Leitrim deny cutting overnight stays to reduce costs

Leitrim GAA officials have rejected claims that overnight stays for their inter-county teams are being cut to cut costs.

Board officials said yesterday they will facilitate overnights for players — but only where “deemed necessary and is in the best interests of the teams.”

One official sparked a storm suggesting they ban overnight stays. But in a statement the board said it would engage in a consultation process with their management teams, although it emphasised that it was operating within budgetary restraints.

It said: “In the normal consultation process between team management and the county management committee, where it is deemed necessary and is in the best interests of the teams concerned, such overnight stays will be catered for. While being committed to getting the best possible value from fundraising and endeavouring to keep within budgetary restraints, Leitrim GAA is categorically committed to the best possible preparation of its county teams into 2015 and beyond.”

Leitrim footballer Emlyn Mulligan had taken to Twitter to criticise the proposed cutback, and described it as “irritating”.

“When I became captain last year, you try to lift the standards and make it as professional as you can. When you hear little things like this – it doesn’t happen anywhere else and it’s very annoying to hear about it,” he told Newstalk.

Mulligan will miss the 2015 campaign as he has taken a career break to travel — a decision that he made before this measure was proposed.

The Connacht men face long trips to Carlow and Offaly during their upcoming league campaign.