THE GAA WILL decide on a new model for games development funding at a Central Council meeting at the end of the month, which will see the Dublin\u2019s disproportionate level of funding allocated more evenly across the country.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Dublin have received over\u00a0\u20ac21m in games development funding\u00a0since 2007, while in 2021 that figure stood at\u00a0\u20ac745,278. Antrim\u2019s \u20ac199,439 put them as the second-highest county for the funding, some way behind Dublin.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Dublin\u2019s ability to generate significant funds through commercial activities and their recent run of dominance in the All-Ireland SFC led to calls for the funding to be redirected to counties in greater need of financial support.<\/p>\n
At yesterday\u2019s launch of the GAA\u2019s annual report, director general Tom Ryan said an increase in overall funding will come into play.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In addition, Central Council will debate two fresh funding models on the morning of Congress on 26 February, one of which will go up for vote later that day in Ballyhaunis.<\/p>\n
The first is the John Connellan-led motion that proposes games development funding is allocated on the basis of membership numbers in each county.<\/p>\n
The second is new model devised by a GAA sub-committee where funding will be divided into two portions of 75% for base level funding and 25% for projects.<\/p>\n
Of the 75% base level funding, it will be allocated to counties based on three criteria:\n<\/p>\n
Without referencing Dublin directly, Ryan said \u201cthere will be a diminution of coaching and games funding for at least one county and the overwhelming majority of counties will see a significant increase.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe idea is we present each to counties and let the debate take its course. We\u2019ll convene in Ballyhaunis on the morning of Congress, for a special Central Council meeting and everyone can have their say.\u201d<\/p>\n
GAA games development funding in 2021: <\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the GAA are \u201chappy to explore\u201d the use of Croke Park in a proposed bid by the UK and Ireland for Euro 2028.\u00a0<\/p>\n
On Monday it was announced that the FAI and the\u00a0football associations of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland were bidding for the Euros instead of the World Cup two years later.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Croke Park and potentially Casement Park in Belfast could come into consideration if a UK\/Irish bid is successful.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe spoke to the FAI in the context of a 2030 bid,\u201d said Ryan. \u201cThey did ask if we were happy with the idea that Croke Park was included in a feasibility study at the time. We took it to the board and made sure people were happy with that.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere were meetings and people did visit the ground to have a look and do what they needed to appraise at that stage. That\u2019s really where it is to be honest. That was in the context of 2030 rather than 2028.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe same principles will apply. There is a process for us to go through in terms of formal permissions \u00a0and I don\u2019t want to pre-empt any of that, Central Council will have its say there. We were aware of the ambitions and we certainly flagged from the outside that we\u2019d be happy to explore the initial stages of those ambitions.\u201d<\/p>\n
With the Euros taking place during the summer when the inter-county season is underway, using Croke Park for soccer games provides obvious issues.<\/p>\n