Profit from Connacht Rugby Castlebar game prompts question from Mayo club delegates

Multiple Mayo GAA Club delegates have questioned the decision of Mayo GAA not to disclose the revenue generated as a result of the United Rugby Championship game between Connacht and Munster held in Hastings Insurance MacHale Park.

The fixture, which brought over 25,000 spectators to the home of Gaelic games in the county, was a landmark and historic moment.

In the financial statement for the year ending September 2025, though, there was no explicit detailing of exactly how much revenue the event generated, nor was it supplied at the Mayo GAA Convention on Sunday in Knock.

The question was first posed to Valerie Murphy, Mayo GAA treasurer, by Ballycroy club delegate Michael Gallagher.

“If rugby had such a massive impact, and it was very welcome to see it there, how much did that benefit Mayo GAA?”

Ms Murphy stated that Mayo GAA were not able to disclose the sum due to ‘commercial sensitivities.’

Upon further questioning from Mr Gallagher, the treasurer likened the question to asking what money was made from sponsorship.

The Ballycroy representative wasn’t the only club representative asking the question. Mike Connelly, former Mayo GAA chairman and current Hollymount-Carramore delegate, also broached the subject.

“I don't think we need to know the full details, but I think it's important that we know what we got out of it. This question came up on two occasions in the county board meetings. Your line in the last two County Board meetings was that you just didn’t have the figures. We don't want to know the complete details, because I do recognise that that is sensitive.”

When Ms Murphy responded to say that this information was disclosed in the accounts, Mr Connelly stated that that was not answering the question.

After the commercial sensitivities were reaffirmed, the Hollymount-Carramore delegate stated that such a response should have been given two meetings prior.

Another topic which reared its head in the wake of the presentation was the rates paid to Mayo County Council by Mayo GAA for MacHale Park.

Mayo’s Connacht Council delegate, Liam Moffatt, brought the point to the floor.

“We commissioned a report last year, and it showed that Mayo GAA had €1.5 million generated in the greater Castlebar area by MacHale Park.

“It was an excellent report, so it's an interesting observation, we’ve a volunteer organisation bringing that amount of income to a locality for its benefit. Yet we're still paying significant (€73,000) rates.”

Finances played a key part in Sunday’s Convention in St John’s Centre. One of the positive musings was the increase in gate receipts brought in from the club championships.

An increase of 35 per cent from the 2024 gate receipts was brought in from the group stages, with a 33 per cent quarter-final increase, a 13 per cent semi-final increase, and a seven per cent increase from the final also recorded.

The revenue brought in by Mayo GAA TV also saw a sharp increase. The number of season passes sold saw a 116 per cent increase, while the total revenue also jumped from €67,000 to €137,000.

Valerie Murphy also asked clubs to ensure that all their tax affairs are compliant, as she warned that club expenses and manager payments are likely to come under review in the near future.