Unique and unusual Meath GAA convention a success

It was a unique and unusual annual Meath GAA convention with the business conducted on line for the first time.

It's the way forward perhaps with no more monthly journeys to Duganny for the regular Co Board meetings ? - that's for the future, but tonight it was out of necessity and while it was a bit stop-start from time-to-time the business was completed efficiently.

Chariman John Kavanagh was returned unopposed to serve a second term and indicated that an announcement about finance for the Pairc Tailteann re-development project is imminent.

"Nothing happened this year with the Pairc Tailteann development, but there is a potential source of funding and we hope to announce it soon, we had hoped to announce it tonight, but I know that everyone will be pleased when it is announced," he suggested.

Regarding 2021 he had this to say:

"For next year it looks like we will have county first followed by club games with the All-Ireland finals in July, but this is all subject to confirmation."

There was disappointment expressed by some delegates that the profit from the three-house draw for Pairc Tailteann only generated a return for the project of €150,000.

It was accepted by members of the management committee that maybe the project had been too ambitious.

The chairman informed delegates that some clubs didn't sell any tickets and he also suggested that maybe there wasn't as much support out there for Meath GAA as they had initially anticipated.

There were a number of votes required to fill positions with Francis Flynn unsuccessful in his bid to retain his role as assistant-treasurer.

It was the end of an era for Franis Flynn who has served for 37 years in various roles on the Co Board since 1983.

He was replaced this evening as assistant-treasurer by Gene Smith (Nobber).

Paddy Kelly was elected vice-chairman when he received 118 votes (quota 98) ahead of Nick Fitzgerald who received 76 votes.

Brian Kelly was elected assistant-secretary to take over the role vacated by Anne McDonnell while Martin Blake took over the role of coaching officer from Greg Carry.

Officers elected

Chairman - John Kavanagh (unopposed).

Vice-chairman - Paddy Kelly (118 votes, elected); Nick Fitzgerald (76).

Secretary - Mairead Delaney (unopposed).

Assistant-secretary - Brian Kelly (135); Brendan Cummins (44); Peter O'Halloran (14).

Treasurer - Jim Mullery (unopposed).

Assistant-treasurer - Gene Smith (117); Francis Flynn (77).

Coaching officer - Matin Blake (100); Greg Carry (94).

Irish Language and Culture officer - Joseph O'Brien.

PRO - Ciaran Flynn (unopposed).

Leinster Council - Damien Griffin and Cathal Seoighe (both outgoing).

Central Council - Jason Plunkett.

Development officer - Brian Carberry.

Children's officer - Michael Bennett.