given the variety of sports in ireland, it is of interest to note how the government's capital sports programme 2017 allocated it's €56 million funds. €23.5 million went to the gaa which highlights the strength of the gaa lobby. €7.25 million to soccer, rugby €3.1 million, tennis €2.64 million, golf €1.97 million, sailing €1.21 million, athletics just under €1 million, diving €451,000 while other sports did not fare so well.