Croke Park Financial Controller Allen Duffy hails from the Aughnamullen club in Monaghan and he took time out from his busy schedule to discuss his role at GAA headquarters, while he also gave his views on his club and county. Allen is still very much involved with the club and lined out for the side in this year's intermediate championship, which saw them retain their status in the second tier competition. However, Allen's role as financial controller with Croke Park means that he has to devote many Sundays during the year to attend the Jones Road venue on match days. "I work a lot of Sundays during the year, which I suppose is not surprising giving the amount of games there during the summer. We are kept incredibly busy, all the time," said Allen. "Many may think that we would have very little to do during the week, but that is certainly not the case as Croke Park can be very busy from Monday to Friday with the stadium being used for conferences and meetings by corporate companies and other global functions as well as stadium and Museum tours." For the past five years, the Monaghan native has worked there and for the last 2 years, he has been in his current role. Allen's role as financial controller is to manage the finances of the stadium and to ensure that current objectives are met while ensuring that the wonderful asset that is Croke Park is maintained properly for future generations. The stadium has contributed over 30m to the GAA over the last three years for use by the association in other areas such as the strategic investments currently being done on a nationwide basis. He admits that since Croke Park opened its doors to rugby and soccer, the stadium has being recognised on a world stage as being one of the finest stadia across Europe. "Irish people have always been proud what a magnificent stadium it is. I've been too many of the largest stadiums in Europe and I have to say Croke Park is on a par with the finest of them. "Since the doors have been opened to soccer and rugby, there has been a whole new audience coming here for the first time and people from many different countries now realise just what a fine facility that it is. Indeed, Arsenal's grounds, the Emirates were modelled on Croke Park, which gives you an indication of the stature it is perceived with now. It is known across Europe and it's certainly up there with the best." Having a keen interest in the GAA is a plus for Allen in his job, "Banty has done a great job there in the last few years and deserves great credit for the direction he has brought the team. There are some exceptional players in the squad and on their day, they are a match for any team in the country. No stone is left unturned in their preparations and the buzz at home when Monaghan are playing is unreal. It hasn't been seen since the 80's. As a Monaghan man, I am very proud to see them play in Croke Park and it was so disappointing to see them lose to Kerry in the last two championships. They have been unfortunate to be drawn against them, but that's football." Allen believes that the current Monaghan side deserve to win an Ulster title at the very least, but he acknowledges the fact that winning the northern provincial title is easier said then done.  "Ulster is very competitive and you just have to look at the facts. Tyrone have won three All-Ireland titles and during that time they have won only two Ulster crowns, but it would be great to see Monaghan win a provincial championship, not only for the players, but the supporters too, who always get behind the team." Allen has worn the county jersey at both minor and under-21 level. Indeed he captained the minors in 1994, when they lost out to Down in the Ulster semi final, while he has also received an Ulster colleges All-star. Nonetheless, it is his club that he is most proud of as the rural outfit show a great community spirit that is rivalled by very few others. "It is a great club and there are so many people down there willing to work hard to ensure that they have the best of facilities. There has been a Prunty pitch put in over the last few years, while they recently opened a walking track around the pitch which is for the community in general and a second set of dressing rooms. The club house is the centre of the community and the focus for a lot of activities not all of which are GAA related which is what every good club should offer their parish, it is a testament to the hard work of everyone involved." In 2007 the club won the junior football championship, narrowly loosing the Ulster junior final and they maintained their intermediate status this year, while Allen is no doubt that the side can go on from here. "To stay up intermediate was our main target and we achieved that. Our minor team reached the county semi final this year and a few of those lads have come through to the intermediate side, while hopefully more will come through next year. There is a good underage structure within the club and hopefully over the course of the next few years, we could make the next step up senior." Aughnamullen won the intermediate championship on three occasions in the seventies and the current side will be hoping to emulate their predecessors. At 32 years of age, Allen still has plenty to offer the side and his experience will be vital to their challenge next year, although he admits that it is hard to give the necessary time required given the nature of the job. "It's not easy at all, but I love lining out for the club and I'm a very proud man to wear the jersey. I do believe that with the younger lads coming through, the club is heading in the right direction. It would be amazing to see them up in the senior championship." Tweet

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