Sign of the times as gate receipts drop

THE LEINSTER Council have reported a drop in 2008 gate receipts of almost €2 million compared to the previous year. While the council still report an overall operating surplus of almost €1.5 million, the drop in gate receipts is clearly a sign of the times, and unlikely to improve any time soon.

These and other figures are covered in the Leinster Council annual report, to be presented at next Monday’s provincial convention in Kinnegad.

The council accounts, for the year ended November 30th, 2008, report total gate receipts of €5,930,155 – compared to €7,882,370 for the same period in 2007.

However, Central Council and other income was up €667,051 to €2,435,509 and media commercial income was up €450,000. Total income for the year amounted to €9,749,555; expenditure came to €8,316,574; thus the surplus of €1,432,981.

Among the expenditure details, match expenses in fact decreased €394,183, as did the players’ injury scheme (down €136,861), and the public liability insurance fund (down €234,621).

Also, the current assets of the council, at November 30th 2008, amounted to €7,360,437. Current liabilities were €2,533,029, resulting in net current assets of €4,827,408. At the same point in 2007, the net current assets were €5,788,470.

Leinster Council secretary Michael Delaney makes a reference to aspects of these accounts in his address to the convention.

“We had early signs of the recession in Leinster in 2008 as attendances were down considerably, especially in hurling,” says Delaney.

“Gate receipts suffered as a consequence and this in turn has led to a serious round of belt-tightening exercises at all level of activities in the province.

“As I present my report to annual convention I try to again reflect fairly on the last 12 months and try to present a balanced view on how we go forward into the coming year. We have serious challenges ahead of us but we also have the artillery.”

Delaney goes on to highlight several ways in which he believes the Leinster Council is addressing the issue of falling gate receipts: “2009 has started badly, economically speaking, and all indications are that the year will continue as it has begun. People are spending less and are looking for greater value for the money they do spend. We have fixed the majority of our 10 senior football and six senior hurling games for local venues, thereby reducing match-day costs for our patrons.

“We have kept ticket prices fixed at 2007 levels for Croke Park and local venues for all our senior championship games, apart from the finals, which are at 2008 levels.

“No sporting or other event held in Croke Park costs as little to attend as our Leinster senior championship games. Our four days in Croke Park this summer are, as usual, all double-headers, giving great value to our patrons.”

It’s clear where the Leinster Council are still getting their big gate receipts. The provincial football final involving Dublin against Wexford brought in a massive €1,855,025.

The hurling counterpart, between Kilkenny and Wexford brought in just €262,081 in comparison.

Match expenses for 2008 came to €1,332,033, compared to €1,747,690 in 2007. County team expenses totalled €369,465, up on the €348,000 spent the previous year. These ranged from the high of €44,200 paid out to Kilkenny, and the €40,435 paid out to Dublin, to the low of €16,760 paid out to Longford.

Meanwhile, the 2009 Ulster Bank Fitzgibbon Cup, the highlight of the Higher Education hurling season, was officially launched yesterday at host venue Trinity College, Dublin.

The four quarter-finals take place tomorrow, followed by the semi-finals on Friday, March 6th. The final will be held in Parnell Park on March 7th.

The senior footballers of Dublin and Laois will contest a challenge game at Páirc Naomh Mhuire on Thursday evening at 8.30 to mark the official unveiling of St Mary’s floodlights. Admission is €8.

FITZGIBBON CUP: Quarter-finals: Tomorrow: Limerick IT v Waterford IT, Limerick, 2.0; UL v St Patrick’s Drumcondra, Newtownshandrum, 2.0; NUI Galway v UCC, Dangan, 2.0; Cork IT v UCD, Cork IT, 1.30.