NEWS:A LEADING GAA club has revealed it is encountering a "very serious" financial crisis which is rapidly reaching a stage where any cheques written will not be honoured.
Former All-Ireland club champions Castleisland Desmonds have made a public appeal for financial support and the club is to turn to emigrants for help.
In a letter circulated to members, the Kerry club’s financial committee confirmed the extent of the financial plight which is due to a lack of sponsorship and a dramatic slump in fundraising income. “We have facilities with the bank to a maximum limit of €80,000. We can spend another €2,500 before that limit is reached and we can’t write cheques after that,” a spokesman said.
Desmonds’ officials divulged no sponsorship has been secured for 2012 and income from the club’s lottery fundraiser has decreased significantly compared to two or three years ago.
The letter pointed out that the club is more dependent than ever on a basic membership scheme which seeks donations of €100 per person. However, while over 400 people backed that initiative three years ago, support dropped to just 250 last year. The club has set an immediate target of securing support from at least 300 members.
