Rugby and GAA facilities secure majority of new state funding

A number of sports clubs and organisations have received additional funding for the construction of large scale projects, including the homes of Connacht and Leinster Rugby as well as three GAA counties.

The additional funding for projects is being provided in response to delays experienced by grantees arising from the Covid-19, combined with construction inflation.

A total of 37 projects were successful in 2020 with a promise of €86m. Following talks with the government a further €37m has been allocated to 27 of the applicants.

The Sportsground redevelopment will receive €20m in funding rather than the initial €10m grant, although the extra grant had already been confirmed by former government chief Sean Kyne.

The RDS, which hosts a number of equestrian events and Leinster matches, is now benefiting from €15m instead of the initial €10m.

Munster Rugby's Centre of Excellence will be funded for work to the extent of €2.7m instead of €1.5m.

Waterford's Walsh Park has also received a near 100% increase, moving from €3.7m to €7m.

Meath’s Pairc Tailteann has been topped up by €2.3m to €8.5m as they seek to modernise the outdated facility.

Kildare’s stadium in Newbridge, St Conleth's Park, which was out of use for matches this year due to works, will receive an additional €1.1m for now €6m of funding.

Of the €37m extra funding, €23m has been allocated to rugby and GAA facilities.

Elsewhere the long-delayed development of a new stadium for Finn Harps in Donegal has been boosted by an additional €0.69m bringing their allocation to €4.6m.

The redevelopment of Dalymount Park, home of Bohemians FC and owned by Dublin City Council, has not been included in the top ups as they are applying for separate funding when the new large scale process