Kelly plans to step up bid for State funding

GAA President Sean Kelly will step up the association's lobbying for government funding following the announcement this week that the Cabinet has pledged €190m to redeveloping Lansdowne Road as a national stadium.

Speaking yesterday after returning from the Allstars tour to Phoenix and Las Vegas, the Kerry native wasted little time in spelling out his strategy.

"I would like to congratulate the government and everyone involved in the decision to develop Lansdowne Road," Kelly said. "I think it's a good thing for sport in the country and also for us and we look forward to continuing and finalising our own negotiations with the government to see what funding we can get.