Alan Dunney to step down as Kildare GAA treasurer with Conleth’s debt-free

While the main topic at the Kildare GAA Co. Board meeting on Tuesday night last was undoubtedly the controversy over the UPMC Intermediate Hurling final being awarded to Leixlip after Naas indicated they could not field a team, two other announcements seemed to go somewhat under the radar.

Long serving Hon Treasurer, Alan Dunney, gave a brief synopsis of the 2026 accounts, now with the auditors, in which he said was another good year for Kildare GAA on the financial front.

The full accounts will be presented at annual convention but Mr Dunney did say that “while we have a small bit owing on our residual debt in Croke Park we have more money on deposit in Croke Park than we own them so we are sitting in a lovely debt-free facility here (St Conleth’s Park).”

Back in the 2010/11 Kildare Co. Board could not buy a stamp without getting it approved by Croke Park such was the dire financial situation it found itself in at the time, so all-in-all an incredible turnaround in some 15 or years.

Mr Dunney ended his statement “just to say I won’t be sitting here next year.”

There was no response to that statement, from either the top table or from delegates, no doubt there will be lots of comment when convention comes around on what Alan Dunney has achieved during his tenure.

Kildare GAA were given an exemption to retain Mr Dunney (after his five year term expired) as he oversaw the finances dramatically improve, along with the revamped stadium costing some €13m, that is now debt-free after just two years.