Waterford bosses issue financial SOS to clubs

WATERFORD GAA chiefs have revealed they may not have “funds available to feed the players” after training sessions such is the impact of the financial downturn on the board’s finances.

And Waterford secretary Timmy O’Keeffe has warned that county training sessions could be brought to a halt by the end of January as the board battles to balance the books.

He said: “There may not even be funds available to feed the players. That’s the reality of the situation.”

Senior officers voiced concern at an apparent lack of support from some clubs for a major fundraising draw.

However, some delegates said the cost of tickets (€20) has proven a major turn-off for many clubs, who have been mandated by the board to sell a minimum 50 tickets each.

Chairman Tom Cunningham pleaded: “I am appealing to all our clubs to rally behind this fundraising draw and make it the success it needs and deserves to be. The consequences of an unsuccessful draw have now been spelled out.”

Plans to play the county senior football final under lights at Fraher Field on Saturday week, October 22 have been abandoned. Instead, the game, a repeat of last year’s decider between titleholders Stradbally and Ballinacourty, is fixed for the Dungarvan venue on Sunday week.