Money matters but no such thing as guaranteed success
Those with liberal leanings are always going to be inclined to favour one side when it becomes a battle between the haves and the have nots. And if we are to believe what we are being told, the GAA has become completely Thatcherised.
The rich taking medals, the poor getting trounced.
Exhibit A: Kildare v Offaly. In the good old days, this would have been a classic championship encounter.
After all, if there is one county that embodies traditional championship values, then it’s Offaly. Small but proud. Never brittle. Never limp. Your average Biffo (Big Intelligent Fellow From Offaly) knows what it’s all about. Erm. Maybe not. Kildare 0-19 Offaly 0-6.
Exhibit B: Mayo v Leitrim. Again, Mayo would always be fancied to win this fixture but Leitrim will make them struggle. Erm. Maybe not: Mayo 4-20 Leitrim 0-10.
After his team’s 13-point hammering by Kildare, Offaly manager Tom Coffey argued the chasm on the scoreboard was a direct result of huge advantages which the Lilywhites enjoyed in other aspects of the game.
“You can’t fault the guys, they gave it everything,” he said. “For the last few weeks they were in bed early, the diet was 100%, and they turned up, and went through the pain barrier in training. But the conditioning level of that Kildare team and the fitness level they are at is a credit to themselves, Kieran McGeeney and the Kildare people.”
The problem for Coffey is that he’s not convinced Offaly will ever have the financial backing to be on the same footing.
Last year Kildare’s county board poured €774,591 into their teams’ preparations.
Consider that Antrim, a dual county, spent €408,976 on their football AND hurling squads.
Offaly, another dual county, spent even less, €390,000. That’s nearly €400,000 less than Kildare.
Given the huge disparity in funding, it’s no wonder Coffey thinks Offaly’s chances of beating Kildare are about the same as Blackpool’s against Chelsea.
It’s easy to sympathise. But the argument that money can buy success warrants further investigation.
Kildare are a great case study. After four-and-a-half years and nearly €2m, Kieran McGeeney’s tenure has produced an O’Byrne Cup and a Division 2 title.
Dublin, the wealthiest county board in the country, has finally laid claim to the Sam Maguire Cup. But Dublin had the biggest bank balance when Tyrone and Kerry were taking turns to humiliate them.
For all Dublin’s financial muscle, since 1979 (the year Thatcher was elected) they’ve won three All-Ireland titles.
Cork, the second wealthiest county board, is operating on roughly the same ratio with All-Ireland victories recorded in 1989, 1990 and 2010.
Of course, money does makes a difference. And it’s no coincidence Coffey highlighted the conditioning of Kildare’s footballers. The best coaches and facilities come at a price.
Kildare’s footballers have kitted out the media centre that was built at the K-Club for the Ryder Cup. Julie Davis, a sister of former Ulster rugby player Johnny Davis, is the team’s strength and conditioning coach.
Davis now lives in Straffan (she’s probably a neighbour of Seanie Johnston) where she is on call to mentor the players in the gym.
A few years ago, tackling was considered the skill which determined success or failure. Unless tackle drills were practised at maximum intensity and with perfect technique, it was believed to be a waste of time.
The same principles now apply to weight training.
But that costs money. In this regard, Dublin enjoy the best of both worlds. Their €6m sponsorship deal with Vodafone means they can hire Sam Dowling from Leinster Rugby.
Not only that, but the county’s association with DCU allows them the use of the campus gym.
There is no University of Leitrim. And there is no golf club in Birr with a gym only for footballers.
But, it would be a grave mistake to believe expenditure guarantees silverware.
The Meath footballers have their own weights room in Páirc Tailteann. Small groups of players are scheduled to meet team trainer Martin McElkennon over a three-hour slot. During that time he takes them through their respective sessions.
A few weeks ago, Meath drew with Carlow.
Last year, Armagh spent most money on team preparations. Their annual spend of €610,886 included the appointment of Mike McGurn, the former trainer of the Ireland rugby team.
Armagh were beaten in last year’s Championship by Derry (ranked 30th on €274,000) before they drew with Wicklow (ranked 25th on €345,391).
While Donegal’s footballers couldn’t get the county board to cover the cost of their overnight stay in the Slieve Russell Hotel, Kildare County Board forked out €53,387 on hotels and accommodation. Jim McGuinness has acquired the services of students are studying strength and conditioning courses providing their services free of charge.
It’s this type of improvisation which probably needs to be employed by managers working within constrained budgets. Astute county boards that appoint the right people and spend their money wisely can still achieve a great deal.
For evidence, look no further than Kilkenny.
Ranked at 17th in last year’s spending charts (below Laois and above Carlow), the Liam MacCarthy Cup cost the Cats the grand sum of €486,587.
At that price, it certainly wasn’t bought.
