The Killeshandra Leaguers are among the biggest beneficiaries. Above are young club members who took part in the 2018 St. Patrick’s Day Parade and who will benefit from the improved facilities.
Forty-one Cavan clubs to benefit
Sports clubs in counties Cavan and Monaghan have received over €4.8 million in funding to improve their facilities.
Sports Minister Jack Chambers confirmed the allocations under the Sports Capital and Equipment scheme with a record €150 million given out.
Earlier today, Sports Minister Jack Chambers announced record funding of €150m for local sports clubs across the country, with more than €4.8m in grants to be allocated to Cavan & Monaghan.
Killeshandra Leaguers and Kingscourt Harps AFC are the biggest beneficiaries for County Cavan this time around. They are set to receive €150,000 each for club room development and new changing rooms.
Coatehill Celtic GAA has also received over €140,000 to develop its facilities.
Across County Cavan’s 41 clubs, most of them GAA clubs, have received funding for a variety of projects.
Cavan Scholarships
Arva GAA Club: €90,000 for the walking path and the ball-stop nets
Bailieborough Shamrocks GAA: €39,400 for a community walking track
Ballyhaise GAA Club: €75,081 for second land drainage and related works
Ballymachugh GFC: €37,056 for lighting system upgrade
Belturbet Golf: €79,056 for course drainage, storage shed and brushcutter
Castlerahan Community Development: €42,800 for changing rooms, toilets and showers
Cavan and Monaghan ETB: €110,388 for the redevelopment of an existing school site
Cavan County Council: €101,543 to modernize sports and leisure facilities
Cavan Lawn Tennis Club: €132,122 for court surfacing and floodlighting upgrade
Cootehill Celtic GAA Club: €141,153
Cootehill Harps AFC: €112,379 to upgrade grass pitch and install walking track
County Cavan Golf Club: €45,053 to fit out ladies tees and drainage works
County Cavan Rugby: €61,440 for pitch development
Crosserlough GFC: €95,932 to develop a new training ground
Cuchulainns GFC: €125,122 for LED projectors
Cavan Gaels: €31,261 for gym equipment, boiler and pitch improvement
Droim Dhuin Eire Óg GAA: €39,455 for the construction of a new sports hall next to the sports hall
Drumalee: €14,737 to buy equipment for the new training ground
Kill Shamrocks GAA: €41,928 for stops, goals, fences and lighting
Killeshandra Leaguers: €150,000 for club room development
Killinkere GFC: €25,217 for pitch and race track lighting
Killygarry GAA: €85,431 for playing pitch drainage
Kingscourt Harps AFC: €150,000 for dressing room extension
Kingscourt Stars GAA: €74,604 for synthetic pitch
Club Lavey GAA: €94,567 for work to improve an existing sports hall and field
Ballinagh Leisure & Sports Complex: €12,072 for the gym
Loch Gowna GAA: €65,636 for spectator fencing
Maghera Mac Finns GFC: €27,732 for land and equipment upgrade
Mullahoran GFC: €88,753 for the training ground (lighting and nets)
Munterconnaught GAA Club: €95,152 to improve the main playing field
Ramor United GFC: €92,657 to develop sports facilities
Redhills GAC: €56,346 for the further development of sports grounds
Shercock Athletic Club: €6,958 for sports equipment
Shercock GFC: €31,785 for lighting and accessibility measures
Templeport St Aidan’s GAA Club: €74,165 for Phase Three Community Gymnasium
UCL Harps FC: €91,309 for phase 2 of the clubhouse development
Virginia Rugby Club: €5,914 for floodlight upgrades
Zidaneoturf Ltd: €39,684 to redevelop the playing surface and improve the lighting
Warm welcome
The Sports Capital and Equipment Program is the government’s main vehicle for supporting the development of sports and recreational facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment across the country.
Fianna Fáil TD Niamh Smyth was among the first to confirm the grants locally, which she described as “a strong investment in grassroots sports by this government”.
She remarked: “It’s been great to see the crowds again at major sporting events over the past few weeks, but our main goal is to get as many people involved as possible.
“I am thrilled to see such a focus on supporting grassroots sport in communities. Volunteer clubs in towns and villages in both counties will be able to do important new projects focused on doing really important projects to improve participation at all levels, provide improved facilities for clubs with high female participation and to support clubs active in disadvantaged communities.
Fianna Fáil’s Brendan Smith also welcomed the allocations and said they couldn’t come at a better time.
“During these unprecedented times, volunteers from all of our sports clubs have worked extremely hard to ensure sporting activity continues. I commend everyone involved for ensuring that we have vibrant clubs in so many games. and different disciplines,” he said.
All unsuccessful applicants will have the opportunity to appeal the Department’s decision.
Rural and Community Development Minister Heather Humphreys congratulated all successful clubs.
“These grants support a wide range of sports including GAA, Football, Rugby, Tennis, Handball, Athletics and more.
“These grants will allow local clubs to carry out vital upgrades and development work that will benefit communities in both counties,” she said.
His party colleague, Senator Joe O’Reilly, also praised the funding.
“It’s so important to encourage people to play sports. Not only is it good for their physical health, but it is also beneficial for their mental health. Supporting sports teams, clubs and organizations also means supporting community engagement and helping to foster a strong community spirit.
“Investing in sport is also a really valid policy objective for the government from a health perspective. Society reaps the rewards of improved health of the population. This is more important than ever with the rise in obesity.
“I look forward to the continued success of all of our local clubs and sports organizations,” Senator Cavan said.
