Carlow’s clash earns just €70

Chairman Michael Meaney has revealed Carlow GAA chiefs recouped a measly €70 from last month’s Allianz Hurling League Division 2A fixture against Down at Dr Cullen Park.

When various expenses were tallied, Carlow lost money on the home fixture against the Mourne County.

Meaney revealed the alarming figures to highlight a massive financial imbalance between Carlow and some of the GAA’s bigger counties.

Gate receipts for the Down game totalled €350 and with Carlow entitled to 20% of that figure, Barrowside officials cleared €70.

But Meaney revealed: “Allianz have sponsor passes and players are entitled to two passes each.

“That €70 wouldn’t buy the sandwiches for the stewards. It’s costing counties to host league games when you take into account a few bob for the groundsman and the scoreboard operator.

“But at the same time in Nowlan Park, you had Kilkenny playing Tipperary, with over eight and a half thousand people at the game. What would that yield, in terms of income, €70,000 plus? And the home county gets 20% of that so you’re talking €14-15,000.”