FAI and IRFU get €20m boost

SPORTS Minister John O’Donoghue yesterday announced €20m in funding for the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road and said the Government had also approved discussions on moving FAI headquarters from Merrion Square to Abbotstown.

Minister O’Donoghue added that the first phase of the Abbotstown Sports Campus will result in facilities fit for use by teams preparing for the 2012 Olympics in London. Budget funding is now in place for work to begin on phase one, which is expected to extend over five years from 2006 to 2010, and O’Donoghue has directed Campus and Stadium Ireland Development Ltd to get the project under way in the New Year.

Phase one will see the development of facilities and training areas for both professional (rugby and soccer) and amateur (Gaelic football, hurling and hockey) field games. In addition, there will be facilities and pitches suitable for a wide range of sports and services generally available for up to 30 sports bodies and open to the public.