Aug 15, 2018
It was announced first in the flush of excitement around the Irish Women’s Hockey team and seven days later the detail of an additional €1.5 million from Government towards High performance Sport was confirmed.
A total of 17 sports will benefit from the new money which needs to be spent in 2018. The money has come from a dividend from the Irish Aviation Authority totaling €12 million of which half went to the general exchequer and have stayed within the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.
When news of the money being available broke thankfully there had been a vigorous process of engagement already completed with the High Performace teams across Sport Ireland.
A detailed review with each high performance funded sport took place over twelve months following the publication of the Rio Review. This highlighted the greatest needs across the sports most likely to deliver on a world stage and while some of them were accommodated in the high performance funding revealed earlier this year for 2018 there was a plan on how best to spend additional money which was being sought but was not available at that time.
It’s smart financial planning. Determine what is needed. Spend what you have to get towards the full aim, and know what is next when the money becomes available.
It was portrayed that this was an opportunist announcement by Government as the nation celebrated success in Hockey but in fact it was fully thought through and fully planned. Just like the performances it will fund, the planning of investment demands attention to detail and doing one right thing after another.
The funding will be used to assist National Governing Body preparations for major competitions including the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and key World Championship events.
It has further been boosted by an additional €250,000 towards the purchase of equipment by Sailing Ireland and Rowing Ireland, reward based on merit with their both having delivered Silver medals at the Rio Olympic Games.
“Sport Ireland is grateful for the additional funding for high performance sport, which followed detailed discussion with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Minister,” said Sport Ireland Chairman Kieran Mulvey.
“The National Sports Policy which was published recently highlights the need for increased investment in high performance sport if Ireland is to reach its potential on the international stage. The funding being announced today is an important step towards this objective.”
“In order to ensure athletes and teams are adequately prepared in advance of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, pre-competition camps are planned in both 2019 and 2020. There are significant costs associated with these vital activities and as such additional funding has been allocated to the Olympic Council of Ireland (€175,000) and Paralympics Ireland (€100,000).”
“In early 2018, Sport Ireland identified an immediate need for investment in order to offset the high costs associated with qualifying and preparing for 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo and participation in other key World Championship events,” added Sport Ireland CEO John Treacy.
“We have worked closely with the National Governing Bodies to ensure that this funding will be targeted towards enhancing athlete and team performance. We look forward to seeing a return on this much needed investment in the years ahead.”
Here is a full breakdown of the money going to each of the sports and what it will be used to pay for:
Hockey Ireland €500,000
To support the campaigns of the men’s and women’s senior teams to Tokyo 2020; to further enhance player support under the Carding Scheme; to advance the establishment of a base at the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus; and the facilitate greater engagement with the Sport Ireland Institute.
Olympic Council of Ireland €175,000
To support preparations for 2020 including the pre-Games Holding Camp and Tokyo projects
Paralympics Ireland €100,000
To support preparations for Tokyo 2020 including a training camp this November and the pre-Games Holding Camp in 2020
Horse Sport Ireland €175,000
To support Team Ireland’s participation in the World Equestrian Games in North Carolina, September 2018. Significant costs are associated with the transportation of horses to this event which is an Olympic qualification opportunity.
Swim Ireland €75,000
To support the advancement of the National Performance Centre for swimming and diving at the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus, Dublin. To assist with the coaching and accommodation costs associated with this project.
Gymnastics Ireland €75,000
To support the establishment of a National Training Centre for gymnastics at the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus, Dublin. To assist with the relocation, coaching and accommodation costs associated with this project.
Athletics Ireland €50,000
To support the development of Irish coaches who are working with high potential junior athletes transitioning to senior level throughout the Tokyo cycle
Irish Athletic Boxing Association €50,000
To support the costs associated with participation in the EU Boxing Championships which was added to the competition calendar in 2018. To facilitate the expansion of the coaching team based at the Sport Ireland Institute
Cycling Ireland €40,000
To support the Track Cycling campaign to Tokyo 2020 and maximise the opportunities presented with the addition of new events to the Olympic programme
Rowing Ireland €40,000
To advance the transition of junior rowers to senior level and support Rowing’s coaching programme.
Irish Sailing Association €40,000
To support Sailing’s planned training camp to Japan this September. Significant contact hours in an established base at the Games’ location has been identified as a critical success factor to Sailing’s Olympic preparations.
Badminton Ireland €25,000
To support Badminton’s coaching programme and assist the transition of junior players to senior level throughout the Tokyo cycle
Irish Judo Association €25,000
To support the Olympic campaigns of Judo’s carded athletes, Megan and Ben Fletcher.
Cricket Ireland €40,000
To support the women’s participation in the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Tournament taking place in the Caribbean this November.
Confederation of Golf in Ireland €40,000
To support the hosting of the World Amateur Team Championships in Carton House this August.
Irish Taekwondo Union €40,000
To support the coaching programme of Taekwondo’ s carded athlete as they continue their campaign to Tokyo 2020.
Triathlon Ireland €30,000
To support Triathlon Ireland’s campaign to qualify a mixed team relay to Tokyo 2020. This is a new event to the Olympic programme and provides two males and two females with an opportunity to target Olympic representation.
Aug 10, 2018
Irish Paralympian, James Scully, is looking forward to competing for his country in his home pool for the first time ever when he steps onto the starting blocks at the World Para Swimming Allianz European Championships next week.
James will be one of the first competitors in the pool as he gets his championship underway at 10am on Monday in the first race of Dublin 2018 in the 200m Freestyle S5 event “I’m really looking forward to this event, I want to show everyone what I can do and, as a team, we really want to seize the opportunity to show everyone what we are capable of.”
Along with Ellen Keane, James is the most experienced member of the Irish squad having made his debut in 2006. He has now competed at 2 Paralympic Games but is looking forward to something completely different ‘We’ve never done this before, we’ve never had the chance to compete in front of our own and I think this is a great opportunity to inspire the next generation. If someone is sitting in the stands or watching at home and they see what we can do and realise themselves that they are capable of matching or even surpassing us, then it will all be worthwhile.”
Tickets for the World Para Swimming Allianz European Championships are available to purchase now at www.paralympics.ie/dublin-2018-tickets Morning session tickets will cost €5 for adults, €3 for Under 16’s, Family tickets (2 adults and 2 children) are €10 and Group tickets (2 adults and 8 children) are available at €25. Evening session tickets will cost €10 for adults, €3 for Under 16’s and Family Tickets are €20.
The World Para Swimming Allianz European Championships are supported by Paralympics Ireland, Sport Ireland, Swim Ireland and Fáilte Ireland.
Aug 10, 2018
Thomas Barr created history by winning a brilliant bronze medal in the 400m hurdles in 48.31 seconds at the European Athletics Championships in Berlin last night.
Barr became the first Irish male sprinter to win an outdoor European medal in the 84-year history of the event.
His performance is the latest in perhaps the most successful week of international sport that Ireland has ever enjoyed following the successes of the Women’s Hockey team, the O’Donovan Brothers in rowing, Shane Ryan in swimming and with the promise of yet more to come.
“It was really reminiscent of Rio with all the Irish flags and fans out there. It all came together and I was raring to go from the afternoon to get out there,” said Barr afterwards.
“I really wanted that hardware and to join Ciara (Mageean) and Mark (English) with medals along with the greats like Sonia (O’Sullivan) and Derval (O’Rourke). I’m just so happy it came together and I’m really thankful to all my team.”
It made Thomas Barr the tenth Irish athlete to win a medal at the European Championships.
Leon Reid (Menapians) was a little disappointed with 7th in the 200m final with 20.37 but, like the 400m hurdles final, it was arguably the highest quality in the history of the championship. It was won by Turkey’s Ramil Guliyev in a championship record of 19.76.
Today will be another busy morning of action with Phil Healy (Bandon) in the heats of the 200m at 10:25, Ciara Mageean (UCD) in the heats of the 1500m, Kerry O’Flaherty (Newcastle) and Michelle Finn (Leevale) in the heats of the 3,000m steeplechase at 11:25, along with the heats of the men’s and women’s 4x400m relays at 12:05 and 12:40. Thomas Barr has a quick turnaround competing in the 4x400m relay.
Aug 9, 2018
Irish gymnast Rhys McClenaghan has qualified in 1st place for the pommel horse final at the 2018 European Championships in Glasgow.
His score of 15.266 is a personal best and he will now compete in the finals this Sunday 12th August at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow.
The final will be televised on RTÉ with details of the times and channels to be confirmed later.
Adam Steele, Ireland’s only All-Around gymnast, had a solid competition hitting 78.332 and ranking 13th in his first major championships with teammate Andrew Smith with an unlucky error in his first tumbling pass in an otherwise world-class routine scoring 13.566 on Floor.
“The guys today demonstrated real quality gymnastics,” said Gymnastics Ireland CEO Ciaran Gallagher.
“Andrew was unlucky with a bounce out of floor in an otherwise super routine. Adam in his first major championships displayed his credentials as a strong all-around gymnast with great potential for the future and history was again made by Rhys McClenaghan in securing Ireland’s first place in a Senior European Final with a huge score on Pommel ranking as top qualifier.”
“On behalf of all at Gymnastics Ireland congratulations to the guys, their coaches Luke Carson, Josh Dixon and Will Banthorpe, Judge Aidan O’Reilly and our Performance & Technical Manager Sally Johnson. Sunday’s Finals can’t come quickly enough.’
“It was a great performance by our gymnasts today,” added Sally Johnson, Gymnastics Ireland Performance and Technical Manager.
“Rhys competed a world class routine to qualify to the final in 1st place, our first senior finalist at a major championship.”
“Andrew and Adam showed real class today with solid performances and I’d like to congratulate them both.”
“We are all looking forward to cheering on Rhys in Sunday’s finals.”
Over the next few days RTÉ will have two exclusive web channels on the RTÉ player covering all 5 sports representing Ireland at the European Championships. For detailed information on streaming visit: https://www.rte.ie/player/ie/live/3/.
Gymnastics Ireland has signed two major sponsorship deals in 2018 with Nestle Cereals and Quatro kitwear.
Aug 3, 2018
What an incredible evening it was as Ireland secured a place in the Women’s Hockey World Cup after a shoot out win over India in London.
Everyone at the Federation and across the whole of Irish sport offers heartfelt congratulations to Graham Shaw’s side, to captain Katie Mullen, goal scorer Chloe Watkins and especially goalkeeper Ayeisha McFarren whose three saves when it mattered most made all the difference.
Ireland now face Spain in the semi-final, an incredible achievement for a team ranked 16th in the world going into the tournament and now carrying the hopes of a nation.
Good luck to the girls in green. The semi Final takes place on Saturday afternoon with the World Cup Final, should we dare to dream, on Sunday afternoon.
Aug 2, 2018
The World Para Swimming Allianz European Championships have been officially launched at Government Buildings with An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar playing host to Irish Para Athletes, Ailbhe Kelly and Patrick Flanagan.
Councillor Nial Ring, Lord Mayor of Dublin was also in attendance along with representatives of championship sponsors, Allianz Ireland and host partners; Sport Ireland, Swim Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and Paralympics Ireland.
“Hosting this event is a great honour for our country and we can’t wait to welcome some incredible para athletes from right across the continent to Dublin,” said An Taoiseach.
“Bringing this event to Dublin has been a major undertaking and I would like to compliment the Local Organising Committee, the Host Partners and sponsors for their efforts to bring this event together.”
“It will be a proud moment as our athletes, including Patrick Flanagan and Ailbhe Kelly, get to compete in front of our legendary Irish sporting fans. I’m really looking forward to the event and I would like to wish Team Ireland the very best of luck throughout the week.”
This will be the first ever major para sporting event to be held in Ireland.
The Sport Ireland National Aquatic Centre will be the Centre of attention from Monday August 13th through to Sunday 19th.
An 8 person Irish Team of Ailbhe Kelly, Patrick Flanagan, Ellen Keane, Jonathan McGrath, Sean O’Riordan, Nicole Turner, James Scully and Barry McClements will be hoping to raise the excitement level of the crowd.
They will be among more than 400 athletes from 37 countries taking part in 476 individual races in 167 events.
There are 4 host partners to Dublin 2018 who were all represented at the official launch including Emma Jane Clarke from Sport Ireland, Sarah Keane and Maggie Purcell from Swim Ireland, Paul Kelly of Fáilte Ireland along with John Fulham and Miriam Malone from Paralympics Ireland.
“It was a great honour to be invited to Government Buildings to officially launch the Championships,” said Malone.
“Having the support of Taoiseach Varadkar and of the Department of Transport Tourism and Sport has been a major factor in bringing this event to Dublin and we now look forward to getting the action underway in the National Aquatic Centre on Monday week.”
