Camogie association confident of ‘positive’ response

AMID speculation that Clare camogie could lose out on LEADER funding of up to €250,000, officials of the organisation in the county remain confident this will not be the case.

The grant, in two lots, was announced at the beginning of the year towards the organisation’s purchase and development plans for their new headquarters, Fr McNamara Park.

In recent weeks, there has been concern the funding might be withdrawn as the eligibility of the project for funding is being assessed.

“There is a procedure there whereby all projects are assessed. We have not been turned down and we have received no such notification,” Clare camogie treasurer Michael Maher told The Clare Champion this week.

President Michael D Higgins attended the official opening of the new pitch last autumn and the venue has been used regularly for training and some domestic fixtures since then.

Earlier this year, work commenced on the construction of dressing rooms. Money was borrowed on the strength of the promised grant aid but this work has been suspended awaiting the outcome of the current assessment.

Maher, one of the driving forces behind Clare camogie acquiring its own headquarters, said “there is every reason to believe the final decision will be positive”.

“Some clarification was needed and we have met with the officials. A decision is due this week,” he explained.