AN ARSON attack which caused extensive damage to Castleconnell's new boathouse last week is expected to leave the Co Limerick club with a replacement bill of more than £55,000 according to initial assessments.

Nine boats including three fours - one of them a two month old Sims worth £9,000 - a pair and a double scull, were destroyed when a fire was started in the boathouse roof. Boats belonging to the national squad, which are often stored by Castleconnell during home training camps, were not in the building at the time.

The damage was only discovered when the 34 strong club returned to training at the weekend but gardai investigating the arson attack believe it was started earlier in the week. Club captain Jerry O'Neill, conceded that Castleconnell's future after just five years would now depend on outside funding.