Report commissioned by the GPA exposes financial losses incurred by inter-county players

A new report suggests that inter-county players are generating a total economic impact of €591 million annually.

The Gaelic Players Association are calling for an increase Government grants as it is concerned that its members' contribution to the economy comes at a significant personal expense.

A report conducted by Indecon International Economic and Strategic Consultants (Indecon), commissioned by the GPA, shows that individual players incur an average net expense loss of €4,602 annually to participate at the inter-county level.

The report, entitled an 'Assessment of Economic and Social Impacts of Inter-County Gaelic Football, Camogie and Hurling Players in Ireland', was published this morning and is based on figures from the 2023 season.

The GPA says the report underscores the critical role inter-county players have not just in Gaelic games but in the broader Irish economy, revealing significant growth in economic impact since 2018.

In 2021, the GPA successfully lobbied to see state funding for female inter-county players rise from €700,000 to €2.4m.

Currently, player grants in the region of €1,471 are paid to male players with the figures varying from €1,000 to €1,700 depending on squad depth and success.

Female players are paid approximately €920 per year.

"Adjusted for inflation, players are €1,499 worse off than in 2018, largely due to out-of-pocket expenses for training and competing at the elite level"

Among the key findings of the Indecon report are that senior inter-county games generated €359 million in direct spending, (up 51% since 2018) 4,212 jobs that were directly supported (up 53% since 2018), €353 million in gross value added (up 53 in the past six years and ) €62 million generated in exchequer impact (up 49%