UK
Ireland
S&W advises on sale of ED Sports to So Hockey
S&W, the professional services group,has led the sale of ED Sports, a leading independent, family-owned retail business based in Dublin, specialising in high-quality hockey and cricket equipment, to Limerick-based So Hockey.
S&W’s Corporate Finance team in the Dublin office, led by Con Casey and supported by Siddharth Patel, provided sell-side lead advisory services to Edward Dwyer Sports Limited, t/a ED Sports, in its sale to So Hockey Limited.
ED Sports operates two stores, one at Pembroke Wanderers Hockey Club and the other at Three Rock Rovers HC. In addition, the company
supplies many clubs and schools.
ED Sports, led by Edward Dwyer, commenced trading in 2000 at Pembroke Wanderers HC, which is located on Serpentine Avenue in Sandymount. A second premises was opened at Three Rock Rovers HC in Rathfarnham in 2005. An online store was added in 2012.
Con Casey, Partner at S&W in Ireland, commented: “We are delighted to have worked with Edward Dwyer in finding the right buyer for their business and the deal highlights, again, our unrivalled expertise in selling family owned mid-size businesses.”
So Hockey, based in Raheen, Limerick, has been trading since 2011 and is led by Lorraine McGowan. SoHockey.com is a leading online vendor of hockey equipment in Ireland.
Hockey is a vibrant all-island sport enjoyed by players across a long lifecycle, ranging from beginners under 6 years of age, to over 80s competing at masters’ competitions.
Hockey is going through unprecedented growth at grassroots, with new clubs forming and over 32,000 members affiliated to Hockey Ireland.
Cricket is also experiencing a surge in popularity, with participation numbers steadily increasing. According to Cricket Ireland, over 50,000 men, women, and children engaged in the sport in 2023.
The potential for further growth is particularly promising among the ‘new Irish’ communities. Immigrants from of India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka have bolstered existing club
memberships and led to the establishment of new clubs.
About S&W
S&W is one of the fastest-growing UK accountancy firms and builds on the heritage of Smith & Williamson which was founded in 1881. It was launched as a new business on March 31, 2025, following the sale of Evelyn Partners’ professional services business to Apax Partners.
As a leader in the accountancy mid-market, the firm offers clients a broad range of services spanning business and private client tax advice, assurance and business services and a suite of advisory and digital services that include recovery and restructuring, transaction services and forensic advice.
S&W has more than 2,000 employees and more than 130 partners operating from 15 towns and cities in the UK and Republic of Ireland.
For more details see: www.swgroup.com/ie
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