Two Laois GAA clubs set to benefit from new funding for rural sports clubs

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has announced almost €5 million in funding to support over 100 sports clubs in rural communities countrywide. The funding is being provided as part of Our Rural Future, the Government’s strategic five-year rural development plan.

Of the 113 successful sports projects, there are two clubs from Laois. Clough-Ballacolla and St Joseph's will both benefit from the newly announced funding.

Clough-Ballacolla had applied for planning permission back in May for new dressing rooms, a ball wall with an all-weather surface and lighting while as well as dugouts and a scoreboard. In the funding, the club was allocated €49,780 for the installation of sports wall and a multi-use games area. The new projects will be for the new pitch in Clough. 

The 2023 Laois Senior Football champions St Joseph's have been allocated €18,868 to upgrade the walking track and
ducting for lights in the club's GAA pitch which is located in Kellyville. 

Announcing the successful projects, Minister Humphreys said, “This funding is being provided as part of Our Rural Future and will see investment in important infrastructure projects at 113 local sports clubs across the country.

 “This funding is targeted specifically at supporting clubs in rural communities and not surprisingly the vast majority of successful projects are from local GAA clubs. The GAA is at the heart of rural parishes across the country, instilling a strong sense of pride of place, community and belonging in young and old.

 “While many of the successful projects are focused on improving playing and training facilities, I also want to improve the experience for local supporters and spectators. For this reason, I put a particular focus on the upgrade of Spectator Stands so that further seating and shelter can be provided to ensure that older people can enjoy games in comfort. Similarly, some projects focus on upgrading local clubhouses and improving access for people with disabilities and mobility issues.", she said.

Congratulating the successful projects, Minister Humphreys said, “I appreciate the time and effort put in every week by local club members and volunteers to make our local communities a better place. I want to congratulate all of the clubs who have been successful in securing funding today and I look forward to seeing work get underway on these projects over the coming months.”