County boards count cost of championship pursuit

THE hurling and football championships haven’t started yet, but already several county boards are seriously concerned about the escalating costs involved with preparing their teams for the summer ahead.

Last Monday night, Laois county treasurer Tony Walsh warned his fellow delegates that increased costs in training this season meant the board would have to raise €80,000 more than last year to meet the ever rising bills.

"We need €80,000 over and above what we brought in last year to break even with all the extra expenses in training county teams and coaching," Walsh told the meeting.