LOI clubs get sports capital grants cash boost

League of Ireland clubs have welcomed sport capital grants - some of which are up to €300,000 - that will go towards crucial infrastructure, training ground and stadium development work.

Bohemians, Finn Harps, Sligo Rovers, Bray Wanderers, Cobh Ramblers, Longford Town, Drogheda Boys FC and Athlone Town have received grants of between €48,000 and €300,000.

The collective windfall reflects welcome support for the LOI, and comes three and half years after the FAI first invited clubs to take part in workshops to learn about the processes involved when applying for appropriate grants.

Cobh Ramblers have received one of the biggest cash injections: €300,000 for the upgrade of club facilities and equipment.

"The awarding of this grant is a testament to the progress that we have made as a club and will continue to make going forward," the club said in a statement.

"It is also a huge recognition of football in Cobh and in the Cork region."

Bohs have also been boosted to the tune €300,000, which has been awarded to Dublin City University and the Phibsborough club to develop an artificial pitch on the sports campus.

Last year Bohs, who have an 18-year lease at the campus, confirmed they planned to invest €1.5m into building a gym, an all-weather football training pitch, meeting rooms and offices. They earned an estimated €1.7m when their former full-back Matt Doherty moved from Wolves to Spurs in the summer of 2020, due to a 10% sell-on clause negotiated when they sold him to Wolves for €80,000 back in 2010.

Bray - who announced an amalgamation with Cabinteely in November - have been given €280,700 to upgrade the pitch at the Carlisle Grounds to an all-weather surface.

Athlone Town have also been boosted by a grant of €251,674 which will go