Tipp GAA is back in the black
By Shane Brophy
“A rising tide lifts all ships,” was how Tipperary GAA treasurer Eleanor Lahart described the success of the Senior Hurling team in 2025 helping the overall financial improvement of the county board which returned a surplus of €767,430.
In her financial report presented to delegates at last Thursday’s rescheduled County Convention at the Dome, FBD Semple Stadium, she said the benefits of winning the All-Ireland saw attendances at club games increasing significantly where everyone came out to see their favourite players from around the county playing with their local club, leading to an increase in gate receipts of over €33,000 on the previous year.
“Tipperary hurling was invigorated again,” she continued.
“Gate receipts on each of the hurling round robin games were up between €18,000 and €20,000, and the additional preliminary quarter finals also netted an additional €24,000.
“As our games started two weeks later than normal some of this is not visible in the 2025 accounts, and we will carry that overall increase into 2026.
“Although the Croke Park season ticket sales decreased this year, we expect them to go back to previous levels and even increase beyond that in 2026.
“We have also secured an enhanced agreement with Clubber for 2026, which will also increase this income category further.”
Increased sponsorship income of over €300,000 was due to some new and enhanced sponsorship agreements such as the schools coaching scheme, academy teams sponsor, U20 hurling sponsors, bonuses for reaching the All-Ireland finals, and the additional support from main sponsor Fiserv.
The importance of the National Leagues was shown by the increase of Tipperary’s share which rose 120% on 2024, by virtue of six group games in the top division and also reaching the final at a packed Pairc Ui Chaoimh.
“This was also a direct result of the Tipperary supporters, young and old, coming out to support their county team,” Lahart said.
“While they may not realise their match attendance has a significant impact on our financial bottom line, you can see from the League and Club games receipts that their support carries way beyond just bums on seats.”
Team grants from Croke Park and Munster also show a huge increase but have to be factored in with the additional costs of the banquet, homecoming, and team holiday replating to the All-Ireland Final.
Looking ahead
“As part of the new financial strategy, we plan to further increase commercial revenue in the coming year and years,” Lahart revealed.
“This additional revenue will bolster our cashflow, provide for possible rising costs in many day-to-day areas, as well as a required contingency. We also need to future proof running cost for the new centre of excellence, coming in 2027 and beyond, and work on costing this will commence in 2026, as part of the new strategic plan.”
To that end, the creation of the new Financial Advisory Council, whose members have been influential in securing the finalised plan to develop Coolmore Morris Park.
“Many connections have now been made to other like-minded people, who have Tipperary GAA at their heart and wish to provide for our current and future needs so Tipperary players can have the facilities that they deserve, and are required in every county these days,” she added.
Reflecting on the Win a House Draw, Tipperary Clubs Draw, Quid Game fundraiser and the current Monster Christmas raffle, the Killenaule native said it was “positive after positive” for the year, with luck also on their side with better weather and full attendances possible at Easter Camps and an increased profit from summer Cul Camps.
Outgoings
Tipperary’s biggest cost annually is the inter-county team administration costs.
“While the Croke Park amateur status review coming before congress next year, and the ongoing revenue audits will have an impact on this going forward, at the start of the 2025 season some savings and oversight lead to substantial decreases in some areas,” Lahart said.
Player mileage overall decreased by €40,000. Senior Football mileage decreased by €45,000 and Senior Hurling mileage increased €9,000, though in a much longer season from 2024. Team managers, selectors, and backroom personnel, taken together, decreased over €48,000 year on year, again in a year with a longer season. Meals, catering, and nutrition decreased over €15,000, S&C by over €26,000, travel & accommodation over €58,000, and medical by over €24,000, all again in a longer playing season.
The one increase in general costs year on year was in gear and equipment, which was expected for the additional gear and equipment required in an All-Ireland year.
While the above individual increases may seem small in light of the overall team costs of nearly €2.5 million, their cumulative effect had a huge bearing on cashflow.
“For the first time in three years, Tipperary GAA could comfortably pay their bills throughout the year and carry some retained cashflow into 2026 so bills can again be paid in a timely fashion,” she revealed.
“Further reductions are planned next year in the removal of divisional bus collections for training nights for the minor teams, and any additional spending required will be overseen by the new financial advisory committee and the team costs committee.”
The two additional costs for the Senior Hurling Team holiday, €373,300 and the All-Ireland homecoming and functions cost of €167,697, taking out these costs from the overall team administration cost shows a decreased cost year on year of over €232,000.
She added: “Coming from a business background I have had to adapt over the last few years to the delivery of income and expenditure in a sporting body.
“While figures are figures, the story behind a non-traditional business model is totally different. This year I had the personal experience of a manager, team and backroom who won the highest accolade possible, and while they fought with every fibre of their being to achieve that on the field, behind the scenes they were non demanding, respectful and understanding of the financial implications that might bring to Tipperary GAA.
“It is this attitude of true collaboration which drives us all forward together, with existing and new sponsors and donors to create a centre of excellence worthy of these, and future players and managements.”
While FBD Semple Stadium doesn’t come under the remit of the county board, she said it has to be future proofed for operational needs and capital development going forward.
Significant work has been done by GAA Presidential candidate Ger Ryan, the new stadium chairperson, and a plan is being devised to ensure its operational financial stability for the coming five years.
2025 was a difficult year for the stadium with no league final, Munster final, or All Ireland quarter finals, which are a vital revenue generator for its day to day running, even before funding is available for an overdue renovation of the aging venue.
Revenue provision
The financial report also included a provisional disclosure to revenue of €312,765, a calculation covering the five year period from 2021 – 2025.
“While this figure has been submitted to revenue along with all the other 26 counties, none of these figures have been reviewed or accepted by the revenue commissioners as yet,” Lahart revealed.
“We await correspondence in 2026 on this matter and as such, this is an ongoing and live audit at the current time which we do not wish to prejudice with specific comments for ourselves and other counties while the process is still ongoing.”
GAA support
Eleanor Lahart concluded her address by thanking the GAA family for their support following the tragic passing of her nephew David Lahart, which led to the postponement of Convention from the previous Sunday.
“When my family suffered the most tragic loss in the last week, the GAA community again stepped forward to support them,” she said.
“From my local club Killenaule, whose teammates carried by nephew David home, and gave us their complex for the whole community to come together after the funeral.
“To my fellow officers, gate checkers and all the GAA people I work with who reached out and came to me and messaged me, your support wrapped around me and my family at our most difficult time.
“It’s said that “It’s not the coins you carry, but the people who carry you.” The GAA epitomises this from the ground up and the top down, and Tipperary GAA and Killenaule GAA carried us through our darkest time, as they have done to many others in the past, and will undoubtedly do in the future. This evening, I am proud to be part of an organisation that can bring such joy on the field but hold its members close when needed.”