Laois gaa beat recession blues with six figure sponsorship deal

Laois GAA has been placed on a sound financial footing for the next three years, after a six figure sponsorship deal with Urlingford-based company MW Hire Services was announced tonight.

The tool hire company succeed Laois Hotel group, The Heritage, as sponsors of the O'Moore County's senior, Under-21 and minor hurling and football teams.

The business was established by Johnstown native Mattie Walsh in 1992 and sells vast volumes of generators in both home and foreign markets, while they also have a number of wind farm sites around the country.

Laois GAA Secretary Niall Handy is delighted to have the company on board as a sponsor.

"It's a lucrative deal for Laois GAA for the next three years," he said.

"We are also happy that the six figure sum is a similiar figure to that which we received from The Heritage in the past three years."

He says that it was challenging to find a sponsor for the county teams, given the current economic climate.

"It was very challenging with the way things are at the moment and we are very grateful that MW Hire Services have come on board."

Handy says a performance-based bonus agreement is also in place as part of the deal.

"There would be bonuses touched in on a progression basis. The bonuses only depend on the senior team."

Meanwhile, convenience store chain Gala have been announced as sponsors of the Laois GAA development squads in hurling and football and also the juvenile club championships.