Over 10 million euro has been allocated to support local and community grassroots sports clubs across the Shannonside Region. The funds are part of 230 million euro for new and improved sports facilities and equipment throughout the country under the Community Sport Facilities Fund. Roscommon clubs are to see 5 million euro of the funding with 49 successful applications. Included in that is €500,000 a piece for an athletics track in Lisnamult and for Roscommon County Board for the provision of toilets/dressing rooms.
Leitrim saw the next highest allocation locally with over 3 million euro supporting 21 clubs, including almost half a million euro for the Shannonside Regional Recreational Campus. 19 Longford clubs and groups will see a 2 million euro slice of the pie for equipment and facilities. That includes €500,000 for Longford Rugby Club for a Gym/fitness centre, changing rooms and toilets. Minister of State with Responsibility for Sport, Thomas Byrne says today's funding is the largest ever from the department:
Local Senator Eugene Murphy says the record funding is a recognition of the work done by sporting and community groups and is not a pre-election stunt:
