Accumulated profits at Brian O’Driscoll’s firm rise to €3.19m

Accumulated profits at the main firmed owned by Brian O’Driscoll last year increased by €310,917 to €3.19 million.

The increase in profits last year by O’Driscoll’s firm confirms the Clontarf man’s status as Ireland’s most marketable rugby star after his firm ODM and Promotions Ltd recorded a €291,409 increase in profits in 2011.

According to new accounts filed the firm with the Companies Office, they show the firm’s accumulated profits increased from €2.88 million to €3.196 million in the 12 months to the end of August 31st last.

The accounts show that the firm’s cash pile decreased from €1.45 million to €1.12 million during the year.

During the same period, O’Driscoll more than doubled the value of the investments the company owns going from €945,504 to €2 million.

The continuing rise in fortunes of the firm co-incided with O'Driscoll helping Leinster to a third Heineken Cup in 2012.

O’Driscoll, then aged 22, established the firm in 2001 as part of his bid to capitalise on being the most marketable Irish player of the modern rugby era.

The Leinster player’s father, Frank, is also a director of the firm.

Last month, the dropping of Ireland's most decorated rugby player for the final Lions Test against Australia – the first time in O'Driscoll's professional career to be dropped - led to a strong reaction.

After the Lions won the Test series, O’Driscoll conceded that it was “bittersweet” to watch as the Lions won the decisive match.

In May, O'Driscoll signed a lucrative one-year IRFU contract extension to next June with Leinster and Ireland that will involve O'Driscoll trying to achieve a career-long ambition of defeating New Zealand this coming November.

Along with his playing earnings O'Driscoll is able to top-up his earnings with various sponsorship deals and endorsements that includes a deal with Gillette.

Last year, O'Driscoll signed a book deal with Penguin Ireland for his autobiography with award winning author and journalist, Paul Kimmage signed up to ghost write the book.

However, the much-anticipated book is not due to the published until after the 34-year old retires.

As the accounts for a small firm, it is not required to provide detailed figures including revenues and profit or loss amounts.

In addition to the cash in bank, the accounts show that the amount owed by debtors to the firm increased from €534,128 to €704,697 during the year.

O’Driscoll has had an illustrious career – captaining Ireland to a Grand Slam, winning four Triple Crowns and captaining the Lions in New Zealand along with winning three Heineken Cups with Leinster.

The Dubliner was voted World Rugby player of the decade (2000-2009) by the influential magazine Rugby World.

Speaking after signing the new one-year deal in May, O’Driscoll said: “I want to thank the IRFU and Leinster for allowing me the time to think about my future and discuss my options with my family.

He said: “The support my family and the Irish and Leinster fans have shown me over the past few months, and indeed years, has been phenomenal and I am now very much looking forward to one more year playing with Ireland and Leinster”.