Cats cream it as board reveal profit of €221,000

KILKENNY’S continued hurling dominance has been mirrored by their off-field structures as county board officials have revealed a profit of over €200,000 for 2009.

Kilkenny’s accounts are in the black for a sixth successive year after the county’s senior, intermediate, U21 and minor hurlers contested All-Ireland finals.

Income of €3,464,000 was recorded as against expenditure of €3,243,000, leaving Kilkenny with a healthy profit of €221,000.

Last year, Kilkenny reported a profit of €209,000, meaning the Noreside surplus has risen, despite a fall in local gate receipts.

Kilkenny officials had been hoping for a higher attendance than the €8,000 registered for October’s glamour county senior hurler final between champions Ballyhale Shamrocks and James Stephens.

Local championship gates fell by €30,000 this year to €152,000, at a time when other counties have reported sharp increases in attendances.

However, Kilkenny benefited from also winning the National Hurling League as income from that competition came in at €99,000.

Treasurer Barry Hickey reflected on another strong year for Kikenny overall and said: “We have a very good group of people looking after our affairs.

“It’s a big voluntary effort, of course, and we can never discount that.

“We don’t have many people employed in the county board, there’s a part-time person in the office, the upkeep of Nowlan Park is full-time and we have two coaches but that’s it.”

It is understood Kilkenny are exploring the possibility of a full-time clerical position due to the exhaustive nature of administrative work, with grant aid available from Croke Park.

The cost of preparing Kilkenny’s various inter-county teams is estimated to be in the region of €400,00, while development work on Nowlan Park will continue in the New Year.

It is envisaged that a new seated stand and new dressing room facilities at the Country end of the ground will be completed in time for the commencement of the 2010 National Hurling League.

Meanwhile, Louth GAA has reported a profit for the first time since 2006, just months after treasurer Aidan Halpin warned that the Wee County was facing into financial ruin.

Louth reported a massive deficit of €119,000 two years ago but Halpin will report a surplus of €20,000 to next Monday night’s annual convention.

Louth reported a €67,000 deficit 12 months ago but figures are in the black for the first time in three years and Halpin admitted: “Like every other county, we are facing massive challenges in the times that lie ahead. It’s a matter of maintaining discipline and making sure that everybody works together and co-operates with the new treasurer.

“Two years ago, I inherited a deficit of €119,000 but I leave behind a surplus of €20,000 and there is a sense of achievement in that.”