Laois GAA leave Ticketmaster stable to sign ticketing deal with Offaly firm

Laois GAA has crossed the county boundary to ink a multi-year deal with a Tullamore provider of ticketing software and services which will allow fans to buy tickets directly from the Laois GAA website.

The partnership with Future Ticketing will see Laois GAA and nearly 50 clubs benefit from the "homegrown expertise, experience and local support which the company claims it provides.

Laois GAA's online ticketing was previously provided by Universe, the company owned by Ticketmaster. PJ Kelly is the Laois GAA Chairman. He outlined what will change for supporters in a statement to the Leinster Express / Laois Live. 

“Thanks to our partnership with Future Ticketing, match tickets can be purchased directly from our own county GAA website and we know that will bring our loyal supporters even closer to Laois GAA and further strengthen the relationship we all really value.

“By teaming up with Future Ticketing, we will also be improving the online availability of our county fundraising draw tickets and streamlining all our revenue sources, thereby ensuring we can invest further in our clubs and county teams,” he said.

The finances of the deal were not revealed by the Laois GAA Chairman.

Gregory Walker, Client Success Manager at Future Ticketing, said the company’s ticketing technology has already been adopted by nine other GAA County Boards, along with numerous other sporting organisations across Ireland. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Greg Walker, Future Ticketing and Pam Cooney, Laois GAA Administrator, announcing the partnership in Portlaoise.

“Here at Future Ticketing we know Laois GAA County Board was keen to embrace an online ticketing platform which keeps the focus on the unique identity of Laois, while at the same time, easing the administration required for different events, be they matches, camps or fundraisers,” said Mr Walker.

"Future Ticketing is based in Tullamore and has a deep understanding of Gaelic games, with several team members who are particularly close to their GAA communities, having played at inter-county level.  Indeed, two of the leading staff Ann Marie and Martin remain key players with their clubs – and both won silverware this year and continued their campaigns into the provincial championships,” he said.

Ann Marie Guinan, Manchester-based chief marketing officer with Future Ticketing and a former Offaly camogie player, was on the Fullen Gaels team which won the All-Britain senior championship recently

Martin O'Brien, client success manager with Future Ticketing, played for the Carnew Emmets team which won the Wicklow senior hurling championship this year.

READ ALSO: Times and venues confirmed for Laois’ first-round O’Byrne and Walsh Cup fixtures in the New Year

Future Ticketing says it has a global client base and supports over 5,000 active users across 14 time zones and eight languages.

The company says its platform is developed in-house and designed to ensure adaptability and innovation to meet the evolving needs of modern sport.

Other GAA county partners for Future Ticketing are Tipperary, Roscommon and Down.

The company also has many clients in the League of Ireland, including champions Shamrock Rovers, and it recently renewed its partnership with Kerry FC.

It is very active in horse racing, with Leopardstown, Punchestown, Aintree, Cheltenham and Epsom among over 70 partners in the sector, plus outdoor events, such as the National Ploughing Championships and the Tullamore Show.