Cagey Roscommon leave rivals trailing in economics field

ROSCOMMON have dispelled the theory that expensive outside bosses are required for success after it emerged at the weekend the county — who won the Connacht senior and U-21 titles — spent less than €17,000 on managers in 2010.

Indeed, the remarkably low cost of the expenses of all their county managers — just €16,435 for the year — represents a drop of over 30% of what was spent in 2009.

Senior manager Fergal O’Donnell delivered Roscommon’s first Connacht SFC in almost a decade, while U21 boss Jimmy Gacquin saw his side captured the county’s first provincial crown in that grade since 1999.

Indeed, the amount spent on Roscommon’s county teams in 2010 dropped from €551,277 to €437,721, but they went on to lift two Connacht titles in the same year for only the second time in history — in 1978 they won the senior and U-21 provincial titles.

Saturday’s rescheduled Roscommon convention heard that a deficit of almost €50,000 in 2009 has been transformed into a surplus of €48,049 for last year.

Another contributing factor to the turnaround was a mammoth drop of just over €52,000 in sports gear, equipment and training bills and according to former chairman of the county board, Michael McGuire, the turnaround is as a result of strict budgeting and not overspending.

“Despite a most difficult year economically our end of year accounts statement will show a surplus,” said McGuire.

“Great credit and thanks for this is due to our treasurer Joe Gilligan, finance committee, clubs, gate collectors and sponsors and above all our supporters who supported all our fundraising activities throughout the year.

“I also mention our team management and players who endeavoured to operate at all times within the agreed parameters and budgets.”

Coming in at €16,435 the managers’ expenses have been slashed from €24,129 in 2009, while catering and accommodation has also seen a sharp drop from €146,638 in 2009 to €98,745 in the year just gone.

The Roscommon board, though, still has a substantial debt of €1,270,464, most of which is made up of an interest-free loan given to them by supporter John Murphy in 2006 when they were in financial hardship. But outgoing chairman Michael McGuire, who is credited with turning the county’s fortunes around, is confident that they can deal with the debt in the years ahead.

We will cope with it and we won’t be reverting back to any bad practices,” he said.