Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael John Horan, centre, with Peter McKenna, Commercial Director of the GAA and Stadium Manager of Croke Park, left, and Ger Mulryan, GAA Director of Finance, before the GAA/Croke Park Financial Reports media briefing at Croke Park in Dublin.
By John Harrington
The GAA’s Financial Report for 2018, which was presented in Croke Park today, shows a record €19.3M was spent on Games Development and Player Welfare last year.
This figure breaks down as €11.1M on Coaching and Games Development (an increase of €0.7M on 2017) and €8.2M on Player Welfare and Organisational Development (an increase of €1.2M on 2017).
The Games Development outlay funded 345 coaches working in more than 600 schools coaching 360,000 children.
35 new coaches were deployed across Louth, Meath, Kildare, Wicklow, and Wexford as part of the new East Leinster Coaching Programme
Club Grants Funding increased by 25 per cent to €2.5M with a total of 424 GAA clubs receiving a grant of for improvement of pitches and facilities.
€13.9M was distributed to counties, an increase of €0.5M on 2017’s total.
The GAA’s total revenue for 2018 was €63.5M, of which €52.89M million (83.3%) was redistributed to counties, clubs, and schools.
Overall gate revenues decreased from 2017’s record high by €4.8M to €29.6M.
Mayo’s replays with Roscommon and Kerry in the 2017 All-Ireland SFC quarter-final and semi-final would account for €2M of this decrease.
The condensing of the inter-county season to benefit clubs and the changed championship structures in both codes most likely had an impact too.
Financial results 2018 - where our funds were spent.
Overall, 1.5M people attended matches in the 2018 Allianz Leagues and All-Ireland Chamionships.
A significant cost to the GAA continues to be the outlay on insurance (now €6.5M per annum), and the Player Injury Fund.
€7.9M was paid out to injured players last year, and in the last five years alone the GAA has now paid out €45M to injured players
In summing up his report, the GAA’s Finance director, Ger Mulryan, said the Association’s finances were in rude health.
“It is with a high level of confidence that our members can be assured that the Association enters the coming year in a solid financial state,” said Mulryan in his report.
“Our balance sheet is strong and there are no third-party borrowings. Loan balances owed to Central Council from our units are sizeable at €33m, but most importantly this loan book is performing, and repayments are on track.
“Our common objective is to deliver the adequate resources to seamlessly allow all our units to develop and prosper.
“In conclusion, our financial well-being is due as always to the tireless dedication of thousands of club and county treasurers nationwide. Their role is a difficult but valued one.
“The Association is also indebted to the members of the National Financial Management Committee, National Audit & Risk Committee and National Risk & Insurance Committee for their hard work, insight, support and expertise.
“It is thanks to the hard work and expertise of all these people that I am pleased to be able to report favourably on Central Council’s 2018 financial results, and to look forward to exceeding expectations in 2019.”
The GAA’s Financial Report for 2019 can be downloaded in full below.