‘If we are serious about the amateur status that underpins our success and prominence, we quite simply have to do more to nurture and protect it,’ says Jarlath Burns

GAA President Jarlath Burns has declared that tackling the rising expenditure on inter-county teams and protecting the Association’s amateur status will be key priorities this year.

The Silverbridge man told Annual Congress that “when inter-county team expenditure reaches €44m in a given year, we quite simply have to press pause and reflect.

“It’s not simply that gargantuan outlay on its own that is a cause for concern, but it is the pressure it places on volunteer officials to raise it before it is spent.

“It also soaks up fundraising credits across wider society that if harnessed differently, could be utilised in other longer-lasting beneficial ways…

“Year in, year out, the issue of team expenses arises. We tut, shake heads and by and large park our disquiet in such a way that the same cycle unfolds the following year – only worse.

“No one disputes the need to prepare our footballers and hurlers to a high standard. It is a given. But the current levels of expenditure are unsustainable and cannot be allowed to go unchecked.

“To be clear, this is a collective responsibility, and the conversation and subsequent response requires buy-in and contributions from right across the Association.

“We need to be conscious that every additional paid role to an inter-county backroom team feeds into this problem.”

Related to that expenditure is the issue of amateur status, which will be a high priority for Burns this year, he confirmed:

“Addressing the playing rules of football and creating a plan for the growth and development of hurling were key objectives in my first year as Uachtarán.

“For year two I have made no secret of the fact that I would like us to focus our minds on our Amateur Status in 2025.

“We have reach and influence and with that comes responsibility. However, if we are serious about the amateur status that underpins our success and prominence, we quite simply have to do more to nurture and protect it.

“It is a precious commodity in this era and one that needs minding. It may well be the last of its kind at this level of sport anywhere globally. And with that comes challenges.”

“I eagerly await the findings from the Amateur Status Committee and their report as a whole and I am confident having taken soundings – both official and unofficial – that the appetite exists to tackle this and approach things in a better way. We are duty bound to.”

Financial matters came hard at the GAA last year, with investigations by the Irish revenue commissioners into the accounts of several county boards, but Burns is confident that these matters will be resolved satisfactorily:

“As we discovered late last year, how we conduct the business end of our operation matters.

“The spotlight is on and even if it wasn’t we are obliged to play our role as good citizens and conform in the area of tax and finance. And we do.

“We have independent proof that the GAA is good for society and good for the exchequer and armed with this information we can approach our dealings with the Government with confidence.

“We need to shine a light on the best practices of our County and Club units and replicate it in an effort to ensure they become the norm.”