Ladies GAA club championships launched in Ratoath

Meath's Rio Paralympian Paul Keogan was the special guest at the launch of the Meath Ladies GAA club championships in Ratoath tonight where each club was represented in a colourful display of club gear ahead of the start of the action in a fortnight.

Paul suffered heartbreak in Rio when he was disqualified from his T37 400m heat due to a false start after going into his first Paralympic Games with genuine hopes of making the podium.

Paul was a triple gold medal winner from the 2015 Cerebral Palsy World Games, the Skyrne man had every reason to believe he could have made a real impact in Brazil, but he is now focused on the next Games in Tokyo 2020.

Speaking at the launch chairman Fearghal Harney announced a number of new sponsors including Masita, Divinity Tiles and Bathrooms, Optimism (event management group in Oldcastle) and Seamus Connolly Catering.

'We are also introducing our own version of the Allstars, the 2017 Meath Ladies Green Stars will be a popular initiative this year with support from the Meath Chronicle and Masita and the team will be announced at our awards night at the end of this year,' he stated.

Paul Keogan also addressed the players and told them that it was very important that they enjoy their sport.

'I played a lot of football when I was younger but now I'm involved in athletics which is much more a lonely sport, but you have to enjoy your sport,' he said.

'Don't take for granted the camraderie that you have in a team sport, my sister Caitriona plays with Skryne and I'm obviously hoping that it's a good year for Skryne.

'It's vitally important in sport that you react in the best way possible to adversity, how you bounce back from a defeat is important, if something goes wrong try to turn that into an advantage,' he advised.

The action will begin on Saturday 6th May / Sunday 7th May

Senior - Simonstown v Seneschalstown; Na Fianna v Dee Rangers; Boardsmill v Oldcastle; St Ultan's v Royal Gaels.

Intermediate - St Colmcille's v Donaghmore / Ashbourne; Moynalvey v St Michael's; Dunboyne v Ratoath; Summerhill v Blackhall Gaels.

Junior - Duleek/Bellewstown v Moylagh; Dunsany v Ballivor; Walterstown v Navan O'Mahonys.

Junior B (7th May) - Skryne v Simonstown; St Patrick's v Oldcastle; Trim v Wolfe Tones.

Junior C (7th May) - Boardsmill v Rathkenny / Slane; St Ultan's v Seneschalstown; Dunboyne v Royal Gaels.

Junior D - (7th May) - Na Fianna v Drumbaragh; Gaeil Colmcille v Ratoath; St Colmcille's v Clonard.