County team admin costs up by 12pc
LOUTH GAA are planning two fundraising ventures to plug a projected €100,000 surplus in expenditure over income in the end of year accounts.
County treasurer Aidan Berrill told Monday night’s monthly committee meeting in Castlebellingham that county team administration costs had risen by 12pc on the same six-month period from last year.
While the financial report presented to delegates shows Louth to have taken in €41,413 more than has gone out since October, figures from February and March indicate a deficit of approximately €145,000, with €178,573 being forked out on county teams during the spring months alone.
“The costs reflect how well our county squads are doing and while money doesn’t guarantee success, it helps,” said Berrill.
“The senior football team is training since November 24 and will continue into June at least, and we would hope for prolonged runs for our other teams as well.
“But what is the alternative? That we cut spending and end up back in Division 3 and 4 again?”
DEVELOPMENT SQUADS
Dundalk Young Irelands’ representative added that if there should be any reductions, the development squads should not fall victim. “Don’t sacrifice the underage,” he said.
In response, Berrill confirmed that Louth GAA has renewed its current partnership with Dundalk Credit Union as the chief sponsor of the juvenile squads.
Dundalk Gaels’ speaker reckoned that leadership on county team expenditure “has to come from Croke Park”, with chairman Seán McClean agreeing.
The county intend to run a sponsored walk in Darver on May 5 in honour of former Louth manager Paddy Clarke. A contribution of €500 will be requested from GAA entities across the county and all funds will go towards the development of a new ball wall at the Centre of Excellence.
Meanwhile, a first race day in 20 years is set for Fairyhouse on October 12.
There are various corporate sponsorship packages available and assistant secretary Damien McCann hopes Louth will net between €45,000-€50,000.
The St Kevin’s delegate still felt the coffers would need a greater boost given the county’s financial forecast and both McClean and vice-chairman Colm Marry concurred.
McClean said the top table was well aware of the finance which is required and that discussions with prospective sponsors – as well as past and current ones – were ongoing. Marry also claimed funding was needed to “improve the presentation” of Darver.
PITCH PROBLEMS
Several clubs brought concerns regarding pitch availability due to the persistent levels of rainfall, while the Kevin’s man said his club’s facility was under stress due to the number of matches scheduled for it across all codes.
The meeting was told that despite attempts to organise a meeting with the respective LGFA body to discuss fixtures, no response was forthcoming.
McClean hoped that when the three Gaelic games associations were merged that the problem would be eradicated.
Minor committee chairman Kevin Gordon said that “underage has suffered” from the bad weather but claimed they were “determined to make it work and we will wind a window to make up time”.
Both St Mochta’s and Mattock Rangers spoke about their pitches being unavailable for upcoming matches, but Naomh Máirtín’s rep said that he didn’t want to see Division 4, 5 and 6 games “being pulled to facilitate senior teams”.