Ardee Rugby Club receives Louth County award under Texaco Support for Sport Initiative

Ardee Rugby Club has been chosen as the winners of the Louth County award in this year’s Texaco Support for Sport initiative. EUR5,000 has been presented to the Club to fund new sports equipment, including a scrum machine, tackle pads and rugby balls.

Founded in 1980, Ardee Rugby Club is a community based organisation currently enjoying an increase in playing membership numbers.

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As a result, the Club has recently invested in significant enhancements to its facilities, which include new showers, a paved car park and upgraded lights on the main pitch and the training area.

Now in its fifth year, the Texaco Support for Sport initiative – organised by Valero Energy (Ireland) Limited, the company that markets fuel in Ireland under the Texaco brand – sees a fund of EUR130,000 set aside annually for allocation in equal amounts of EUR5,000 to successful applicants chosen on a county-by-county basis.

Previous Louth winners were Ardee St. Mary’s GFC (2021), Ace Athletic Club, Drogheda (2022), Cooley Kickhams Gaelic Football Club, Carlingford (2023) and Naomh Máirtín CPG (2024).

(The presentation to Ardee Rugby Club president, Fergal Callaghan (second right) was made at the Texaco Service Station, Carrick Road, Ardee. Pictured with him were Texaco dealers John and Michael Malone (second left and right), with Valero Area Sales Manager, Sinéad Fox)

Congratulating the county winners on the immense contribution that they make to the heart of community life in Ireland, James Twohig, Director of Ireland Operations, Valero Energy (Ireland) Limited was particularly praiseworthy of the unstinting work of club officials and volunteers, and noted that “since its inception, we are proud to have distributed almost €650,000 to a variety of more than 125 sports clubs under the Texaco Support for Sport initiative.”

Overseeing the judging process was Texaco Support for Sport ambassador, former Irish rugby international and well-known broadcaster, Donncha O’Callaghan.

Commenting, he said: “As adjudicator – and from my knowledge of sport gained at junior, senior and international level – the most reassuring aspect of the Texaco Support for Sport initiative is that it gives clubs rare access to funds which are not linked to popularity, membership size or success.”

Describing the Louth club as ‘a very deserving recipient’, he went on to add: “Congratulations to all at Ardee Rugby Club. I’m delighted to see the growth of this fantastic club, and I know the Texaco funds will help to purchase important resources which will benefit everyone at the Club, now and into the future.  I’m looking forward to seeing the next generation of Leinster and Ireland players emerging from Louth.”

Entries for the 2026 Texaco Support for Sport initiative will open again in the New Year for all clubs, including those whose application may have been unsuccessful previously. Further information may be viewed at www.TexacoSupportforSport.com