Mayo GAA Discussion

Westernview

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122959540#Comment_122959540

So what do we garner from those figures? The County Board has a healthy balance sheet?

Major overspending on the senior team would be a bigger story but it's seems to be under control and is in fact reduced. So I don't see a story there.

The question is are those surplus figures to be seen in the board bank accounts. If not there would need to be an explanation.

The increase in revenue while the form of the team has dropped does seem unusual but maybe they have improved fundraising and sponsorship processes. Does the full subscription article say much more about the whole thing?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122959823#Comment_122959823

that since the abolition of biscuit tins at the gates and the introduction of compulsory tickets, game ticket income has surged at a crazy rate. So was someone on the take during the biscuit tin era? Thats my reading of it and maybe the motive for reporting.

That man doesn’t care about mayo football, its a grudge against the officials at this stage but the era of people on the take in the GAA has always been suspected

Westernview

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122960895#Comment_122960895

I don't think he cares much about Mayo football either. More for his ego and that he wanted to be involved when the team were going well and is still sore that he didn't break in.

Aside from the biscuit tin there were big issues with how money was collected at gates, especially at grounds with no turnstiles. Sponsorship was another area. Only in the last few years has a proper tendering princess been implemented for stadium naming and kit sponsers.

mayo.mick

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122959823#Comment_122959823

Full article here; https://archive.ph/jbdPE

km79

Just nabbed a Juvenile season ticket !
Been waiting years for them to come up again

Given that ya have to pay a 5er for kids now they are even better value than they used to be at 30 euro

Westernview

The Connaught Telegraph are running with the story on the front cover tomorrow but aren't overly critical.

TsuDhoNimh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122963789#Comment_122963789

Anyone speaking overly critically at the minute is talking through their hoop, to be honest.

As far as any information has been shared, all these issues (within and without Mayo) stem back to the Revenue/GAA agreement back in '12 and the guidance that was issued to all counties on the back of it.

https://x.com/JohnFogartyIrl/status/1866735785711444040

It's unclear whether Revenue just weren't aware of this prior arrangement, are aware but are no longer willing to honour it on their end or if elements within the current GAA accounts are going beyond what they believe to be the scope of the current/old agreements… but whatever it is seems on a national scale and far beyond Mayo County Boards control, hence HQ stepping in to negotiate with Revenue on behalf of all county boards early in the new year (with the conversation between HQ and all counties already held).

Folks can feel free to pop shots at our crew for the delay in getting a new head of Cáirde Mhaigh Eo, us making the trip to NY without plans in place for fundraising on the trip (a major missed opportunity and own goal), the big overspend & questionable value in MacHale Park, the many missteps on a COE or on plenty of other legitimate mistakes over the years… but this current mess on everything known to date doesn't appear to be a Mayo one (and the appearance of ol' faithful with his vendettas trying to take credit for a national problem screams of attention seeking rather than offering any type of actual insight to a problem - which seems about right historically).

Fr Tod Umptious

Rob Hennelly has retired.

Another great servant of the 2010s.

Probably will be better remember for things that went wrong for him (missed 45 in Limerick in 2014, blunder in replay in 2016), but still he was a great backup to Clarke.

We were lucky to have to really good keepers on our team.

And he did of course win a u21 in 2006.

Always_Running

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122964202#Comment_122964202

2006 was before his time. He played U21 2009,2010,2011.

spakman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122964202#Comment_122964202

Kenneth O'Malley was u21 goalie in 2006.

Hennelly was minor in 2008.

HBC08

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122963868#Comment_122963868

100%.

I'd be the biggest critic of the CB and could add in a few more bits there aswell but the revenue thing is just something all CBs will be dealing with over the next while.

I'd wager there will be some CBs who come out of it a whole lot worse than the 3 so far who have been targeted (Mayo,Galway and Wexford)

What it also brings to light is what a lowlife O Leary is.

Also,I think we pretty much have to give a health warning to any spin the Connaught Telegraph try to put on anything Mayo GAA related.Aiden Henry (who doesn't even put his name to certain articles on there now) is all I have to say on that.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122964358#Comment_122964358

O’Leary has a point about gate receipts jumping once the biscuit tins were banned. Wonder will anything come to light from this. A lot of people did well when cash was king. It’s no wonder some sections of society fought so hard against the introduction of tickets only entry

HBC08

Have to give a word to Robbie.

A great servant,a career of highs and lows as someone said and all played out in big championship games.

Mentally a very strong dude,smart,articulate guy who wasn't afraid to go against the grain from time to time.A sound lad too.

Always an excellent shot stopper but overshadowed in that dept by Clarkie who was the best bar none in my opinion.

Gave us one of the great moments v Dublin in the 8th min of injury time in 2021 but I think his greatest achievement was the evolution of his kickouts in the final 3rd of his career.From average to one of the best in the game between approximately 2020 and 2024.

Best of luck Robbie and thanks.

HBC08

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122964373#Comment_122964373

All county boards are in the same (or worse) situations. Of course everything should be exactly tax compliant and I'm sure it will be eventually, VM is one of the actually competent people on the CB and I'd have full confidence in her.

Anything that comes from O Leary is toxic and for malicious reasons only.

Anything he says or does is coloured by this,he really is a odious bitter little man.

Fr Tod Umptious

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122964307#Comment_122964307

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122964357#Comment_122964357

Thanks for the clarification.

I thought he was around in 2006.

TsuDhoNimh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122964373#Comment_122964373

Have you sanity checked any of the article?

Seems to be a hugely negative spin attached (we've been downhill since '17, apparently, despite multiple AIF appearances, a majority of years since where we've only been knocked out by the eventual winners & the only All Ireland Final in recent memory where we've been actual favourites). Not sure if it's the author themselves (a Dub GAA fan who's a business journalist rather than a sports one) or a release that was spun to him that he didn't dive into… but from my own glances I'd take it with some pinches of salt.

"During the 2016 and 2017 seasons, when enthusiasm for Mayo football was at fever pitch, the county’s total income from gate receipts was similar to previous seasons at between €357,000 and €399,000."

A quick glance at the '17 financial returns shows '16 @ €399,764 & '17 @ €450,576. Their big finger point at increasing attendance figures was comparing to the wrong years with the wrong revenues. They've gone so far as unintentionally showning that revenues were climbing steadily long before the switch away from cash at the gate.

It also completely ignores the fact that chatting to anyone that was actually attending the games, rather than abroad or waving their privates at a soccer match, would know that crowds are well up. Significantly so. Back in '16 & '17 I'd know most attendees by face and a large number by name, with the majority friends & family of players or the odd nutty football fan like myself. Now? Whole crop of randomers I've never seen before at every match I get to (which is fantastic).

We've more podcasts sharing the exciting stories involved, we've more access to underage/schools/colleges ball getting folks excited to watch up & coming talent (back in the day you might meet a dozen or so turning up to watch an exciting up & come-er like DO'C or Peirce Hanley that people had been whispering of… now? You'd get 10x that to watch a Hurley, Guilfoyle or Lydon that everyone has watched playing a dozen odd times before) & we've more streams since covid to show games which, as much as County Boards around the country fear them, are the absolute best marketing and promotion tool to sell tickets. I've been at plenty of Intermediate games this year or last that were higher than most, not even average, Senior games back in '16 or '17. Appetite for the county team might have peaked in '17 (or '21) but I don't think the club game here has peaked yet. It's growing consistently.

There's potentially any number of illegal tax avoidance things going on in the books I wouldn't have a clue on… but when the article is raising question marks over nonsense, and specifically the one thing genuine fans could see for themselves, it instantly loses all credibility.

Westernview

Regarding Robbies retirement - a great servant and a very likeable fella. Showed a lot of resilience to come back after the 2016 debacle. Very good kickout and distribution skills but IMO he wasn't in the top bracket of goalkeepers mainly due to his tendency to panic in pressure situations.

He wasn't very commanding under high balls and tended to turn away from the ball in one on one situations. Horan had a preference for him but I strongly believe he should always have been second choice whenever Clarke was available to play.

Fr Tod Umptious

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122964975#Comment_122964975

Goalkeeping evolved from purely a shot stopping/minding the goal job to a distribution and free taking job as well.

In that regard Clarke was better at the former, Hennelly at the latter.

Both had their strength and weaknesses.

Hennelly's retaken free v Dublin in the 2021 SF was certainly something to celebrate and remember his contribution to Mayo by.

muddle84

I will keep my opinions to myself regarding Hennelly out of respect for him as he always came across as a really decent fella who did the best that he could.

All the best to him in his retirement!

Westernview

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122965261#Comment_122965261

You are right about goalkeeping evolving. However I never felt that superior distribution and freetaking compensate for shortcomings in the basics of shot stopping and assurance under high balls. Soft goals can change the course of matches, as Mayo have experienced.

ethical

So it has come to light when your county team are going through a 'rough' patch on the playing field that more people come out and support the team!!!!!!!!!!! According to the 'gate receipts' which absolutely flourished when ticket sales went 'online'. Of course the truth is that gate receipts were always high but Croke Park did not 'see' this or indeed 'feel it'! Better come out and tell the truth.Look at some of the so called GAA lovers that have held the 'top influential 'posts for nigh on a lifetime in many counties,Mayo included.Do you honestly think these people did it for the good/love of the game!The biscuit tin was replaced by nice leather 'saddle bags' in some cases…it had many pockets…some were for cash for Croke Park and others were for cash for other things that Croke Park never knew about or as some might say never needed to know about!!!

Its time the whole thing was cleaned up.The ones losing out big time are the players who got fcuk all while their managers/coaches benefited well.(Of course this sh1t that no manager is paid for their services is just that sh1t). Managers are being paid for the last 30 + years …..and if REVENUE goes down this avenue of examining this chaos there will not be any accounts signed off on for the next ten years,(conservative estimate!).

irishgeo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122967449#Comment_122967449

The only ones involved around county teams not getting paid for their time is the players.

MacDanger

Enjoy the retirement Rob, a good servant for Mayo for many years. Had some great days and some tough days; was great to be there for the point against the Dubs in '21

spakman

I felt so sorry for him in 08 minor replay when he fumbled a high ball and let in a soft goal. That was a great minor team but they wouldn't even have been in extra time of a replay of an all-ireland final if it hadn't been for Hennelly.

That day, he made one of the best saves I ever witnessed live.

Then in 2013, we were flying in first half, should have been further ahead, no fault of Hennelly. But then a high ball in, Hennelly comes, doesn't get it, Brogan fist connects first, goal. The jacks are back.

Then 2016. First game, Hennelly warming up, Rochford was going to bring him on, time ran out. Replay - Hennelly starts, another high ball, disaster. Game over for Hennelly, and eventually, for Mayo.

2019, is that the year we started the league against Donegal in Sligo? Whatever the year, Hennelly scored the sweetest point you'll ever see from a free, into driving wind and rain from near the sideline.

League final 2019, felt like redemption, great save from a David Clifford effort, national recognition for all the efforts.

2021, systems failure. Far more than Hennelly at fault, another high ball, another goal, another year of regret.

Audioslaven

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122967449#Comment_122967449

Lots of valid points and I would say these people robbed the clubs as well, as this money could have enhanced training facilities, training progammes for development etc. In the south of Mayo, The Neale, Kilmaine and Ballinrobe have/are going through big changes to their grounds from lack of investment over the years to faciliate the demand. This is been funded through different fund raising events and grants …. huge credit to the people of these clubs and the people who support these events.

The "man in the UK" has raised some valid points, but the problem with him is how he conducted himself and went about this. I would blame his method moreso than his points. The CB are also to blame for not sorting this out with him and keeping him on side from a revenue generator. Mayo GAA need a consistent flow of revenue to run everything and support the clubs.

Lets also get real about what revenue are doing. These three counties have their issues but the biggest elephant in the room is the county with the biggest money pool, yet they have not been targetted as part of this. I think Revenue don't have an idea on how to go about this, so took three counties that they felt were managable to build their methodology to audit. CP has now rolled in and the scale of this will not be realised for years as you mentioned. It will probably never been uncovered and a line in the sand will be drawn and new rules agreed.

hugeorange

Hennelly always seemed like a nice bloke. Very emotional as a player though, pure confidence player who seemed to be only as good as his last play. Seemed to suffer immensely with performance anxiety. A shame really that the nerves sort of let him down so often, as he did have a strong skill set.

Westernview

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122978042#Comment_122978042

Agree with all that but unfortunately there is no room for sentiment or repeated performance anxiety on all Ireland day. Mayo football needs to learn this or the losses will continue.

TsuDhoNimh

Fairly last minute announcement of coverage for the Mayo game tomorrow evening (assuming the weather doesn't freeze the pitch or anything) so thought I'd flag it…

https://x.com/MayoGAA/status/1875137269855855057

Fun chance to have a look at a few of our lads adjusting to the new rules.

Enda McGearty kind enough to share his predicted 15 (& a few first in subs) after watching the Rossie game last night. Most surprising news is Sam back in contention after the broken ribs. Far less surprising to anyone watching intermediate this year, both Cian McHale & Dylan Prendergast showing pretty well & looking to hit the ground running.

https://x.com/EndaMcGearty/status/1875087600416948350

Team could look very different though, depending on how they decide to handle any of our Sigerson lads. Be interesting to see how it pans out.

irishgeo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123012654#Comment_123012654

10 euro streaming fee for a charity game wow.

spakman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123014273#Comment_123014273

The tenner goes to the charity presumably, so hard to argue with it I would say.