Laois soccer club gets funding boost from Texaco to realise pitch plans

Durrow Lions AFC U11 girls after winning their cup semi-final in 2024.

placeholder image — Durrow Lions AFC U11 girls after winning their cup semi-final in 2024.

Durrow Lions among the 2024 recipients of funding

One of the most competitive soccer clubs in Laois has been given a significant boost in it fundraising to expand playing facilities.

Lions AFC Durrow has been chosen winners of the Laois County award in this year’s Texaco Support for Sport initiative 2024.

A total of €5,000 will be presented to the club to help fund a significant development of its facilities which includes the construction of three full-size playing pitches and a small astro pitch.

Founded in 1970, Lions AFC has over 20 teams from schoolboys, ladies and junior, all play in th K&DL in Kilkenny. More below picture.

Pictured former Irish rugby international, Donncha O’Callaghan, who launched the 2024 Texaco Support for Sport funding initiative.

In its fourth year, the scheme is hosted and organised by Valero Energy (Ireland) Limited, the company that markets fuel in Ireland under the Texaco brand, with judging overseen by former Irish rugby international and well-known broadcaster, Donncha O’Callaghan.

Of the clubs receiving funding this year, €35,000 is divided equally amongst seven soccer clubs, with a further €50,000 shared equally amongst three rugby clubs, three hurling clubs, two Gaelic football clubs, and two tennis clubs.

In addition, a further €40,000 is divided between eight clubs whose disciplines include archery, athletics, basketball, boxing, GAA (combined games), gymnastics, handball and squash, all receiving EUR5,000 in each case.

James Twohig, Director of Ireland Operations, Valero Energy (Ireland) Limited, congratulated the winners, and praised the unstinting work of club officials and volunteers and the invaluable contribution’ that sports clubs make to the heart of community life in Ireland.

“The purpose of our Texaco Support for Sport initiative is to help ease financial pressure on sports clubs throughout the country and, since its inception, we are proud to have distributed over €500,000 to a variety of more than 100 Irish sports clubs to help them continue to play a pivotal role within their communities,” Mr Twohig said.

An invitation to enter the 2025 Texaco Support for Sport initiative will issue again in the Autumn, with entries open to all clubs, including those whose application may have been unsuccessful previously.