Galway is back in the running to host the 2012 Volvo Ocean Race after the Government announced an eleventh-hour €4 million purse to support the 'Let's Do it Galway' bid. The €4 million will have to be matched by similar funding from the private sector and will be paid providing Galway are successful in their bid.

And in a second major boost to sport in Galway, Galway United were last night putting the finishing touches on a friendly with a Manchester United 11, which is due to take place by the end of February.

The closing date for applications from interested parties was last Friday, but the Galway bid was granted special extension until yesterday afternoon to secure the required funding.

Let's Do it Galway Chairman John Killeen paid tribute to Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Minister Eamon O Cuiv for his efforts around the cabinet table that secured the Government's support.

"It was a long session all weekend, but only for Eamon O Cuiv we wouldn't have got anywhere. He put in Trojan work on our behalf.

"The next stage is to convince Volvo that Galway is the best port to host the leg. We are a long way down that road already, but we are not there yet. The government funding was a vital part of that and it puts us in a strong position to get the leg now," he said.

In a statement, the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Martin Cullen confirmed the government's intention to back the Galway bid.

"The Government through Fáilte Ireland is prepared, subject to appropriate contractual arrangements and commensurate funding from the private sector, to provide financial support of €4 million towards the 2011-2012 event, should the bid for Galway to be a host port be successful.

"This decision is based on anticipated economic returns and tourism benefits in terms of international publicity and the attraction of visitors from overseas," he said.

Mayor of Galway, Cllr Declan McDonnell also expressed his delight at the Government's decision and said he hoped Galway could now secure the stopover.

"This is great news for Galway," said the mayor. "Hopefully we can kick on now and ensure that the stopover comes to Galway again. I congratulate John Killen and everyone involved in Let's Do it Galway for all their hard work."

Minister Cullen wished 'Let's Do it Galway' every success with their bid, saying they could be "fully assured of the Government's enthusiasm and support for Galway and the West of Ireland".

Galway will now go head-to-head with the Portuguese capital Lisbon and Lorient in France to host the trans-Atlantic leg of the VOR that is expected to set sail from either Miami or Baltimore in June 2012. A decision is expected in early March from the VOR committee as to the identity of the host city.

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