*St Breckan’s defeated Kildysart in the 2022 Cusack Cup final. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
A NEW SPONSOR has been unveiled for the Clare Cup and Cusack Cup, the adult league competitions of Clare GAA and also the U17 leagues.
The Clare Cup and Cusack Cup competitions will have a sponsor for 2023 as part of a new partnership between Clare GAA and Ireland’s leading ticketing software company Future Ticketing.
In addition to purchasing tickets online, the Future Ticketing system will also allow Clare GAA to manage card payments at the turnstiles.
“Like all followers of Gaelic games, we have always had a special affection and admiration for Clare GAA, a dual county which is respected all over the country and beyond,” said Future Ticketing business development manager Ronan Burns. “That is why we are especially proud to be chosen as their ticketing partner. It does not surprise us in the least that a forward looking county like Clare has chosen us because their commitment to excellence on and off the field has always been exemplary.
“Future Ticketing is headquartered in Offaly so we are well aware of Clare’s formidable capabilities and we aim to ensure that we can live up to the high standards they always set. With our software, Clare GAA have full control of the ticketing process and our product will enhance the already close relationship the GAA administrators in the county have with their supporters”.
Clare GAA join four other counties in the Future Ticketing family, Tipperary, Kildare, Roscommon and Longford.
Clare GAA COO Deirdre Murphy stated that “Clare GAA are delighted to have entered this partnership with Future Ticketing. We are keen to ensure that all our patrons and supporters have the best possible experience. Where we provide ‘cashless’ options, we want to ensure that the process is made as easy as possible. Future Ticketing have really demonstrated that they understand our market and have an excellent reputation for customer service”.
With Future Ticketing, ticket purchases are virtually instant, membership schemes are more efficient, cashless transactions are safer and the management of revenues by organisations which truly value the spirit of volunteerism is easier.
Future Ticketing manages over 10 million tickets annually for a growing suite of partners across an ever widening range of sectors, from matches in the UEFA Champions League and European rugby to the top racing festivals in Ireland and the UK; plus events like the National Ploughing and the Tullamore Show.
Meanwhile, EssilorLuxottica have been announced as the 2023 sponsors of the U17 Hurling and Football leagues which began this weekend.
EssilorLuxottica, located in the Gort Road Industrial Estate has been in operation in Ennis since 1991, produce semi-finished ophthalmic lenses, for the European market. The world’s leading ophthalmic optics company, designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of lenses to improve and protect eyesight.
Managing Director, Tony Mangan stated that he was delighted to support Clare minor leagues, saying ‘Sport is such an important contributor in the development and health of any individual. Organic Lens Manufacturing (OLM) as part of the EssilorLuxottica group is delighted in having this opportunity and to be in a position to support the U17 Hurling and Football leagues. Perhaps one day one of these young players will be a driving force at OLM using the skills of perfectionism, teamwork and motivation learned on the pitch”.
Head of Operations of Clare GAA Deirdre Murphy thanked EssilorLuxottica for their support, referencing the importance of a comprehensive games programme for this age group. “The split season has brought many positives but there are challenges also to ensure that our young club players have a sufficient and meaningful number of games, particularly in this early part of the year where intercounty activities are in full swing. We thank Tony and all in EssilorLuxottica for their support, it makes all the difference to have supportive sponsors of our competitions. I know that all our clubs and players are looking forward to their first taste of competitive action this weekend, best of luck to all’.
A total of 76 games will take place across both codes between Feb 25th and April 2nd, with 7 finals scheduled for the weekend of April 1/2nd.
