‘We are financially prudent’

Fitzmaurice says Kerry training costs stay within budget

EAMONN Fitzmaurice has moved to reassure supporters that Kerry’s team training costs have always stayed within budget and said that most of the money spent on the senior football panel is spent on the players rather than on the back-room staff.

The Kerry manager was responding to general concerns from Kerry GAA treasurer ‘Weeshie’ Lynch about the worrying increase in the costs involved in financing inter-county teams.

“I think, in fairness, in Kerry we are very prudent with our finances,” Fitzmaurice said. “Possibly where we would be slightly different than some counties in many ways is that nearly all of the money that’s spent goes into the players. There isn’t huge outlays in back-room teams or managements because the vast majority of the back-room team and the management team are volunteers so that’s a significant saving on other counties. The money that’s being spent is very much being spent with regards to developing and advancing players.

“There’s a budget there and you can’t have the latest craze or whatever is the latest thing or gadget. That’s not the way it works. I work closely with (chairman) Tim Murphy, we have a budget and we stick to our budget. I would say that in the time that I’ve been in charge - and I’m open to correction - I don’t think we have ever gone over budget. I think (Lynch) was possibly talking about the national picture and I think in terms of us we’d be prudent and sensible.

“I’d be conscious that it is an amateur organisation and that we have to be understanding of that but I think to be fair to the lads at County Board level they really back everything we try to do at the same time. If we need something they try to make it happen. If it can’t happen it can’t happen.”

Fitzmaurice also welcomed the appointment of Maurice O’Meara as Kerry GAA Commercial Fundraiser. “There was a lot made of the fact that I made reference to a threeyear plan at the start of the year and that’s the kind of stuff that I was talking about. From the County Board’s perspective I think there is a lot going on in the background in terms of making sure that we have a sustainable model in Kerry that can sustain the likes of Currans and can sustain inter-county teams. It’s big business now and that’s the bottom line. Everything costs, even feeding the team.

“On a very basic level before you start going to any bells and whistles, feeding the teams, travelling expenses, going away for matches at weekends, hotel costs and all that stuff, it’s really big business. I think to be fair in the background there is an awful lot of work going on to make sure that is a sustainable model and that basically that it doesn’t become an unsustainable model.

“I can’t ever remember looking for something since I have taken over and it not being given to me. The (chairmen) back us all the way. They always have...so I think it’s a very healthy situation. There is reason there and understanding from both sides but I have received one hundred percent backing in everything that I have tried to do since I became involved.”