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Diageo Ireland said it grew market share in Ireland for the year ended June 30th 2008, helped by a strong performance from Guinness.

It said that Guinness continued its recovery, delivering 2.5 per cent sales growth against a declining beer market, a 10 per cent swing compared to the previous year. It also said there was a strong performance from Carlsberg, Bud Light and spirits in the Irish market.

Diageo Ireland reported ongoing cost pressures in the business, largely driven by energy costs. It also said that the national alcohol market is showing signs of decline in the first half of 2008 in all product categories and all channels as consumer confidence falls.

Its parent company Diageo said that sales increased by £726 million from £9.9 billion in the year ended 30 June 2007 to £10.6 billion in the year ended 30 June 2008.

Net sales were 7 per cent to £8.09 billion.

Operating profit for the year increased by £67 million to £2.2 billion from £2.16 billion in the prior year. In the year ended 30 June 2008, there were exceptional operating costs of £78 million in respect of the restructuring of the Irish brewing operations, it said.

Profit before tax decreased by £2 million from £2,095 million to £2,093 million in the year ended 30 June 2008.