Irish clubs earn lucrative cash boost from Uefa

Irish clubs who have qualified for European competition are set for a financial windfall from Uefa.

Uefa has announced the financial distribution system for its club competitions for the 2015-18 cycle in the Champions League and Europa League. The changes will result in a significant increase in prize money for the Uefa competitions this season.

Dundalk, this year’s Champions League representatives from the SSE Airtricity League, will receive a minimum €550,000 from participation in the competition, compared to the minimum €375,000 available to St Patrick’s Athletic last season.

Cork City, St Patrick’s Athletic and Shamrock Rovers have all qualified for Europa League competition, and clubs from the SSE Airtricity League will receive a minimum of €200,000 each, compared to €120,000 last season.

Prize money in subsequent rounds has also increased, however the adjustments mean that the SSE Airtricity League’s four European qualifiers will receive a combined minimum amount of €1,150,000 compared to last season’s minimum of €735,000.

This could increase further, depending on the results of the Uefa Respect Fair Play league, where Ireland are leading the table in the interim standings. Should we remain in the top three, UCD could be given an automatic additional Europa League place, when the awards are made after April 30.

Uefa general secretary Gianni Infantino said: “Uefa is pleased that the new distribution system not only provides for a substantial rise in monies received by participating clubs but also strengthens Uefa’s solidarity principle, ensuring an even more substantial increase in solidarity payments to clubs”