Limerick promotion from Division 1B key to upkeep of Gaelic Grounds
In his report to Monday night’s convention, O’Riordan said the hosting of certain national hurling and football league games at the venue is no longer viable as the “burden” of the county’s flagship ground “is becoming a financial issue for the board”.
Limerick’s income from this year’s national league stood at €74,614, a fall of 30% on last year’s figure.
O’Riordan told delegates that promotion to the top tier would make it far more viable to open up the Gaelic Grounds in the springtime. He was responding to St Patrick’s delegate Paddy Quilligan who questioned if the Ennis Road venue was becoming a “white elephant”.
“I would always look upon the Gaelic Grounds as a money-making machine and I am surprised to hear comments in the [secretary’s] report that it is more or less run down, and maybe we are going to end up with a second county ground [Mick Neville Park] which is another liability on the clubs,” commented Quilligan.
O’Riordan assured club officials that the Gaelic Grounds will remain the home of Limerick GAA.
“Unfortunately, we are in Division 1B at the moment and with the help of God, we can get out of Division 1B in the coming season.
“That would lead to bigger interest, bigger teams coming in and bigger gates. That would increase the revenue,” he remarked.
“There are steep costs that come with hosting a league game; you have to have medical cover, catering for referees, you have to have the field in tip-top shape, there is the cost of electricity because you have lights running for five to six hours. There are preparation costs. The clean-up alone costs €10,000. There is also the cost of gardaí, the cost of the clean up on the streets afterwards.”
O’Riordan continued: “Once we put a strategic plan in place for Mick Neville Park and get the stand, the additional dressing rooms, the elite gym and the additional facilities such as the offices, meeting rooms and handball court completed, we will be turning our attention to the Gaelic Grounds.
“I would love to see a new Mackey Stand. I would love to see the North Stand covered. We are not downgrading it at all.”
In his chairman’s address, Oliver Mann said the introduction of the rule which prevents U17s from lining out at adult club level could endanger a raft of divisional competitions.
“Will we see more clubs looking to field combined teams and perhaps others reducing the number of adult teams they field?” asked Mann.
“If the number of teams participating in adult competitions were to see a reduction, then a serious look would have to be taken at divisional competitions as the number of games to be played would of course reduce.”
