GALWAY GAA SPONSORS Supermacs said they want to clarify the reasons for releasing a statement demanding how sponsorship money was being spent by the county.
The fast food chain released an initial statement on 1 October explaining how they had invested €1.6 million into Galway GAA in sponsorship funding since 2015, wanting to know how this money was being used.
In a second statement — released this evening — Supermacs said that complaints from parents, mentors and managements teams in Galway promoted them to act.
They are seeking the publication of two financial reviews into spending by the county board over recent years.
Tonight’s statement reads:
- Supermac’s fundamentally believes that in order for the Galway teams to be successful, there needs to be transparency at all levels. Supermac’s sole objective is to assist the Galway teams to achieve success on the field. Parents, mentors and management teams have approached Supermac’s on numerous occasions to bring several incidents that have taken place to our attention including revelations of underage teams having to bring their own lunches to tournaments in other counties, teams competing while wearing mismatched jerseys against fully kitted opposition and management teams requiring further resources that weren’t being made available to them due to budget cuts.
- Supermac’s has no interest in seeking to influence the decision-making process of the Galway GAA but while a cloud hangs over the organisation it has an effect on the competitiveness and success of our teams. Supermac’s acknowledges that a lot of honourable people contribute at all levels of the GAA and whilst there are the beginnings of a necessary change in culture, the path forward cannot be laid until the issues of the past are revealed. Supermac’s seeks the transparency and accountability which are vital to confidence going forward. The first steps in this journey require that the two concluded reports into the finances of Galway GAA be published in full or otherwise further investigated by the relevant authorities. Supermac’s is at a loss to understand why these reports have not been published. We re-iterate that players, management, supporters and volunteers who willingly give their time for the promotion and administration of our games, deserve no less.
- As previously stated, our concerns in relation to financial matters in Galway GAA were brought to the attention of the Galway County Board 4 years ago and, shortly afterwards, to the attention of Croke Park and nothing happened. We raised these concerns again at a meeting with the County Board in January of this year following the findings of the Mazars Report.
- In the interest of clarification, Supermac’s has separate sponsorship arrangements with the Galway Camogie Board and the Galway Ladies Football Board. The figures released in Supermac’s statement last week were not inclusive of these other sponsorships.
Supermascs are long-time sponsors of Galway GAA and have been involved with the county since 1991.
Tonight’s statement comes during a difficult week for the 2017 All-Ireland hurling champions, who saw Michael Donohue step down from his position as manager at the end of August.
All three candidates for the vacant hurling manager role have withdrawn from the race to replace Donoghue.
Noel Larkin and Francis Forde have followed former U21 and camogie manager Tony Ward in removing their names from the process.
Larkin and Forde worked as selectors under outgoing boss Donoghue for all four years of his reign.
Their decision to drop out of the running leaves Galway chiefs in a predicament.
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Fair dues Supermacs. Simply looking for transparency in a cloudy organisation, a well worded statement. Read it again. Can someone send it to Three, Roi sponsors
Supermacs have no right whatsoever to dictate to Galway GAA Board how any sponsorship money is spent. Supermacs have got excellent publicity and advertising out of their sponsorship for what is a relatively small amount of money over the last 5 years. Pat McDonagh is running Supermacs Fast Food. He is not running Galway GAA. His action is arrogant and high-handed.
@Eli Fant: He hasn’t asked for involvement in spending or in the running of the County teams. He’s asked for transparency on how the funds have been spent. Quite a reasonable ask, given his level of sponsorship.
@Eli Fant: I agree , as much as i admire his contribution to sponsoring these teams he is getting plenty of return on his investment. He has overstepped the boundary in this instance
@Eli Fant: the statement says they have no interest in influencing the decision making process. If concerns have been raised as to how money has been spent, I think the request is reasonable.
@Eli Fant: He has every right … there seems to be every reason to be wary…. bottom line is he does not want his donation spent on anything other that the running of the teams …. not lining the pocket of some fat arse GAA official who clearly has his nose in the trough
@Eli Fant: He has every right to question how and where the money he has given the county board has been spent. It is widely known around the county that substantial funds have been spent inappropriately by some members of the board, some of those members are no longer there, some still remain. Pat McDonagh is asking only for transparency and nothing else. It’s about time these people are being held to task.
@Finnster: seriously,have you read the statement?
@Eli Fant: “Relatively small amount of money”? Does the Galway County Board have a bigger sponsor than Supermacs? And why cannot Supermacs have some input into how the money is spent?
@Finnster: you can admit yourself there’s been mismanagement of funds down there pal. He has every right to ask for transparency on this
@Eli Fant: Nonsense. He absolutely has the right, after making his considerable investments, to get proof that the money is not being spent on bullshit. Reportedly 40 grand spent by county board on ‘expenses’ for themselves in 2018 alone. Not acceptable behaviour from them.
@my name: I totally agreee there was mismanagement of the highest order in the county board and it’s embarrassing to be honest but I just don’t think it’s something for Pat Mc Donagh to get involved with . It’s a job for Mazaars or who ever was auditing the funds . I’m a massive fan of what Pat has done but there is a line there that shouldn’t be crossed .The top level of the board need to go as I have called for in earlier posts .
@Fr Romeo sensini.: I’m only suggesting that Pat leaves the auditors to find out where the money went . There is a line there that shouldn’t be crossed . I am disgusted with the way the higher level of this county board are acting, it’s embarrassing and affecting our county Gaa badly
@Finnster: Dont think Croke Park’s ,or the other audut would ever see tge light of day if he didn’t intervene….This linnen needs to be hung out.
@Eli Fant: BS! If you gave someone 1.6 million of your money for sponsorship you would be entitled to know how it was spent, regardless of advertising. He is 100% right and fair play to him! Galway County board lining their pockets at his expense!
Pat Mac has every right to ask how his sponsorship money is spent and to set conditions as to what it is spent on if he so desires.The Couny Board equally has the right to refuse his sponsorship. As a nation wide company SuperMacs could sponsor any relatively successful county and would probably get the same commercial benefits as they get from Galway.
@Tom Fahey: No he has not. It’s a straight forward, black and white contract. You pay X amount of money and in return you get Y in return. In this case he gets the name on the gear plus advertising around the grounds. The only thing he should concern himself about is whether or not he gets value for his money.
McDonagh demanding to see how the money is spent is akin to him demanding to see how Today FM spend the money he paid for radio advertising
@Chicken George: completely wrong there chicken g, there’s a much stronger connection between supermacs and Galway Gaa than there would be between Supermacs and a today fm ad. He’s not asking to interfere in the way Galway gaa is structured but simply asking for transparency on behalf of the REAL gaa people a.k.a the supporters, who seem to have gotten a right ringaround by the Galway county board mind you
Why does Supermacs if they have concerns just pull their sponsorship from the teams?! Stop airing dirty laundry in public especially when the county is trying to get itself together with management teams etc for 2020.
@Tom Gavin: maybe it’s all related Tom , cash going missing and both outgoing managers have been complaining of lack of resources . Also someone’s credit card bill hits 45k and a shortfall of 400k on tickets ….. really? Someone is on the take
@Brian McGlennon: Fair point can’t argue with that!
After the credit JP McManus got for Limerick in ‘18 and Declan Kelly got for Tipp this year I think Joe McDonagh is getting a bit jealous for getting no credit for Galway ’17
@Chicken George: the only credit he’s concerned about is the credit card running up debt for personal use
@my name: the county board needs to be investigated but Pat McDonagh doesn’t get to call the shots
@Chicken George: is he really looking to call the shots? Or is he just looking for proof that his investment is spent on what he clearly invested in, the actual GAA teams of Galway. Seems to me he has heard enough of the rumours about others enjoying his investment in their own way and wants proof of where it’s being spent. Sounds fair to me….once ge doesn’t get notions of calling the shots on potential manager/backroom staff or board members etc.
The majority of county boards are corrupt, the revenue seriously need to start investigating, county boards fining clubs all the time, where does this money go??
@dan o keeffe: no they’re not dan and vast majority of them are using money to develop teams and training facilities. Sounds like Galway are In bother but you’d heed a lot more than that before labeling the rest as corrupt
Fast food and sport! Seen the Exodus of drink sponsors, Gambling firms should have ZERO connection with sponsorship btw. As tasty and tempting their food may be! AND a lot more healthy options today I have to say. Supermacs have gained hugely from the sponsorship which is quite ironic!