THE questions over Galway’s financial woes deepened last night after main sponsors Supermac’s called for findings from investigations into the county board’s finances to be made public – and revealed they had raised issues as far back as 2015.
Giving a detailed breakdown of the €1.25m they have given directly to Galway in sponsorship money since 2015, as well as €340,000 in ancillary sponsorship that includes facilitating fundraising events, schools and clubs’ sponsorship, the fast-food chain last night publically questioned how that money has been spent.
Accountancy firm Mazars have conducted a report into the finances of Galway GAA, with the county board having completed an internal report prior to that.
The county committee had been independently audited by Croke Park after a period of alleged financial mismanagement between 2015 and 2017, leaving them with a debt of almost €500,000.
At last December’s annual convention, county treasurer Mike Burke hit out at “serious abuse” of the Galway GAA credit card for the payment of personal expenses and claimed there “had been a frightening lack of transparency and oversight”.
In an unprecedented move, primary sponsors Supermac’s last night released a statement in which they further questioned Galway county board.
“Supermac’s would like to seek clarification from the Galway County Board as to how this money was spent. Specifically, have the players and management benefitted or has the county board benefitted?” said the statement.
“Supermac’s raised financial concerns with the Galway County Board 4 years ago.
“Supermac’s understands that 2 investigations have taken place into the finances of Galway GAA; One conducted by Galway GAA and a second conducted by Mazars. Supermac’s is calling for these investigations to be made public immediately.
“The vast majority of the Galway GAA public and mentors, who give their time voluntarily for the promotion and administration of our games and the welfare of our players, deserve no less.”
