Despite this, investment in the game in Ireland is woeful. 55% of clubs do not own their own facilities and rely on leases – half of these leases are for 15 years or less, meaning that more than 25% of clubs in the country cannot apply for government funding. 27% of clubs have leases of less than one year, meaning financial uncertainty and instability.

Football has been the Cinderella of Irish sport since 1922. The truth is that a huge part of the blame for that can be laid at the door of the FAI and the way football has been organised up to now. We in Labour believe it’s time to change this, which is why we are campaigning for strategic investment in Ireland’s much loved game.

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