Mayo GAA records surplus of €602,792

Delegates at last week's Mayo GAA County Board meeting were told that the accounts are in a healthy state, with a surplus totalling more than €600,000, writes Stuart Tynan.

At the start of the year the finances were in a bleak position, said County Board chairperson Liam Moffatt, but great work had been carried out in the interim.

The 2021 Mayo GAA financial accounts were outlined at last week's meeting.

Not surprisingly, gate receipts were well down, mainly as a result of no season ticket money and games in the 2021 National League being played behind closed doors. The gate receipts of €49,036 are from the first round of the 2021 Mayo club championships, and overall were down €345,424.

Commercial income was €886,875, up €343,928, primarily as a result of sponsorship that includes county sponsorship, gear sponsorship and advertising income.

Fundraising income was €819,961, up €421,855, which included the sales of the Laochra Mhaigh Eo wall tiles, golf classics, Smart lottos, the Club Development Draw, club levies, Cairde Mhaigh Eo and donations.

Income from associated bodies was €479,510, up €281,572, as a result of central supports from Croke Park.

Funding from the government amounted to €353,546, which includes the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme, Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme, government funding for the league and championship and the Mayo County Council Restart Grant. Miscellaneous income from the government grants amounted to €152,295.

Other income came to €305,595 from sources such as club affiliation fees, course fee income, referees' levies, fines and Cúl Camps.

In expenditure, team administration expenses – taking into account player expenditure, meals, catering, nutrition, leisurewear, playing kit, transport, equipment, management and backroom expenses, doctors, physios, hospitals and specialist bills – amounted to €983,430, up €261,568, taking into account the 2020 and 2021 All-Ireland finals.

Match day costs were €156,415, including ambulances, gardaí, referees' expenses and catering. Insurance was €0 due to Central Council awarding a grant, and fundraising costs were €237,628, an increase of €100,029 in line with fundraising.

Upkeep and maintenance of grounds was €131,419, including general repairs of grounds, pitch maintenance, rates, water, light and heat.

Interest and bank charges amounted to €141,447. Administration expenses were €103,196, including staff salaries, stationary, telephone, legal, meetings, admin and office expenses, and professional fees.

Grants promotion (€243,946) is website costs, fundraising costs, prizes and presentations.

Coaching grants for games development were €299,692, which included coaching staff wages and expenditure, and course and workshop expenses.

Other expenditures were the amortisation on the long leasehold (€360,720), the audit fee (€9,820), and costs for fixtures, fittings and equipment, and motor vehicles (€13,961).

In total, income was €3,046,818 and expenditure was €2,444,026, leaving a surplus of €602,792.

Garrymore GAA Club delegate John Farragher said it 'an incredible turnaround' to be in the black as opposed to where the county's finances were 12 months ago, while Daithi Gallagher, Mayo GAA Bord na nÓg chairperson, commended the work done by treasurer Valerie Murphy and her team, calling the profit 'exceptional'.

Murphy said the board are currently working on rebates for every single club who participated in the club championships and they will have it to all clubs in the coming weeks.

The chairperson, Liam Moffatt, said the finances from January 2020 were in a bleak position and he paid tribute to the work that Murphy, assistant treasurer Ronan Kirrane and secretary Dermot Butler had done.