Grant benefits FAI to tune of €2m

FAI have benefitted to the tune of €2 million following a grant from the Sports Council — with the bulk of the money aimed at increasing participation in soccer by young people throughout the country.

Sports Minister John O’Donoghue made the announcement before dozens of youngsters at Dublin’s O’Devaney Gardens near the Phoenix Park yesterday.

This brings to €6.33 million the total allocated to the FAI by the Sports Council since the introduction in 2001 of the special budget measure for the encouragement of young people in Gaelic games, soccer and rugby.