McCague admits PR failure over finances

GAA: As he prepares to leave office, GAA president Seán McCague talks to Keith Duggan about the association's development during his term

The GAA has yet to communicate to the public that despite the massive interest in its games and record summer crowds, the association has not suddenly become rich, according to president SeáMcCague.

The explosive interest in the championship has been one of the features of the Monaghan man's busy period in office, and in San Diego on Sunday morning he reflected on his time.

"We certainly are at fault in that the public doesn't fully realise what we do with the monies that come in. The reports are there and certain figures come into general circulation. But there is a breakdown in getting across the fact that the money is redistributed at ground level.

"We are not hoarding it. There is no nest egg. We are no more a profit association now than we were 10 years ago."

The perception that the GAA has been raking in vast sums of money was heightened by the Government contribution of £60 million on the eve of the congress over a year ago. However, the association has yet to receive the second half of that allocation and whether the grant will be fully honoured has yet to be clarified.

However, McCague said he did not feel betrayed by the failure to complete the transaction.

"I personally don't, no. But we did spend to redevelop and spend on the basis of monies promised, so consequently we have suffered. We are realistic enough to understand that Government finances are probably not what they were when the money was promised. What we do want is treatment equal to that which other sports organisations receive. If the figure of €150 million for a new stadium for others sports is accurate, we would certainly feel disappointed that we had been treated differently."

That sum was tied in with the Rule 42 issue, which has not been resolved during the McCague administration. President-elect SeáKelly has recently made progressive observations on the notion of opening Croke Park. McCague, however, felt unable to predict if and when the closed house policy would be lifted.

"Nobody has the gift of being able to prophesise the future. Who is to say that if Rule 42 went anyway that the IRFU or the FAI would definitely be interested in playing in Croke Park? I don't know how the different counties would approach the issue the next time it comes up.

"There are so many dimensions to it - some are bogged down totally on the financial implications but others would feel that it is not a just a commercial issue."

He does not feel, however, that the Government are frustrated with the GAA over the failure to remove Rule 42 ahead of November's doomed Celtic bid for Euro 2008.

"In fairness, the Taoiseach has said that he knew the difficulties involved and that the rule could not be changed except by Congress."

McCague's administration has also been notable for some strident demonstrations of player power, in the guise of the PGA and the strike by the Cork hurlers. As he prepares to leave office, he feels that the association has made ground on the concerns that players have voiced.

"I think it is true to say that the interest in the player's welfare has never been as strong as it is now. The mandatory mileage rate of 38 cents has been implemented. I think you can see the players have been treated exceptionally well on this Vodafone tour. There will always be room for improvement, but I feel we are getting there.

"It has to be noted, though, that the cost of running intercounty teams is now enormous. Half the counties are practically insolvent. There was one figure recently of €240,000 to bring the team on holiday. We have to try to keep these costs in line. What we can't afford to pare down is the promotion of the games."

As for the scenes in Cork, McCague felt it was a local dispute which had to be resolved locally.

"There are 32 fiefdoms, if you like, in the association. Some have a narrower vision than others and find it difficult to adapt to changes from a system that has been in place for three lifetimes. But we have insisted on certain minimum standards for players and we will ensure that they are met."