LIMERICK COUNTY Board secretary Mike O’Riordan has warned that major cuts are needed after figures revealed that Shannonside chiefs splashed out almost €700,000 on the preparation of their intercounty teams in 2011.

The figure of €692,600 reported by independent auditors PricewaterhouseCoopers represents an increase of €95,152 when compared to the 2010 figure of €597,448.

And O’Riordan stated: “The amount of money spent on county teams will have to be reduced and all budgets for these teams will have to be adhered to unless our supporter groups are willing to facilitate it.”

Limerick’s march to an All-Ireland SFC quarter-final appearance at Croke Park is a factor in the increased expenses while the senior hurlers, under the guidance of Donal O’Grady, played four championship matches in 2011.

Limerick top brass have reported considerable increases in income and expenditure but an overall loss of €16,383 for the year is down significantly from the last year’s deficit of €99,653. Limerick County Board income jumped by €332,359 to almost €1.6m, with coaching accounting for €193,000 of this increase.

Expenditure increased by over €200,000 to just over €1.6m, with figures indicating that depreciation on land and a synthetic pitch accounted for almost €104,000 of increased expenditure. Coaching wages and other costs are up by a whopping €97,518 from €360,289 in 2010 to €457,807 this year.

Net gate receipts dropped by almost €43,000 but that loss was offset by an increase of over €56,000 in commercial income.

O’Riordan warned: “In 2012 we as a county have to be very prudent in the way we operate our financial affairs. We have to ensure all championships are sponsored in both hurling and football.

“Advertising potential will have to be realised at both Mick Neville Park and the Gaelic Grounds. The gate revenue will also have to be reviewed and maximised . . . expenditure will have to be reduced.”