Senior squad budget to be adjusted

Mayo count the cost of Portugal trip ‘shortfall’


Mike Finnerty

OFFICERS of the Mayo GAA Board have met with James Horan and informed him that ‘adjustments will have to be made to correct expenditure’ in relation to the Mayo senior football squad budget for the rest of this year.
The news came after it emerged at last week’s County Board meeting that the cost of the recent training camp in Portugal was €12,500 more than had been sanctioned in advance.
Last week’s meeting of club delegates was told that the Treasurer, JP Lambe, had informed the Mayo GAA Executive that he had received invoices for €12,500 in relation to a shortfall in covering the cost of the Algarve trip.
The Board had committed to an expenditure of €10,000 to cover the costs of the camp and the cost of a meal for the travelling party.
However, as a result of the shortfall, approval was sought from the Mayo GAA Executive to pay the amount outstanding.
It was decided that Board officers would meet with James Horan again to agree savings in order to meet the shortfall.
It was also decided by the executive to inform the county team managements that the arrangements and expenditure in relation to all Mayo teams were the responsibility of the County Board.
In response to a question from Michael Diskin of Castlebar Mitchels GAA club, Mayo GAA Board Chairman, Paddy McNicholas said: “The extra costs were incurred while the squad were in Portugal.
“The officers have met with the senior manager and we will be meeting with him again. A budget has been laid down and he [James Horan] knows that he will have to make cutbacks.”
It is understood that the cost of preparing the Mayo senior football squad for a typical week is approximately €10,000.

Clubs want their county players back
THE issue of releasing members of the Mayo senior football squad back to their clubs for the entire week leading up to championship games is to be taken up with James Horan.
That was the promise made by County Board Chairman Paddy McNicholas at last week’s meeting after a query from Michael Diskin of Castlebar Mitchels GAA club.
McNicholas confirmed that the Mayo senior football panel had trained last Tuesday evening ahead of last weekend’s club championship games.
“I would think that it’s a reasonable request that players be allowed to train with their clubs in the week leading up to the club championship games,” stated Mr Diskin.
“It’s still a month before Mayo play in the Connacht championship.”
“We’ll have to talk to the manager on that,” replied the Chairman.