Primary sponsors needed for both Training Centre and Academy - Boyd

County treasurer Alan Boyd says Donegal are going to have to tighten budgets in 2023 and look to identify main sponsors going forward for both the Donegal Training Centre and the county’s GAA Academy. 

In his annual report to Convention, the Gaoth Dobhair club man revealed an annual loss to the Donegal coffers of €133,063. Income for 2022 did rise significantly from €1,080,987 to €1,593,080. 

However, expenditure in the same period had jumped significantly from €761,262 to €1,726,143. And Boyd explained this was mainly due to the increase in both county activity and Coaching and Games Development activity.   

Donegal Treasurer reports GAA loss of €133,063 for year

Alan Boyd reports to annual Convention of big increase in both income and expenditure for 2022

The total figure for expenditure in the above section came in at €411,887  with the cost on Games Development marked at €239,126 and Employment of Personnel, €224,391.

On those last two figures, Boyd was pressed from the floor on whether Donegal can afford this type of figure moving forward. 

“In terms of the budget (of the Academy), it is something we’re going to have to look at because we have no sponsor, no funding for it. We need to be mindful. It is costing us money so we have to be very careful going forward that we can afford it. 

“Much of this year’s deficit is because we’ve invested heavily in the Academy. And the Academy is a positive thing but we need to look at how we can fund it”.

He added: “In relation to general costs moving forward… in the increase of energy costs for the likes of the Training Centre in Convoy; the hope is that will stabilise. We haven’t yet got a sponsor for the building but we are actively looking. It’s the same for the Academy. But I do want to take this chance to thank our sponsors who have stuck with us”.

In terms of commercial income, the standout figures on the accounts were €316,630 in sponsorship (€248,419 in 2021); Central Council Grants €201,600 (€60,000 in 2021) and Royalties €174,917 (€112,032 in 2021).

Boyd says the impact of their deal with O’Neill’s, and the royalties from it, was more crucial than ever in 2022. 

“Our biggest sponsors are O’Neill’s, by a country mile. The cost of gear for our county last year, across all the teams, was €200,000. €120,000 of that was covered by O’Neill’s. We’ve a new deal signed, we met them two weeks ago. It’s worth a lot of money over four years. 

“Believe me, if we hadn’t O’Neill’s we’d be sitting here in big trouble. Now there is competition out there in this market, but I just want clubs to be mindful of this when they are buying. O’Neill’s are our main sponsor and they should be supported”. 

There was issue from a number of delegates that clubs were only furnished with the accounts the same day as Convention and that it limited the opportunity to go through them in detail.  

On that gripe, Boyd explained: “The accounts were passed at executive last Wednesday night. And I hold my hands up, I thought they went out on the Thursday. They were ready in case anyone feels they were last minute. It was a communication mistake and I apologise”.  

The club levies figure of €221,000, the treasurer was asked if that was the total figure now taken in or if there were still some clubs that hadn’t paid up. 

“At the close of business (September 30) the figure outstanding was €104,000. The updated figure since is €82,000, although €20,000 of that will be coming in the next few weeks. 

“Some clubs obviously have had bad years. But they have pledged the money will be coming. It’s not something I take lightly and the money will all be in before January. If it’s not, those five or six clubs won’t be affiliated for 2023. But I appreciate, it’s difficult times for some clubs at this moment”.

On gate receipts and the prepayment method adopted because of the Covid-19 pandemic, it was asked if  this system, which many found inconvenient, might be revised now moving forward. Boyd explained that a card machine system will now be in place at gates, moving forward, from this week on.