Big funding boost for two Mayo sports clubs

Two Mayo soccer clubs have been awarded €25,000 each to develop walking tracks.

The IRFU and the FAI shared in a €1 million fund under the Healthy Ireland Walking Tracks initiative. Castlebar Celtic FC and Westport United are among the 21 clubs approved for funding by the IRFU and 22 by the FAI.

The funding will be used to make pitch-side walking track facilities more accessible to everyone in the community. For instance, lighting to prolong the hours of usage will be installed.

This is the second phase of the Healthy Ireland Walking Tracks initiative, which previously delivered €1.6 million in funding to GAA clubs.

Minister of State, Alan Dillon TD, emphasized the initiative’s impact, “I have visited many GAA, soccer and rugby clubs across the county who have already developed walking trails around their pitches which encourage people, not just members of their club, but others within the community to get out and exercise.”

“This funding assists clubs to provide this valuable service to local communities and their ability to enhance facilities, to make them safer and more accessible is key to ensuring they continue to thrive and connect.”

Michael Ring TD echoed this, adding, “I am delighted that these clubs have put forward proposals for track improvements that will benefit the entire community so that we can all reap the health and wellbeing benefits.”