GAA report 'solid' and 'modest' 2023 financial figures

"Solid" and "modest" were the words of the day as the GAA's revealed their 2023 financial report at Croke Park on Thursday.

Overall revenue decreased by 13% in 2023 compared to what had been a strong showing in 2022 as the association recovered from the Covid-19 disruption.

The drop in figures owes a lot to the lack of Croke Park concerts in 2023 with seven concerts in 2022 – including a run of Garth Brooks shows – bringing in a sizeable income.

Commercial income was hit by the withdrawal of broadcasting partners Sky Sports and Eir, with the GAA instead picking up the slack through its subscription model, GAAGO, in partnership with RTÉ.

In total, commercial revenue fell by €5.3 million compared to the same period in 2022.

Combined state funding was also considerably down, falling from €14.5m to €7m.

The figures still make for positive reading though with a €6.5m surplus recorded until 30 September 2023

Gate receipts were up just shy of €5m to €38,451,017 with the introduction of Tailteann Cup group games a key contributing factor. There were four full houses at Croke Park in 2023 – the football and hurling finals, the football semi-final between Dublin and Monaghan and the quarter-final featuring Dublin, Mayo, Derry and Cork.

GAA finance director Ger Mulryan also revealed that 83% of every euro generated by the GAA was reinvested back into all levels of the game, €5.3m of that going to club supports and sister associations and €4m to assist clubs in redeveloping their club houses, pitches and facilities.

County distribution was up €3m to €19.6m while games development rose by €2.5m to €13.2m.

Dublin GAA still received the highest payment with regards games development with a figure of €1,212,500. Galway GAA was next with €451,918