Gaelic Games

Dublin manager Jim Gavin slams proposed cuts in GAA funding to Dublin

Niall Collins and Conor McHugh impress as Dublin prove too strong for Dubs Stars

Dublin’s Eric Lowndes gets away from Gavin Burke of Dubs Stars during the annual challenge game at Parnells GAA Club. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho
Dublin’s Eric Lowndes gets away from Gavin Burke of Dubs Stars during the annual challenge game at Parnells GAA Club. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho
Fri Jan 02 2015 - 01:00

Dublin 2-21 Dubs Stars 1-11


Dublin football manager Jim Gavin has accused the GAA of being 'short-sighted' with regard to proposed cuts in funding to the capital.

The GAA’s national financial management committee have reportedly recommended a cut to Dublin’s allocation of central funds for coaching and games development.

Former county chairman Andy Kettle had publicly stated his strong opposition to any cuts before passing away recently. The proposed reduction in Dublin's funding is in line with suggestions made by top GAA officials that a form of 'equalisation' may be required to give weaker counties a leg up.

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Dublin secretary John Costello criticised the suggestions in his annual report released in late 2014 and Gavin said after yesterday's Dubs Stars annual challenge that he feels the same way.

Very disappointing

“What’s surprised and disappointed me is to hear, in the week of our semi-final game I think, that there was proposed cuts to our funding for games development in Dublin,” said Gavin.

“I’ve great admiration and respect for them but this is very disappointing and is short-sightedness on the part of the financial review committee who have proposed to cut funding.

“Andy was very strong on this at the time.”

The issue of funding Dublin has come strongly into focus since the county signed a high -profile sponsorship deal with global insurance giants AIG.

“There were some comments in the summer in terms of the financial clout that Dublin have and it having a direct correlation with the senior county team’s success,” continued Gavin.

“Most of that money goes back into the clubs. I and any of the managers in Dublin have a very strict budget and outside of that, like, we do no overseas camps, take very little camps away. It surprised me (the funding suggestion). I suppose it’s a lack of understanding on some people’s behalf to suggest we have something that we don’t.”

Gavin presided over a big win for an experimental Dublin side in the annual Dubs Stars challenge in Coolock.

Started slowly

They started slowly and trailed by 1-4 to 0-8 at half-time but delivered a stunning 1-17 in the second-half.

Donabate's Niall Collins shot 1-4 overall while All-Ireland U-21 medallist Conor McHugh impressed with 1-2.

Gavin was joined on the side line by new Dublin forwards coach Jason Sherlock.

“Our forward line was good last year but we need to improve it and in aspects of our game, both offensively and defensively, and that’s the reason Jason has been brought in,” said Gavin.

Dublin begin their O'Byrne Cup campaign on Sunday with a home tie against NUI Maynooth. Gavin revealed that he will be without eight players due to college commitments including David Byrne, Brian Fenton, Robbie McDaid, Jack McCaffrey, Davy Byrne, Conor McHugh, Eric Lowndes and Ciaran Reddin.

DUBLIN: L Molloy; E Culligan, David Byrne, D Daly (0-1); E Lowndes, J Small, N Devereux; D Bastick, C Reddin; Davy Byrne (0-4, 0-2 45s), S Carthy (0-4), T Brady (0-1); C McHugh (1-2), H Dawson (0-3), N Collins (1-4). Subs used: B Fenton (0-2), S Currie, A Watters, S Lowndes, M Fitzsimons.

DUBS STARS: M Savage; R O'Connor, J Curley, H Gill; M Sweeney, R McGowan, M Concarr; D O'Mahoney, C Dunleavy; G Burke (0-3), K McManamon (0-1), N Scully (0-1, 1f); D McLoughlin (1-4), G Smith (0-1), C Walsh (0-1). Subs used: C O'Gara, A Foley.

Referee: D Feeney (Parnells).