The take from the 2008 National Football League is down from e157,041 to e49,356, while the return from the National Hurling League is e6,487 compared with e11,926 in 2007.

While Donegal benefited from their run to the National League win last year, this year’s return is still the poorest for a number of seasons and will leave a huge gap in the county's finances. It also highlights a worrying fall off in attendances at this season’s national leagues in both football and hurling.

"It is a big drop and will mean that we are going to have to look at our expenditure on teams and is something were are going to have watch closely," argued Central Council delegate, Brian McEniif, who included the income in his report to last Monday night's county committee.

Ironically, the drop in income coincides with a 20% increase in travelling expenses right across the board for officials and players from January 1st next, which was recently approved by Central Council.

From January next players and officials will be paid at the rate of 60 cent per mile, up from the current 50 cent a mile.

County treasurer, Charlie Cannon, who pointed out that none of the Donegal officials are paid expenses, raised concerns about the increase at a time when income and gate receipts were going down.

"Take the mileage increase, that is 20% which is pretty steep especially at a time that income is dropping and yet we are expected to pay it. One of the things agreed when the whole grants/players expense scheme was being put together was that there would be no increase in the mileage rate, but now we find one being imposed on us," said the treasurer.