Donegal clubs and organisations have landed over €12million in Sports Capital grants this year.
Clubhouse upgrades, pitch developments and new equipment are on the way for 89 clubs and sports centres in the county.
More than €9.2 million has been allocated to 78 groups and organisations under Local Allocations. Almost €3 million was distributed to 9 Regional Projects. Two local clubs will share €66,000 in Equipment Funding.
The significant regional grants include €426,081 for a gym extension at Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Donegal.
Donegal County Council was allocated €190,056 for the Ballyshannon Leisure Centre and €180,934 for AURA studio space upgrades.
Coiste Chontae Dhún na nGall CLG was awarded €184,364 for the Donegal GAA Games Participation Project.
Finn Harps Cooperative Society received €394,140 for an artificial pitch to support girls’ soccer and schools. Finn Valley AC was granted €500,000 for campus development. Four Masters GAA Club received €436,663 for an indoor multi-sport facility. Finally, Sean MacCumhaills received €500,000 for the development of a sustainable and accessible MacCumhaill Park.
Donegal Equipment Grants totaling €65,992 were awarded to two organisations: Bundoran Golf Club received €40,000 for essential upgrades, while Naomh Padraig Leifear GAA Club was allocated €25,992 for physiotherapy couches, a scoreboard, and a lawn mower.
Fine Gael Councillor Jimmy Kavanagh said: “I welcome in particular the funding of over €9m for Donegal and for our local clubs St. Eunan’s, the Golf Club, the Community Centre, Bonagee, KilmacrennanFC, Whitestrand, Lagan Harps, Glenswilly and No Barriers Foundation.
“This is a clear indication of the importance placed by the government in sport and recreation.
“I congratulate all the local clubs and their volunteers who through their hard work have made these successful applications that will upgrade facilities for the clubs, their members and also in many instances for their supporters also.”
Fine Gael election candidate John McNulty, who is a GAA and Ladies Football coach, says sports clubs and associations in the county provide “vital social cohesion” in our towns and villages and Government should invest in the voluntary sports sector.
“Communities benefit so much from Government investment and all the clubs being funded today deserve enormous credit for the work they do in these communities. I know clubs are delighted with the recognition they receive today,” McNulty said.
“I do know from experience that the more we provide even better facilities, the more people are drawn into sport and that’s great for the long-term health and wellbeing of our Donegal communities.
“Sports investment works for physical and mental wellbeing for young and old.
“I want to congratulate all the grassroots sporting organisations who received funding today and wish them the very best for the future. I want to help even more organisations achieve their dreams.
“So if I am fortunate to be elected at the next General Election I will advocate for this level of sports funding to continue.”
Fianna Fail General Election candidate Pat The Cope Gallagher also welcomed the announcement of the Community Sports Facilities Fund grants.
He said “I wish to compliment those sporting clubs and sporting facilities that were successful, in securing funding – their hard work and dedication has yielded results, that will ultimately transform your sports club or community facilities .
“The funding announced will go along way to making these projects possible, we appreciate more funding raising and voluntary effort will be required from your communities to bring these projects to full completion To those applicants and clubs that were unsuccessful in securing funding in today’s announcement, I will support and endeavour to assist you if elected in obtaining funding in subsequent rounds of funding from this scheme. I wish also to acknowledge the commitment of the Minister Thomas Byrne and the Department of Sport in today’s announcement.”
The 78 organisations receiving Local Allocations totalling €9,208,641 are:
