Donnacha leads the sixth Texaco ‘Support for Sport’

The Texaco Support for Sport funding initiative – which, to date has seen over 
€600,000 distributed to more than 125 sports clubs across Ireland – has been 
launched for the sixth year. 
 
Under the scheme, hosted by Valero Energy (Ireland) Limited, the company that 
markets fuel in Ireland under the Texaco brand, a fund of €130,000 will be 
distributed to twenty-six sports clubs on a county-by-county basis, with successful 
applicants receiving €5,000 in each case. 
 
Open to sports clubs across the 26-counties, irrespective of sporting discipline, size, 
membership, age, cultural appeal or gender (including clubs that may have been 
unsuccessful in their application previously), the initiative is one that recognises and 
supports the valuable contribution that sports clubs make to communities and 
throughout Irish society as a whole. 
 
Clubs that have received funding to date span the spectrum of Irish sporting activity. 
Amongst them are archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, bowling, bowls, boxing, 
camogie, climbing, cricket, cycling, diving, GAA, Gaelic football, golf, gymnastics, 
handball, hockey, hurling, inline hockey, kayaking, rowing, rugby, soccer, squash, 
swimming, and tennis. 
 
‘Route to funding’ 
Launching the 2026 initiative, James Twohig, Director of Ireland Operations, Valero 
Energy (Ireland) Limited, described sports clubs as “an integral part of communities 
across Ireland, where people of all ages can enjoy the many physical, social and 
personal benefits that sport brings.” 
 
Mr. Twohig went on to say his company is proud to provide “a significant source of 
funding for sports clubs, to help them continue the outstanding work they do for 
their members and communities. Every club has its own ambitions and challenges, 
and we are pleased that the Texaco Support for Sport initiative can play a part in 
helping them achieve their goals.” 
 
Adjudication 
Leading the adjudication process once again is Texaco Support for Sport 
ambassador, broadcaster and former Irish rugby international, Donncha 
O’Callaghan. Commenting, Donnacha said: “What makes the Texaco Support for 
Sport initiative so worthwhile is that every club has an equal opportunity to secure 
funding, regardless of its size, sporting discipline or competitive success. It gives 
clubs the chance to access support that can make a genuine difference to their 
future.” 
 
Highlighting the positive impact the initiative can have for clubs of all sizes, 
particularly those involved in minority sports, he added: “I’m looking forward to 
reviewing the 2026 applications and seeing how clubs plan to use this funding to 
improve facilities, encourage greater participation and strengthen their role within 
their local communities.” 
 

Application 
Following similar lines to that which proved successful over the past five years, the 
application process is now open online at www.TexacoSupportforSport.com 
 
Clubs wishing to apply can first register their interest to be followed, before closing 
date, by a completed application that should include full details of their sporting 
activity, the importance that the club holds in their local community, the purpose for 
which the funding is sought and the use to which it will be put. A sole qualifying 
requirement is that clubs making application must be properly constituted and hold 
a valid GS Exemption Number (Games and Sports Exemption Number) that features 
on the list published by the Office of the Revenue Commissioners on 2 nd  July 2026.  
 
Closing date for applications is 21 st  January 2027 with adjudication 
taking place thereafter