O Bric to lead u-20s as work starts at Dunganny

SEAN WALL

Cathal O Bric was ratified as county u-20 football manager for 2024 at last night’s county committee meeting in Dunganny. O Bric led the county to the All-Ireland minor football title in 2021.

The chairperson and secretary of each club as well as the club’s pathway manager will be invited to presentation by the county Football Development Committee in the coming weeks.

The Carnaross delegate asked if there would be a discussion on the general state of football in the country to which chairman John Kavanagh replied that we had enough of problems in our own county without worrying about anyone else!

A new County Safeguarding Committee was ratified at last night’s county committee meeting in Dunganny.

The committee consists of children’s officer Michael Bennett, deputy children’s officer Jason Plunkett, county designated liaison officer Brian Carberry and deputy designated liaison officer Ciaran Flynn.

If Meath come through their quarter final Tailteann Cup tie against Wexford on Saturday they will be out in action again the follow week in the semi-final with both last four clashes being played in Croke Park. The final is also set to be played at headquarters.

The Meath senior hurlers who won the Christy Ring Cup were congratulated by chairman John Kavanagh who said he hoped the success would be a springboard to the county establishing itself in the Joe McDonagh competition and also the higher grade of league hurling.

The Meath minor team that won the Peadar O Liathain Cup recently were also congratulated as were Wolfe Tones on winning the Comortas Peile na Gaeltachta.

Dunshaughlin referee Andrew Smith who took charge of the recent Leinster MFC final between Dublin and Kildare was also congratulated.

There was also a mention for duel county star Mickey Burke who recently played his 199th game for the county while Donal Keogan who made his 150th appearance for the county senior footballers in the Tailteann Cup win over Down was also lauded. Chairman John Kavanagh said it was a great achievement for both players.

Leinster Council delegate Mairead Delany praised PRO Brian Kelly for compiling statistics on county senior footballers which included appearances in the different competitions, and scores etc. She said it was great to have those details on record and expressed the wish that it could be done for the county hurlers as well.

The next meeting of the county committee is pencilled in for Monday July 10th.

DUNGANNY

DEVELOPMENT work on three new pitches at the Centre of Excellence in Dunganny has commenced.

Bulldozers, diggers and earth moving equipment are presently on site with the project being undertaken by Tony Patterson Sports Grounds, Co Down. The cost of the three grass pitches with irrigation system is in the region of €1.2 million.

Already a Sports Capital grant of €256,000 has been secured for the project and so far €86,000 has been drawn down for the first part of the work.

Central Council delegate Jason Plunkett outlined details of the project to delegates at Monday night’s county committee meeting. When ground work is completed the pitches will be seeded in August and will be match ready by June/July 2024.

A sod turning ceremony involving GAA officials, Minister for Sport Thomas Byrne and Justice Minister Helen McEntee takes place on Friday June 23rd at 12.30pm.

Jason Plunkett also informed delegates that they hoped to sell the naming rights to Dunganny in the near future and they would soon be in discussions with interested parties.

Corporate trustees for Dunganny will also be appointed.

This year’s Meath GAA annual Golf Classic fundraiser ‘Swing for Meath’ was launched prior to the county committee meeting in Dunganny on Monday evening and takes place in Headfort GC on Friday July 21st. The event is generously sponsored by Hanley Clean Meals. Funds raised will go towards the development in Dunganny.

A great day’s golf is guaranteed and there are plenty of great prizes on offer as well as entertainment and a three course meal afterwards. As well as prizes for the first four teams there are also prizes for club teams include a set of jerseys sponsored by O’Neills Ltd.

The cost for a team of four is €500.