Tipperary GAA launches 38th County Draw – A Testament to Success and Community Support
Next Wednesday, 31st July, Tipperary GAA will launch the 38th iteration of its County Draw at Revel The Ragg.
When people ask how they draw has stood the test of time as the country’s most consistently successful GAA fundraiser, the answer is simple: the draw exists primarily to serve the clubs.
The County Draw is a collaborative effort between the Tipperary GAA County Board and all its clubs, becoming a major annual fundraiser for all involved. It raises vital revenue for facility development and annual operational costs, relying on a vibrant network of promoters throughout the county who sell the €100 memberships within their local communities.
The real secret to our success lies in the financial model that benefits the clubs directly. Participating clubs have no financial exposure, as the total prize fund of €500,000 and all operational expenses are covered entirely by Tipperary GAA. Each club receives at least 50% of every €100 ticket sold. If a club sells more than 200 tickets, they net 60% on those tickets, and if they sell over 300 tickets, it rises to 70%. The more a club promotes the County Draw, the more they benefit.
Club Testimonies
Draw Coordinator from Portroe GAA club: “is very grateful for all the support we receive from our members for the Tipperary GAA Clubs Draw.
“It has been a successful year for our young players in our club with North and County Under 13 County Football Champions and County Under 17 Hurling Champions, while our camogie’s picked up the Junior League title, a great achievement for such a small parish.
“We are currently in a development phase after acquiring land adjacent to the existing Portroe GAA facilities. Over the next few years this will provide great expansion, a walking track for young and not so young people of the parish, extension of our existing ball wall astro area and car parking along with an opportunity to extend our existing main pitch.
“The Tipperary GAA Clubs Draw is a vital source of income for our club and your ongoing support is very much appreciated. Best of luck with the New Draw for 2024/2025”
Draw coordinator from Kilruane MacDonagh GAA Club added: “The club has purchased five acres adjacent to MacDonagh Park, and there are ambitious plans to develop a second playing pitch and a 1km community walkway. This is a massive undertaking for the club, but there is a huge desire and determination to bring this exciting project to a successful conclusion in the minimum amount of time.
“However, it will require stamina, resilience and resolve to generate the necessary finance to fund our development plans. We have to maximise every possible revenue earning opportunity. The Tipperary Draw has contributed handsomely to our coffers since 1988, and our members have scooped some of the biggest prizes on offer over the years. Thanks to all who subscribe to this Draw. We feel there is the potential to increase the number of members in this Draw, so we will be carrying out a forensic trawl of the parish to recruit new members and retain existing ones.”
Nenagh Eire Og GAA club Chairperson Tom Gleeson stated: “The 2023/24 Tipperary Draw was again very successful for Nenagh Eire Og, and we thank you for your continued Support. Our development plans are full steam ahead for 2024 and the foundation for this significant development programme has been built on the generous support of our Tipperary draw members. In addition, your financial support plays a key role in reducing growing issues such as obesity, individual isolation and foster greater interaction in our community.
“All our facilities support not only our One Club structure that includes our Senior, Juvenile & Camogie members but also supports our wider community and all our local schools. Nenagh’s community is diverse and growing. Our club’s facilities are at the heart of this community allowing ready access for all. The expansion of our facilities will help to meet the challenges of our community growth, to complement our One Club vision of a community group that embraces diversity, inclusivity, and access for all who wish to participate. These facilities provide all age groups the opportunity to develop themselves both physically and socially.
“The great news is that we have recently sown our new sand base full size pitch which is adjoining our existing facilities. This project is critical to help our club manage our ever-increasing juvenile boys & girls & all families living within our community & includes those living in disadvantaged areas within Nenagh town. The new field will provide a fantastic training & exercise facility for use all year round.
“This will help to improve the performance of all our players & will relieve the huge demands placed on our existing pitches, which suffers surface damage and loss of game time in wet weather from overuse especially in winter months. Our next phase is to provide dressing rooms, but it will also facilitate the building of a wonderful community 2.5 km walking track based in the centre of the town.
“These new facilities are critical in helping our club manage our ever-increasing numbers & includes all families living within our community. As part of Our Community Vision let's build a brighter future for Nenagh, where everyone can thrive and contribute. Your investment in our club is an investment in the well-being and prosperity of our entire community.
“We look forward to your continued support and we welcome new members. This draw supports our club but also gives you the opportunity of winning very valuable prizes monthly.”
Roscrea GAA Chairperson Jim McDonnell stated: “2023/2024 has been a momentous year for Roscrea GAA, with the forming of our first Ladies Gaelic Football Club, the joining up with both Inane Rovers and St. Cronan’s Camogie Club to form a one club model under the name Roscrea GAA, Camogie & Ladies Gaelic Football Club.
“Our Slogan “One Community, One Club” means for the first time in Roscrea all our members have the option to play Hurling, Camogie, Gaelic Football and Ladies Gaelic Football under the one membership in both adult and juvenile teams for the community of Roscrea and its surrounding townlands.
“We would like to thank all our 370 plus members of the Tipperary GAA Draw for their continued support during the draw years 2023/2024 and congratulations all our members who were Prize Winners during the 2023/2024 draw. A special word of congratulations to Marion Delaney who won a €25,000 in the first draw this year.
“A special word of thanks to all our promoters who work hard each year to increase our numbers, as you can see from the figures below the benefits of the Tipperary GAA draw is to the club.
“As you can see the Tipperary GAA Draw is of great benefit to the development of Roscrea GAA, Camogie & Ladies Gaelic Football Club. We use the money from the Tipperary GAA draw to continue with the development of the Club and our underage teams.
“As you can see over the years, St Cronan’s Park has benefitted greatly from the fund of the Tipperary GAA draw such as the Development of the Spectator Stand, the Floodlight Astro Turf Ball Wall, The Digital Scoreboard, Updated Meeting room and canteen as well as the continuous upgrading of the Gym. We plan to further develop St. Cronan’s park over the forthcoming years.
“We would like to encourage more people to join the Tipperary GAA Draw, to support both our club and county in future development and success both on and off the field.
IMPROVING Facilties
The 2023/2024 draw had over 17,000 members, bringing in over €1.7 million in sales. Over the years, prizes have included cars, cash, lotto, and holidays, all purchased from local Tipperary businesses.
Out of the €1.7 million in sales, Tipperary GAA netted an average clear profit of €150,000 to €170,000, showcasing the County Draw’s focus on generating revenue for every club in the county.
From the County Board’s perspective, Tipperary GAA has been able to ringfence three years of draw profits, which contributed to the cost of over €650,000 for four new dressing rooms at Dr. Morris Park, the county training ground.
For the 2024/2025 draw, proceeds are aimed at future facility development in TUS Thurles, where Tipperary GAA has committed to a €2 million investment as a partner in an international-quality multi-sports complex on a 9.8-hectare site.
This development will be the largest sporting investment in the history of Tipperary, accessible to the general public, multi-sport participants, and serving as a regional and international hub for Tennis Ireland.
The big win for Tipperary GAA in this TUS project is having access to an additional three pitches to prepare our inter county teams with the bonus of one being a full-size Astro All Weather pitch complete with stand plus enclosed fencing and turnstiles. The other two pitches will also be GAA full sized and sand based for all year round use.
As launching date is closely approaching, support the draw through your club or directly through the County Board. This will benefit your club, your County and allow you a fantastic opportunity to win an array of fabulous prizes each month, all for €10 a month.