GAA: The cost of preparing intercounty teams rose by 25 per cent last year. The figures released yesterday by the GAA show that €11 million was spent by county boards on their teams - a figure that doesn't take into account all of the funds raised separately by supporters' clubs and other benefactors.

One factor - although by no means the only one - in this substantial increase is said by Croke Park to have been the decision taken last year to allow county panels to expand from 24 to 30.

Individual totals show the cost of running a successful team. Although Galway top the list with a spend of over €850,000 that figure covers hurling and football. The county reached the quarter-finals of both senior All-Ireland series as well the under-21 finals in both codes.

In terms of a specific team Armagh would appear to have outspent their rivals with a total of over half a million euro (€538,560), given that their senior footballers were the only team from the county to advance to any significant level.

Nearly a year ago manager Joe Kernan brought his panel away for warm-weather training to the Spanish resort of La Manga. This was obviously money well spent as the side won Armagh's first Sam Maguire in last year's final.

Their opponents last September, Kerry, are number two in the list with expenditure of €651,260 but the county also reached the minor and under-21 football semi-finals. It is also noteworthy that the distances covered by players in Kerry are fairly demanding by the standards of most other counties.

Clare were the biggest spending hurling county with €480,264 although their footballers also had to be funded whereas All-Ireland champions Kilkenny (€362,553) were free to concentrate on their senior and minor hurling teams, both of whom duly won their All-Irelands.

It was also noted by the GAA that 19 counties ended the year in debt although the figures don't make it clear whether that indicated a loss on their year's activities or a cumulative deficit.

Last year's Strategic Review Committee report recommended tighter financial procedures to prevent county boards over-spending on their county teams.

Meanwhile, ticket prices for the All-Ireland series agreed by Central Council were also announced.

There are to be no increases in charges for the first four rounds of the qualifier series. Stand prices for All-Ireland quarter-final double-headers and the All-Ireland finals will increase by €5. Terrace tickets for all All-Ireland rounds will also increase by €5.

According to a Croke Park statement it is envisaged that any increased revenue from ticket sales will be used to fund proposed increases to club, county and provincial ground grants, strategic urban developments and to alleviate spiralling costs of team preparation.

This year's AIB provincial player of the year awards were also announced yesterday. They include a second successive award for Cork's Colin Corkery who led his club Nemo Rangers to a third Munster title in a row as they chase a first All-Ireland title since 1994 and stretch their record at the top of the roll of honour to seven titles.

Also honoured in football were Kieran McDonald, Crossmolina, Niall Kelly, Dunshaughlin and Peter Canavan of Errigal Ciaran.

The hurling awards went to: Eugene Cloonan, Athenry, Rory Hanniffy, Birr, Ken McGrath, Mount Sion and Gregory O'Kane, Dunloy. The All-Ireland club semi-finals in both codes take place over the next two weekends with the hurling on February 16th and the football a week later.