SEVERAL GAA clubs in Northern Ireland have been given substantial grants by the British based Foundation for Sport and the Arts which is funded by the British national lottery. In the last dispersal of funds, towards the end of last year, two GAA clubs each received £65,000. They were the Down clubs of St Colman's, from Drumaness, and St Monnina's in Newry.

In the case of St Colman's, the grant was awarded to allow the club to develop training grounds, playing facilities and general development. The grant for St Monnina's will enable the club to purchase land and develop it for playing purposes.

The Devinish club, from Garrison in Fermanagh, has been granted £50,000 to allow it to refurbish the pitch, provide new dressing rooms, a training pitch and other facilities, while the O Raghaillaigh's club has been given £50,000 for similar purposes.

The St Mochais club, from Saintfield in Down, has been given £56,500 for extension and development, while the Leitrim Fontenoy's club from Down have been given a development grant of £33,000. In total, GAA clubs received nearly £320,000.

During the past year, it is thought that GAA projects have benefited more than any other sporting body in Northern Ireland.

Tyrone's county team, which is due to meet Derry in the final of the O Fiaich Cup in Crossmaglen on Sunday, will be short almost all of their first team players. Several will be on duty for Ulster against Munster in the Railway Cup semi final in Clones, while 10 members of the All Ireland squad will be on duty with their clubs in the county's league final between Carricksmore and Moortown.