Crowe welcomes “transformative” €3.2 investment in Clare GAA

Clare’s Fianna Fail TD has welcomed a multi-million-euro investment in Clare GAA’s Centre of Excellence and has described it as transformative to the support structure behind Clare’s Gaelic Games teams.

The €3.2 million funding allocation to Caherlohan Centre of Excellence was announced by Minister for Sport, Thomas Byrne, under the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) on Monday morning.

Welcoming the funding, Deputy Crowe said: “This multi-million euro investment in Clare GAA is hugely welcome and is a wonderful end to a hugely successful sporting year for the County!

“I have been working very closely with Clare GAA and with Minister Thomas Byrne to get this funding across the line and I thank Minister Byrne for his positive engagement with us and for seeing this across the line.

“The €3.2 million that has been announced today will be transformative for the Centre of Excellence at Caherlohan and will see a number of key additions to the ground, including the expansion of gym space to accommodate full panel training, the addition of two new full-sized sand based playing pitches, 12 new floodlights and a spectator stand with a capacity of over 1,300.

“As someone who has a lifelong love of sport, I am all to familiar with the link between successful teams and proper training & support facilities, and this investment in Clare GAA will be pivotal in future successes. The desire, talent and determination is there in abundance by everyone involved in Clare’s Gaelic Games teams and an enhanced Caherlohan will act as the spine to future sporting success from those wearing the Saffron & Blue.

“This funding comes on the back of over €9 million awarded to Clare clubs and organisations under the Communities Sports Facilities (Sports Capital) Fund in September, which in itself was an endorsement of the importance of sports to our communities and this Government’s support of grass-roots involvement.

“I look forward to seeing Caherlohan’s potential being realised and ensuring that Clare’s Gaelic Games teams, of all ages and across hurling, football, camogie and ladies football, have the highest standard of facilities available to them.”