Mayo GAA has yet to benefit from rugby windfall

Mayo GAA has yet to receive any money from staging the historic United Rugby Championship game between Connacht and Munster in March. Furthermore, how much it will receive has also to be established. That was revealed by Mayo GAA treasurer Valerie Murphy in response to a request that every GAA club in the county receive a share of the profits.

Speaking at last Wednesday’s county board meeting, Ms Murphy said that Mayo GAA’s ‘cut’ from the first-ever rugby match at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park in Castlebar was still unknown because while the board is in “close liaison all the time” with Connacht Rugby, finalised figures remain incomplete.

Mike Connelly, delegate for Hollymount-Carramore GAA, suggested a donation of anything from €500 to €1000 to every club in Mayo from the profits arising, and did so on the balance of fairness, pointing out that one club – Castlebar Mitchels – benefited in particular from the game being held in MacHale Park.

“I don’t know if it’s possible,” remarked Valerie Murphy, indicating that significant Mayo GAA projects in the pipeline, like a Centre of Excellence in Bohola and 4G pitch in Castlebar, are going to take significant money to complete.

She also cited the expense attached to keeping Mayo GAA’s county teams competing at all levels “when all the costs are rising”, saying the increased price of accommodation has been a particular burden.

“Our costs are going up, our income is going down, our attendances at games have reduced,” said Ms Murphy, who added that clubs are already benefiting from an increase to 20% share of gate receipts and a reduction by five in the number of annual development draw tickets they are levied to sell.

Vice-chairman Michael Diskin, who chaired the meeting in the absence of Seamus Tuohy, said the board would review Mike Connelly’s request towards the end of the financial year, around September/October, “when we know how we’re doing”.

Connelly, however, also questioned the fundraising efforts of Mayo GAA.

“From a financial point of view, what money have we raised outside of the board?

“Take Roscommon, they have raffled three houses. We are supposed to be one of the best fundraising counties in Connacht but we’re not doing anything about it.”