O'Neills Australasia - Our History

At O'Neills, we combine cutting edge sportswear design with unbeatable delivery times. Our focus on quality has made us Ireland's leading sportswear manufacturer. When you choose O'Neills you are choosing quality.

It all began in 1918 when Charles O’Neills spotted a need for Gaelic football and hurling balls. The first O’Neills size 5 football was produced by Charles O’Neill & Co. in his family home on Dublin’s Capel Street. Over the next 50 years, the company became renowned as the manufacturer of footballs and hurling balls for Gaelic games. Venturing into the textile industry initiated a whole new era for O’Neills, as the company began manufacturing sports apparel and playing kits. The expansion of the facilities in Walkinstown and Strabane, acquisition of dye houses and investment in state-of-the-art knitting technologies provided the foundations to implement a vertically-integrated manufacturing operation. Today, each stage of the production process is overseen in-house – from the knitting of yarn through to dyeing, cutting, sewing, printing and embroidery – to ensure each garment is of the highest quality.

Over 100 years later we are now the largest sportswear manufacturer in Ireland, employing more than 1,000 people across Australia, Ireland, the UK, France, and beyond. Our products are available worldwide, but we are proud to still be an 100% Irish-owned company. The iconic O’Neills size 5 ball is still being produced amongst our sports apparel, international sportswear and teamwear. We supply teamwear for over 7,000 clubs worldwide for a range of sports including GAA, Soccer, Rugby League, Rugby Union, Hockey, Boxing, Cricket, Basketball, Athletics and more.

The first O’Neills size 5 football was produced by Charles O’Neill.

60 Years of progress manufacturing All Ireland Footballs & Sliotars.

Republic of Ireland football team before kick off against France.

IRFU win the Triple Crown wearing O’Neills.

Harlequins Rugby Union win their maiden Premiership.

Saint Helens win 4 Super League titles in a row.

O’Neills partner with Australian Rugby powerhouse, ACT Brumbies.

Penrith Panthers and O’Neills form a mighty partnership, winning the 2020 NRL Minor Premiership.

O’Neills becomes the official apparel partner of AFL giants Adelaide Crows.

O'Neills partner with Newcastle Knights of the NRL.

Hockey Australia signs on with O’Neills.

Panthers extend partnership until 2027, before winning their second-straight Premiership.