Eadestown GAA club receives Kildare Texaco award
The presentation to Eadestown GAA Club’s Communications Officer Victoria Dowling (back, second left), and fellow club members, was made at Monread Fare in Naas. Pictured with them were Maria Irwin (back, third left) and Jorge De Sousa, from Texaco service station (back, second right), with Bronagh Carron, Marketing Manager at Valero Energy (Ireland) Limited (back, centre left).
Eadestown GAA Club has been chosen winners of the Kildare County award in this year’s Texaco Support for Sport initiative. EUR5,000 has been presented to the Club to help support the construct of a new pitch.
Established in 1884, Eadestown GAA Club prides itself on being the cornerstone of its community and a hub of connection and growth for all generations. With 25 juvenile teams, it provides young players with a platform to grow in confidence, build friendships and develop vital life skills. In 2024, it launched its “GAA for All” team, creating an inclusive space where children of all abilities can experience the joy of Gaelic games.
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 Kildare winners were Leixlip United AFC (2021), Kilcock Celtic FC (2022), Monasterevin Blueway Kayaking Club (2023) and Maynooth Town Association Football Club (2024).
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 Kildare club as ‘a deserved recipient’, he went on to add:
“Eadestown GAA Club is the beating heart of its community. This Texaco funding will go towards helping to develop a new pitch which will benefit everyone that’s fortunate enough to play on it or be involved with the Club. Well done to all.” 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
