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 Tipperary GAA’s financial situation “doesn’t make for pretty reading this year,” that’s according to outgoing chairman Mr Barry O’Brien, when he announced a deficit of €220,000, at Tipperary’s annual convention in Thurles last night..
A figure of €1,171,876 was spent on preparing inter-county teams in 2011, marking the fourth successive year in a row that the county had exceeded the €1m mark. This figure showed a reduction of €61,516, compared to the 2010 figure of €1,233,392, which was an all-time high.
This is now the second year in a row that a financial overrun has been incurred, despite cutting expenditure this year by 13%. This year the county’s incomes dropped across the board, with total gate receipts from local games down by almost 18%, from over €323,000 in 2010 to €263,605 in 2011, and coaching income dropped by €90,000 during the same period.
Mr Sean Nugent, the incoming new Board Chairman, admitted he now faced a difficult task during his term of office. However Mr Nugent stated, “The financial report to convention will cause concern to all present and a major challenge lies ahead to rectify this problem. Our income is decreasing and our costs are rising and we need to reverse that trend. While I am very concerned, I am not in anyway daunted by this challenge ahead and I believe we have the will, the capacity and the public support to turn the tide.”
Officials have warned that further major cuts are now necessary with income decreasing and costs rising. Ideas must now be examined on how to increase commercial income and generate further fundraising activities.
The annual Tipperary GAA County Board convention will take place on Monday evening next December 19th in the Dome, at Semple Stadium, Thurles, commencing at 8pm sharp.
The convention will be preceded by Mass for deceased all members, at 7.15pm also in the Dome .
Current County Chairman, Mr Barry O’Brien (Fr. Sheehys) will step down, having served the full 3 year term as Tipperary Chairman. Mr O’Brien is most likely to be replaced by the current Vice-Chairman, Sean Nugent (Kilsheelan-Kilcash).
There are 2 nominees for Vice-Chairman – outgoing Development Officer, Michael Bourke of Upperchurch Drombane and former Chairman of the South Tipperary Board, Micheál McCormack of Fethard.
There are 3 nominees for Development Officer, namely Michael Bourke, Micheál McCormack (Fethard) and former Chairman of the North Tipperary Board, Jimmy Minogue (Nenagh Éire Óg). All other positions are uncontested with the sole nominees in all cases being the outgoing office holders.
All county clubs are asked to make sure their full quota of delegates attend this Convention.
 The award from the European Capital of Sport Association is given annually to European towns that are both positive and ethical examples of social policy, so Thurles town take a well deserved bow on achieving the accolade of first European Town of Sport in Ireland and a fitting award for the birthplace of the GAA .
Special congratulations must go to the Mayor of Thurles, Councillor John Kennedy, who together with North Tipperary County Council, LIT and Shannon Development, put in all the hard work, resulting in the achieving of this deserved recognition for Thurles.
Thurles has a wealth of sporting infrastructure with Semple Stadium, Thurles Town FC, Thurles Rugby Club and Thurles Golf Club as just four examples of the numerous state of the art sporting facilities available in the our town. Town Manager, Mr Matt Shortt joined with Thurles Mayor John Kennedy in congratulating all of the groups involved in the project which, he said, “blew away the judging panel.”
Our picture above, taken at the European Capital of Sport Association Awards Ceremony in Brussels shows: Front (left to right) Sean Kelly MEP, Phil Prendergast MEP and Cllr John Kennedy, Mayor of Thurles.
Back (left to right) Michael Ryan Thurles Town Clerk, Brian Keating Regional Development Manager Shannon Development and Kevin O’ Connor New Business Development Manager at Shannon Development.
Speaking about the significance of the award for Thurles, Brian Keating, Shannon Development’s Regional Manager for Tipperary and Offaly stated: “We are delighted to be the first town in Ireland to be awarded the title of European Town of Sport for 2012, following a successful submission from Shannon Development, North Tipperary County Council, LIT Tipperary and North Tipperary Sports Partnership. This award comes at a time when Limerick’s reign as a European City of Sport 2011 draws to a close.”
A county steering group will now be put in place to construct a programme of events for the coming year to celebrate this European recognition. It is estimated that properly promoted, sports events in the Shannon Region could generate an estimated €70m in revenue this year.
 LIT Thurles Campus Chris Richards contacted us from 1st year Sports Strength and Conditioning at the LIT/Thurles Campus.
They are organising a fundraising soccer match, which will takes place on Thursday 8th December beginning sharp at 3.00pm in the Thurles Towns Pitch, latter situated, as you are all aware, in the Thurles Greyhound Stadium.
LIT/Thurles Campus will be competing against the Thurles and District Garda team and both are attempting to raise much needed funding for North Tipperary Hospice and also to raise money for some necessary equipment.
Entry price to this match is just €5, but will also includes you in an opportunity to win some really marvelous prizes on the day.
Prizes To Be Won: These will include a €300 “One for All Voucher,” a round of golf for 4 plus overnight B & B accommodation at the fabulous Dundrum House Hotel and Leisure Centre, plus much much more.
Students will be selling tickets over the coming week around the Thurles area, so please do support their efforts generously.
 Thurles, Co Tipperary has been awarded European Town of Sport for 2012. The news was conveyed to Thurles Mayor, Mr John Kennedy, in a communication received by him yesterday, from ACES: European Capital of Sport Association.
The communication reads as follows:-
My Dear Mayor Kennedy,
Firstly we would like to thank you for the warm welcome and hospitality that we received during our visit to Thurles.
 Thurles Mayor Mr John Kennedy NT. CC The inspection team were delighted to witness the huge range of sports offered to the people of Thurles, there truly is something for everyone to engage in and get active. We also noted the important role played by volunteers in the delivery of sport for the community and it is fair to say that the people of Thurles should be delighted that they have such active citizens delivering for them.
We also noted the excellent local sports partnership working, and the role it plays in promoting sport and participation by those who are unrepresented or marginalised and the promotion of the sport and physical activity at schools.
The facilities that we, the inspection team, saw were also very impressive, particularly for a small town and many a city would be proud to boast of such a portfolio.
The history and links with the Gaelic Athletic Association, in Thurles is tremendous and the fact that a 50,000 capacity stadium is here is testament to a long heritage of sporting tradition. To borrow an old sporting quote,” Thurles does indeed punch above its weight.”
To conclude, it therefore gives us great pleasure to award Thurles the European Town of Sport for 2012.
Signed: Blane Dodds (President ACES UK). John Swanson (Vice President ACES EUROPE). Jim Logue (Hon. President ACES UK).
Mayor Kennedy will now travel to an award ceremony in the European Parliament in Brussels on November 30th next, to receive the award on behalf of the people of Thurles.
Thurles.Info would like to congratulate and thank Mayor Kennedy for his tremendous work in supporting this achievement.
The Objective of the European Capital of Sports Award is an ethical commitment, conscious of the social function that sport has as linking factor between the physical well being of individuals, the general improvement in their quality of life and the harmonious integration of society.
The European Town of Sports Award is an incentive for local administrations and their sport departments to fulfil a fundamental and decisive role in the making of the fabric that contributes to improving the general level of health of the inhabitants in a country, through the culture of healthy and physical exercise.
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