THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION of Ireland has been granted €3 million in the 2026 budget toward the development of professional academies.
The funding falls short of the €4.45 million the FAI sought in an investment proposal submitted last week to the government.
Separately, GAA inter-county players are to receive a 28% increase in individual grants, bringing the total player fund to €7.2 million and the average grant per player will increase to €1,800.
The GPA had an increase to €10 million from the current figure of €5.6 million.
Within their proposal, the FAI had sought an 11-year investment, consisting of three stages: An initial ramp-up phase of €4.45 million in each of two years; a ‘full funding’ phase of €8 million for five-straight years; and eventually a four-year ramp down phase, by which point the FAI say the yield on the State’s initial investment will begin to be reaped.
The initial ‘ramp-up’ phase proposes that the first tranche of funding will be used by clubs to hire a full-time academy director along with a head of coaching and an academy administrator.
Though the funding falls short of the total initially proposed, FAI sources say it has been promised on a multi-annual basis and will be increased should the FAI and clubs meet their targets and objectives.
The money will be distributed from Sport Ireland to the FAI, who will in turn share the money with clubs. The FAI have proposed that the money will be paid into a separate and standalone bank account, and the process will be subject to an oversight committee, which will include Sport Ireland representatives.
It marks a successful lobbying campaign by the FAI, specifically its League of Ireland department, for a multi-year State investment to kickstart investment in elite player production, a realm in which Irish football is lagging painfully behind.
This has been highlighted by the recent struggles of the senior men’s international team, and has been made more urgent by Brexit, with Irish youngsters no longer able to move to well-resourced British academies until the age of 18. They had previously been allowed to move from the age of 16.
A recent FAI audit found that none of the League of Ireland clubs employ at least four full-time academy coaches, compared with 36% of the professional clubs in the countries ranked between 51 and 100 in the Fifa rankings.
Advertisement
The FAI’s funding is the largest amount received by a sports body in the 2026 budget.
The FAI Welcomes €3 Million Government Investment in LOI Academy Development.
The FAI and League of Ireland welcomed the “vital muti-annual investment” in a statement this evening.
FAI CEO David Courell said: “We sincerely thank Ministers Patrick O’Donovan, Charlie McConalogue, Jack Chambers, Paschal Donohoe and the Government for their trust in this investment, which will be directed into the long-term development of our academy system.
“This marks an important step in building the structures Irish football needs to compete internationally and to strengthen the game in communities across the country. It is a significant moment for the FAI, our clubs, and the future of Irish football.”
League of Ireland Director Mark Scanlon hailed “a landmark day for the League of Ireland and our clubs,” echoing Courell’s thanks. “We will use this support to professionalise coaching, create full-time roles, and build a sustainable future for our clubs and the game.”
“Today marks an important milestone for the future of Irish football”, said LOI Academy Development Manager, Will Clarke, added. “This investment will create full-time roles across our clubs and support the development of modern, fit-for-purpose academies to help young Irish boys and girls reach their full potential on and off the pitch.”
“Together, we look forward to driving Irish football to new heights and ensuring this investment delivers lasting impact for the game’s long-term growth.”
Meanwhile, the Gaelic Players Association welcome the budget announcement that the State funding for their grants is to increase:
“This marks a strong result for players and for our campaign reflecting the credibility of the GPA’s case and the growing recognition of the enormous contribution inter-county players make to the Irish economy and society.
“We have had positive and constructive engagement with Minister Patrick O’Donovan, who has reaffirmed his commitment to continue working with players over the lifetime of this Government. The GPA recognises today’s announcement as phase one of a plan to reach €10 million in annual player funding, the target set by players themselves.
“In the coming days, we will engage directly with players, Sport Ireland and the National Governing Bodies to discuss how this funding will be structured on a per-player basis.
“We would like to put on the record our thanks to Minister O’Donovan, Minister of State Charlie McConalogue, Minister Paschal Donohoe and Minister Jack Chambers along with all the other ministers, TDs, MEPs and government officials who have helped get us to this point.
“However, our campaign does not stop here. The GPA will continue to push until inter-county players are fully recognised and supported on par with other elite and high-performance athletes in Ireland, whether that is achieved through the total funding outlined in our campaign or through a combination of direct investment and/or a fair tax-relief scheme for players.
“Today is an important step forward but our focus remains firmly on achieving full recognition and fairness for every inter-county player in the country.”
The IRFU received €727,000 in additional funding, while an additional €1.5 million has been allocated to high performance funding.
“This provides for a €10.7 million increase in current expenditure for Sport Ireland, €3 million of which will support the establishment of League of Ireland football academies,” said Jack Chambers, the Minister for Public Expenditure.
“Ireland has a proud footballing history – at both domestic and international level.
“However, despite the enthusiasm for the game here, our youth development structures have not kept pace with other countries.
“In addition, rules changes following Brexit mean more young Irish players are staying in our domestic system for longer.
“This presents us with a responsibility – but also an enormous opportunity – to nurture our brightest young talents here at home and provide them with the best environment to fulfil their potential.
“The investment I am announcing here today is the start of a multi-annual commitment from this Government to focus on grassroots and build a new era for football in our country.”
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
19 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
LOI academies to get €3m funding in budget, GAA player grants increase by 28%
LAST UPDATE | 7 Oct
THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION of Ireland has been granted €3 million in the 2026 budget toward the development of professional academies.
The funding falls short of the €4.45 million the FAI sought in an investment proposal submitted last week to the government.
Separately, GAA inter-county players are to receive a 28% increase in individual grants, bringing the total player fund to €7.2 million and the average grant per player will increase to €1,800.
The GPA had an increase to €10 million from the current figure of €5.6 million.
Within their proposal, the FAI had sought an 11-year investment, consisting of three stages: An initial ramp-up phase of €4.45 million in each of two years; a ‘full funding’ phase of €8 million for five-straight years; and eventually a four-year ramp down phase, by which point the FAI say the yield on the State’s initial investment will begin to be reaped.
The initial ‘ramp-up’ phase proposes that the first tranche of funding will be used by clubs to hire a full-time academy director along with a head of coaching and an academy administrator.
Though the funding falls short of the total initially proposed, FAI sources say it has been promised on a multi-annual basis and will be increased should the FAI and clubs meet their targets and objectives.
The money will be distributed from Sport Ireland to the FAI, who will in turn share the money with clubs. The FAI have proposed that the money will be paid into a separate and standalone bank account, and the process will be subject to an oversight committee, which will include Sport Ireland representatives.
It marks a successful lobbying campaign by the FAI, specifically its League of Ireland department, for a multi-year State investment to kickstart investment in elite player production, a realm in which Irish football is lagging painfully behind.
This has been highlighted by the recent struggles of the senior men’s international team, and has been made more urgent by Brexit, with Irish youngsters no longer able to move to well-resourced British academies until the age of 18. They had previously been allowed to move from the age of 16.
A recent FAI audit found that none of the League of Ireland clubs employ at least four full-time academy coaches, compared with 36% of the professional clubs in the countries ranked between 51 and 100 in the Fifa rankings.
The FAI’s funding is the largest amount received by a sports body in the 2026 budget.
The FAI and League of Ireland welcomed the “vital muti-annual investment” in a statement this evening.
FAI CEO David Courell said: “We sincerely thank Ministers Patrick O’Donovan, Charlie McConalogue, Jack Chambers, Paschal Donohoe and the Government for their trust in this investment, which will be directed into the long-term development of our academy system.
“This marks an important step in building the structures Irish football needs to compete internationally and to strengthen the game in communities across the country. It is a significant moment for the FAI, our clubs, and the future of Irish football.”
League of Ireland Director Mark Scanlon hailed “a landmark day for the League of Ireland and our clubs,” echoing Courell’s thanks. “We will use this support to professionalise coaching, create full-time roles, and build a sustainable future for our clubs and the game.”
“Today marks an important milestone for the future of Irish football”, said LOI Academy Development Manager, Will Clarke, added. “This investment will create full-time roles across our clubs and support the development of modern, fit-for-purpose academies to help young Irish boys and girls reach their full potential on and off the pitch.”
“Together, we look forward to driving Irish football to new heights and ensuring this investment delivers lasting impact for the game’s long-term growth.”
Meanwhile, the Gaelic Players Association welcome the budget announcement that the State funding for their grants is to increase:
“This marks a strong result for players and for our campaign reflecting the credibility of the GPA’s case and the growing recognition of the enormous contribution inter-county players make to the Irish economy and society.
“We have had positive and constructive engagement with Minister Patrick O’Donovan, who has reaffirmed his commitment to continue working with players over the lifetime of this Government. The GPA recognises today’s announcement as phase one of a plan to reach €10 million in annual player funding, the target set by players themselves.
“In the coming days, we will engage directly with players, Sport Ireland and the National Governing Bodies to discuss how this funding will be structured on a per-player basis.
“We would like to put on the record our thanks to Minister O’Donovan, Minister of State Charlie McConalogue, Minister Paschal Donohoe and Minister Jack Chambers along with all the other ministers, TDs, MEPs and government officials who have helped get us to this point.
“However, our campaign does not stop here. The GPA will continue to push until inter-county players are fully recognised and supported on par with other elite and high-performance athletes in Ireland, whether that is achieved through the total funding outlined in our campaign or through a combination of direct investment and/or a fair tax-relief scheme for players.
“Today is an important step forward but our focus remains firmly on achieving full recognition and fairness for every inter-county player in the country.”
The IRFU received €727,000 in additional funding, while an additional €1.5 million has been allocated to high performance funding.
“This provides for a €10.7 million increase in current expenditure for Sport Ireland, €3 million of which will support the establishment of League of Ireland football academies,” said Jack Chambers, the Minister for Public Expenditure.
“Ireland has a proud footballing history – at both domestic and international level.
“However, despite the enthusiasm for the game here, our youth development structures have not kept pace with other countries.
“In addition, rules changes following Brexit mean more young Irish players are staying in our domestic system for longer.
“This presents us with a responsibility – but also an enormous opportunity – to nurture our brightest young talents here at home and provide them with the best environment to fulfil their potential.
“The investment I am announcing here today is the start of a multi-annual commitment from this Government to focus on grassroots and build a new era for football in our country.”
With reporting by David Sneyd
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Boost FAI Funding GAA Soccer