It’s often said that sport is about taking part but of course winning or losing really matters. So the allocation this week of €173m from the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) to sports organisations was always going to be contentious.

Naturally those in receipt of funds were delighted but for those left out it was a bitter blow.

Local projects funded in the latest allocation from Ministers Thomas Byrne and Catherine Martin include:

• €7.2m for St. Oliver’s ETB to provide a General purpose Sports Hall, equipped to host various sporting events and activities.
• €2.3m for Seafield Community Facility to provide an 8 lane athletics track with floodlights, long jump, high jump and 3G soccer pitch in the infield.
• €1m to St. Colmcille’s GAA for two new full-size grass pitches, and two new training/juvenile pitches.

In relation to the LSSIF applications which have not received an allocation, the Department will publish a reserve list in the coming period on which all valid applications will be placed and assessed. When additional LSSIF funding becomes available, it is envisaged that projects on the reserve list can then be funded. 

Speaking at the announcement, Minister Thomas Byrne said:

“This funding underscores our commitment as a Government to seeing sport prosper in communities across Ireland. The major sports projects funded under this round of the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund encompass a wide variety of sports and activities, reflecting the varied sporting interests of communities nationwide. From multi-sport complexes to specialised facilities for individual sports, these investments aim to cater to the needs of athletes, clubs, and local communities.  

Inclusivity in sports is paramount and thanks to the implementation of the new Similar Access Requirement, we have ensured that women and men will enjoy similar access to all sports facilities, which are publicly funded.”

 Local Deputy Fergus O’Dowd: said he was delighted with the Government’s allocation of €7.2 Million for a state of art Basketball arena at St Oliver’s Community College.

“Martin O'Brien CEO of LMETB has already made significant progress in separately sourcing over €3.7 M as seed capital for this fantastic project which will cost almost 13 Million Euro when constructed” he said.

“It will be a great addition to the sports facilities in the Marleys Lane area and will be a great asset to the students in Saint Oliver’s and to the wider community.”

Chairman of the Drogheda Implementation Board Michael Keogh also welcomed the funding saying a centre of sporting excellence in an area crying out for such  investment addresses one of the actions in the Drogheda Report Implementation Plan and will provide much needed sporting facilities for use by Drogheda Wolves Basketball Club and the wider school community.

Mayor of Drogheda, Cllr Paddy Mc Quillan, said it is great news for Drogheda and that it was him who began this whole process.

“When the Drogheda Wolves (Basketball Club) approached me they had been hitting dead ends with this project. I initiated a meeting with Martin O’Brien, Chief Executive of LMETB, ant the Drogheda Wolves.

“Martin saw the sporting and social potential benefits of the project and immediately got behind it. I would like to thank Minister for Sport Thomas Byrne for securing funding for the project. It’s a great day for Drogheda.” 

"Fantastic news" - Comyn

Fianna Fáil election candidate Alison Comyn said that for many of these clubs, this funding is long overdue to make much-needed improvements to facilities which serve hundreds of athletes of all ages and backgrounds.

A new “use it or lose it” funding rule has been introduced to ensure the most effective spend and there is a new requirement to ensure similar access for women and men to all sports facilities.

“These are two new elements I’m especially glad to see introduced, so that women have the same advantages and facilities as their male players and athletes, and money which had been granted and not drawn down is not lost, and can be given to organisations who will make good use of it,” she added.

“A massive investment in the town” - Harding

Slane Fianna Fáil Councillor Wayne Harding described the €7.2M for St Oliver’s indoor sports gymnasium as a massive investment in the town of Drogheda and Louth and Meath.

"I have been working closely with Minister Thomas Byrne for over a year now and we have had a number of meetings with Martin O Brien CE of LMETB, John Halpin principal of St Oliver’s, representatives of Drogheda Wolves and other stakeholders to advance this project.

County Board stunned, Callan “in total disbelief”

Not all of the reaction to the allocations was positive however. The Louth County GAA Board who are planning a 14,000 seat stadium in Dundalk were stunned to have been omitted.

Independent Councillor Kevin Callan described the treatment of Louth GAA by government party representatives as “an absolute disgrace” and he is “in total disbelief that this project has been left out."

“To see such a vital and real project that would be of such tremendous benefit to the county being given zero funding is extremely concerning, it is simply not acceptable.

“Why have we radio silence from government reps on this project?” he asked, adding: “you can't take the credit for some projects and hide from those let down. 

“I am demanding that a senior government representative or Oireachtas member for the county issues a statement in respect of this matter, the GAA and the People of the County at least should expect to be afforded that courtesy.” 

Drogs stadium snub a ‘gut punch’ for town – Nash

It was a similar story for Drogheda United who are planning to build a new stadium on land provided by Louth County Council close to the PANCR.

Labour TD Ged Nash described the decision by the FF & FG government not to fund the new Drogheda United stadium is a ‘gut punch’ for the town.

“Louth County Council sees the need and potential. It’s why they provided the land and formal backing and support too for this Large-Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund application (LSSIF), made in July” he said.

“All the ducks are in a row, including the professionalised on and off the field structure Trivela has established, which makes the refusal to fund the stadium all the more incomprehensible.”

“We must not lose heart. The funding of our stadium will happen, just not under this administration.