Bernard Brogan 'passionate about' tax breaks for inter-county players

Brogan's idea relates to the income tax side of things with the seven-time All-Ireland SFC medallist suggesting that there's "scope to look at the tax break stuff" for players.

Revenue currently provides a Sportsperson's Relief facility for professionals, allowing relief on income earned 'directly from participation in the sport only' over a 10-year period.

Inter-county players aren't paid for their services so fall outside the scheme though Brogan, a qualified chartered accountant and former Footballer of the Year, said top footballers and hurlers deserve to be acknowledged.

"What I do think they could do, and when I get the headspace I'll work with Tom Parsons in the GPA on it, I think there's definitely scope to look at the tax break stuff, it's something I'm quite passionate about," said Brogan, who was speaking at the launch of the November 11 'Throw in for FOCUS', a charity game between Dublin and Meath selections at Parnell Park.

"I was a tax accountant before I started the businesses and you look at the rugby guys, and they get four or five years (sic) of their tax back at the end of their career. I can't even remember the exact number, it could be 10 actually.

"I think the line is that they add to the fabric of Irish society, and that's why they get this tax break — how would GAA people not do the same?

"Obviously you'd have to put in measures, like if you play five years as an inter-county player, if you do it at this level...but that can all be solved.

"These lads, 60, 70, 80% of these guys are probably teachers, guards, or they're starting small businesses. Most of them aren't CEOs earning 300 grand where you'd be saying, 'Well, giving them half their tax back would bankrupt the country'. These guys are working hard, so to give them something back at the end of their career, to say thank you for your service to your county and to your country, and for inspiring the next generation in such a positive way... if it's there for rugby, if it's there for jockeys, why shouldn't it be there for GAA?"

Brogan argued that such a scheme would help 'protect Ireland's indigenous sports' and agreed that it could also incentivise players considering professional AFL careers to stay at home.

"If you were going to play another 10 years of sport, and if you were able to get a 50, 60 or 70 grand cheque at the end of it, that you'd paid in your own tax, from working in your job, and if you were able to buy a house, or start a business, or do whatever, wouldn't that be attractive?" continued Brogan.

"I'm sure, like, does anyone want to go to Australia, in terms of moving away from their family and friends? Okay, they want to play professional sport, do something they love, obviously there's loads of reasons for moving but I think if you were able to reward people with something at the end (of their county career), in a way that in my head works financially for the country, it would be a good thing."

On the Dublin footballers, former attacker Brogan maintained that Ger Brennan's group, who bounced back from a difficult start to 2026 to contest an All-Ireland semi-final, 'will be competitive and can win All-Irelands' going forward.

But the ex-Ireland captain said he'd like manager Brennan to free up his players to take more shots, pointing to the template laid down by All-Ireland champions Mayo who attempted to score from outside the arc on 14 occasions in their final win over Kerry.

"I think you need to let them play with a bit of freedom," said Brogan. "If I was talking to Ger, I'd say let these lads go out and let them take a few shots. Dublin, they weren't shooting enough for my liking in the last year.

"They're still trying to be a bit controlled, get it to the high percentage zones, whereas you see some of the club stuff even lately and it's just, take the shot. I think you can reward people like that, say to them:  'Take the shot, I'm not going to hold it against you, I'm giving you that freedom. Yes, we have a way we want to play but if the shot is on, you back yourself and go for it, and you won't be given out to for taking a shot'.

"Whereas in the past, we would have been stifled, Dublin would have been stifled, because we wanted to play a certain controlled game. I'm sure Ger will try to unshackle the lads to have a bit more freedom, because the two-pointers are so important now. And we didn't have enough last year."

• The Staycity Presents: Throw in for FOCUS charity game between Dublin and Meath will take place on Wednesday, November 11 at Parnell Park (7.30pm). See throwinforfocus.ie for tickets and details.