Total of 79 clubs to share in McManus windfall

GAA news

A total of 79 local men’s and ladies football clubs, hurling clubs and camogie clubs will benefit to the tune of €12,658 each after Cavan county board dispersed the €1 million euro donation from businessman JP McManus.

The decision was confirmed at last Monday night week’s county board meeting. The funds were issued to each county board with instructions as to how it should be distributed.

The board subsequently held discussions with the Cavan LGFA and camogie boards before proposing the split, which was passed by delegates at the meeting.

The money will be divided between 40 football clubs, three hurling, 28 ladies football and eight camogie.

“The letter said that the money should be distributed among the clubs of Cavan,” Martin Cahill, Cavan GAA Head of Operations, told the Anglo-Celt yesterday (Tuesday).

“A club is defined in the GAA rulebook as a unit that plays at adult level. We asked the camogie and LGFA boards for a list of clubs that played at adult level.

“It was proposed and unanimously approved by the clubs at our recent county board meeting.”

Clubs will receive their payment by cheque this week.

“It’s an hugely generous gift from the McManus family and on behalf of the clubs of Cavan, I’d like to express our appreciation. Most parishes will end up the best part of €25,000 the better for it and some will get even more than that.”

There are some stipulations as to how the clubs are supposed to spend the money. It is not for operational purposes and is to be used for capital projects, health and wellbeing, language promotion and integration among other headings.