Forbes hopeful of retaining funding

MUNSTER COUNCIL PRO Jim Forbes remains hopeful that they will be able to maintain current levels of development funding, after figures released yesterday showed that €22.6 million was spent on GAA physical development by clubs and counties across the province over the past 12 months, with €2.37m of that figure stemming from grants distributed by the Munster Council.

Despite the worsening economic situation, Munster Council coffers generated €1.6m while Croke Park contributions totalled €771,805. The Munster Council funds are largely drawn from gate receipts and this year’s funding brings the Munster Council contribution over the past three years to €5.6m.

The principal benefactor of the development grants was major grounds development with €900,000 allocated to the improvement of stadia. Fitzgerald Stadium received €600,000, Semple Stadium benefited from the sum of €250,000 while Walsh Park in Waterford was allotted €50,000.

€819,799 was distributed for general club development, €438,549 was distributed for dressing-room improvements and €120,000 was allocated for the purchasing of new grounds in the province. The remaining monies were dispersed to schools (€34,570), handball (€9,657) and the sanding of pitches (€49,230).

In the county-by-county breakdown, GAA development in Kerry received the biggest boost, with €897,962 distributed in grants to the Kingdom over the past year, although over two-thirds of that sum was solely for the redevelopment of Fitzgerald Stadium. Cork received €455,103, Tipperary was allocated €431,509, Limerick received €235,359, Waterford was allotted €193,294 with Clare benefiting to the tune of €158,578.

“These figures illustrate Munster GAA’s commitment to reinvesting the revenue generated from the Munster Championships back into the clubs and counties of the province,” remarked Forbes. “We’ve had €1.6m set aside for the last three years, so despite the economic situation there was always going to be that money available to helps clubs and counties across the province in 2009. Going forward into the future now we do hope that we’ll still be able to continue providing the money to fund clubs in their development projects.

“Despite the recession, there has been and still is a lot of development going on throughout the province. The results are there for people to see with major grounds development which have benefited hugely in 2009. Fitzgerald Stadium is now a tremendous development while Semple Stadium is now a first-class stadium. There’s no doubt that the money spent on both stadiums has been worthwhile and it has enhanced both stadiums for players and spectators alike.”