Champion forecast award presented at annual meeting

David Doyle of Kentstown Rovers received his champion forecaster trophy and a €500 voucher for his club at last week's Meath & District League annual general meeting at the Ardboyne Hotel, Navan. Doyle topped the charts in the Meath Chronicle / Meath & District League weekly forecast competition which featured a panel of six club members who made weekly predictions on the top games featuring Meath clubs last season. The panel also included David Buckley (Knightsbrook), Justin Burke (Oldcastle Utd), Patrick Matthews (Kells/Blackwater), Pascal O'Reilly (Navan Town) and Alan McKeown (Duleek). "The competition was outlined at last year's meeting and generated a lot of interest during the season, I think it was great success," remarked MDL secretary Gerry Gorman. The competition will be organised again for the new season and will begin next September with up to 10 players likely to be facilitated due to a demand from club members. There was a good turn out at last week's meeting with 57 clubs represented and a number of prospective new clubs also present. Applications will be considered from Enfield Utd, Laurence's Inn (Drogheda), Balrath Celtic, who already have an under-age set up, and after an absence of four years, Kilmessan are likely to compete again. Louth side Bellurgan Utd will affilaite again after six seasons in the Athletic Union League. Clubs that were not represented included Boyne Rovers, Donacarney, Donore Rovers, Dunboyne, Glaslough Villa, Glenmuir Utd, Longwood and M4 Rovers while Enfield Celtic and Grove Rangers will not affiliate for 2011 / 2012. There was a lengthy debate over the structure of Div 3 which last season was separated into two geographical groups. The chairman gave an undertaking that the situation would be assessed and a proposal would be put forward to clubs ahead of the new season. The consensus amongst the delegates appeared to be for a return to Div 3 and Div 4 instead of Div 3A and Div 3B with normal promotion and relegation to apply. This would tie in with a Duleek motion that was successful which means that the top two teams will be promoted and the bottom two relegated for 2011 / 2012. Delegates also sanctioned the introduction of a levy to support the annual car draw which makes it compulsory for each club to sell a minimum of 20 tickets. Officers elected: chairman - John Gorman; vice-chairman - David Tully; secretary/treasurer - Gerry Gorman; fixtures secretary - Pat O'Brien; registrar - John O'Byrne; committee - Hubert Powderly, Eugene Lynch, Jimmy Mangan, Angie Melia, Brendan McKeown, Vivian Kelly, Paddy Myles, Sean Farrell, Justin Burke. All positions subject to ratification at first executive committee meeting of 2011 / 2012. Clubs wishing to affiliate for the 2011 / 2012 season must have all their forms and fees submitted by Thursday 30th June. The affiliation fees are: first team €400; second team €300; includes LFA affiliation, player registration €5 each. ROLL OF HONOUR Premier - Woodview Celtic (runner-up - Carrick Rovers); Div 1 - Dromin Utd (Navan Cosmos); Div 2 - Knightsbrook (OMP Utd); Div 3 - Johnstown (Abbey Celtic); Div 4 - Drogheda Crescent (M4 Rovers); Challenge Cup - Clones Town (Woodview Celtic); Reserve Cup - Parkvilla (Woodview Celtic); Fitzsimons Cup - Johnstown (Kingscourt Harps); Gerry Reilly Memorial Cup - Duleek (Carrick Rovers); Kilmessan Shield - Knightsbrook (Carrick Rovers); O'Neill Shield - Drogheda Crescent (Bailieboro Celtic); Premier Reserve - Rock Celtic (Duleek); Premier A Reserve - Woodview Celtic (Parkvilla); Premier B Reserve - Dromin Utd (Electro Celtic); Premier C Reserve - Boca Rovers (Rossin Rovers).