CROKE PARK stadium revenue has been hit by recession but its core business managed to hold up in the first full year without rugby and soccer internationals.

According to stadium director Peter McKenna, who has now assumed responsibility for the GAA’s commercial activities since the retirement of Dermot Power, whereas business was marginally down, reduction of the cost base ensured there is likely to be a slight rise in profitability.

“Figures haven’t been finalised yet but 2011 has been on or exceeding budget so the targets for distribution (to the GAA) will be met, at least. Revenues are marginally down but we’ve done further strong work on our cost base.

“We always recognised the special circumstances of the rugby and soccer arrangements coming to an end and that’s why the money was ring fenced for capital investment but 2011 finished reasonably well for us. There was a very successful Christmas business and overall the conference numbers have gone up and we’re very pleased with that.”

The four years of leasing Croke Park for rugby and soccer internationals yielded around €37 million between 2007 and 2010. Last year for the first time in 10 years, the stadium reported a decrease in profitability to €11.4 million, as the internationals had tapered off in the final year of the agreement.

This year there are concerts scheduled from Westlife and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers whereas the 50th international Eucharistic Congress will take place in June and the rooftop tours of the stadium will begin in May.

Once again the stadium will house Dublin’s league matches in the spring although the number of fixtures will be down due to the footballers having drawn three home and four away matches and the hurlers’ Division One having been reduced from eight to six teams.

“Disposable income isn’t where it was,” says McKenna, “but people still want to come out and enjoy themselves. It has been up to us to provide good value, for instance the price of drink wasn’t increased, and we found that there was an acknowledgement of that in that ‘spend’ per head was up inside the ground.”

McKenna also indicated that the fencing on Hill 16 would stay in place for this year. Installed to address safety concerns caused by pitch invasions after matches, the barriers have proved successful in the past two All-Ireland finals with Dublin’s lap of honour last September particularly memorable.

“I think Dublin captured everyone’s imagination with the exuberance of their celebration and we have to work at improving that experience and we’ll maintain the barrier to ensure that we keep the field clear.”

He also indicated that the GAA may reconsider an original plan to position the presentation of trophies on an on-pitch podium, as generally used in soccer and rugby, rather than in the Hogan Stand.

“There are different opinions to be taken into account and Central Council will need to take a view. I think players like going up for the cup and returning to the pitch afterwards. We have to keep the best of our own traditions and address whatever ways we can improve the presentation for the players.

“The scenes with the Dublin players were great and equally importantly it allowed Kerry players time and space at the end of the match. Every single person who talked to me said that it was fantastic, including some who mightn’t have agreed with it in the first place.”

MUNSTER SENIOR hurling champions Tipperary will be swapping their traditional blue and gold jerseys for pink shirts in aid of charity.

A challenge match to raise funds for breast cancer research will take place tomorrow week, January 28th at MacDonagh Park, Nenagh, where Declan Ryan’s side will face a Munster team managed by his predecessor, Tipp’s 2010 All-Ireland winning manager Liam Sheedy.

Throw in is at 2.30pm and coach Eamon O’Shea, a selector during Sheedy’s successful three-year term, will assist the Portroe man on the touchline.

Proceeds from the game will be donated to Breast Cancer Ireland and O’Neill’s have sponsored jerseys for both teams with a pink theme, as a pink ribbon is associated with fund-raising for the cause.