Title win fills IRFU coffers

The IRFU’s annual report was presented yesterday at the Aviva Stadium.

A sea of blazers in semi-circular formation; some navy, some bottle green, one black. A handful of beige and light-grey numbers, perhaps with a nod to the evening sunshine. The mood was good.

In an area high behind the Lansdowne Road south stand Tom Grace, the IRFU’s honorary treasurer, presented his report on the union’s finances for the 2013/14 season. A €7.3 million surplus was reported, an increase of €4.5m over their budget. That increase had helped to cover a reduction in revenues elsewhere, mostly in relation to sponsorship. Costs had been over budget by €900,000; this figure included emergency assistance for Connacht and, happily, player win bonuses relating to the Six Nations.