GAELIC GAMES:LEINSTER COUNCIL secretary Michael Delaney has spoken of "the culture shock" to GAA units in the province as a result of the financial downturn.

In his annual report, which will be presented to this year’s convention in Longford on Saturday and which deals in detail with the impact of the recession, Delaney acknowledges the extent of the cutbacks necessary to keep the province’s finances in order and says this will continue for the foreseeable future.

“Keen observers of provincial council matters in Leinster over the last 12 months will have noticed a serious belt-tightening exercise by Cómhairle Laighean CLG. This was brought about out of sheer necessity to balance our books and looks as if it will be with us for some time to come.

“During the championship season we realised that our gate receipts would fall far short of predictions. This came about as a result of a combination of factors – the fact that a number of counties, who traditionally have big support, went out of the Leinster championships in the early rounds and, secondly, the national economic situation definitely impinged on match attendances.

“It is amazing how closely the Leinster council situation is a mirror image of the economic picture of the country at large. Our finances soared in the beginning to mid 2000s with our peak coming in 2007. Ever since that year we have been in a gradual decline.”

This year’s accounts show a further drop of nearly 10 per cent in revenue, fuelled by a 14 per cent fall in gate receipts (totalling over €750,000). As Delaney mentions in his report, the Leinster football championship featured the early elimination of both the previous year’s finalists, Dublin and Kildare.

Accordingly, Delaney reports, the funding levels of recent years are no longer possible and staff numbers – salaries have already been frozen – will have to be kept under review.

“When we were in funds we were generous with grant aid to clubs and counties. We extended our operations in coaching and games development area by employing more staff and grant-aiding projects and initiatives. The council was generous in many other areas also, supporting clubs and counties in a variety of fund-raising ventures.

“Now reality has set in and this has been a culture shock to many of our units. Grants to clubs for development of facilities have had to be seriously downsized. Similarly, counties with development plans either for their major county grounds or centres of excellence have had to be advised Leinster Council funding will be either non-existent or drastically reduced.

“It is hoped that the council can continue to employ staff, both administrative and in the coaching area, and with this in mind all salaries have been frozen for the foreseeable future. However, it is fair to say that this situation will be monitored on an ongoing basis.”

Delaney goes on to note the “challenges facing supporters” and says the council will review ticket pricing for 2011 with a view to expanding the availability of promotional packages. He also advocates using venues that will make for easier access.

“In recent times we have been trying to promote the idea of home-and-away arrangements between counties in the early rounds of our senior championships and, indeed, the semi-finals of the senior hurling championship.”

He also raises the issue of GAA units, which find themselves in trouble because of the recession.

“It is no great secret a number of clubs in the province are in very serious financial difficulties. One or two of our county committees may be heading in that direction also. I am not, in the least, suggesting a bail-out response from the council but, at the same time, we cannot stand on the sidelines and watch any of our units go past the point of no return.

“Hopefully all this is cyclical and in a few years we can all look back and talk about the bad old days. Nevertheless, we must plan and act for the long haul. This means prudent managing of our finances now, and to achieve this we need the support of all the stakeholders. I am confident that we will survive, and prosper, if this is forthcoming.”

Elsewhere in the report Delaney criticises the situation that arose after last year’s football final when Meath came under pressure to offer a re-match to Louth.

“I said it at the time and now I say it again – the Meath players, management and county committee should never have been placed in the situation of deciding whether, or not, the final should have been replayed. The simple fact is there is absolutely no provision in our rules for such a course of action. All of us in administration must shoulder the blame for allowing speculation develop to the contrary.”

Finally, on the controversial topic of the closed season in November and December, he suggests reviewing the secondary provincial competitions.

“Perhaps a tweaking of the GAA calendar might go some way to solving the problem. So long as we put on O’Byrne Cup/Walsh Cup/ Kehoe Cup competitions in early January and the leagues start in early February, then we are inviting county teams to prepare in November and December.

“I go back to why the rule was originally introduced and ask – ‘is it serving the purpose for which it was introduced?’ If the majority reply to this question is in the negative, then it behoves us to act decisively and soon.”