Meath County Board finances in good health

WHILE the financing of the Pairc Tailteann redevelopment may prove a major task, there was some good news for the Meath County Committee following the publication of the financial statement for the year, ahead of convention.

The income and expenditure account for the year show a surplus of €408,249, compared to €111,678 for the previous year. Two factors contribute greatly to the healthy finances, new football team sponsors Devenish Nutrition and the major fund-raiser in New York, ‘The Sean Boylan Appreciation Night,’ which boosted the County Board coffers to the tune of $250,000.

Sponsorship of county teams came to €260,000, compared to €69,000 the previous year. However, team expenses were also up significantly, €658,487 compared to €499,855 the previous year.

In all, fund-raising activities brought in €329,093, up considerably from the €77,483 of the previous year.

Gate receipts, one of the main sources of income, were €481,644, almost identical to the previous year. The biggest gate of the year was senior final day between Simonstown and Donaghmore/ Ashbourne, with takings of €45,069.70. The minor decider was also contested that day.

The cost of staging games increased by almost €20,000, while administration expenses rose sharply - €279,155 compared to €184,057 in 2016. Coaching and Games Development was also on the increase, close to €50,000 more than the previous year at €235,289.

Meath received €59,219 from their share of the NFL, an increase of €7,000 from 2016.

A breakdown of the fund-raising schedule show substantial increases in profit from both the annual race day and golf classic. The race day at Fairyhouse (2016) boosted the finances by €68,317, which was almost treble that of the previous year. The €45,284 from the golf classic was more than double that of the previous year. Other fund-raising events (New York) brought in €204,697.

The club contribution towards Dunganny was €74,400, similar to the previous year.

In the breakdown of team expenses there were increases across the board, - travelling and catering €351,321 compared to €306,987, sportsgear and equipment €53,164 (€33,474), gym and use of premises €11,237 (€2,265), medical and physiotherapy €127,431 (€87,253), and strength and conditioning €68,160 (€36,300).

The administration expenses show a cost of €130,108 for a planning/feasibility study for Pairc Tailteann.