Galway Hurling Board reveals losses of more than €100,000

GALWAY hurling fans may have had to endure another season without silverware and it has not been a great year off the pitch either, with financial losses of more than €100,000.

Delegates attending tonight’s annual Galway Hurling Board convention will be told that the board made a loss of €102,589 despite reducing expenditure by more than €110,000.

In 2008, Galway Hurling Board made a loss of €96,887 (it was €58,733 in 2007) on expenditure of €1,019,848 but while the amount spent in 2009 was trimmed to €908,837, the loss for the year still increased as income plummeted.

In 2008, the board had an income of €922,961 but this dropped this year to €806,248 with commercial income – including sponsorship of €70,000 provided for in 2006 but which was not received – and national league share accounting for the biggest losses.

The amount of money spent on John McIntyre’s senior team was down sharply on 2008 when Ger Loughnane was in charge.

Catering and travel in 2008 amounted to €310,943, but this dropped to €241,414 during this year. However, medical and physio fees of €81,292 in 2008 increased to €104,420.

Overall, team administration expenses of €536,310 were recorded in 2009, down from €670,633 in 2008. The amount spent on team administration in 2007 was €599,694.

The figures are set to spark debate at convention in the Raheen Woods Hotel in Athenry, with all six positions at the top table up for grabs.

The position of chairman – Miko Ryan resigned this year – has developed into a two-horse race between former All Star and ref Jimmy Cooney and Joe Byrne of Kinvara. Secretary John Fahey is being challenged by former Galway boss Jarlath Cloonan.

There are 40 motions on the agenda, most of which relate to the running of club championships in the county.

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