Local TD Frances Fitzgerald, has praised the Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin, for his continued support to local sports clubs in Dublin Mid-West. Ms. Fitzgerald was speaking during Minister Griffin’s constituency visit, where he observed progress on a number of developments, made possible through the 2017 and 2018 Sports Capital Grant Programme. Minister Griffin met committee members, volunteers, players and supporters from Rathcoole Boys Football Club, Lucan Harriers Athletics Club, Round Towers GAA and Lucan Sarsfields – all of whom secured funding from the Department of Sport in recent years.
“I was delighted to welcome my colleague, Minister Griffin, to Dublin Mid-West and to show him the progress that has been made to local clubs and their supporters through his generosity in the Sports Capital Grant Programme. “The enhancement of the astro-turf pitch in Rathcoole Boys Football Club (€142,399) is nearing completion. This is a very important facility to an increasingly growing community – and I want to congratulate Dave Hennessy and all in Rathcoole Boys for their sterling work. “GAA runs in my blood! My father hurled for Cork with the great Christy Ring; my son played for the Dubs at minor level. I was very grateful to Alan Milton, Director of Communications and local Round Towers GAA volunteer for showing the Minister the site for the proposed all-weather pitch, which is being supported by the club, Gaelscoil Chlain Dolcain and South Dublin County Council. I would also like to commend the board members of Lucan Sarsfields GAA (€150,000) for their detailed presentation about the club.
“Minister Griffin was very impressed at the community strength that was evident during his visit to the Lucan Harriers Track. I fought hard to secure funding for the club – €238,000 since 2015 – and I am happy to see that the track has been tarmacked in recent weeks. South Dublin County Council has assured me that the clean-up will cease in the coming days. Members and athletes will be able to once again enjoy the use of their track – which will be laid with a synthetic surface later this year. “The Minister has also informed me that this year’s Sports Capital Grants will be announced in two lots. I would encourage sports clubs, schools and local organisations to begin thinking and preparing projects that may be suitable for this very important scheme before the opening of applications later this year.
