Over €25m was spent by County Boards preparing inter-county teams in 2017.
A detailed analysis carried out by the Irish Independent reveals the record-breaking figure and Cork top the list of big spenders with almost €1.75m ploughed into their hurling and football teams.
All-Ireland football finalists Dublin and Mayo spent in excess of €1.5m but the report points out that the expenditure figures detailed in each county's annual accounts include all inter-county teams, in both codes.
The average cost of running inter-county squads comes in at €789,430 with seven counties breaching the €1m barrier last year.
Items such as travel, accommodation, catering and medical bills form the bulk of the expenditure.
Last year's figure represents a 36.7% increase on the €18.48m that was spent back in 2011.
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