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Dáil
‹ An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

Louth Leinster final win

Summary

Deputy McGreehan celebrated Louth’s Leinster final victory after 68 years and praised the county’s success. The Taoiseach congratulated Louth, sympathised with Meath, and noted plans for a county stadium.

The Taoiseach might have heard the wee bit of news that came out of Croke Park on Sunday evening, with Louth winning the Leinster final and the Delaney Cup after 68 years of waiting. I must apologise for my voice; I got a bit hoarse during the celebrations. Louth GAA is most definitely on the up. We have two Leinster titles under our belts this year, the men's senior and the under-20s titles. There are another two to go. I can tell the Taoiseach that the people of Louth have been lifted so much. There were tears in my eyes and the eyes of my children on Sunday. I pay tribute to all involved in Sunday's historic win. Hopefully, we will come through in the ladies' final against Carlow on Sunday in Mullingar and the men's minors against Offaly on Monday in Newbridge.

I wish to raise the issue of the large-scale sports infrastructure fund. As the Taoiseach is aware, Louth GAA had a successful application under that fund. We need this financial support for phase 2 of the project. Phase 1 will be commencing soon and is mostly funded by Louth GAA through its fundraising, which is supported by the people of Louth, and clubs' contributions. We need support for phase 2. We do not have a county stadium. We deserve one. Our champions and future champions deserve one. When is it planned to have the next round of the large-scale infrastructure fund allocated? I want to ensure that Louth GAA is at the top of the list.

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John McGuinness An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

I do not know whether I should call on the Taoiseach or the Minister of State, Deputy Murnane O'Connor, to answer this question.

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I congratulate Louth on its historic victory, which was a cliffhanger, and extend my sympathies to Meath.

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Revenge for 2010.

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My late grandfather, who I never got to know, was from Arodstown in County Meath. The last time Meath won a Leinster final was in 1957, the year it won the all-Ireland football final against Cork. As a child, we were reared on the one that got away, among others. We genuinely wish Louth continued success. Clearly, as the Gospel says, it is now ambitious for higher things, so now it wants the stadium to go along with the football success.

I know a lot of work has been done by the Louth county board to establish a county stadium. There will be a new iteration of the large-scale infrastructural fund although it has not yet been put together. I will talk to the Minister for sport on this issue and indeed in respect of other projects that want to be considered. A lot of fundraising has already been carried out successfully in Louth but State support will also be sought.

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