Tipperary GAA receives huge blow in efforts to refurbish historic stadium

Tipperary GAA received disappointing news on Monday morning after it was revealed that FBD Semple Stadium would not be amongst the recipients of the large scale sports infrastructure fund (LSSIF) allocations doled out across the country.

The historic Thurles venue was one of 12 GAA applications that also included the likes of Clare, Dublin, Limerick, Mayo, Meath, Roscommon, Kerry and Wexford, who had applied for funding.

Alas, the funding will not be forthcoming for Tipperary GAA who missed out on the total amount of grants awarded, which came in at €173 million, and will benefit 35 individual projects across numerous sporting and community organisations around the country.

All applications submitted under the LSSIF Fund were required to have the prioritised endorsement of a National Governing Body for Sport (NGB) or a Local Authority. This prioritisation was one of a number of factors taken into account in the assessment and ultimate ranking of projects.

It was informed by factors such as the potential to enhance sports participation, sustainability, similar access for both men and women, and the ability to execute the project within a specified timeframe. A number of sporting disciplines will benefit under this round of the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund, including football, Gaelic games; athletics; basketball; rugby; hockey; swimming and water-based sports; cricket, golf, and cycling.

Tipperary GAA and Kerry GAA were both looking for funding for FBD Semple Stadium and Fitzgerald Stadium through the grant back in September with the Tipperary county board requiring a €4 million investment from the GAA to maintain the upkeep of the fabled venue and there was hopes to revive the pre-pandemic redevelopment plans they had for the Kinane Stand, which at the time were estimated to cost €10 million.

Despite this, Tipperary missed out while Kerry GAA received a €6 million windfall via the grant. Elsewhere, both Wexford and Clare GAA received significant funding for their “centres of excellence.”

There is still some outside hope that some funding could be forthcoming LSSIF applications which have not received an allocation, the Department will publish a reserve list in the coming period on which all valid applications will be placed and assessed.

When additional LSSIF funding becomes available, it is envisaged that projects on the reserve list can then be funded.