Nothing too big or too small in capital funding for sports

Some people might be surprised to learn that the Kerry Orienteers’ club required a new event-timing system worth €1,000. Or that the Dalkey Rowing Club needed new boat oars and equipment to the tune of €19,526.

Not necessarily urgently so – but all perfectly legitimate and among the 1,726 successful allocations in the latest round of Sports Capital Programme funding, which totals almost €56 million.

This, however, is not about upgrading the trampolines out your back garden: all allocations were decided after a rigorous assessment process, the main objectives being “to assist voluntary and community organisations, national governing bodies [NGBs] of sport, local authorities and, in some cases, VECs and schools to develop high quality, safe, well-designed sustainable facilities”.

So, alongside some major projects are the minor ones: Dublin county inevitably comes out on top with €12.76 million in funding, including 26 maximum allocations of €150,000 for projects such as the renewal of the all-weather pitch at Ballymun Kickhams GAA club, while Deerpark Tennis Club received just €1,451 for essential equipment replacement.

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Indeed, no application was considered too small: Killarney Cycling Club received €600 towards new turbo trainers and a club gazebo, and Offaly’s Clara District and Recreation Association were handed a cheque for €800 to fund a new screen for the shower area.

From tractors and lawn-mowers, defibrillators to outdoor toilets, all worthy causes in their own right. The Leitrim Riding Club required new showjumping equipment worth €5,000; the Youghal Surf Lifesaving Club got a new boat worth €9,000.

Still, some might appear to have done better than others: seven American Football clubs get €43,228 between them; 27 diving/snorkelling clubs get €451,361, and angling/fishing clubs €45,602; yet only €800 towards one rock-climbing club.