Clubs unhappy as they face new levies to reduce Páirc debt

Over the past week, The Echo have been in touch with clubs on Leeside to garner their reaction to the Cork County Board putting new levies on clubs.

It’s of course to try and help reduce the €31 million plus debt on SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Everyone is in agreement that the debt needs to come down, but is this the right way of doing it? Time will tell on that.

The then Cork GAA chairperson Tracey Kennedy speaking at a county board monthly meeting in December 2019 said: “Our clubs and all our supporters need to be part of our journey but I don’t see that by imposing levies. I see different ways of doing it.” 

St Vincent’s PRO and Sinn Féin Councillor Mick Nugent isn’t pleased with the move by the county board.

“I would be concerned about these so-called service levies,” he said.

“The county board need to look at a fundraising strategy to service the debt that doesn’t impact on clubs who at the moment are busy trying to sell Rebels' Bounty tickets, which benefits both the clubs and Cork GAA.

“It’s a challenge for clubs, particularly below senior level, to ensure the funds are there annually to keep the teams on the pitch and our Gaelic Games alive in our communities.” 

St Finbarr’s football chairperson Paul O’Keeffe also mentioned Rebels' Bounty when he was asked on this latest development to bring down the debt.

“In light of reading Tracey Kennedy’s comments from 2019, it’s really disappointing,” he says.

“We were given a commitment that the clubs would not have a financial burden placed on them because of the debt issue. Many clubs are already struggling to raise funds and this will divert funds away from where they are most needed.

“We already engage in fundraising through Rebels' Bounty, so essentially it’s putting more financial burden on clubs which is harsh in my opinion.” 

A well-known GAA club in Cork didn’t want to be named, but they were also disappointed with the move by the county board to place new levies.

“Clubs are already struggling with increasing costs to maintain the status quo. We are already pushing with our lotto, bag packing, sponsored walks and even having to increase membership to keep going. 

"Clubs already support through Rebels' Bounty, promotion of Cork GAA events and matchday tickets. We call on the county board to think again and not heap more pressure on already stretched clubs.” 

The next meeting takes place next Tuesday at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. The majority of 20 Cork clubs that were contacted by The Echo, declined to comment, as they wanted to meet as a committee to chat about the levies in advance of next week's county board monthly meeting with delegates.

While it may be a surprise and a disappointment to many, Cork GAA CEO Kevin O'Donovan in February 2019 speaking to RTÉ, didn’t rule out the possibility of clubs being levied.

"The stadium is supposed to generate revenue over the long-term to pay for its own debts and in time generate revenue to come back into Cork GAA," O’Donovan said.

"We can talk forever about levies or not imposing levies. We would hope that there would never be a levy placed on clubs to fund bricks and mortar, but at the same time, we have to face the harsh reality that it's our stadium. If it's our stadium, it's our debt."