German sports equipment brand uhlsport has unveiled the new official match ball for this year’s Clearer Water Irish Cup Final, marking a fresh milestone in its partnership with the Irish FA.
The announcement comes as excitement builds for one of the most anticipated events in Northern Ireland’s sporting calendar.
The new match ball, inspired by title sponsor Clearer Water, features a striking design characterised by blue and green tones - symbolising sustainability.
This visual identity connects directly with the values of Northern Ireland’s premier cup competition and celebrates the long-standing heritage of the Irish Cup, now proudly in its second year under the Clearer Water banner.
Melanie Steinhilber, Director Market Management and member of the executive board at uhlsport GmbH, expressed pride in the collaboration:
“Uhlsport is proud to provide the official match ball for Northern Ireland’s most prestigious football cup competition, the Clearer Water Irish Cup.
"Inspired by title sponsor Clearer Water’s range of still and sparkling products, the ball’s design visually reinforces the unique identity and rich heritage of the competition organised by the Irish Football Association.
"Through this partnership we aim to further enhance the presence and visibility of uhlsport footballs across Northern Ireland, while showcasing the exceptional quality of our products.”
Brian Hutchinson, uhlsport’s Sales Representative for Ireland and Scotland, shared his personal enthusiasm:
“We in the uhlsport family are honoured to be the ball supplier to the Clearer Water Irish Cup Final, the biggest day in the local football calendar. This cup is something that every player, manager and fan dreams of – their team getting to the final on the first Saturday in May.
“As an ex-player I am so proud to be associated with the Irish FA and Clearer Water in this historic cup competition and look forward to continuing our support for this great footballing event.”
Stephen Bogle, Head of Commercial Operations at the Irish Football Association, said: "We are delighted to continue our partnership with uhlsport as the official match ball supplier for the Clearer Water Irish Cup.
“The new design not only reflects the spirit of the competition but also celebrates the synergy between football, our title sponsor Clearer Water and uhlsport’s commitment to quality. The Clearer Water Irish Cup is a highlight of our domestic football calendar, and having a bespoke ball that captures its identity adds another layer of prestige to this historic competition.”
The new uhlsport match ball will make its debut in unique fashion at this Saturday’s final when it arrives on the pitch thanks to official partners at Isuzu and will go on to feature throughout the 2025-26 competition.
