Supporters clubs clear up county role

THREE county supporters clubs have defended themselves against suggestions they are contributing to unregulated payments to managers.

In his discussion paper, GAA director general Páraic Duffy highlighted “the emergence of supporters clubs as sources of funding for the preparation of county teams, funding that extends to various forms of incentivisation (eg foreign holidays) for players and management teams”.

Duffy also points out some supporters clubs operate legitimately “under the auspice of county boards”.

Offaly GAA supporters club’s Paul Bell was clear to point out they fall into the second bracket.

“We’re a small, low-touch supporters club that stays in the background but are there to help out in terms of player welfare and underage structures. A large proportion of our members would be fanatical about their county and supporting the teams to the best of their abilities. Where county senior team players are injured or who have personal problems we’d help out but we would never be party to giving money to managers. It’s hard to hear supporters clubs like ours being criticised or condemned because we all give our time voluntarily and everything is done above board.”

Eugene Dooley was chairman of the Wicklow GAA Supporters Club for three years under Mick O’Dwyer.

He’s looking at renewing the club again this year but states they weren’t in fundraising.

“Instead of raising money, we branded the supporters club. We introduced a supporters pack. We didn’t go to raise money but to raise awareness of the team and getting youngsters on board. We were the first county to introduce a mascot. It was all about supporting Wicklow GAA and getting people to go to the matches. We put our heart and soul into the project.”

Dublin GAA Supporters Club chairman Joe Nugent said: “We’re a fan club, which is a much healthier group than a finance-based one.”