Numbers game for GAA as dip reported

The GAA’s 2018 Financial Report was presented at Croke Park today with numbers attending games showing a decrease.

For the first year of the Super 8s the numbers indicated that crowds at All-Ireland SFC fixtures (qualifiers, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final) fell by 18 per cent overall despite an increase in the number of games from 33 to 39.

The average attendance was down 31 per cent from 19,049 to 13,225.

Gate receipts account for 46 per cent of the overall income with commercial revenue next at 31 per cent.

The NFL and NHL revenues topped €5m this year but this reflected an overall reduction of four per cent or €200,000 on 2017 levels. 

All league revenues are redistributed back to participating counties through a pool system. This system guarantees a minimum level of distribution to all - including the perceived weaker counties. 

Some €19,300,000 was invested in Games Development and Player Welfare -  €11,100,000 m on Coaching and Games Development (an increase of €700,000 on 2017) and €8,200,000 on Player Welfare and Organisational Development (an increase of €1,200,000 on 2017).

The Games Development outlay funded 345 coaches working in more than 600 schools coaching 360,000 children.

Also 35 new coaches were deployed across Meath, Louth, Kildare, Wicklow and Wexford as part of the new East Leinster Coaching Programme

Club Grants increased by 25 per cent to €2,500,000 as 424 GAA clubs received grants.