Durnin helps drive Louth GAA Player Development Fund

Louth vice-captain Tommy Durnin is helping to drive a new initiative that aims to push Louth GAA forward.

The players have just launched a three-year Training and Development Fund, in a move designed to give current and future generations of Louth footballers the best possible platform to compete.

READ NEXT: Hermione Duffy wins Dundalk Golf Club Captain Gerry's Ladies Prize

The project centres around a fundraiser offering a limited edition signed Leinster final winning jerseys, and framed team photograph for businesses, supporters, and clubs to purchase. They are priced at €1,000 each, or together in a special package for €1,500.

Speaking on the initiative, Durnin outlined the thinking behind the development plan. He said: “From a GPA rep, me and Anthony Williams are the GPA reps for the team. In the last number of months now, we've been working on a fundraiser.

“As you see if you walk around Darver here, there's a lot of changes happening in relation to facilities, gyms for all underage and different things like that,” Durnin explained.

“We have a signed jersey, signed by all the players, it's going for €1000. We have a match day photograph as well, same €1000. There's a limited edition of both.

“There's some going to food expenses. There's some going to just general expenses, like a year ago we had Liam Jackson as an example over in England,” Durnin said.

“It is just to help him, maybe getting through his college degree, and he was coming back every week. It's just a fun kind of thing to develop us in the future.”

The fundraiser is being spearheaded by players themselves, Durnin, captain Sam Mulroy, and defender Anthony Williams are reaching out to supporters and local businesses with the backing of Louth GAA.

“I suppose for the next three years, speaking to Gavin and the guys here, they have serious, serious plans, and it's just kind of aligning back and around with that,” he said.

“Louth GAA are doing a lot in relation to the pitch and different things like that. We're trying to do our own bit here, where we can cater for training camps and different things like that. Again, it's just alignment with everyone.

“It's a memorable thing to have. My mam and dad were straight away on the case as well to have it in the house. So I kind of walk past it now and don't think anything of it.

“But yeah, that's the kind of thing. It's lovely to look back on, I suppose, in maybe 10 or 15 years. There are some bars in Dundalk where you would see the 2010 (memorabilia) and different things like that, and guys I would have played with.

“It's a nice thing to do, and it's a nice thing to have and look, we're trying for the future of Louth players and developing squads. Every little helps, and if anyone can support it, it is greatly appreciated.”

How to get involved

For supporters, businesses or clubs who want to support the Training and Development Fund, they can contact: Tommy Durnin (087 747 6383), Ciarán Downey (089 218 8993), Ronan Lynch (087 644 5490), or Barry Cullen (087 804 3194).