Funding for Dublin coaching under threat
August 21, 2014
Pictured at the announcement of Toyota as the official car partner of Dublin GAA are, l/r: Dublin footballers Rory O'Carroll and Darren Daly, Dublin hurler Michael Carton, Dublin footballers Jonny Cooper and Cian O'Sullivan, Dublin hurlers Johnny McCaffrey, Liam Rushe, Dublin footballer James McCarthy, Eoghan O'Gara, Dublin hurler Conal Keaney and Peter Kelly, and Dublin footballer Stephen Cluxton. ©INPHO
Moves are afoot to cut funding for GAA coaching in Dublin.
According to a report in the Irish Examiner, the issue was discussed by the National Financial Management Committee at a meeting in Croke Park last Saturday. It was one of a number of controversial proposals relating to finance discussed by officials from all over the country.
Unsurprisingly, the plan to reduce the capital's allocation for coaching was vehemently opposed to by the Dublin representative. A proposal to abolish the hurl and helmet subsidy was also met with strong opposition. Another proposal to re-examine the distribution of revenue generated by the Allianz Leagues was also considered.
The move to slash Dublin's funding comes in the same week as Donegal manager Jim McGuinness compared Dublin GAA's resources to those of the Roman Abramovich-owned Chelsea.
"Dublin have just... it was like Abramovich going into the Premier League," McGuinness said ahead of Sunday week's All-Ireland SFC semi-final between the counties.
"It's a different ball game, the level that they have taken sports science to. With nutrition, conditioning, the amount of coaches they have, it's a professional set-up in every aspect... Kerry have done that for years as well. But there is huge momentum with resources and training facilities in Dublin."
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