GAA urged to provide holiday fund for All Ireland finalists

The Chairman of a Co Clare GAA club has requested that a portion of the gate receipts from the All-Ireland senior hurling replay be allocated towards the respective County holiday funds

Pat Daly Chairman of Éire Óg GAA Club, Inis and is a former Mayor of Clare wrote to the President of the GAA and said that the players had trained for nine months to provide the people of Ireland with one of the most memorable sporting displays ever seen at Croke Park.

In turn he said that they should be rewarded for their efforts.

The sitting member of Clare Co Council has suggested that funds of €200,000 and €100,000 respectively be provided to both the All Ireland Hurling Championship winning and losing sides.

He explained: “I have written to Liam O’Neill urging him to venture into a new era by setting the precedent of assisting County Boards whose teams make the All Ireland Final in financing their respective holiday funds.

"I acknowledge that while a huge portion of gate receipts is injected back into the grassroots of the game I do not believe any person would begrudge the hurlers of Clare and Cork on this occasion being rewarded for their outstanding efforts this year.

“In recent weeks, GAA Clubs and the County Board have been holding fundraisers around Clare to fund the expense of qualifying for the All Ireland Final.

"The fact that a replay is now taking place has placed an additional burden on the County Board and as a result, any financial assistance provided by Croke Park will not only be of great assistance but will be a fitting goodwill gesture to those who have represented the Association so well in recent days.

“In future, I think the GAA should consider providing financial assistance to All Ireland finalists at senior level, whether it be hurling, football, ladies football or camogie, and in doing so acknowledge the professional and committed approach of County Boards, players and management to the sport,” concluded Mr. Daly.