St Patrick's pull off another big coup

League of Ireland:When Dublin property developer Garrett Kelleher bought St Patrick's Athletic last month he immediately tempted back the club's prodigal son Brian Kerr as director of football.

Yesterday the regeneration process of the Inchicore-based club continued apace with the announcement of the biggest commercial sponsorship deal in the history of the League of Ireland.

St Patrick's Athletic have agreed a three-year deal, worth an undisclosed six-figure sum, with bookmakers Paddy Power.

The latest announcement continues the dual productivity of a club that is currently top of the Premier Division with a perfect record after five games. Johnny McDonnell's team also boast the best defensive record - two goals conceded - and have scored the most goals - 10.

When Kerr slipped back into a controlling role at St Patrick's Athletic, where he delivered league titles in 1990 and 1996, he promptly ruled out an immediate return to glory, insisting Drogheda, Bohemians, Derry City and Cork City were the main league contenders this season.

Whether they sustain their dream start or not, it is clear the arrival of Kelleher and Kerr provides the scope for long-term success.

The bookmakers' name will be on the St Patrick's Athletic jersey until the end of the 2009 season.

"Paddy Power is one of Ireland's leading brands so, while the financial assistance will help the club, the potential for St Pat's to be working with one of the most creative marketing teams in Ireland makes the sponsorship the best available to any Irish football club," said Kerr. "We've had a great start to this season and, while it is early days yet, I think Paddy Power recognises that this club has greater potential than any other in the Irish market.

"Paddy Power is the best in the business at finding innovative ways of promoting and selling its own product. As well as the strong financial terms of this sponsorship, working with them will help us to find novel ways of getting people to come and watch St Patrick's Athletic at our home in Richmond Park."

St Patrick's Athletic host fifth-placed Bohemians at Richmond Park tonight, kick-off 7.45.