Gaelic Games: An individual sponsorship deal has been done with six leading Gaelic games players and a sportswear company. This is the first time such a promotion has been negotiated with individual players.

At a press launch in Dublin's Burlington Hotel yesterday details were given of the arrangement whereby the players will wear Puma boots. Those involved are Kilkenny hurlers DJ Carey and Henry Shefflin and footballers Trevor Giles (Meath), Kieran McGeeney (Armagh), Michael Donnellan (Galway) and Dara Ó Cinneide (Kerry).

"We chose the six gentlemen who we believe will best carry the attributes of Puma in the market place," said the sponsors' Teamsports promotional manager for the UK, Mike Workman. "It's an individual contract for players. From a courtesy point of view we've visited Croke Park on several occasions and spoken to officials. I've no worries about there being a conflict with other brands and any arrangements they might have with county boards."

Puma refused to divulge details of the sponsorship or any bonus arrangements but it was reported at the weekend the sums would be €2,000 for each player to wear the boots and a further €500 for any of the six players who take part in promotions for the company.

It was denied that the deal was in conflict with the Gaelic Players' Association's policy of representing all members in commercial matters. GPA president DJ Carey said: "I don't think so. Anything we're doing the GPA will look over. There's no problem as far as that's concerned. Puma are looking to establish their brand in the GAA and rather than going with a team they're going with individuals."

Fintan Drury, public relations adviser to the sponsors, added there were no plans to offer discounts to other intercounty players.

Kieran McGeeney said his county colleagues had been supportive. "All players on the Armagh panel are aware of it. Many of them are looked after by local businesses such as sports shops and that. The reaction of my team-mates has been very positive."

There was interest in any possible conflict between these individual deals and any other sponsorships between county boards and sports companies. Recently Dublin concluded a sponsorship arrangement with adidas and it is believed Nike are pursuing a similar deal with Kerry - something that was queried by Ó Cinneide.

"There's been very little talk about Nike apart from what's appeared in the papers. The Kerry County Board are delighted to see players getting deals like this and I'm very, very confident there won't be any problem even if there is a county deal."