Cody's Cats coming out on top in the sponsorship stakes

Kilkenny regarded as favourite team by 329,000 Irish people.

The Kilkenny hurlers have a fanbase some three and a half times the size of their county's population. Picture: INPHO

In the battle for the estimated €1.5 million sponsorship bonanza for today’s All-Ireland hurling final combatants, Kilkenny already have one advantage over Tipperary: they’ve won over more neutrals.

Although Co Kilkenny has a population of 95,000, the equivalent of 329,000 people claimed the Cats as their number one team, according to research by consultancy firm Onside.

Tipperary, with a population of 158,000, are supported by the equivalent of 224,000 people.

In short, more ...