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A hairshirt policy is being adopted by Mayo County GAA Board tackle their growing debts. The new financial strategy is being put in place following discussions with the board's bankers and auditors. The move will involve big cutbacks in a number of areas, including a reduction of £26,000 on payments towards holidays for the county senior team. Travelling expenses are to be trimmed by £20,000, while the cost to the board from complimentary tickets will be slashed by £18,000. Other areas hit in the rescue package announced by board chairman, Mr. P.J. McGrath, include coaching (£10,000) and medical expenses (£5,000) Explained Mr. McGrath, chairman: "These savings will be brought about by continued scrutiny of all bills received and monthly meetings with all team managers who must submit budgets of future expenditure plans." The county board also has plans to increase their income by over £160,000 from the 1997 figure of £314,449. The biggest increase in income is expected to come from the collection the gates of all county semi-finals. Up to now these were collected by the clubs with the board getting a 20% share and the competing clubs sharing the remainder. In response to questions about the board's financial position, Mr. McGrath made it clear that no misappropriation of funds has taken place by members of the Mayo County GAA Board The total liability of £200,000 was due to a number of factors such as the claiming of expenses at the end of the year, following the convention. The situation was now at a stage that it has to be tackled, he said. "It is serious but manageable." He added: "There was no misappropriation of funds by any member of the County Board at any time of even one penny." A former chairman of board has hit back strongly at criticism that a sum of £108,000 was paid out to fund three holidays in the one year for members of the county senior team despite the organisation's financial situation. Mr. Paddy Muldoon described the allegations as 'a fabrication of lies.' Mr. Muldoon, who spearheads the Mayo Supporters Club, claimed trips to London, Tunisia and Florida 'did not cost the county board one shilling.' However, according to the board's accounts, a contribution of £26,010 was made towards 'players holiday.'
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