Sporting reaction to stroke of luck

Austin Carruth (Boxing)

"Boxing has got more money this year than it ever got before. I wouldn't want to go down the road of criticising the GAA. It's up to everyone to get their act together. At least the GAA are producing the goods. . . If you don't knock at the door, it won't open. I wish the GAA luck. To criticise them would only be doing the dog in the manger and if it's building the money is going in to, then it goes into the economy anyway."

Pat Byrne (Soccer) "I thought soccer might have got more. We at Shamrock Rovers are currently trying to get planning permission and funding to build a stadium in Tallaght, one of the most needy places in the country. I hope Charlie McCreevy is still around when we get the planning permission. About £2 million is needed.

I'm not having a go at the GAA, but it does look wrong. I'd like to have seen the FAI get more to upgrade facilities around the country. Soccer is the biggest played sport in the country from kids up to senior. . . It's strange. I think it's sad that the GAA won't allow soccer to be played in Croke Park."

George Hook (Rugby)

"You would have to say that essentially GAA is the game of the people. Money from the Government going into the national game cannot really be criticised. Heritage, culture and tradition, I think are important. But I'm not sure I'd like to see £20 million going into the development of a stadium. I believe the building of a stadium should be funded from events in that stadium. I think money should go to junior sport and the development of athletes."

Ted Walsh (Racing)

"I've no gripe with money going to the GAA. I think racing does quite well out of the Government. GAA is the national sport. It's been around for longer than the others and it is widespread throughout the country, whereas sports like racing are in pockets around the place. It makes political sense as well. You know, I'm not living with my head in the sand, it's a good political decision. Other people will have cribs about it, but if I were up there as Minister of Finance, I'd be giving racing a big slice of it too."

Niall Bruton (Athletics)

"It's a lot to give to one organisation and it doesn't seem that balanced. They could have been a bit fairer, although athletics has been well funded and I have got good grants that have enabled me to run for Ireland and to run professionally. But I'm sure lots of people will ask why. It's a bit unfair that it's gone in one direction and not to the lesser-funded sports. Why GAA if not soccer, hockey, swimming, canoeing and the likes."