Eastern Gaels approved as Meath GAA's 60th club

Meath GAA will have a 60th club after Eastern Gaels were given the go-ahead by delegates at a specially convened Co Board meeting in Dunganny last night.

The new club were given the green light to affiliate after a strong debate which saw Pearse Gilroy put forward the motion on behalf of Eastern Gaels, while St Colmcille's Keith Loughman spoke against the proposal.

With 76 delegates, including Co Board executive members, entitled to vote Eastern Gaels affiliation was approved by 30 votes to 26 with four votes spoiled.

The proposed new club will operate in the catchment area of Mornington, Julianstown and Laytown.

Eastern Gaels were represented at the meeting by Gilroy, Johnny Cairns and Jude McNabb and Gilroy outlined their reasons for seeking to affiliate and propose to have one adult men’s team as well as a ladies team.

They also have plans for an academy for five to nine year olds in both hurling and football with playing facilities in Mornington.

The huge increase in population in the area was outlined with the club promising to provide capacity, create opportunity and increase participation in Gaelic games for young people in the area.

St Colmcille’s were represented by Loughman, James Kelly and Jackser Kavanagh with chairman Loughman giving the presentation on behalf of his club and outlining why Eastern Gaels should be denied affiliation.

Neither club were present when the other was giving their presentation while the Eastern Gaels contingent had to vacate the room when the Co Board meeting got underway.

Co Board chairman John Kavanagh outlined that a subcommittee of vice=chairman Paddy Kelly, former GAA President Liam O’Neill, Leinster Coaching & Games manager Alan Mulhall and Tomas Brady (Navan O’Mahonys) reviewed the application.

The subcommittee spoke to representatives of Eastern Gaels as well as the current GAA club in their proposed catchment area, St Colmcille’s.

The subcommittee met the Management Committee and gave feedback from both parties. However the subcommittee did not give any recommendations and only outlined the points.

Following this feedback the Management Committee voted by a majority in favour of the application from Eastern Gaels with chairman Kavanagh pointing out that the ultimate decision lay with the 59 clubs of the county.

The last club still in existence to affiliate was Simonstown Gaels back in 1965.

Following the vote Eastern Gaels released a statement to the media expressing their delight at receiving their affiliation.

EASTERN GAELS STATEMENT

Eastern Gaels are honoured, and absolutely thrilled, to have been affiliated as Meath’s newest GAA club. It is humbling to become part of an organisation that dates back 138 years when the first clubs were formed, and included our neighbours Duleek. We have a lot of catching up to do but we intend to do just that – and make a very positive and progressive contribution to Meath GAA.

We would like to thank the Chairman of the County Board, John Kavanagh and all members of the Management Committee for endorsing our application following the report of the sub committee. We would also like to thank the sub committee, Iar Uachtarán, Liam O’Neill, Meath Vice-Chairman, Paddy Kelly, Alan Mulhall, Leinster GAA and Tomás Brady of Navan O’Mahonys for their courtesy and careful consideration of our application.

As the latest addition to the wonderful Meath GAA family we would like to sincerely thank the clubs of Meath for accepting us into their midst. We have met many of them on our travels, enjoyed their hospitality and were extended great courtesy as we set out our vision and ambition. Go raibh maith agaibh!

That vision and ambition is driven by the recognition that there are real challenges here in East Meath for our Association. Our mantra since coming together on this journey has consisted of just three words - Capacity, Opportunity and Participation.

Eastern Gaels are acutely aware that East Meath urgently requires additional capacity and facilities to cater for and promote our games. In the area there are currently over 500 children entering the school system every year and 350 pupils leaving at the other end. We need to give our young people as much opportunity as possible to play our games and be part of an amazing organisation.

We are delighted that we will provide much needed facilities in the area. We are delighted, and proud, that our community will be able to train, play and have fun as members of Eastern Gaels.

From day one Eastern Gaels will be member driven. We will only succeed with help and participation – and lots of it. This is the start of an exciting journey and our members will be the architects of our travel plans.

But we will also work with anyone and everyone in East Meath and beyond in the interest of improving facilities and amenities. This is about our community and especially our children. We are hugely ambitious and will happily work with those who share our vision.

We look forward with tremendous excitement to engaging with the people of East Meath and the wider Meath GAA family during 2023 and beyond!

Moving forward together – Ag bogadh chun tosaigh le chéile.