Grassroots to benefit from price increases

Gaelic Games News round-up:The GAA hierarchy will funnel the €2.8 million they make from increasing ticket prices for the 2007 All-Ireland finals and semi-finals into developing the game at club and county level.

GAA president Nickey Brennan confirmed this at yesterday's briefing in Croke Park. It is the first time since 2004 that ticket prices have been increased.

"We've given a guarantee that in terms of day-to-day operations we will not touch this money," said Brennan. "You will see this money spent 'down in the regions' as it were on various initiatives and you will see some of those being announced later in the year."

The immediate group to benefit from the price hike, which sees an All-Ireland final stand ticket increase by €10 to €70, will be the county boards.

"There will be a two-per-cent commission for county boards for any tickets they sell on behalf of Ard Comhairle through their own offices."

A stand ticket to see Ireland play rugby at Croke Park costs €80, and it will cost €70 for next month's soccer internationals. There is a €5 increase on several ticket prices (see panel), but the All-Ireland quarter-finals and the opening two football qualifier rounds remain unchanged.

The GAA also took the opportunity to formally introduce new finance director Tom Ryan, who took up his position on January 1st. He joins from Brown Thomas where he was chief finance officer.

"I suppose the one thing we want people to bear in mind is we haven't changed the admission prices since 2004," said Ryan. "Against those relatively flat revenues we need to have a regard to an increasing cost base but more importantly an increasing commitment to funding and investment in the association.

"We will make available an increased allowance in grants for participating teams. We'll disperse additional revenue in terms of media money out to the counties. They will be able to avail of administrative support grants. We're also going to double the weaker counties' subsidies that we have been paying over the last two years. Furthermore, we're targeting increased infrastructural development."

County grounds, club grounds, training pitches and floodlights will all be improved or built. The fund allocated to club grounds alone will be €3 million, which is an increase from €750,000 two years ago.

In response to the question of negative public reaction to the GAA increasing their ticket prices despite the increased revenue gained from the IRFU and FAI leasing the ground for internationals, Brennan replied: "I wouldn't like people to think that the association plans its initiatives on the revenue coming in from rugby and soccer. We've not had increases for three years and we think we're being very fair. We would feel we're still giving exceptional value for money relative to any other types of entertainment.

"There's a multi-million euro expansion programme taking place in Semple Stadium, Thurles, and we have also contributed to other facilities around the country."

Brennan, who was joined by GAA director general Liam Mulvihill at yesterday's briefing in Croke Park, ruled out the issues of player burnout and the club-versus-county debate being formally addressed a this year's annual congress.

"A report was produced in 2005 and a new group is getting together to revisit that report and bring it up to date. It will include a set of recommendations to Central Council.

"In relation to the club-versus-county issue a discussion document is currently being prepared before congress. It will include some radical proposals in this area. We'll be asking county (boards) and clubs to debate the issue and see what they think."

Brennan expects motions regarding the club and county debate to be on the clár in 2008. By that stage a special congress on the matter may be considered.

"It will of course be discussed at congress," added Mulvihill. But no decisions will be reached.

Another new GAA policy was confirmed yesterday with defibrillators to be installed at every county ground in the country. County boards must purchase a defibrillator but central funds will be provided where needed.

It is almost three years since the tragic death of Tyrone captain Cormac McAnallen exposed the reality of Sudden Death Syndrome to Irish sport.