The full impact of last year’s 22-week closure of Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium in Dublin has been laid bare in an interim financial statement issued by the Irish Greyhound Board in the past 24 hours.

Overall attendance figures were down 122,000 on 2016, with a corresponding drop of €3.6 million in tote betting turnover.

Staffing levels were also hit with the number of full-time equivalent employees in the IGB reducing from 243 to 225.

The sport went through a dark period of confrontation with owners and breeders following the sale of Harolds Cross Stadium, an action that was needed according to the board to address a long-term debt burden of €16.2 million that was strangling the sport.

“The disruption to racing at our premier stadium Shelbourne Park, had a very significant impact on all operations,” said Irish Greyhound Board CEO Gerard Dollard.

“The IGB together with the greyhound sector has been working to return the industry to growth, the early signs of which had been evident in recent years.”

“The IGB has been focused on increasing prize money and reducing our cost base which is evident from the 2017 results. The significant debt burden had acted as a financial strait-jacket on our industry in recent years.”

“Our recently launched Strategic Plan 2018 – 2022 offers a platform to build for the future. The allocation from the Horse & Greyhound Fund supports over 5,000 jobs and 7,000 greyhound owners, the vast majority of which are based around our 15 tracks outside Dublin.”

“The Fund, which places a levy on off-course bookmaking activity, has been essential to sustaining this employment since the economic recession. The greyhound sector contributes €300 million in additional economic activity.”

There is a long journey back for the sport but it has taken the first steps.

Read more about the Irish Greyhound Board’s Strategic Plan 2018-2022

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