Dublin's "continued dominance" of the Gaelic Athletic Association's Games Development funding program saw it "scoop almost" €1.47M ($1.58M) last year, according to Martin Breheny of the IRISH INDEPENDENT. That is more than 14% of the total allocation of €10.15M ($10.92M) and leaves it €1.2M ($1.29M) ahead of Cork, which was second highest with €249,000 ($268,000). However, the fact that it received "more than half as much as the four provincial councils combined, while also coming in so far ahead of all the other counties is certain to attract attention around the country" at a time when Dublin is "generating so much internal revenue, thanks to the unprecedented success" of its senior footballers. Dublin's large allocation -- it also received almost €1.47M in '15 -- is "explained on the basis of need in a county with such a massive population," catering for a large number of clubs while also attempting to grow Gaelic games in non-traditional GAA areas. The GAA said that the imbalance between Dublin and the rest of the country "will not continue" (IRISH INDEPENDENT, 2/2).
CROWD CONCERN: In Dublin, Seán Moran reported the GAA's "top finance officers have expressed concerns about attendance figures" despite the association's finances for '16 being described as "solid" and "steady" and showing a €3M ($3.23M) increase in gate receipts. Finance Dir Tom Ryan said that the number of people attending matches "needs consideration," while Croke Park Stadium Dir Peter McKenna commented that "match day attendances are flat." This is reflected in both the crowds at the All-Ireland series, which fell 5% or 40,000 -- mostly in the qualifiers and quarterfinals "but the second successive year that a fall has been recorded" -- and the Leinster football championship in which attendances were affected by Dublin's "continuing domination" and the clash of the Ireland-France Euro 2016 match with the provincial semifinals. The concerns were, however, "more of a caveat in the context of financial reports that showed revenues and profitability rising again after a dip last year" (IRISH TIMES, 2/2).
