Nov 05,2024
League of Ireland club Bohemian FC has been allocated almost €25m under the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) grant scheme.
The club has been allocated almost €25m from the pot of €173m, with 35 individual projects overall set to benefit.
They are not the only League of Ireland club to benefit, with Sligo Rovers and Wexford FC also among the recipients.
"It's the biggest news we've had in decades I'd say. You know, the re-development of Dalymount Park is so critical to us, to the future of the club and to the local area here, but we're seeing the development of the league - the growth and crowds - and we've been at a ceiling for a number of years now.
"Lots of people haven't been able to come to Dalymount Park, every week. Every game is sold out. But more than that, I suppose for people to come and see football is one thing, but we've a huge grassroots section, so many teams, young boys' and girls' disability football, inclusion football and those kids haven't been able to come to Dalymount.
"So, it's so critical on so many levels, financially it's also key for us."
Sligo Rovers' plans to redevelop their ground The Showgrounds also got a shot in the arm, with €16.4m allocated to the project.
The development will increase the seated capacity to 6,129 and entails major modernisation of stadium facilities.
Sligo Rovers chairman Tommy Higgins said: "This is a momentous day for everyone in Sligo."
He also paid tribute to the late Tommie Gorman for his work in the Bit O' Red's application.
David Courell, FAI CEO, said: "We welcome this announcement from government today and congratulate DCC/Bohemian FC, Sligo Rovers, Wexford and SDCC/Shamrock Rovers on their successful submissions. The total award to football this year represents significant progress from all parties as we look to deliver our shared vision of progressing the game at all levels across the country."
GAA-based projects received almost €50m of LSSIF grants.
Some €19m has been allocated to the new Cavan Regional Sports Campus, though the project will benefit a number of sports and not just GAA.
Dublin's Centre of Excellence facility, planned for Spawell in the south of the county, will be boosted with a €7m grant, while Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney will receive €6m.
Grants of €5.6m and €3.2m have been allocated to the Roscommon and Clare centres of excellence respectively.
Multisport facilities have also been included.
The Cavan Regional Sports Campus received €19m, with €7m going to the Mayo Sports Campus.
Recipients of the grants will be keen to put them to use as a new "use it or lose it" clause has been introduced.
This means if there has been no drawdown of any part of a grant within two to three years (timelines may vary from project to project), or before a new LSSIF round is announced, the grant will be withdrawn.
This is the second phase of investment from the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund which has now allocated €297m since 2020.
Making the announcement at Dalymount Park in Dublin, Minister Martin said: "I would like to take the opportunity to thank all the personnel and supporting organizations and indeed local authorities who worked with us through this funding process, which is all about creating better facilities, not just for our elite athletes.
"We need them for our elite athletes to make sure they can get where they need to go, but also for all people of all ages. This is about participation in sport, so that everyone can participate and stay involved in sport."
Minister for State Thomas Byrne said: "I think we have a really good mix of sports right around the country, there's really good investment in football, but also in the GAA, basketball, water sports all around the country, spread very well geographically."
The funding will also benefit pitches and facilities for GAA, soccer, athletics and other sports clubs across the country.
Additional reporting Colman O'Sullivan
