Clare get €500,000 Munster boost
Banner chiefs and provincial council top-brass are close to striking a deal that will see the latter pump €½m in funding towards the two extensive projects currently being undertaken by Clare GAA.
The allocation by Munster Council is part of their five-year budgetary framework unveiled in January.
The centre of excellence, which will include four floodlit pitches, dressing rooms, a gym and catering facilities, is expected to be completed by the end of this year. The total cost is estimated at just over €4m.
The €2.3m redevelopment of the county’s flagship venue, meanwhile, has been partially stalled due to the presence of the invasive Japanese knotweed which is delaying the construction of a 200-space car park behind the town end goal.
Clare county board chairman Michael McDonagh said the executive is optimistic of having cleared the cost of the centre of excellence by the time the tape is cut on the Caherlohan project later this year.
“The money from Munster Council will help and we hope to have most of the costs cleared by the end of the year,” he revealed.
Munster Council CEO Simon Moroney said one further meeting is required with Clare officials to finalise the €500,000 grant.
“We have had discussions with Clare and we will have one more meeting with them to conclude their five-year funding program,” he said. “Clare’s focus would be their two developments. Their centre of excellence is almost completed, but certain things need to be finalised for that to be completed. That is what is on the table with regard to Clare. While nothing is finalised, that’s the bones of it.
“As part of our 2015-24 budgetary framework set our earlier this year, we have extended Category 5 payments to include centres of excellence. These are a growing trend with most counties now having a centre of excellence or developing one whereby training and catering facilities for inter-county teams are provided. At the end of the first five-year program of funding we will see what worked and what didn’t work. The second five years will be tailored on what we learnt from the first five years.”
Discussions have already begun with Limerick officials and chairman Oliver Mann said the county board executive are in the process of drawing up their plan to present to Munster Council as to how best to utilise their €500,000 allocation.
“We are looking at the best possible use for the half a million. It is a lot of money and we want to spend it wisely,” Mann explained. “When we have our plan drawn up, we will then return to discussions with Munster Council.”
Added Moroney: “We have had tentative talks with Limerick and I know we will be developing our discussions with them in the coming months.
“Tipperary have some ideas as well, but they are just at the planning stage at this point of time. The conversation with them will probably take place in six to eight months time when their planning is concluded.”
With Munster Council handing Cork €3.75m for the Páirc Uí Chaoimh regeneration project earlier this year, Kerry remain the sole county yet to move on their earmarked €500,000.
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