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Croke Park has been suggested as a possible venueCredit: Sportsfile – Subscription
The Government today announced the annual funding for sports clubs which will see €230 million allocated across almost 2,000 different clubs in 41 different sports.
Local football clubs will get €41 million of this funding for new pitches, changing rooms and other improved facilities.
Speaking at the launch of the funding at Cambridge FC in Dublin’s Ringsend, Minister Byrne gave an update on the Government’s bid to secure more matches for Euro 2028.
Dublin’s Aviva Stadium is due to host six games in the tournament as part of a joint bid with the UK.
Northern Ireland was set to host five games at Casement Park but the UK Government has ruled out providing funding for the redevelopment of the derelict Antrim GAA grounds – despite the GAA and the Irish government offering some funding support.
Minister Byrne today revealed that the Government has now contacted UEFA with proposals to host more games in the Republic – including the possibility of matches being played in Cork’s Pairc Ui Chaoimh or Dublin’s Croke Park.
The Fianna Fail TD told the Irish Sun: “This is a decision that is taken at UEFA level. We’ve made our views known at that level through our officials and directly in my phone call with the FAI.
“Our priority is to have as many games as possible extra to maintain them on the island over and above that.
“Ultimately that’s not a decision that we take, it is a decision that is taken at UEFA level but we’re open for business and we want to do this.
“We want to put on a really good tournament in 2028 and we will continue our engagement with the FAI which, as you know, is ongoing on quite number of issues.”
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It is expected that the other host nations of England, Scotland and Wales will all pitch for extra games too but the Irish Government is pressing for Northern Ireland’s matches to remain on the island.
It comes as Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe ruled out using part of the €14bn Apple tax windfall to dramatically increase State funding in the League Of Ireland.
Minister Donohoe – a keen Bohs fan – told the Irish Sun: “This is what increased investment in Irish football looks like. We’re actually already delivering it through sporting clubs like this.
“The further growth of soccer in our country will come at two different levels.
Confirmed host grounds for Euro 2028
THE nine stadia confirmed to host games in Euro 2028 are listed below as the four matches due to be played in Casement Park are yet to be decided.
Wembley (London, capacity 90,000)
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (London, capacity 62,850)
Etihad Stadium (Manchester, capacity 53,400)
Villa Park (Birmingham, capacity 42,640)
St. James’ Park (Newcastle, capacity 52,000)
Bramley Moore Dock (Liverpool, capacity 53,000)
Hampden Park (Glasgow, capacity 52,000)
Principality Stadium (Cardiff, capacity 74,500)
Aviva Stadium (Dublin, capacity 51,700)
“Firstly, it’s what’s happening at grassroots level and we can see the excellence of what our volunteers are already doing.
“Secondly it will be through the continued success of the League of Ireland that I believe is going in a very positive direction.
“We’re able to do that without needing to have recourse to the Apple funding.”
Sport Minister Thomas Byrne added that more funding will be made available to the League of Ireland in the coming weeks through the large scale funding programme for high profile projects.
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Pairc Ui Chaoimh is another suggested stadiumCredit: Sportsfile – Subscription
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Games had been due to be played at a redeveloped Casement Park in AntrimCredit: Sportsfile – Subscription
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Publish date : 2024-09-25 05:47:00
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