Tipperary GAA hopes for funding boost to help maintain Semple Stadium

Tipperary GAA will be hoping that FBD Semple Stadium will be one of the major beneficiaries when the €120 million allocations from the Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) are announced later this month.

The historic Thurles venue is among 12 GAA applications from across the country, with Kerry’s Fitzgerald Stadium also in the running, alongside proposals from counties like Clare, Dublin, Limerick, Mayo, Meath, Roscommon, and Wexford.

The LSSIF allocations, which range from €600,000 to €30 million, will be distributed among various sports organizations.

The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, and Media has indicated that the decision-making process will factor in considerations like population size, sustainability, and the need to ensure equal access to facilities funded by the LSSIF for both men and women.For Tipperary, securing this funding is crucial.

Semple Stadium requires a €4 million investment from the GAA to maintain and preserve its status as one of Ireland’s premier sporting venues.

There is also hope that the county can revive the pre-pandemic redevelopment plans for the Kinane Stand, which were initially estimated to cost €10 million.

While Tipperary eyes this vital investment, Kerry GAA has outlined an ambitious €77 million redevelopment plan for Fitzgerald Stadium, aiming to turn it into a multi-purpose venue for sports, tourism, and entertainment.

They have already initiated legal proceedings to secure funds from the Immigrant Investment Programme, which has since closed.

Beyond Semple Stadium, other counties are also seeking to develop their centres of excellence. Clare plans to expand its facilities in Caherlohan, Wexford hopes to enhance its hub in Ferns, and Roscommon is looking for state support for a new centre of excellence near Roscommon town. Dublin has applied for funding for its Spawell site in Templeogue.

Sports organizations had until late April to submit their applications for a share of the LSSIF funding. In the previous round, €124 million was allocated to 33 projects, including significant contributions to GAA county grounds. Waterford’s Walsh Park received €7.056 million, Páirc Tailteann in Navan was awarded €7.5 million, and St Conleith’s Park in Newbridge secured €6.031 million.

Tipperary GAA will be hoping the die rolls in their favour when the decision for the grant’s destination is made.