LIMERICK supporters contributed handsomely to the eye-catching Є6.8million generated by the 2024 Munster Senior Hurling Championship (SHC), one which was captured for the sixth season on the trot by the Shannonsiders.
The figure represented 85 per cent of all gate receipts (Є8million, up Є1.5m on 2023) by Munster GAA, secretary Kieran Leddy informed delegates to the weekend annual convention at Ballygarry Estate Hotel in Tralee, County Kerry.
“It is this level of income that allows us to fund our clubs and counties as we do,” he commented.
It is good news for GAA in Limerick in a week of good news, with shining star Cian Lynch announced as the new caption of the Limerick Senior Hurling team for 2025. He will be joined by new vice caption William O’Donoghue.
The capable Lynch takes over from legendary captain Declan Hannon, who led the Treaty men since 2017 and through their four-in-a-row historic run.
Limerick GAA also announced that the 2025 captain for the Limerick Senior Football team would be Cillian Fahy, with vice captains Tommie Childs and Barry Coleman.
Fahy takes over from long-serving Iain Corbett of Newcastle West, who has served with distinction since 2016 and across his 15-year football career.
Last year, Є1.15m was returned to counties in field rent; a similar figure was given to counties and clubs in capital development allocations, while the same amount was paid in team expenses and contribution to the player injury fund.
A significant concern, said Mr Leddy, was the cost of staging fixtures, which in 2024 increased to Є1.8m.
Munster Championship matches involving Limerick last year drew a collective attendance figure of an astonishing 170,000 (approximately).
The secretary ruled out the likelihood of future replays in the event of a drawn Munster Senior Hurling Final, as it would extend from four to five weeks the wait of the winners’ entry into the All-Ireland series.
“Yes, a replay could bring an extra Є1m income to the Provincial Council, but far more often than not, the replay weekend would lie idle and the potential financial gain once every nine years (the average timing of such a scenario) can hardly justify decreasing the chances of our champions progressing in the All-Ireland Championship because of the five-week wait,” he said.
“We are looking forward to what we hope will be another spellbinding Munster Senior Hurling Championship. It is the jewel in our crown, and we hope the 2025 version will bring the usual sense of excitement and atmosphere to games in the venues of the province.”
