Football

Tyrone GAA chair Roisin Jordan says county executive is fully behind Mickey Harte and his team

Pictured at the launch of  the Tyrone GAA'S ASAP (Alcohol & Substance Abuse Prevention Programme) in Kelly's Inn, Garvaghey are (seated) Brendan Murphy, National Co-ordinator, Roisin Jordan, Tyrone County Board Vice Chairperson, Cuthbert Donnelly, Chairman of the ASAP group, Barbara Ward,  Senior Co-ordinator of the Western Drug & Alcohol team and Mary Connolly, Secretary of the Tyrone ASAP committee.  Standing are Aileen Tohill, Manager, Ulster Council Lifestyle & Wellbeing and Stephen O'Neill, who was the guest speaker. Pic Pat McSorley
Pictured at the launch of the Tyrone GAA'S ASAP (Alcohol & Substance Abuse Prevention Programme) in Kelly's Inn, Garvaghey are (seated) Brendan Murphy, National Co-ordinator, Roisin Jordan, Tyrone County Board Vice Chairperson, Cuthbert Donne Pictured at the launch of the Tyrone GAA'S ASAP (Alcohol & Substance Abuse Prevention Programme) in Kelly's Inn, Garvaghey are (seated) Brendan Murphy, National Co-ordinator, Roisin Jordan, Tyrone County Board Vice Chairperson, Cuthbert Donnelly, Chairman of the ASAP group, Barbara Ward, Senior Co-ordinator of the Western Drug & Alcohol team and Mary Connolly, Secretary of the Tyrone ASAP committee. Standing are Aileen Tohill, Manager, Ulster Council Lifestyle & Wellbeing and Stephen O'Neill, who was the guest speaker. Pic Pat McSorley

Tyrone chairperson Roisin Jordan has insisted the county executive is fully behind Mickey Harte and his team, and fully supportive of their efforts to win a first All-Ireland title since 2008.

Jordan was responding to accusations of penny-pinching made by an unnamed senior footballer in an email to Dublin-based radio station Newstalk earlier this week.

In it a Tyrone player claimed that difficulties over funding from the county board is hurting morale within the camp and affecting the team’s chances of winning the Sam Maguire Cup.

Jordan today insisted that financial backing provided by sponsors is properly used in supporting GAA activities within the county.

“In terms of finance, Tyrone are highly fortunate to have generous backers in the form of corporate sponsors and Club Tyrone,” she said in a statement.

“It is incumbent upon Tyrone GAA to ensure their investment is properly applied to GAA purposes.

“Let there be no doubt that everyone within Tyrone GAA are fully behind Mickey Harte and his county team.”

Mrs Jordan also made it clear that the county executive will not engage in discussions via email with individuals, but will continue to hold regular discussions with all the main stake-holders.

“Within Tyrone GAA we avail of regular meetings between Executive officers, team management, and players liaison officers.

“It is at such meetings that we discuss a range of issues involving games, administration and finances.

“I welcome such a forum to allow for an exchange of views, so that each can explain and understand any constraints which may apply.

“Any major decisions involving funding, or curbing expenditure, will ultimately be decisions for Tyrone County Committee and not individuals, nor private emails exchanged between individuals.”

A letter was sent to Dublin-based radio station Newstalk by the unnamed player, raising a number of concerns over funding.

The letter claimed chairwoman Roisin Jordan is insisting upon a £15 contribution from each player towards sports equipment.

“She is insisting that we contribute towards it despite the fact that the county has made a surplus on the accounts for some time,” said the email, which was headed ‘Disgusted Tyrone Senior Footballer’.

“This is not about the £15. It's about month after month of cut after cut,” said the correspondence.

“Roisin Jordan has over the course of the last three years made it her mission to cut spending from the preparation of the county teams. We are told that we need to tighten our belts.”

A recent Irish Independent survey listed Tyrone as only being 25th in terms of spending on senior inter-county football teams in 2016.

The county's funding last year was reported to be £17,800 down on the 2015 figure.

Tyrone spent £408,000 on the team in 2016.

“It's becoming impossible to prepare ourselves to win an All-Ireland in a climate of cut, cut cut... When we look at the money spent on the preparation of the county teams we are nowhere near the top spenders,” the player’s statement continued.

“Tyrone in general are going well despite the intentions of our chair to bleed the preparation of our teams and coaches dry,” concludes the email.

“Most club people and fans will be sickened to hear this but it's time to call it out.”