Duffy set to put forward case for retaining experimental rules

GAA Director-General Páraic Duffy’s annual report for Congress will be formally launched at a press briefing in Croke Park today.

It is expected he will present the arguments put forward by the Rules Revision task force in the area of the experimental rules and outline the steps to make them permanent.

However, it is possible that his report may be overshadowed by the discussion of the financial reports, from Croke Park Stadium Director Peter McKenna and the Association’s Director of Finance, Tom Ryan.

Association President Nickey Brennan pointed out yesterday that while at the start of the year they had budgeted for a shortfall of €6m, the situation may not be as bleak because of the announcement of two U2 concerts in Croke Park in the summer. And, with the dual possibility of a Heineken Cup semi-final and a soccer World Cup play-off, finances could receive an additional boost.

However, these matters will only influence next year’s figures, with McKenna and Ryan focusing on the 2008 accounts. Ryan’s presentation will reveal a significant downturn in revenue from the National League, influenced by factors such as the decision not to play quarter or semi-finals.

Additionally, Cork’s absence from the opening two rounds in hurling and football contributed to a decreased return.

Increasingly, GAA finances are becoming dependant on a small number of major games at the latter end of the championship season. For instance, the semi-finals and finals of the 2007 All-Irelands generated almost a quarter of total revenue.

In 2007, Central Council finances benefited from Croke Park revenue to the tune of €13.5m — the greater part coming from the rental of the stadium for rugby and soccer internationals. That was worth €7.5m, with the balance coming from the second repayment of money which had been allocated towards the stadium redevelopment over the years — a total of €60m.

As of last year, the debt on the stadium was standing at €16.6m.

Nickey Brennan expressed the hope yesterday that the Government will ‘continue to see sport as an important area’ for funding despite the serious downturn in the economy. Acknowledging that the ‘Sports Capital Programme’ was virtually off the agenda for the foreseeable future, he said it was crucial that the different sporting organisations were supported.

“The GAA currently gets €3.59m in annual funding to help coaching and various initiatives. We expected it to be reduced but we hope they will continue to see funding as important.”