Laois GAA clubs to receive less than €70,000 in sports grants
Two GAA clubs in County Laois have received sports grants as part of a new grant funding scheme called ‘Our Rural Future’, the Government’s new five-year policy for rural Ireland.
Clough-Ballacolla GAA Club have received €49,780 for the installation of a sports wall and Multi Use Games Area.
St. Joseph’s GAA Club have also received funding, to the tune of €18,868 for the upgrade of their lights and walking track in Tony Byrne Park.
However, there is a down-side to this story.
Laois’s funding of €68,648 accounts for just under 1.5% of the almost €4.75 million awarded to 113 projects across the country.
Clough-Ballacolla and St Joseph’s were the only clubs in Laois who actually put forward applications, which begs the question, why were more clubs not applying?
This grant came as Measure 1 of the Our Rural Future programme, designed to “support the development of community facilities and amenities including sports facilities, youth clubs, playgrounds, sensory gardens and walking tracks.”
Local Authorities could submit up to 15 applications under Measure 1, but only seven applications were submitted by Laois County Council.
All seven – two sports and five non-sport – applications were successful
In terms of sports grants, Laois received the second-lowest funding in the county, both in terms of money awarded and clubs helped.
More needs to be done in terms of Laois County Council making clubs aware of these grants as well as helping facilitate their application.
The full table of sports grants awarded can be seen below:
- Mayo (11 projects) – €487,485
- Monaghan (9 projects) – €396,452
- Clare (8 projects) – €357,329
- Roscommon (7 projects) – €350,000
- Galway (7 projects) – €338,184
- Donegal (6 projects) – €300,000
- Limerick (7 projects) – €263,426
- Tipperary (6 projects) – €226,924
- Cavan (6 projects) – € 215,492
- Leitrim (5 projects) – €214, 706
- Sligo (5 projects) – €206,207
- Westmeath (4 projects) – €186,378
- Kerry (13 projects) – €182,373
- Kilkenny (4 projects) – €174,916
- Louth (4 projects) – €159,025
- Meath (3 projects) – €149,125
- Longford (6 projects) – €118,004
- Carlow (3 projects) – €113,279
- Cork (3 projects) – €109,670
- Waterford (2 projects) – €74,889
- Laois (2 projects) – €68,648
- Wexford (1 project) – €50,000
Jersey presentation for high-flying Portlaoise RFC U-16 Girls
The Portlaoise U-16 girls rugby team have made a tremendous start to Division 1 of the Leinster League, and currently sit top of the table with three wins from three.
Now, the girls can look forward to representing the club in a new set of jerseys.
The team were recently presented with their new kit from co-sponsors Allbooks and JP Fitzpatrick Solicitors.
The team is captained by Number 8, Bríd Delaney with Molly Kelly assistant captain.
Both have been putting in some impressive performance this season.
Scrummaging and lineouts in particular have been incredibly strong with many victories being built on hard work and turnovers.
Impressive backs add to the depth of the squad and training regularly sees 25 plus players in attendance.
Coaches this season are Joe Maher, Mark Slye, Yvonne Palmer, Shannon Dunne, and Stephen Laffan.
Two Laois GAA clubs running Last Man Standing fundraisers
Timahoe Ladies
Timahoe Ladies GAA are running a Last Man Standing fundraiser, with €500 up for grabs.
Contestants have just one life to pick a winning team each week in the English Premier League, and cannot pick the same team twice.
If teams are not submitted before the commencement of each round, contestants will be eliminated.
The competition will begin on Saturday, February 3, with an entry fee of €10.
Those wishing to take part can text or Revolut Ashling (087-9302830) or Trish (087-9361704).
O’Dempsey’s
O’Dempsey’s GAA Club are running a Last Man Standing fundraiser as well, where the winning prize will also be €500.
Their one is based on the National Football League which gets underway this weekend.
Anyone wishing to enter must fill out a form here: https://form.jotform.com/ODempseyGFC/2024LMS
A spokesperson for the club explained how it will work.
They said: “The entry fee is €10 and a €500 prize is left to share for those left standing
“Anyone with questions is asked to please contact a member of the committee.
“The closing date for paper forms is Friday, January 26 at 5pm and Saturday, January 27th at 11am for online forms.
“If you require a paper form please contact us and we’ll arrange to get one to you.
“All proceeds will go to O’Dempsey’s GFC.”
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