Latest news with #LargeScaleSportInfrastructureFund
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Department that denied Wicklow swimming pool project funding had €14m left to spend
A Wicklow TD has criticised the 'massive underspend' by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in relation to swimming pool grants for local authorities. In November last year, it was announced that Wicklow County Council's application for a long-awaited swimming pool and multi-use sports facility for west Wicklow missed out on the latest round of the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF), with plans for the swimming pool having also been rejected for the first round of LSSIF in 2019.
Irish Daily Mirror
01-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
Sligo boss on growing wage gap that makes it ‘harder and harder' every season
Sligo Rovers boss John Russell admits it's getting 'harder and harder' to compete in the Premier Division - with wage budgets at rival clubs dwarfing that at the Showgrounds. The recent AGM highlighted the issues facing Russell and his coaching staff, with the Bit O' Red spending just under €800,000 on player wages last season. Russell spoke of players being offered double or treble the money available at Rovers, leading to large-scale departures at the end of every season. However, he has taken a positive view of the challenges facing the club, including the necessity to blood young players whenever injuries expose the depth of his squad. Addressing the challenge, he said: 'It's getting harder and harder every season with all the investment coming in, we are losing all our best players because they are doubling or trebling their money to go elsewhere and players want to progress their careers, so that's a challenge for us.' Rovers did receive a huge boost last year when their dream of a brand new state-of-the-art Showgrounds moved a giant step closer, thanks to confirmation of a €16.4m grant from the government's Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund. Click this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest League of Ireland news and top stories from the Irish Mirror. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Russell said: 'I feel that when we get the new stadium in the next few seasons that can be a game changer, there will be revenue streams coming in, in terms of renting facilities, you are not waiting every fortnight for a gate so that will be a huge step forward. 'I am sure the committee are looking at other things, Sligo Rovers is the heartbeat of the community, everything revolves around the club and you don't want the club to lose that. 'But you have to look at other revenue streams as we want to compete. There are 10 teams in the Premier Division, at the moment we are down the bottom, that's not where we want to be. 'You want to push on, get up and challenge, be in Europe, which we tasted in 2022, a packed out Showgrounds, Motherwell and Viking coming over, brilliant occasions. 'As players and staff that's what we want, to be competing at the highest level and it's finding ways to get more money so we can keep our players and sign players, make the whole environment more professional. 'I do feel the stadium is going to be a big help.' Friday's opponents Drogheda United this year became the last Premier Division team to move to a full-time model - and manager Kevin Doherty has been able to tap into the resources offered by owners Trivela Group - who also own Walsall and Danish side Silkeborg IF - to bolster his squad. So does Russell envy his rival managers, whose player purses are much greater than his? He replied: 'Look, I know the model that I'm working with here in Sligo and I have to get on with the job. 'I can't feel sorry for myself, I have to try and work within the budget constraints at Sligo and try to sign the best players I can with the resources and money available to me. 'I believe that last season we recruited really well. As the season went on we got better, and I feel it's going to be the same again this year. 'We have got players that have something to prove, they are hungry, we have to look at it as a strength of ours rather than a weakness. 'We are never going to have the biggest budget in Sligo, but that doesn't mean we can't compete. 'What happens when we lose players through injury or suspension, yeah, that does have an impact on us. But it opens the door for our young academy players. We have had four or five starting in games so far in the first series, so that is really good for them. 'There are challenges within that, because they can make mistakes, they are learning their trade on the job, but for me I feel confident in the group that we have and the staff I have around me. 'It's about maximising everyone and improving players, which we have shown we can do year on year.' Asked what he viewed as a strength, he replied: 'It's the underdog tag, everyone has us written off, that we are going to go down. And also, young players play without fear. They bring that youth and that energy and hunger, and I love that, I love working with young players. 'For us in Sligo, it's trying to maybe get one or two more experienced players to blend with that. 'I'm fortunate enough to get one or two players now on two-year deals this year - the likes of Will Fitzgerald, John Mahon, Jad Hakini, Cian Kavanagh, so we are trying to change it slightly so that at the end of the year there is not a massive turnover. 'That is the key thing for me going forward, that we keep a core group of players moving into next year. But ultimately we need to be in a good spot at the end of this year for that to happen.'
Irish Independent
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
A game changer for the wee county: Louth GAA Stadium gets green light
Sinn Féin spokesperson for sport Louth/East Meath TD Joanna Byrne has expressed her delight at the news that funding has been secured for a new GAA stadium, saying she was proud to have played a role in the project's progression. 'This good news been a long time coming. In my first term as a Louth County Councillor almost ten years ago I attended briefings on this project,' she said. 'I also voted to transfer land from Louth County Council to the GAA so this project could go ahead, at that time,' she Byrne. 'I am beyond happy that a new state of the art stadium will be build for the many Louth GAA fans to go to and enjoy matches.' The announcement comes on the heels of Louth's thrilling victory in the Leinster semi-final, Deputy Byrne added that 'it is a really great week for Louth GAA and the supporters.' Funding for the stadium has been secured through a combination of sources, including an agreed levy that will be contributed by local clubs. 'Everyone involved with Louth GAA can say they've contributed to this new stadium,' added Deputy Byrne. Looking ahead, the Sinn Féin TD is optimistic about Louth's future on the pitch. 'On May 11th Louth play Meath for the Delaney Cup in Croke Park. I am hoping that the Wee County can win the first Leinster Title since 1957. The future looks bright for Louth GAA.' Meanwhile, Local Fianna Fáil Senator Alison Comyn described the development as 'a game changer for Gaelic Games in Louth' and confirmed she would be working closely with Minister for Sport Charlie McConalogue to secure essential funding under the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund. "This is a fantastic opportunity to build on the rising success of the Louth football team and to give our players, supporters and young people a stadium they can call home. For too long, Louth has been without a proper county ground. Now we have a real opportunity to deliver a modern, fit-for-purpose stadium in Dundalk, a venue that will not only elevate games in the county but become a true hub for our community,' Senator Comyn said. Comyn also stressed the broader value of the project. "As Louth continues to grow in population and prominence, we need infrastructure that reflects our ambition. A county ground isn't just about sport, it's about opportunity and belonging. This stadium will inspire future generations of players, bring families and fans together and give the county a focal point we can all be proud of.'
