Kerry GAA show healthy finances despite team expenditure touching €1.6 million

Paudie Healy confirmed that having consulted with management, there will not be a warm weather training camp in Portugal in 2025 for the Kerry senior footballers. 

KINGDOM CAPITAL: Kerry GAA commercial income increased 11.8% from 2023. Picture: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Treasurer of Kerry GAA Paudie Healy briefed the media on Monday evening on what his first report since taking over from Tom Keane last December will contain when presented to club delegates at next week’s County Convention in the Rose Hotel in Tralee.

Mr Healy began by revealing four key financial achievements for the current accounting year.

1) 2024 operating profit: A strong operating profit of €506,262 reflecting an impressive growth of 29.4% compared to 2023.

2) In 2024, solidifying our financial strength with a retained profit of €787,888, an increase of 23.8% on 2023. 

3) 2024 commercial growth: Commercial income increased to €1,286,676, marking a notable 11.8% growth from 2023.

4) 2024 financial resilience: Net cash reserves are robust at €2,688,125.

Mr Healy said: “In addition, 2024 saw a pivotal €600,000 investment in a Croke Park fund, which not only secures a steady 1.9% annual interest rate but also positions Kerry GAA to access borrowing at this favourable rate, if needed. 

"My long-term strategy includes continued contributions to this fund, with a target of ringfencing a €1 million operating reserve. This reserve will serve as a critical safety net, ensuring financial stability and mitigating future risks.” 

In the income and expenditure side of the report, despite reports that live streaming of Kerry GAA games would greatly reduce income from gate receipts, according to the figures it appears that streaming has not had any negative effect as Mr Healy explained.

“Kerry GAA supporters continue to showcase their unwavering dedication to our club competitions," he said.

"In 2024, Kerry GAA generated an impressive gate income of €729,776 — a minor reduction of just €3,355 compared to 2023. This consistency underscores the strength of the community’s support and its commitment to sustaining local competitions. The reduction in the gate receipts for SFC and SHC this year was due to loss of TV income.

"A key highlight this year was the remarkable growth in online ticket sales. Several games achieved online sales of over 75%, demonstrating how our supporters are continuing to embrace modern conveniences.

"The Clubber platform partnership continues to enhance the viewing experience for supporters, whether at home or abroad. Fans now enjoy the flexibility of attending local games and later watching multiple matches through recordings. This innovation has strengthened our connection with the Diaspora and those unable to attend in person, creating a more inclusive and accessible Kerry GAA community." 

In 2024, the combined income from the Central Council, National League, and Provincial allocations increased to €1,568,096 from the 2023 figure of €1,376,548. Participation at the top tier of the league and sustained competition through the championship have been key contributors to this enhanced revenue, providing vital support for the organisation’s operations and ongoing development.

Mr Healy then addressed what is often the headline figure, team expenditure, one that is eagerly sought after and forensically analysed.

Team Administration is being presented differently this year in line with Croke Park procedure so it is not shown as expenditure per team but instead as per category.

The overall figure of €1,634,560 is down from €1,897,009 in 2023. But the Kerry senior footballers reached the All-Ireland final in that year while on the other side the Kerry U20’s reached an All-Ireland final this year but did not in 2023.

Player mileage has decreased from €338,675 to €310,119 in 2024. Team manager and selectors showed a slight decrease from €205,852 to €200,354 but backroom team personnel expenditure increased from €170,296 to €177,017. 

Meals, catering and nutrition showed a slight increase from €295,313 to €298,366 while travel and accommodation came in at €165,436 in 2024 compared to €177,302 in 2023. 

Two other aspects of the expenditure to note is that there was €301,068 in last year’s accounts for a team holiday and not winning Sam this meant there wasn’t a holiday. 

The other figure is sundry costs which was €142,699 last year but this year is €202,780, an increase of 42%. 

Mr Healy explained that the sundry costs included an extra cost for an overnight stay in Dublin for the entire Kerry senior football party that were heading to Portugal for warm weather training but instead of travelling from Kerry Airport, Ryanair pulled the flight to Faro so the group had fly out from Dublin instead and stay an extra day.

He also said that having consulted with management, there will not be a warm weather training camp in Portugal in 2025.

The treasurer stressed the importance of prudence going forward and a need to keep enhancing infrastructure plus developing Kerry’s own coaches and back up personnel from the Centre of Excellence at Currans.