Local Carlow athletics club awarded €5,000 as part of nationwide competition

St. Laurence O'Toole Athletic Club in Carlow has been named as one of the 26 sports clubs across the country selected to receive funding under this year's Texaco Support for Sport initiative.

As part of the nationwide initiative that is now in its fifth year, the local athletics club in Carlow will receive €5,000 to help improve facilities, purchase new equipment and more.

Texaco Support for Sport is hosted and organised by Valero Energy Limited and this year judging was overseen by the former Irish rugby international and broadcaster Donncha O'Callaghan. In total, the initiative is awarding €130,000 to sports clubs across Ireland in 2025.

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Of the clubs receiving funding this year, €40,000 is divided equally amongst eight GAA clubs (incorporating camogie, Gaelic football and hurling), €20,000 amongst four athletic clubs, and a further €35,000 shared equally amongst three soccer clubs, two rowing clubs and two rugby clubs.

Additionally, a further €35,000 is divided between seven clubs whose disciplines include basketball, bowling, cycling, golf, gymnastics, inline hockey and swimming, all receiving €5,000 in each case.

Congratulating the winners, James Twohig, Director of Ireland Operations, Valero Energy (Ireland) Limited, acknowledged "the immense contribution" that sports clubs make to the heart of community life in Ireland.

He said: "The purpose of our Texaco Support for Sport initiative is to provide an avenue of funding for local sports clubs to help nurture grassroots talent, improve facilities, purchase new equipment or contribute to inclusivity measures which will broaden and enhance their appeal and grow their memberships.

"Since its inception, we are proud to have distributed almost €650,000 to a variety of more than 125 sports clubs throughout the country and this has undoubtedly helped them to continue to play an essential and positive role within their communities."

Clubs will be invited to enter the 2026 Texaco Support for Sport initiative in the New Year, with entries open to all clubs, including those whose application may have been unsuccessful previously.