Kevin O'Donovan sets record straight on Cork's drawdown of funding for coaching

CORK County Board secretary/CEO Kevin O’Donovan has moved to clarify the situation with regard to the draw-down of funding for coaching from Central Council.

It had been reported in some quarters that Cork had failed to avail of their full funding allocation in 2023 to the tune of half a million euro. However, at Tuesday night’s monthly county board meeting at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, O’Donovan outlined the details around such programmes.

Last year, Cork increased its full-time coaches roster from six to 14, with games development co-ordinator (GDC) now the title for such staff. The drawdown of the full available amount was contingent on the appointment of the new coaches, as O’Donovan revealed.

“Central Council previously approved a national coaching investment programme,” he said, “which facilitated an increase in coaching and games development funding to counties based on criteria such as number of clubs, playing members and so on.
“This led to an increase in annual central funding to Cork GAA to €815,000 for 2023 and onwards. Traditionally, Cork would have received in the region of €231,000 per annum centrally for personnel, academies, coach education, hurley and helmet schemes, along with a contribution of €25,000 from Munster GAA for personnel and projects.
“The drawdown of the new funding was not immediate as it related to a new full-time staff unit of over 15 personnel, which required a significant recruitment drive and to projects which would require business plans, central approval and joint funding from units.
“All Munster counties have residual personnel and project funding and club support project funding carried over from 2023 due to these reasons. Personnel funding was not fully drawn down because existing staff did not move to the new proposed salary scales until June 1 and the full allocation would only be spent for one quarter with the financial year ending on September 30.

“Also, the eight new additional staff did not start until September 1, which also resulted in a considerable saving. The club support funding was not drawn down as criteria were pending from National GDC and a decision was taken to defer expenditure.”

In total, €1,650,000 of funding will go towards coaching in Cork in 2024.

Meanwhile, the Munster Council has confirmed that three games in this year's provincial senior hurling championship will be twinned with Munster Senior Camogie Championship fixtures.

The Cork hurlers' first home match of the campaign comes on Sunday, April 28 against Clare, a week after their opener away to Waterford. That game at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh has a throw-in time of 2pm and the Cork and Clare teams will meet in a semi-final clash at 12 noon.

On the same day, Limerick take on Waterford in the Munster SHC at TUS Gaelic Grounds at 4pm and that match will be preceded by the camogie quarter-final tie between Limerick and Waterford at 2pm.

The Munster senior camogie final will take place on Sunday, May 19 at 1.45 in FBD Semple Stadium, followed by the Tipperary-Cork hurling game at 4pm.

Munster Camogie chairperson Christine Ryan welcomed the decision, saying: "Munster Council Camogie are once again delighted that Munster GAA are providing us with double-headers for our Munster Senior Camogie Championship for 2024. 

"This will add to the profile of our game as it is a huge boost for our camogie players. We at Munster Camogie appreciate this opportunity that Munster GAA have given us.”