Hafner’s Sausages got 2025 off to a sizzling start for five sports clubs in Northern Ireland by awarding them a £1000 sports grant each.

The groups are the Lagan Dragons, Pearse Og Gaelic Football for All, St. Molaise GAA Club, Sion Swifts Ladies and Girls and St. John Bosco Boxing Club.

The goal of the five clubs that were awarded a £1000 Hafner’s Sports Grant is to improve the lives of people in their communities, explained Stephen Donnelley, Hafner’s: “We received almost 200 requests for funding when we did our call out last year. To whittle that list down to just five was a hard task but after much deliberation we chose some fantastic clubs who will now have the funds to carry on their crucial work.”

Hafner’s Sausages

The sports grant will be used to address a variety of needs, including new equipment, facility improvements, and more.

Pearse Og Gaelic Football Club in County Armagh offers disability-inclusive sports, and they are committed to providing a safe, accessible environment for all children to enjoy the sport of Gaelic football. They plan to use the £1,000 donation towards the purchase of specialised football equipment and sensory stimulation tools, designed to enhance the experience for children with a range of physical and sensory needs.
Molaise GAA club in County Fermanagh will use the funds to support the club’s mission of addressing social and health inequalities and improving the well-being of local people by providing access to physical, health, and social activities.
Belfast-based Lagan Dragons, a community amateur sports club (CASC) is dedicated to supporting individuals affected directly and indirectly by breast cancer. They provide a safe, fun environment for people to come together and get active.
Sion Swifts Ladies and Girls Football Club, based in County Tyrone, has a strong commitment to developing female football players and providing opportunities for young girls to engage in sport. They plan to use the Hafner’s Sports Grant to enhance their training programs.
John Bosco Boxing Club, County Down, has a long-standing tradition of fostering talent and promoting positive community values through the sport of boxing. With the £1,000 donation, the club plans to organise outreach programs designed to introduce boxing to more young people in their local community, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Stephen from Hafner’s, continued: “We’re proud to give back to the communities that have supported Hafner’s Sausages over the years. These clubs and projects are vital to strengthening local communities and providing opportunities for people of all ages to get involved in sport and recreation.”

Rachel Reid from the Lagan Dragons, who was named BBC Sport NI’s Unsung Hero, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Hafner’s Sausages for their support. This funding will play a crucial role in improving the infrastructure of our club, allowing us to continue providing a safe, welcoming environment for those recovering from breast cancer, and their friends and family. The grant will allow us to better serve our members and help them on their journey to both physical and mental recovery.”

The £5,000 fund forms part of Hafner’s ongoing commitment to local communities, giving back to those who help foster community spirit, teamwork, and inclusivity.

“We hope that the grants will ease some of the pressures these clubs and projects face and allow them to continue their fantastic work.” concluded Stephen.