GAU claim sale of Iveagh Grounds will result in the demise of Crumlin club

By Maurice Garvey

GUINNESS Athletic Union say terms proposed for the sale of land in the Iveagh Grounds in Crumlin, will “result in the demise of the club.”

The Echo reported last week that Trinity College are close to taking over ownership of the site from Diageo at the end of June – for use as an off-campus sports grounds.

A spokesperson for Diageo told The Echo that the company have been working on a “sustainable solution” to secure the grounds for sporting use, and provide the GAU with a “significant cash offer” to invest in the club.

The Echo understands GAU are currently close to €2 million in debt – and Diageo subsidised club accounts – paying out approximately €200-300k annually over the last 10 years.

Eddie Tyrrell, GAU Chairman sent a statement to The Echo this week on behalf of the club.

It said “Diageo have not agreed to write off a €2m deficit accrued over the last number of years, it will be repaid from the proceeds of the sale. The terms being proposed would leave GAU in an unsustainable situation.”

The statement also said the club was initially advised, that Trinity would purchase the grounds and assume annual grounds maintenance costs of approximately €300K.

Club members say this was sustainable but under latest proposals, the GAU will pay annual rent of €215k plus rates of €33k.

It said Trinity will only engage directly with individual sporting sections and that the GAU will not remain negotiating body for the sporting sections.

GAU claim Diageo are withdrawing financial support from the end of June 2016 unless the deal is agreed, but accepting the offer would result in the demise of the club within a couple of years.