Leitrim caught in a 'rat race' as Bohan issues warning that inter-county spending is not sustainable

In a week that has seen Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins Ladies  raise over an astonishing €15,000 to fund their dreams of All-Ireland glory next Saturday, Leitrim GAA County Board Secretary Declan Bohan has issued a stark warning that counties are getting caught up in a financial “rat race”.

Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins take on Glanmire of Cork in Saturday's CurrentAccount.ie LGFA All-Ireland Intermediate Club Final in Croke Park and to help meet the costs of the occasion, a GoFundMe page has raised €15,05 at the time of going to press.

But the fantastic response to Ballinamore's fundraising campaign has also highlighted the precarious nature of finances for sporting organisations with Declan Bohan warning in his report to this Thursday's Leitrim County Board Convention that counties are caught up in a financial rate race and that Leitrim GAA “are operating beyond their means”.

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After praising the excellent work of ventures like the 50 Miles in January Challenge, the Leitrim Supporters Club and the generosity of sponsors, Declan issued a stark warning as to the future: “I cannot but pass comment on the increasing costs of inter-county activity. Granted we had to bear significant costs towards the four overseas trips in 2023, and yes we were in receipt of grants towards these trips, but we cannot get away from the fact that, these trips apart, we are operating beyond our means.”

Describing what he called a “rat race”, Declan stressed that current expenditure levels for inter-county activity are unsustainable but if Leitrim fail to prepare as best they can, then they may as well give up their dreams of inter-county success! 

 “How many times do we have to repeat the word unsustainable? We are not alone in this but we are ultimately only responsible for our own operation. Larger units have, no doubt, access to greater resources and that softens their blow. They can, most likely, absorb increased costs with relative ease. 

“We are finding ourselves in a rat race. If we don’t prepare as best we can, we are as well to throw our hat at it and give up.”

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With the Leitrim Secretary warning that the county's inter county budget may soon pay €1 million per year, Bohan warns that the entire situation may come crashing down: “The stakes, both competitively on the field and off the field, are very high, and getting higher with each passing season. Where does it all end? 

“It is only a matter of time before we may have to face the reality that €1 million will have to be budgeted in any given year to compete in this madness. Unfortunately, it may all come crashing down around us unless some magic wand is waved in our direction.”