By John Harrington

After the considerable financial challenges of a 2020 season badly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic the GAA staged a strong recovery in 2021, reporting a consolidated surplus of €1.9M which was an improvement of €29M on the 2020 deficit of €27.1M.

The GAA's income for 2021 came from three main sources - Government funding of €29.8M, commercial income from two All-Ireland championships of €26.2M, and gate receipts of €11.7M.

Over the course of 2020 and 2021, the GAA received €48.2M in direct Rescue Funding from the Government which was critical to allowing the Association to deliver Gaelic games during very difficult times.

"The GAA prides itself on its self-sufficiency," said GAA Director General, Tom Ryan, in his Annual Report which was published today and can be downloaded at the bottom of this article.

"That is true at all levels of the organisation, from Club to Central Council. So, to find ourselves dependent upon external assistance was both unfamiliar and uncomfortable. The financial supports offered to the GAA were the lifeline that kept us stable and secure and were greatly needed and appreciated.

"I wish, in particular, to thank and pay tribute to John Treacy as he completes his term as CEO of Sport Ireland. John was a most capable advocate for, and representative of, sport in general and the GAA in particular. He made an immense contribution to the sector during his term and he will be missed."

County GAA units reported a combined surplus of €8.3M for 2021, Provincial Councils reported a surplus of €3.3M, and Central Council and Croke Park reported a surplus of €1.9M.

Even though 2021 was a much more positive year financially than 2020, the Association still has a two-year Covid Deficit Position of €25.2M from 2020 and 2021.

2021 was another tough year financially too for Croke Park Stadium which reported a deficit of €5.9M.

Due to these losses sustained, the stadium company was unable to provide a distribution back to the GAA in 2021.

In terms of the overall financial picture, the GAA's Consolidated Revenues for 2021 were €87M, which was an increase of 74 per cent (€37M) on 2020.

And despite the financial challenges of Covid-19, all of the GAA's centrally funded coaching and county personnel were retained and a solid cash reserve along with a support line of credit provided security for all club and county units with development fund deposits held centrally.

Clubs were supported in the form of an insurance rebate grant, while overseas units received continued grant support.

The financial outlook for 2022 looks positive. The shadow of Covid-19 is retreating, large crowds arereturning to stadiums again, and the ambition is to return to being a financially self-sufficient Sporting Association.

Club funding supports of €11M will be allocated this year with €6M of that coming from the Government and the remainder from the GAA.

Work is ongoing to re-establish a fully refreshed Coaching and Games programme and related funding money.

The intention is to proceed with caution in relation to any new large scale infrastructure projects.

Traditionally Central Council has distributed most of its annual surplus back across the Association in form of grants or supports but the Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated a flaw in this approach.

A new reserve policy will now seek to retain a minimum amount annually to strengthen the Association's balance sheet to future-proof against any income interruptions that might arise again and ensure vital initiatives and games programmes are supported even in challenging times.

"Despite what was going on around us, the year felt a little more orderly, and we navigated a steady course through most of what the year threw at us," said GAA Director General, Tom Ryan, in his Annual Report.

"Make no mistake it was still traumatic, though, and as we strive to put Covid behind us there are some things we won’t forget. We won’t forget those people in the front-line services – many GAA people among them – who put our wellbeing before their own to protect and care for us and our loved ones.

"And we will not forget those friends and family members that we lost. We will do some things differently, and I hope better in the years ahead and we will face whatever challenges the future might hold for us in the knowledge that the GAA can adapt and can thrive in adversity."