League. I also played rugby with Navan, having first taken up the game when I was in school in St. Pat's." Like all O'Mahony's supporters, John was disappointed after their defeat to surprise packets Wolfe Tones in this year's Meath SFC final. Most Meath GAA supporters would agree that they were unfairly treated in 2005 when they were controversially ejected from the championship for using four substitutes during extra-time in their semi-final 'win' over Dunboyne. "There was a lot of disappointment in the club when Dunboyne didn't offer a replay because it was a genuine mistake and had no bearing on the result," John recalls. "The lads were determined to make amends this year especially after seeing what happened in the Offaly-Kildare blood-sub saga and I fully expected them to win their first county title since 1997. It would have been some honour to present the Keegan Cup to my own club, but it wasn't to be and fair dues to Wolfe Tones. "O'Mahony's have won two under 21 championships in recent years and I'm sure they will be there on thereabouts for a senior title again next year. They won't be lacking motivation." John also closely follows the fortunes of the county team, who were knocked out of the All-Ireland race by Laois. While obviously disappointed with that result, O'Byrne is adamant that Meath are on the way back. "I think they've turned the corner. I thought they were very unlucky against Laois. Laois scored two goals against the run of play in the second half and that's what knocked the stuffing out of them. I would like to have seen Ollie Murphy coming on earlier - I think he could have made a difference. "The problem with Meath at the moment is that they have a lot of young lads with very little experience. They need more time to mature, but they are certainly worth persisting with. In a few years' time, Meath should be a force again." John's wife Catherine is a member of a well-known GAA family in Rathkenny, and as they're living in Castletown, he's in the dark over what club the children will play for. "The fighting has already started over who the two kids will play for," he jokes. "I'd love to see them playing for O'Mahony's but Caroline, whose father Paul Smith is a big Rathkenny clubman, would like to see them going there. Maybe we could reach some sort of a compromise and let them play with Castletown instead. We'll have to wait and see what happens." Tweet

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