There is no doubt that government financial aid can play a big part in sporting progress — except when it is related to Casement Park, that is.
While the GAA as a whole and the Ulster Council in particular take stock of the latest body blow administered to their lavish plans to upgrade the west Belfast stadium, the ground which is currently considered to be Ulster’s prime venue is to be granted a huge financial windfall going forward.
For decades St Tiernach’s Park, Clones has housed the Ulster Senior Football Championship Final and other important games as well as serving as a home venue to the Monaghan county teams.
Now that €340,259 (£283k) from the Republic government’s Community Sport Facility Fund will find its way into Monaghan’s coffers to help meet the cost of what will be an expansive floodlighting undertaking at St Tiernach’s Park, the GAA has received a boost. In all it is understood that €97m (£81m) from the Community Sport Facility Fund will find its way to counties and clubs.
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It has been felt for some time that the absence of floodlights at Clones had tended to limit the number of high-profile fixtures that are played there on an annual basis but now it may become more of a focal point for top-flight action on a regular basis.
In the immediate aftermath of the unexpected halt to the refurbishment project at Casement Park, there had already been suggestions that the Ulster Council might indeed turn their attention to enhancing the Clones venue.
Now it would appear that the floodlighting work could mark the start of such a project there. It had initially been hoped that the new-look Casement Park would not only become a Mecca for GAA in the province but would also host matches at Euro 2028 although such grandiose plans have now had to all intents and purposes been shelved.
Some county grounds in Ulster such as Tyrone’s headquarters at Healy Park, Omagh and Armagh’s base at the Athletic Grounds have been upgraded of late while other projects had been put on hold as confirmation was awaited on the go-ahead for the ambitious Casement Park project.
Now, in what might be regarded in some quarters as adding insult to injury, the Clones venue is not only to be upgraded but the Cavan County Board has been awarded €440,184 (£366k) from the Community Sport Facility Fund.
While improvements to the county’s Breffni Park headquarters have been undertaken of late, some of this latest cash infusion is likely to be dispensed to clubs within the county to facilitate ground improvements and other amenities.