GAA Director General Tom Ryan has warned that existing practices around the payment of expenses to inter-county management teams would have to change amid recent investigations by the Revenue Commission. In the GAA's annual financial report published last week, Ryan confirmed that the Revenue Commissioners were examining the revenue self-assessments made by 23 county committees, saying that it was expected that a small number of on-site reviews by Revenue may be required to determine their accuracy.
Ryan wrote in the report: ‘‘The reviews to-date have highlighted a clear pattern of payments made in all counties which may pose a tax risk under the current tax code. These include the provision of team holidays.’’ An exposure of €2.3 million had been declared for the years 2021 to 2024, with a further provision estimate has been made in each county’s accounts for 2025.
Ryan added ‘‘The position of the Revenue Commissioners is very clear: Any expense payment made to a person acting in a voluntary capacity in carrying out their role within a county cannot exceed approved civil service rate and all such expense claims must be properly documented, approved and fully receipted.’’
The director general acknowledged that there was strong support for the retention of existing expense-only rules, however he said actual practices had not accorded with the rules. Ryan said that the GAA had proposed a centralized online system for the management of inter-county management team expenses but that uptake had been ‘’underwhelming.’’
Elsewhere, the GAA D.G. noted that the financial health of individual county boards had improved significantly in 2025. Collectively, annual income of counties had increased by 12 per cent to €112m, with gate receipts increasing €2.8m to €19m. Ryan cited the impact of the split season and the football rule changes as key factors accounting for the rise.
IRISH GROUPED
WITH ISRAEL
The Republic of Ireland were grouped with Israel, Austria and Kosovo when the draw was made last week for the next Nations League tournament which will start in September this year. Being paired with Israel is going to cause problems for the FAI with speculation that our home game against Israel on Oct. 4 might be played at a neutral venue. Israel’s recent home games have been played in Hungary and Moldova, but the Israel FA say they have hoping to stage their home Nations League game the Republic in Tel Aviv on Sept 27.
We have played Israel five times, and Austria 16 times, but this will be our first-ever meeting with Kosovo: Republic of Irelands full schedule Nations Legue schedule: Sept.24 v Kosovo (away); Sept. 27 v Israel (away); Oct. 1 v Austria (home); Oct. 4 v Israel (home); Nov. 14 v Austria (home); Nov. 17 v Kosovo (home). Northern Ireland are grouped with: Hungary, Ukraine and Georgia.
WALSH BACK
WITH CATS
Hurling is always the main focus in Kilkenny, but the Cats also have an inter-county football team, albeit a Junior one. Recently Kerry-born Christy Walsh, who has a few terms as manager was ratified as Kilkenny junior football manager for a second year. Walsh previously led the Cats to an All-Ireland Junior title over a decade ago and will be looking to repeat the feat this year. The Cats lost out at the semi-final stage to London last year.
ROBERT FOLLOWS IN
ROBBIE’S FOOTSTEPS
Claudine Keane, wife of former Irish star Robbie Keane, says that her 16-year-old son Robert is proving a real chip off the old block as he continues to thrive with Shamrock Rovers Academy. In a recent interview Claudine said: ‘Robert is getting on really well, but you never want to put pressure on your children. I don’t think he has ever complained, but I don't think he would ever tell me if there ever was any pressure in that way. He seems to deal with it himself. He is friends with all his teammates and is just one of the lads. He just loves soccer, he lives for it. But he also loves music and other things as well.” Robert was one of the young players selected from hundreds to become one of just 13 boys to take part in the FAI’s youth program at Abbotstown during the academic Transition Year. The family moved back to Ireland from the U.S. in 2018, having spent seven years there, after Robbie joined LA Galaxy. Claudine said they have settled back into Ireland and are now enjoying life in her native Malahide, in north Dublin. However, Robbie is away a lot as he is currently managing Ferncvaros in Hungary. Claudine said: ‘‘I am so glad we brought the boys back at the age we did. They are so Irish now. Initially, there were all these words like ‘trash-can’ and ‘candy,’ but that’s all gone now.’’
NI CLUBS NAMED
The first offers of financial support were recently issued to clubs in the Irish League to help them develop business cases for a share of the Northern Ireland Football Fund. The 20 clubs were announced as having been shortlisted last September. However, there was some criticism around clubs which had missed out on the £36.2 million pot, and it is understood legal proceedings remain under way. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons wrote to the club projects that are being progressed under the fund’s performance program this week. Ten clubs have previously received business case funding from the Football Ground Business Case Development Fund (FGBCDF); will receive up to £10,000 to update their business cases. They are: Ballymena United, Bangor, Carrick Rangers, Cliftonville, Dungannon Swifts, Glenavon, Glentoran, Larne, Loughgall and Newry City. The remaining 10 clubs will receive up to £30,000 to develop a new business case from scratch. Those clubs are: Armagh City, Ballinamallard United, Ballymacash Sports Academy, Banbridge Town, Dergview, Lisburn Distillery, Lisburn Rangers, Oxford Sunnyside, Queen’s University and Rathfriland Rangers.
RYDER SEEKS
VOLUNTEERS
Ryder Cup tickets will cost at least €450 a day at Adare Manor next year, but you might get a taste of the action at the centenary matches at the Limerick venue from Sept. 13-19, 2027, if you volunteer. Two types of roles are available, the traditional on-course Marshal and the new-look Ambassador role, which will support the overall fan experience. Applications for both roles will close on April 1 this year.
Kit Gartrell, Ryder Cup Event Delivery Director at the European Tour Group, said: “The 2027 Ryder Cup will be the biggest sporting event that Ireland has ever staged and the world will be watching. Our volunteers will have the opportunity to be at the heart of this iconic event and be part of history. We have already had more than 24,000 expressions of interest in these roles on our website, which shows the passion for the event.”
Gartrell continued, “For our Ambassador role, we want to encourage applications from a diverse pool of people to showcase the country’s famously warm and welcoming hospitality to the thousands of visitors from across the globe who will visit the region. We want to tap into this expertise, and identify new talent, to make sure the 2027 Ryder Cup delivers a best-in-class experience for players and fans.”
If interested you can apply via the dedicated volunteer page on the Ryder Cup website as the European Tour looks to fill 2,000 roles. Ambassadors will be stationed at key locations, from transport hubs across County Limerick to the entrances to the golf course and key locations on-site, such as the Fan Village, where they will guide visitors, answer questions and help create memorable experiences. We are told that no golf knowledge or experience is needed, just enthusiasm and a collaborative mindset.
MACHALE THE WINNER!
MacHale Park in Castlebar has been announced as the winner of the prestigious GAA Pitch of the Year award for 2025 with Wexford Park coming second. The four finalists shortlisted in the 2025 Pitch of the Year were all visited by Stuart Wilson (Grounds Management, Croke Park) and Ian McClements (iTurf Management). The two other finalists and high achievers were Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork and St. Tiernach’s Park in Clones.
