County boards admit to paying GAA managers

High-ranking officials from five county boards have admitted that their board has made payments to senior managers that break GAA rules and could also potentially have serious consequences with the Revenue Commissioners.

In a confidential survey carried out by TV3 News, five county boards have revealed that they made payments to a senior manager that contravene GAA rules, while a further two counties would be happy for a third party to make a donation to a manager.

Chapter 1 of the GAA's Official Guide states that: "The Association is an amateur Association. A player, team, official or member shall not accept payment in cash or in kind in conjunction with the playing of Gaelic Games."

It goes on to say that 'expenses paid to all officials, players and members shall not exceed the standard rates laid down by the Central Council.'

The penalty for breaking the rule is a 24-week suspension or expulsion from the Association.

Currently the rates laid down by Central Council are as follows: mileage rate of 50 cent per mile, an overnight allowance of €40 (if hotel is not being paid for by the county board of the GAA), and a meal allowance of €15.

Two thirds (21) of the 32 officials questioned believe that the practice of making illegitimate payments to managers is still ongoing in some counties.

The same number believe that clubs within their own counties are paying managers more than GAA rules allow - however, only two said their board has a specific plan in place to deal with the practice.

Seventeen of the high-ranking officials spoken to believe that illegitimate payments to managers can be stamped out while 14 do not.

The GAA were presented with the findings but declined to comment on the results.

GPA Chairman Dessie Farrell believes that the majority of players do not have an issue with managers being paid.

"I think the vast majority of players don't have an issue with payments to managers," he told TV3 News.

"I think everyone realises the commitment involved with managing inter-county teams and even club teams in the modern day game, so there wouldn't be an sense that well if the managers are getting it, we should be getting it."

Farrell added: "I don't believe that there is an appetite for players to have the game erode its amateur ethos to that extent.

"What we do realise is that there is payment to managers and that there is a sham around this issue at this stage.

"I think the time has come to seriously look at this and to make whatever amendments need to be made to address this issue once and for all."