Tipperary is lacking in political clout

In All Fairness

The starting gun on the 2024 General Election was officially started last Friday but realistically it began long before that.

There was the budget in September which gave a little bit to everyone without, again, trying to fix the major issues in society. Then, last week came the third sports capital allocation funding of the year with €173 million for 35 projects as part of the Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). This follows earlier announcements, which included €26 million for sports equipment and €230 million under the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF), bringing the total investment in sports capital and recreation for 2024 to €429 million.

Indeed, a number of Tipperary clubs were successful in appeals over their CSFF allocations, including BT Harps FC (Templemore) - €357,000; Cappawhite GAA - €143,168; Nenagh Éire Óg GAA - €162,000; Drom & Inch GAA - €146,000; Ballinderry Sportsfield in conjunction with Shannon Rovers GAA - €146,000; Moycarkey/Coolcroo Athletic Club - €59,000; Ballycommon – Muintir na Tire Hall - €134,000.

Tipperary GAA did get their hands on €200,000 as part of the CSFF for equipment for Coolmore Dr. Morris Park, but what they really wanted was large scale funding through the LSSIF but that they were rejected on the double for the TUS project and Semple Stadium is a body blow. It only adds to the gloom within the county with things at senior level on the field being at a low ebb as well.

It would appear that the application pertaining to refurbishment works at Semple Stadium lost out to Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney in terms of who got what with the Kerry venue getting €6 million for work on its west terrace, to not only improve the spectator experience for matches, but also as an outdoor concern venue.

The regulations for applications for the LSSIF Fund required prioritised endorsement of a national Governing Body for Sport or a Local Authority which Tipperary received from the GAA, Camogie Association, LGFA, and Tipperary County Council.

This prioritisation was one of a number of factors taken into account in the assessment and ultimate ranking of projects. It was informed by factors such as the potential to enhance sports participation, sustainability, similar access for both men and women, and the ability to execute the project within a specified timeframe.

What isn’t mentioned is that when anything is being decided in terms of government funding in any area of society, political pull is massive, and it would appear Tipperary doesn’t have it at the moment. This is something worth considering when you are deliberating in the coming weeks about whom you will vote for in the upcoming General Election in both the Tipperary North & South constituencies.

The biggest single project that received funding through the LSSIF was the Cavan Regional Sports Campus, similar to what is planned for the TUS Campus in Thurles. However, despite Cavan having a smaller population area than Thurles, what they had going for them is they had a cabinet powerhouse in Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys, and with her not standing in the upcoming election, and in a region where the government parties are under major pressure from Sinn Fein, it certainly looks like a politically motivated decision.

It could also be seen as a golden handshake for Humphreys as she exits the political scene but yet there was nothing for Fianna Fail’s Jackie Cahill who likewise isn’t standing in the election here in Tipperary North/West Kilkenny. The rejection of the two applications relating to Thurles, and others in the county that weren’t successful and weren’t disclosed, highlights the lack of political clout in the county over the last five years with our five T.D.’s, one each from Labour, Sinn Fein, and Fianna Fail, with Cahill overlooked for a junior ministry in the last government. Our two independent T.D.’s Michael Lowry and Mattie McGrath are of the Fine Gael and Fianna Fail gene pool, but their votes weren’t as vital as they were to prop up previous governments.

Tipperary will have increased representation in the next Dail with the number of T.D.’s increasing from five to six with the county being spilt into two three-season constituencies with the old North & South returning.

Every aspect of society wants more money, from health to education to justice, however sport is important in all that as an active society will mean more healthier people which takes the pressure off the health service, while sport is an important conduit to keep young people focused and not getting into trouble and anti-social behaviour which takes the pressure off the Gardai and the justice system.

It will be fascinating to see how it all plays out in the coming weeks with this short-sharp campaign, which is welcome, as regardless of who forms the next government, will they be brave enough to put tacking the key societal issues before party loyalty!