Paddy Joe Ryan pledges to slash Waterford debt by €100,000

Chairman Paddy Joe Ryan has vowed to slash the Waterford County Board debt by €100,000 this year — and he believes Derek McGrath’s senior hurlers can be crowned All-Ireland champions in September.

Déise chiefs are currently €130,000 in the red but Ryan is confident he can bring that figure down to just €30,000 by the end of the year.

Contesting a replay against Clare on Sunday will assist Waterford’s Allianz Hurling League pot and a strong summer campaign would represent another significant boost.

Ryan admits success comes with a price but is confident officials can cope as McGrath and his men aim to end an All-Ireland senior famine dating back to 1959.

Ryan said: “Back in 1994, 21 years ago, we were taking in €200,000 from senior club championship games and spending €200,000 on our county teams.

“Last year, we took in €180,000 and spent €670,000. You don’t need to be a mathematician there.

“We’re relying on fundraising, benefactors, club Déise and money from Munster and Central Council.

“It’s not cheap, it’s tough but at the end of the year, we’ll have everything going well, and a total debt of €30,000. The biggest problem with the GAA is cash-flow.

“No bank will give you an overdraft so you have to run without any overdraft.

“We can’t do that and pay players’ expenses and team expenses for eight inter-county teams. We don’t receive gate money until most of them are out of the championship and attendances at club games are down because of various other attractions.

“People are not inclined to go and see club championship games anymore.”

Club levies will swell Waterford coffers and a positive championship run could also attract potential sponsors, Ryan explained, before predicting that the current senior team is capable of ending the long wait for Liam MacCarthy Cup glory.

He said: “Historically, we played in lots of terrific games down through the years, won Munster titles and National Leagues but lost loads of thrillers and came home disappointed. The management team have put a lot of effort into a system that will win an All-Ireland for Waterford at the end of the day.

“I believe it will happen — it could be this year. There’s great momentum, a never say die attitude and both physically and mentally, they seem to be in great shape.”

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