Tallow GAA has outlined how it plans to use its €50,000 donation from Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan.

The West Waterford club is one of three local GAA clubs set to receive funding from the couple, alongside Shamrocks GAA and Lismore GAA.

Tallow GAA Treasurer Kieran Geary told WLR’s Big Breakfast Blaa that the club plans to invest in coaching and games, as well as a number of facility upgrades.

He said the funding will help with plans to tarmac the club’s community walkway and develop a spectator stand.

The donation is the largest single contribution Tallow GAA has received in its 139 year history.

Mr. Geary revealed that the process began around a month ago when club secretary Lindsay Murphy received a call from an unknown number.

That led to a series of meetings with representatives of Zuckerberg and Chan, with Mr. Geary admitting it had been ‘a hard secret to keep’.

He also described the donation as ‘a bit surreal’, saying people had jokingly suggested the club should approach the couple after news emerged that they had purchased Strancally Castle.

Mr. Geary said the funding would make a major difference to what the club can achieve.

He added that the donation was also a boost for the wider west Waterford GAA community, with significant development work taking place across all three clubs.

Shamrocks, Tallow and Lismore are each set to receive €50,000 over the next two years.