Longford GAA financial boost as €43,632 profit is revealed

Although it cost almost 2 million (€1,875,341) in the expenditure account for the running of Longford GAA for the year ending 30 September 2023, there was a financial boost as a profit of €43,632 was revealed at the annual Convention in Backstage Theatre on Thursday night last - a big swing from the loss of €72,470 last year.

The income generated for the financial year almost surpassed the 2 million mark (€1,918,973) as Club Longford continue to play a major role in keeping the cash flowing.

 The Longford GAA Supporters Club raised the fantastic gross sum of €219,916 this year with the Car Draw and Golf Classic the main events. 

Pitchside signs advertising at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park is another source of income generated by Club Longford - a recurring revenue of €40,000 a year

“Club Longford continues to go from strength to strength as can be seen from the Financial Statements. Many thanks to each and every member of this group who have had a busy year be it through the Car Draw, Golf Classic, Pitch Signage or online draw,” stated the Secretary Peter O’Reilly in his annual report to the Convention. 

The Longford Lunch in Croke Park, organised by the main sponsors Glennon Brothers, was also a wonderful success and the gross figure accumulating from the event in November last year was €137,231, yielding a healthy profit of around €84,000. 

“Glennon Brothers, our sponsors since 2012, have this year signed up to the sponsorship of Longford teams and the naming rights of Glennon Brothers Pearse Park for a further 3 years bringing their commitment up to the end of 2025,” said the County Board Secretary.  

The annual Race Day at Punchestown this year generated a gross figure €154,750, resulting in a profit of around €80,000 from this very successful social event, while the gate receipts from the games in the various county championships amounted to €180,713, down €80,000 on last year's figures.  

On the expenditure side of things, the cost of running the county teams in 2023 was a total of €781,800 with €436,853 of that major figure pitted in the players travel and team expenses. 

That category includes the sum of around €40,000 that funded a warm weather training camp break in Portugal in April for the senior footballers in the build up to the 2023 Tailteann Cup campaign. 

The breakdown is as follows:

Players Travel & Team Expenses - €436,853

Catering -  €120,458

Medical & Physiotherapy - €73,519

Gym & Pitch Hire - €56,602 

Sportsgear & Equipment - €94,388

 The total figure covers the senior, U-20, minor (U-17), U-16 football and senior hurling squads this year. 

JP McManus €1 Million donation 

Commenting at the Convention on the very generous gesture by billionaire businessman JP McManus to donate €1 million to Gaelic Games in Longford and the same sum to every other county board in Ireland, Chairperson Albert Cooney said he “could not believe it’ and sincerely thanked the McManus family on behalf of Longford GAA. 

The money – a donation from the JP McManus Charitable Foundation – is to be evenly divided in support of men's football, women's football, hurling and camogie clubs. 

The very generous gesture is intended to assist clubs and local communities and benefit the grassroots development of Gaelic games across the country.

Previously McManus donated €100,000 to each county board in the country in 2018 and which was divided equally amongst their clubs.

Congress and Leinster Convention Delegates

There were no contests for the delegates to Congress in Newry in February and the Leinster Convention in Portlaoise in January.

Seamus McRory and Derek Nolan were elected unopposed to join the Chairperson Albert Cooney, Secretary Peter O’Reilly and Central Council Representative James Clarke at Congress.

It was the same situation for the Leinster Convention with Finbar Meehan and John Duffy elected unopposed to join Albert Cooney, Peter O’Reilly and Longford’s Leinster Council Representatives Damien Edgeworth and Eamon Brennan in Portlaoise. 

Longford GAA Officers for 2024

Chairperson: Albert Cooney (Rathcline)

Vice-Chairperson: Derek Fahy (Ballymore) 

Secretary (full-time): Peter O’Reilly (Abbeylara)

Assistant Secretary: Finbar Meehan (Mullinalaghta St Columba’s)

Treasurer: Eugene Quaine (Carrickedmond)

Assistant Treasurer: Marie O’Reilly Keenan (Colmcille)

Coaching & Games Development Officer: Tommy McLoughlin (Mostrim)  

PRO: Gerry Forde (Ardagh Moydow) 

Club Development/Health & Safety Officer: Michael Mulleady (Fr Manning Gaels)

Central Council Representative: James Clarke (Clonguish)

Leinster Council Representatives (2): Damien Edgeworth (St Brigid’s Killashee) and Eamon Brennan (Young Grattans)

Irish Language and Cultural Officer: Lorraine Corrigan (Fr Manning Gaels)

Children’s Officer: Colm Harte (Killoe Emmet Og)  

All were returned unopposed with no contests for any of the positions at the annual Convention in Backstage Theatre on Thursday night last. 

Both Albert Cooney and Eugene Quaine will complete the maximum five year term in their respective positions in 2024.