Barna GAA Club received a huge boost this week with the announcement that its application for sports capital funding was successful.
The club had applied for funding to carry out improvement works on the pitch at Clochscoilte, as well as renovation works at the dressing rooms.
Galway West TD Brian Walsh informed the club on Friday morning that a grant of €52,000 for the works was approved by the Department of Sport.
Barna GAA is one of about three dozen clubs in Galway who shared in an allocation of a little over €2 million that was awarded to the city and county.
Chairman of Barna GAA Club, Johnnie Flaherty, said he was delighted with the allocation.
He thanked everyone in the club who helped assemble the application, including the sub-committee he appointed – in particular Mark McDonagh and Seán Connor – for their hard work in submitting an application that was successful.
“This is good news for Barna GAA Club. As far as I know, the club has never before been successful in drawing down grants. This grant is an acknowledgement of the hard work of the club’s committee, volunteers, members, players and management. The grant is a vote of confidence in Barna GAA and it will go some way towards improving the facilities at Clochscoilte. It will not solve all our problems but it is a welcome start.”
Johnnie also thanked Deputy Walsh for his help and support throughout the process.
“On behalf of Barna GAA, I would like to acknowledge the advice and support given to us by Deputy Brian Walsh, throughout the application process for sports capital grant funding, and representations he made to the minister on the clubs behalf. His efforts are very much appreciated.”
Johnnie said the Club’s Development Committee, chaired by Tommy Kavanagh, will meet in the coming days to formulate a strategy to draw down the grant and to drive the project forward.
