Positive financial report from Co Board
Meath GAA Co Board treasurer Jim Mullery delivered a positive financial report for the period to the 31st Octrober at Monday night’s GAA annual convention in Navan.
However, two items remain in the ‘pending’ category arising out of the report, but auditor Oliver Casssells assured delegates that he anticipated both would be dealt with successfully.
One item relates to a gate voucher for a Feis Cup game at Grangegodden on Sunday 5th February in which Gaeil Colmcille defeated Simonstown Gaels by 1-11 to 2-7.
“The cheque for that gate voucher did not reach the office in Dunganny and investigations are ongoing with co-operation from the Gaeil Colmcille club,” he stated.
“The second item relates to coaching and games and the donation in 2016 of some excess equipment to a charity,” added the Co Board auditor.
The income and expenditure account for the year show a surplus of €408,249, compared to €111,678 for the previous year, an increase of close to €300,000.
Meath Co Board officers for 2018 following Monday night’s annual convention (from left) were: back - Greg Carry, Castletown, Coaching Officer, Michael Bennett, Navan O’Mahonys, Childrens Officer, Ciaran Flynn, Dunsany, PRO, Jason Plunkett, Clonard, Development Officer, Francis Lynch, Kiltale, Leinster Council, Paddy Kelly, Kiltale, Central Council, John Kavanagh, St Ultan’s, vice-chairman; front - Francis Flynn, Seneschalstown, assistant-treasurer, Denise Morgan, St Colmcille’s, Irish Officer, Mairead Delaney, Dunshaughlin, secretary, Peter O’Halloran, Drumconrath, chairman, Jim Mullery, Slane, treasurer, Anne McDonnell, Summerhill, assistant- secretary and Brendan Cummins, Dunsany, Leinster Council. Photo: John Quirke / www.quirke.ie
Two factors contributed to the healthy finances, new football team sponsors Devenish Nutrition and the major fundraiser in New York.
That New York event boosted the Co Board coffers to the tune of $250,000 of which €150,000 (approx) has been received with the balance likely to be received in the next accounting period according to the auditor.
The income from the business lunch that was hosted in the Headfort Arms Hotel, Kells was €57,000, but the Broadway Challenge returned a deficit of €2,000.
Sponsorship of county teams came to €260,000 compared to €69,000 the previous year, but team expenses were also up significantly, €658,487 compared to €499,855 the previous year.
Gate receipts were €481,644, almost identical to the previous year with football generating €381,000 and hurling accounting for €100,000. The biggest gate of the year was the 2016 senior football final between Simonstown Gaels and Donaghmore/Ashbourne at €45,069.70.
The cost of staging games increased by almost €20,000 with some of that amount (€7,000) due to extra payment to clubs for staging games under lights outside of Páirc Tailteann.
Administration expenses increased to €279,155 compared to €184,057 in 2016 with €130,000 of that in relation to planning permission for the redevelopment of Pairc Tailteann. It is estimated that another €200,000 outlay could be incurred for completion of the planning process.
Coaching and Games Development expenditure also saw an increase of close to €50,000 more than the previous year to €235,289.
Meath received €59,219 from their share of the NFL, an increase of €7,000 from 2016.
In the breakdown of team expenses there were increases across the board, travelling and catering €351,321 compared to €306,987, sportsgear and equipment €53,164 (€33,474), gym and use of premises €11,237 (€2,265), medical and physiotherapy €127,431 (€87,253), and strength and conditioning €68,160 (€36,300).