Abandoned Lourdes Stadium fund boost
The derelict Lourdes Stadium, which is to receive much-needed funding
Wednesday July 30 2008
Some €200,000 will go towards the completion of the Darver training centre and €150,000 to the St Patrick's club in Meath, while Drogheda Borough Council will receive €150,000 towards the redevelopment of Lourdes Stadium as a multi-sport facility.
Responding to the news of the Darver grant yesterday afternoon, Louth GAA County Board secretary Pat Hamilton said: 'This money is for the ongoing work on the Darver building which should be finished in February or March next year.We are more than delighted with the grant. Bearing in mind the financial circumstances in this country at the moment, we?re pleased to get anything.'
Lourdes Stadium, the home of Drogheda United from 1962 to 1976, fell into disrepair in recent years, before an agreement was reached between the Borough Council and Lourdes Athletic Club to redevelop the site with a new playing pitch, athletics track and dressing rooms.
The site was flattened in preparation for phase one - laying of the track by the end of December 2008 ? but this work has not yet started.
Elsewhere in south and mid Louth, GAA clubs St Kevin's, O?Connell's and Sean McDermott's have been awarded €80,000, €60,000 and €20,000 respectively, while €20,000 goes to St Peter's AC and the trustees development committee and also to Seapoint Pitch and Putt Club.
Across the border in Meath, Donacarney Celtic FC receives €65,000, Duleek AFC ?60,000, the Meath and District League and Cushinstown Athletic Club €50,000, and St Mary's GFC (Donore) €15,000.
In all, Louth and Meath sport organisations have benefited from the latest round of grants to the tune of almost €3.4 million.
Reacting to yesterday's news, Louth TD Seamus Kirk said: 'This year the funding has been focused where it is needed most, to those communities, clubs and organisations who need it most.I am especially pleased to see so much go to Darver GAA who are continuing in their work of building a first-class facility. I know that there are some clubs and organisations that will be disappointed this time around, but I would like to urge them to apply to the Department of Arts Sports and Tourism for their score sheet. Each application is scored and the results will allow local clubs to see where their application can be strengthened for next year.'
However, Cllr Gerald Nash complained that Dundalk received a much bigger allocation of funds.Drogheda once again only gets 10% of the budget and Dundalk gets 90%,? he claimed.The deadline for ticket applications for Sunday's Nicky Rackard Cup hurling final between Louth and Sligo in Croke Park is Thursday night, and tickets must be collected no later than Friday evening.
