The Chairperson of Sligo GAA says the county would welcome an open and frank national discussion on the GAA’s financial future.
Sean Carroll made his comments at Tuesday night’s Annual Convention at the Clayton Hotel in Sligo, which saw the county’s end-of-year accounts record an operating deficit of €218,000.
Sligo say the shortfall was expected.
The increase in activity across football and hurling in 2022 post-pandemic meant expenditure rose significantly, including a trip to New York for the senior footballers, which cost the county €102,000.
The cost of catering, travel and accommodation for county teams also increased over the past 12 months.
Fundraising and commercial income was down €80,000 as these channels took time to re-activate on a major scale as the country came out of the pandemic.
Spending on the Sligo senior hurlers increased by €120,000 as the team continued their upward curve competitively, and an additional €50,000 was spent on the county under-20 footballers, which yielded an historic Connacht title last April.
There was also an increased spend on coaching and games development.
Gate receipts for 2022 showed a substantial increase (€178k) given the increased activity.
While the deficit this year had been ‘flagged’ during the season, Carroll says Sligo GAA will be placing a major emphasis on addressing the current financial challenges.
He spoke to Ocean FM Sport’s Austin O’Callaghan.
Carroll told Tuesday’s Convention that there were some financial areas which were beyond the county’s control and that the time had come for a more centralised approach to some of the key financial challenges facing the association nationally.
“One size does not fit all and counties with smaller population and playing bases will struggle greatly if the current trajectory.”
In his interview with Ocean FM, Carroll said: “Team expenses are getting headlines again. Mayo spent over a million on their teams yet they turn a profit of a million.
“Galway spent €2 million on their teams yet they still turned a profit of €400,00
“We spent less than both and we’re in deficit so there are things we need to look at.”
Elsewhere, there were no election contests at Tuesday night’s Convention – as Calry/St Joseph’s Bernardine McGauran, Sligo GAA’s first ever female County Secretary, stood down from her role after five years.
She’s been succeeded by Deirdre Gethins from the Owenmore Gaels Club.
Declan Bruen (St Molaise Gaels) was appointed as the new Planning & Training Officer, while Sarah McNamara (St John’s) takes over from Terrence Marren as Sligo GAA Children’s Officer.
Convention also paid tribute to the on-field success during 2022, notably the Sligo under-20 Connacht Championship winning footballers, the Celtic Challenge All-Ireland under-17 winning hurlers and the under-16 Fr Manning Cup winning football team.
There was a moment’s silence during Convention too – as Curry’s Red Óg Murphy and the other Sligo gaels who passed away during the last 12 months were remembered.
Sligo GAA Executive 2023
Chairperson: Sean Carroll (Coolera/Strandhill)
Vice-Chair: Declan Rouse (Enniscrone/Kilglass)
Secretary: Deirdre Gethins (Owenmore Gaels)
Assistant Secretary: Mary Finn (St Michael’s)
Treasurer: Cormac Kearins (Shamrock Gaels)
Assistant Treasurer: David Cummins (Calry/St Joseph’s)
PRO: Padraig McKeon (Shamrock Gaels)
Coaching Officer: Peader Niland (St Mary’s)
Planning & Training Officer: Declan Bruen (St Molaise Gaels)
Children’s Officer: Sarah McNamara (St John’s)
Cultural Officer: Joe Brady (St Molaise Gaels)
Central Council Delegate: Joe Taaffe (St Michael’s)
Connacht Council Delegates: Dermot Gannon (Tubbercurry) & Padraig Clancy (St Michael’s).
