Meath football legend delighted to see stolen medals replaced

LOUISE WALSH

A kind-hearted Meath GAA supporter club has replaced six Leinster championship medals which were stolen in a break-in nearly three years ago at the home of county football legend Graham Geraghty

The GAA All-Star said he is 'delighted' with the kind gesture by the club to replicate the cherished medals which were among a haul of prized possessions taken from his Athboy house in 2019.

A total of 13 championship medals were subsequently found in a bag on a footpath by a man walking home for lunch in Arklow, Co Wicklow

Unfortunately the recovered haul did not contain the former Meath captain's Leinster medas or his Railway Cup ones.

At the time of the robbery, Graham's wife, Amanda said: "They are not worth much in monetary value but it took blood, sweat and tears to win these over a period of eleven years - one minor, two under 21s and three senior medals

"A lifetime of memories taken."

Almost three years later and the Meath Supporters Club presented Graham with replicas of six of the stolen medals at the county's GAA Gold Classic at Headfort Golf Club in Kells last Friday.

Meath GAA PRO Ciarán Flynn said it was "great to be able to put somewhat of a happy ending onto a tragic event."

"Myself and Jason Plunkett, Meath GAA's Central Council Delegate decided it was time to replace the medals and the supporters club readily agreed to fund the cost, which was almost €1000

"The replicas are genuine Leinster medals and we were only thrilled to be able to give them to Graham, a player who gave so much to the county on and off the field.

"The medals represent great symbolism for both Graham and the GAA community and it was great to get the medals back, albeit replacement ones, into his possession."

Graham said he was 'delighted' at the gesture

"Thanks so much to Jason Plunkett and Ciaran Flynn for making it all possible and to the Meath Supporters Club who paid to get them remade. I'm delighted to get them back."