A LEADING GAA administrator has pinpointed payments to managers as one of the reasons why so many county boards are in financial difficulties. In his report to annual convention, taking place next Friday in Dundalk, Leinster secretary Michael Delaney alludes to these problems.

“Some of these got more publicity than others, but that does nothing to hide the harsh reality that a number of Leinster counties are struggling to balance their books.” He lists a number of reasons. Top of the list is “‘payment of team managements” and the “cost of preparing county teams”, factors exacerbated by poor financial administration.

Later in the report, when addressing the discussion document on payment to intercounty managers issued by GAA director general Páraic Duffy last month, Delaney reiterates the point.

“I have earlier in this report stated that the payment of team management is one of the reasons why some of our county boards are in serious financial difficulties – I don’t need to revisit the theme at this juncture, except to say that it cannot be sustained, quite apart from the fact that it is in breach of our rules.

“So, what is the solution you might ask? I don’t need to have a crystal ball to know what will happen next. County officers and Central Council will vote overwhelmingly not to pay managers and then continue to stand over it at county team level and turn a blind eye to what is going on at club level. Don’t forget, we have form in things like this. Need I mention the hypocrisy of the so-called ‘closed season’?”

He goes on to question the likely outcome of the debate on the discussion document – can a crackdown be policed; has the GAA the heart to challenge counties/clubs; what are realistic sanctions? “I do not know any answer except to apply our rules as they stand now. Hopefully, this convention might give serious thought to how we might do that.”