Dec 20,2024
At their county convention on Wednesday, Mayo GAA informed delegates that it has made a second voluntary disclosure to the Revenue Commissioners last week in relation to its 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 financial years.
The figure is reported to be a six-figure sum and relates to "potential tax liabilities on expenses payments made to management, coaching staff, and referees as well as other player costs during those years".
Last week, Mayo GAA has acknowledged that it was not in a position to sign off on its accounts for 2024 because of ongoing engagement with the Revenue Commissioners.
The 2023 accounts registered a potential tax liability of €119,778, which Mayo say was a "legacy issue relating to outstanding tax liabilities from our Cúl Camp's programme in 2018 and 2019."
Mayo made a voluntary disclosure of that €119,778 figure to the Revenue Commissioners, who then requested further information in a 'wider review'.
Mayo GAA began its own voluntary review of the tax treatment it applies across a range of expenses paid in subsequent years, from 2020-2024. Mayo GAA took it upon itself to engage proactively with Revenue on this wider review.
Speaking at the convention, Mayo chairperson Seamus Tuohy said the county finances are in "robust shape" to cover any outstanding liabilities that may arise from the engagement with Revenue, and that the county board will launch a review of how expenses are claimed and approved in the New Year to prevent similar issues arising in the future.
Tuohy also told delegates that the demands being place on volunteers in running county boards is becoming unsustainable.
"The days of running a county board solely with the support of volunteers may be coming to an end," he added.
"It's something we seriously have to look at. Practically every county board in Ireland now operates a multi-million-euro budget, and the demands of serving as a county board officer are becoming unsustainable. I think there is a need for more professional support in the running of our boards, particularly on the commercial side."
The convention also heard that work will commence on a new centre of excellence next year in Bahola, comprising four playing pitches, dressing rooms, gym facilities and other ancillary facilities.
The development, which will be built on land donated by businessman Bill Durcan, is set to cost in excess of €15million and a fundraising process will begin early in 2025.
To achieve this, Mayo GAA will seek to appoint a dedicated commercial manager to drive the project forward, develop new sponsorship opportunities and explore all available grants.
Chairperson Tuohy underlined the importance of building the proposed start-of-the-art facility at this time.
"A Centre of Excellence can be the most exciting project ever undertaken by Mayo GAA and who is to say it won't prove to be the missing brick in our ultimate dream for this county since 1951," he said.
