GALLERY: Kids carry out Pairc Tailteann pitch invasion

The Meath senior footballers got their League campaign off to a winning start with a four-point win over Tipperary on Sunday but they were equally happy to share the limelight with local kids who converged on the Pairc Tailteann pitch for a half-time kickabout.

Dozens of children (and potential Meath stars of the future) tucked footballs under their arm and waited patiently for referee Niall Cullen to blow for the interval. On the whistle, Pairc Tailteann stewards threw open the gates for the kids to run onto the hallowed turf which held up remarkably well considering the traffic.

The ‘free for all’ took up the Hospital end of the pitch while a Cumann na mBunscol exhibition game and filled the remainder of the Páirc Tailteann pitch for the inaugural ‘Bring a Ball’ day.

SEE ALL THE PICTURE FROM SUNDAY HERE

“It was great to look out on the pitch during the fifteen minute interval and see so many children having a great time as they played football on the same ground as their heroes. Every child came off the pitch with smiles across their faces when the hooter sounded to signal it was time to head back to where they had been seated for the first half,” said Minor Board Secretary, Brian Kelly.

“As a first outing we couldn’t be more pleased with how the ‘Bring a Ball’ initiative went and we look forward to seeing even more children kicking goals and points on the pitch when Armagh come to town on February 10th, a game which will be preceded by the Meath Ladies League game against Offaly. It will be a great chance for future stars of both teams to show off their skills and foster their dreams of one day pulling on the county jersey for the senior team.”
PHOTOS: COURTESY OF BRIAN MULLIGAN/MEATH GAA