Waterford don’t need Croker loan

The Waterford County Board don’t intend requesting any loans from Croke Park to address their financial concerns.

Although there are reports Kildare are set to be receive a second €300,000 loan this year, Déise chairman Tom Cunningham insisted Waterford won’t be requesting any assistance from central powers.

“We won’t be looking for anything — we’ll fight our own battle,” said Cunningham, who back in July insisted the board’s finance difficulties had been blown out of proportion. “Things are almost sorted.”

With Waterford’s financial year ending yesterday, debts are reported to be close to €700,000 with expenditure expected to come in €200,000 more than income.

However, county board members have since met with AIB bank officials about paying the debts and a 10-year repayment period on a €650,000 was mentioned by Cunningham at the board’s September meeting.

On the same evening, Cunningham warned Waterford might as well “close up shop” if they are refused that loan.

The board are coming up with a number of fundraising initiatives for 2013 although they lost approximately €50,000 in staging a two-day music festival in Dungarvan’s Fraher Field last June.

Each of the 48 clubs in the county has been asked to pay an annual levy with senior clubs providing €2,500 and junior clubs €1,500.

A new ticketing scheme will also come into place with a 2013 club/county season ticket incorporating club games, Waterford’s league hurling fixtures as well as their Munster SHC quarter-final with Clare for €135.

The Waterford County Board intend having a candidate for the senior football manager’s position ready for ratification at this month’s meeting.

It is understood former manager and Cork hurling boss Denis Walsh and former Wexford manager Jason Ryan have already turned down the position.