A quarter of Irish sports clubs face closure within a year – here’s how you can secure a vital grant for your local club

Some of Ireland's greatest sports figures are calling on clubs everywhere to apply for a €2,000 grant.

Disability activist and sports journalist Joanne O'Riordan, women in sport advocate Senator Evanne Ní Chuilinn and trailblazing jockey Rachael Blackmore are calling on clubs and sports organisation to apply for funding from Flutter's Cash4Clubs initiative.

Since 2008, Flutter UKI has provided €7 million to grassroots sports, and this year, they are stepping up their support with a €500,000 fund, with grants of €2,000 available. These grants can help cover essential costs, improve facilities and purchase equipment - providing a lifeline for clubs in difficult times.

The funding announcement comes after new research revealed that one-in-four adult only sports clubs in Ireland fear they could be financially unsustainable within a year without external funding.

The study, which was commissioned by Flutter UKI and carried out by Red C Research, revealed that over four in ten reported cancelling training or events due to a lack of funds, facilities or volunteers. Almost a third of clubs said a lack of funding was a key barrier to survival.

The study also found that there is a regional divide impacting adults sports clubs. 19% of Dublin clubs believe they could sustain themselves for less than a year without external funding, but outside the capital, this figure rises to 29%. Younger members are also more exposed to the risk of club closure, with one in three adults aged 18-34 reporting that their club is at risk of closing within a year.

Given this alarming research, it is no wonder that a number of sports legends are backing Cash4Clubs, with Rachael Blackmore among the figures encouraging clubs to apply.

"250 clubs that provide activities for over 18s are going to benefit from this massive financial boost," she said. "So, if you're helping adults get moving, apply now."

Joanne O'Riordan also called for clubs to apply for Cash4Clubs.

"Cash4Clubs prioritises helping not-for-profit clubs supporting adults through sport and physical activity that need it most," she said. "Their overriding aim is to help the exact groups who can’t see themselves surviving without a financial injection. There’s plenty of schemes helping young people, but few focus on assisting those organisations focused on helping 18+ exclusively, and we all appreciate the powerful impact being involved in a local community group can have, not just on our physical health but on our mental health too by getting out and about with friends."

One club that has benefited from a Cash4Clubs grant is Livorno Carpenterstown FC. The football club, which was founded by a group of friends in Carpenterstown, Dublin, received a €2,000 Cash4Clubs grant last year. The funding allowed the club to buy new training gear, expand its social activities, and welcome more players from the local community.

Chairman Sean Melia said: “The grant was a huge boost for us – it helped us buy new equipment, support our social club, and bring more people into the team. It really lifted morale among the players and even gave us momentum mid-season. Small funding like this can make a massive difference for grassroots clubs like ours.”

To apply for a €2,000 grant for your local adults-only club, visit cash-4-clubs.com and get your entry in today.