FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — (Washington, DC – , 2021) – Sheehy Auto Stores, one of the largest car dealer groups in the Mid-Atlantic area and a leader in customer satisfaction, retention, and community involvement in the nation, returns as a Player Pathway Partner to Old Glory DC, Greater Washington’s professional rugby team, for the 2021 MLR season.

“For 55 years, we have been selling and servicing automobiles in the Mid-Atlantic,” said Paul Sheehy, Old Glory DC Co-founder and Sheehy Auto Stores Used Vehicle Director.  “We now have 29 dealerships, and in each one of those communities, we support a rugby team. The rugby community has always been loyal to our company. We are happy to be supporting the development of the game at all levels.”

As a Player Pathway Partner, Sheehy Auto Stores will enjoy promotional opportunities throughout Old Glory’s pathway events and the 2021 MLR season, such as hospitality accommodations at game day events and visibility through the team’s broadcast, print, and social media outreach. The partnership will also channel support from Sheehy Auto Stores to Old Glory’s academy system, including the boys’ and girls’ U19 academies which are already in training, and youth level rugby clubs throughout our region.

COVID restrictions permitting, Sheehy Auto Stores will also return as Old Glory DC’s official halftime entertainment, which will feature local youth rugby programs showcasing their talent during halftime minis, at 2021 Old Glory home games. These youth programs will accompany Old Glory DC players during the National Anthem on the pitch.

Sheehy Auto Stores is also the presenter of the Regional Rugby calendar on Old Glory DC’s website. The Regional Rugby calendar is the one-stop-shop for rugby events and programming of clubs, conferences, and tournaments in the Mid-Atlantic area. 

“For many years, Sheehy Auto Stores has been one of the most visible supporters of youth and grass-roots level rugby in the greater Washington region,” said Chris Dunlavey, Old Glory DC Chairman.  “They’re a beloved name in our town, and now they can support the development of rugby in our region through an organized pathway, a single source of information on all the rugby activities in town, and the best coaching that’s ever been available here.”

Old Glory DC will play eight home regular-season matches at Segra Field and eight away games across the United States, beginning on March 27th. The season will culminate with the MLR Championship match on August 1st.

About Old Glory DC

Old Glory is the first and only professional rugby team in the nation’s capital, Washington, DC. Established in 2018, Old Glory DC competes in Major League Rugby (MLR), a North American league that includes teams in New York, Boston, Atlanta, Toronto, Houston, New Orleans, Salt Lake City, San Diego, Austin, Seattle and Los Angeles. The team was founded by life-long DC area residents, business leaders, and rugby players Chris Dunlavey and Paul Sheehy. In 2019, the Scottish Rugby Union joined the partnership, committing both financial investment and operational support to the organization. The 2021 Major League Rugby season kicks off on March 20th, 2021. For more, visit www.oldglorydc.com.

About Sheehy Auto Stores

Sheehy Auto Stores is the 37th largest dealer group in the country and serves customers throughout the Mid-Atlantic. A family-owned business which began as one Ford store in 1966 in Marlow Heights, Md., the company has grown to more than $1.6 billion in sales with more than 45,000 new and used vehicles sold each year. The company is recognized as a leader in customer satisfaction, retention, and community involvement. For more information visit www.sheehy.com.