GAA to spend E7.5m on development projects

Jim O’Sullivan

This is in addition to the millions spent annually by county committees and provincial councils.

Much of the money allocated has been spent on coaching initiatives and in the provision of coaching personnel, with initiatives such as the McDonalds’ Lift and Strike and Catch and Kick programmes at schools level also benefiting.

The association has also devoted considerable finance to overseas development projects, in refereeing initiatives and training seminars throughout Ireland.

Interestingly, the GAA said the cost of running the association over the coming year “will continue to rise” but there will be no increase in the cost of ticket prices for the 2005 championship and qualifier series in hurling and football.

Arising from the congress decision last year to make the use of hurling helmets compulsory for all under-18 players, the subsidy is being doubled to E600,000.

Funding in the region of E3.5m has been allocated towards ground redevelopment while a sum of 1m will be set aside to assist in the provision of floodlighting at major provincial venues. This is in line with Central Council policy that two suitable

county grounds in each province be identified for this purpose.

A further 2m will be divided evenly and allocated as grants to assist in the general development of club and county grounds.

Over 500,000 will be used to assist counties in this area in terms of sanding grants, allocations for county training grounds and on projects such as turnstile counting systems. It was also confirmed that E48,000 has been set aside to assist in the provision of defibrillators at county grounds.

Team expenses, always an issue with successful counties will be increased approximately E2.6m.

There will also be a special provision of E500,000 towards grants for the

appointment of administration personnel at county level.

*Among the county grounds to benefit from Central Council grants announced last week were:

Markievicz Park (E70,000), Nowlan Park (E100,000), O’Connor Park (E100,000), Pearse Park (E70,000), Dr Cullen Park (E20,000),

Limerick Gaelic Grounds (E100,000), Semple Stadium (E100,000),

Athletic Grounds, Armagh (E70,000), Kingspan Breffni Park (E100,000), Newry (E30,000) and Healy Park, Omagh (E100,000).