Mayo is one of the latest counties to feel the pinch as costs for their unsuccessful attempts to win the All-Ireland football title mount. Although the county has taken part in three All-Ireland finals within in the past two years the board has been forced to negotiate an overdraft close to £250,000 with the county's bankers.
The newly elected chairman of the board, the former All-Ireland referee, P. J. McGrath, is attempting to get the board's finances into better shape. The problems have arisen in spite of a fundraising scheme as well as the activities of the Mayo Supporters Club, chaired by the former board chairman, Paddy Muldoon.
The annual financial report records substantial expenditure under the headings of coaching, travel, meals, accommodation, playing gear and so on.
Criticism about the cost of providing holidays for the senior squad in Tunisia, Florida and London at a cost of £30,000, £40,000 and £10,000 respectively within the past two years were voiced at the recent annual convention but Paddy Muldoon told the delegates that all of these expenses for the senior county squad "did not cost the county board a shilling". This was because the Supporters Club had raised the money to supplement any necessary funds on top of grants from Croke Park on foot of Mayo's participation in three lucrative All-Ireland finals when sell-out crowds had thronged Croke Park.
In spite of a general upswing in attendances at matches in both football and hurling throughout the country several counties have signalled financial problems. Some of the pressure on the purse strings is generated by spending on structural developments to grounds and other premises but costs under all headings continue to soar.
This is starkly illustrated in Dublin where the county board is now in debt to the extent of more than £1.7 million following the splendid redevelopment of Parnell Park.
The changing nature of participation in GAA activities has been highlighted in recent weeks by discontent among inter-county players in Carlow and Down. It would appear that players are no longer willing to accept anything other than top-class facilities and backup and, although the situation in both counties seems to have returned to an even keel it is clear that the atmosphere is changing throughout the country.
On a more positive front in Mayo two of the top inter-county players of recent years are back in training and will be available for selection for the coming National League campaign. Ray Dempsey and Kevin O'Neill, both from the Knockmore club, are expected to be included in John Maughan's plans.
Tipperary are badly hit by injury and unavailability of players for their McGrath Cup SF tie against Cork at Fermoy on Sunday. Conor O'Dwyer, Brian Burke and Sean Collum, are not available while Des Lyons is ruled out through injury.
On the brighter side Niall Kelly and Brendan Cummins are back after missing last week's outing against Waterford. John Costello and Mark Sheehan are recalled to the team and under-age star Mark Cummins is named in defence.
Tipperary (v Cork): P Ryan; F CLifford, N Kelly, L Cronin; D Anglim, M Sheehan, M Cummins; D Foley, S Maher; A N other, J Costello, B Cummins, D Hogan, D O'Connor, C O'Shea.
