FAI supports League of Ireland applications for Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Funding

The Football Association of Ireland is delighted to have supported the eight League of Ireland clubs and grounds featured in funding applications for facility improvements in the latest round of Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Funding which have been lodged with the Department of Sport.

Bohemians, Drogheda United, Galway United, Shelbourne, Sligo Rovers, Treaty United and Wexford have all applied for a share of the €120m funding approved by Government to be allocated across all sports as they look to develop supporting infrastructure.

Support has also been provided for an application by Dublin City Council for the redevelopment of Dalymount Park and also towards South Dublin County Council to fund floodlighting upgrade works at Tallaght Stadium, home to Shamrock Rovers.

A number of Local Authority applications which will benefit football across the country have also been supported by the FAI as we continue to look to improve facilities for all who play and follow our game as outlined in the Facility Investment Vision and Strategy launched in 2023.    

The FAI can also confirm that a joint funding application with the IRFU has been made to the Department for LSSIF support for sustainable renewable energy upgrade work at the Aviva Stadium, host to our senior national teams. 

Applications for the LSSIF closed at the start of July with the LOI clubs and venues applying for €86.2m in funding, from a total estimated cumulative project cost of €140m. The FAI continues to highlight and advocate for increased Government financial support to upgrade Irish football’s infrastructure and facilities across all levels of the game to make them fit for purpose.

Interim FAI Chief Executive Officer David Courell confirmed: “Irish football has lodged our biggest ask yet under the LSSIF and we thank the clubs and venue hosts for supporting our vision for the future of facilities across Irish football. We are extremely grateful to the Government for creating these opportunities of funding streams which demonstrates their ambitious vision for sport and football nationally. As the largest participation sport in the country, we look forward to Government support for these nine projects which will grow the game in Ireland and make a lasting contribution to so many clubs and communities. We are excited to see a real kick start of our facilities vision ambitions when the final outcome is announced in the Autumn.”

FAI President Paul Cooke welcomed the increased number of applications from League of Ireland clubs. He stated: “The support of the Government for our plans to improve all elements of Irish football is appreciated as always. The LSSIF is the vehicle that provides the largest financial support for Irish sporting projects, and I want to thank the LOI clubs and project leaders for the increase in applications from Irish football for support in this latest round of funding. I would also like to pay tribute to our Head of Grant Funding & Infrastructure Development Walter Holleran and his team for the huge amount of work they undertook assisting our clubs with these applications.”

The FAI’s Head of Grant Funding & Infrastructure Development Walter Holleran remarked: “We would like to congratulate all nine submissions into the LSSIF for funding for their respective projects. The dedication and innovative planning shown by all applicants is truly commendable, and we hope these efforts are rewarded with the requested and necessary funding."