Dublin GAA handed €1.3m for coaching

DUBLIN’S overwhelming dominance of the GAA’s Games Development budget continues, with the latest figures showing that they received €1.3 million last year.

That’s an increase of €5,000 on 2017 and leaves them €936,230 ahead of Meath (€367,400), who are next highest. There’s a heavy emphasis on the east Leinster area, with Kildare (€341,346), Wicklow (€274,000), Louth (€258,746) and Wexford (€234,800) also in the top seven along with Cork (€249,000).

Fermanagh (€109,000), Down (€112,600) and Armagh (€120,000) fared worst in the €9.6m share-out, which also includes €1.7m divided among the provincial councils

Dublin’s share represents almost 14pc of the overall total and, as has happened in previous years, will raise questions as to why the county with the most sophisticated commercial operation continues to dominate the fund.

GAA finance director Ger Mulryan explained that the money did not go to the Dublin County Board or county teams but rather to pay for coaches in schools and clubs.

He said that without the support, the development of the games in Dublin would be severely challenged.

Clubs availing of the pay-out must contribute 50pc of the cost of each coach.

A total of 25 new coaches have been appointed in Louth, Meath, Kildare, Wicklow and Wexford.

Cork were the big winners in last year’s capital grants allocation, receiving €1.33m.

Longford got €1.06m, followed by Laois on €415,000.

The four provincial councils were allocated a total of €2m between them.