Roscommon GAA finances back on track as committee stands down

Roscommon GAA turned another financial corner earlier this week when the Interim Finance Committee, appointed by Croke Park, stood down and passed all financial control back to Roscommon County Board officers.

At the final meeting, held virtually due to Covid restrictions, Interim Finance Committee chairman John Murphy complimented the massive efforts of Roscommon GAA in completing a remarkable financial turnaround in just over three years.

Since its inception in 2017, the Interim Finance Committee has assisted the board in monitoring and managing significant income and expenditure items by conducting regular financial scenario planning and recommending a long-term framework.

With full financial control, the Roscommon County Board said it now looks forward to a stable financial future. It hopes to commence capital development works at Dr Hyde Park and the Dermot Earley Centre of Excellence in the near future, while also ensuring teams are adequately prepared and the current coaching structures continue their excellent work.

Roscommon are the envy of many counties due to the very strong commercial and fundraising arm, Club Rossie, which has raised €2.1 million (net) during the past three years. This committee, working alongside the county board officers and all the county's clubs, are responsible alongside two main sponsors, Seán Mulryan and Tom Hunt, for reverting Roscommon GAA to a stable financial footing.

Roscommon Treasurer David O'Connor thanked the outgoing Interim Finance Committee for all their help and commended the finance team in Croke Park, led by Kathy Slattery, for advising and guiding them through this tough period.

"We have terrific supporters, are blessed with two wonderful main sponsors in Seán Mulryan and Tom Hunt and with Club Rossie going from strength to strength each year, the future looks bright," said Mr O'Connor.

Roscommon GAA will now proceed to appoint a new Finance Committee in 2021. An audit committee will also be appointed with external independent members to oversee and review regularly how the Roscommon GAA County Board are running their affairs. This will ensure continued good governance. The make-up of both committees, along with all other sub-committees, is expected to be confirmed by the Roscommon County Committee over the next few weeks.

Roscommon GAA Chairperson Brian Carroll stated that Roscommon GAA found itself "in a very challenging financial position in 2017" and he thanked all involved in turning the situation around.

"We must now ensure that our financial situation stays in a healthy state while continuing to progress the GAA in Roscommon, both on and off the playing field," he said.

Mr Carroll said he's looking forward to some normality returning to the GAA scene later this year.

"Hopefully, before long, we will see all our players back on the pitch and our supporters at games, with everyone back where they belong,” he added.