GAA ploughs an extra million into hurling development

GAA President Liam Ó Neill has announced that Central Council will commit €1m for hurling development over the next five years, in his speech to delegates at today's GAA Congress.

€900,000 of these funds will be spent over five years to improve performance of the senior hurling teams in Antrim, Carlow, Westmeath and Laois.

€100,000 goes to player development projects in other Hurling Development counties.

"The investment will be subject to annual submissions by the four counties," Ó Neill told delegates.

"These submissions must reflect key aims and objectives of the programme and application for funding should also be subject to compliance with reporting and review mechanisms.

"The four named counties will be entitled to make an annual submission seeking funding of up to €45,000 [a combined total of €180,000 per annum]. This submission will be based on a plan for the following year to be submitted in November."

He added: "An additional sum of €20,000 per annum will be set aside for project-based applications submitted by other developing hurling counties amounting to €1,000,000 over a five-year period.

"Direct payments will not be made to the participating counties but will be made by Central Council to suppliers on the basis of invoices received.

Counties must match this with 10,000 Euro from their own funds to improve Minor and under 21 hurling.

"While the overall objective should be to improve the performance of the senior inter-county team, in reality this cannot be achieved without having regard for the underage structures - up to and including U.21 level - that ultimately underpin success at senior inter-county level," Ó Neill said.

"In this regard each county must commit to a minimum spend of €10,000 per annum on improving/enhancing hurling development at Minor and U. 21 level within the county."