Katie Taylor, Paddy Barnes and Rob Heffernan among top recipients of Sports Council funding

More than 1.5m euro in funding is being provided to 75 athletes - from 14 different sports - through the Irish Sports Council, it was confirmed today.

Thu, 26 Mar, 2015 - 16:27

Grainne McGuinness

More than 1.5m euro in funding is being provided to 75 athletes from 14 different sports through the Irish Sports Council, it was confirmed today.

The allocation, from the 2015 International Carding Scheme, will provide financial assistance to Ireland's most talented players and athletes.

Today's investment includes 20 athletes - 9 Olympic and 11 Paralympic - on the top category of funding of 40,000.

Boxers Katie Taylor, Michael Conlan and Paddy Barnes are among these recipients in the Podium category.

Olympic sailor Annalise Murphy is also in the top category for funding - as is Paralympic sprinter Jason Smyth, currently a world record holder at both 100m and 200m.

The aim of the programme is to ensure that athletes can prepare for major championships including European, World, Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Full list of Podium Athletes 2015

Robert Heffernan - Athletics

Katie Taylor - Boxing

Joe Ward - Boxing

Michael Conlan - Boxing

Paddy Barnes - Boxing

Derek Burnett - Shooting

Colin Lynch - Cycling (Para)

Martyn Irvine - Cycling

Mark Rohan - Cycling (Para)

Katie George Dunlevy - Cycling (Para)