Raising the Barr

One of Cork’s most famous GAA clubs has two new reasons to celebrate this week.

St Finbarr’s GAA club, or the ‘Barrs as the club is known on Leeside, has two new dugouts thanks to funding allocated in 2019. The Cork City Council's Sports Capital Grant Scheme offered €8,000 to the Togher-based club who put it to good use by erecting the dugouts on one of their pitches.

This week, Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr John Sheehan met officials and players on the grounds of the club to view the new facilities. The Lord Mayor commented: “We are all too familiar how difficult recent times have been, but it has also shown the amazing community spirit and civic responsibility in Cork city typified by volunteers such as those running sports clubs and organisatons all over the city. Also, it's vital to stay healthy in body as well as mind and the Council’s sport grants play a big part in this.”

The Chairperson of St Finbarr's, Denis Bohane, said: “Thanks to Cork City Council for their support. Grants like this greatly help clubs like the ‘Barrs to offer better facilities to the youngsters in the area.”

The 2020 Scheme was announced in January and applications are awaiting approval by Cork City Council. It operates under two pillars; minor sports grants (under €5k) and major sports grants (€5k - €10k).