The GAA published its annual accounts for 2016 on Wednesday morning at Croke Park.

Writing in the report, the GAA’s Finance Director, Tom Ryan, noted: “I am pleased to report that 2016 was another good financial year for the GAA.

“Of course any year which features a replay in an All-Ireand senior Championship Final is likely to turn out well, but aside from that obvious boost we fared well on many less obvious fronts as well. Contributing to a year of solid financial returns and continued progress.”

Central Council’s total revenues increased from €56.5m in 2015 to €60.5 in 2016, an increase of 7%.

Gate receipts represented almost 50% of revenue from all sources, and following a slight drop in 2015 recovered once again to pre-2015 levels even though attendances for the two senior championships actually dropped by approximately 5%.

“The apparent contradiction is explained by variations in the mix - differing trends in attendances at different stages of the competitions,” Ryan continued.

“The challenge is to increase attendances – and revenues – at the earlier rounds of the qualifiers.

“The trend in recent years has been for lower turnouts in round 1 and 2 and increasing reliance on the latter stages.

“This is not sustainable and has an adverse effect on the competitions far beyond the financial.”

In Brief: Key Figures

• Increase of €4m in revenues to €60m
• Gate receipts up by €3m
• Central Council championship attendances drop by forty thousand
• Commercial revenues stable at €19m
• Direct cost of matches up to €12m
• Distributions to units up to €13m
• Games development up to €11m
• Player welfare down slightly at €4m
• Operating costs increased to €10m
• Capital expenditure and grants of €10m
• Net result is break-even

Where the money goes

****As ever, the GAA has funnelled all revenue back into the Association.

Central Council distributed some €13.4m to counties and clubs to underwrite their operating costs and to defray the cost of their participation in the various competitions. This is an increase of almost €1m over the previous year, and indeed is the highest annual distribution achieved in the Association to date.

A total of €11.4m was deployed at all levels around the country and internationally around the country to further development of our games. This represents the single biggest coaching investment in any one year, and an increase of €1m over last year.

Distributions

* Basic guaranteed level of funding to counties and provinces

• Distribute all of the revenues from Allianz Leagues

• Pay royalties on merchandise sales

• Pay travelling expenses for competing teams in All Ireland series

• Total distributed in 2016 was €13.5m up from €12.5m last year

• Highest level ever achieved

• Provision for additional distributions to smaller counties

• Other elements largely unchanged

Development expenditure

• Single highest priority area is games development

• Total investment in games increased to €11.4m – up €1m vs last year

• World Games; Investment in second tier hurling

• Network of 200 full and part time coaches countrywide

• Almost €6m coaching cost

• €1m invested overseas

• Player Welfare expenditure is €4.4m – less €2m injury fund

• Organisational Development up to €700k

• Total net development expenditure was €14.5m

In summary

****In concluding his report, and looking ahead to next year, Tom Ryan writes: “The Association faces the coming year in a stable and confident financial position. Central Council financial results continue to be encouraging. The trend among our counties is similar. The fundamentals are in place for the Association to deliver the resources it needs in order to continue to develop and prosper.

“But delivering those resources will not be without its challenges. Championship final replays provide a much needed financial boost and have been a very welcome feature of recent Septembers. But we have to make sure that our costs and commitments do not become inflated and are capable of scaling back. That is why we always plan without such windfalls.

“The inevitable result will be contraction in some of the aforementioned investment areas in 2017. But by planning for that eventuality will ensure that our ambitions will not be unduly affected.”

*** The 2016 GAA Annual Report and Financial Accounts are available for download below. **