A broad way to raise funds
More than a month after the Meath Co Board BROADWAY fundraiser in Ashbourne, Meath Chronicle Sports Editor Conall Collier suggests that the event has huge potential to generate substantial finance 'going forward' - what do you think?
Ingenious would be one word that could be used, sometimes, to describe the lengths that Meath GAA Co Board will go to in order to raise funds to boost the prospects of success for the football and hurling teams.
It would be an appropriate description of the Broadway promotion that took place at the Donaghmore/Ashbourne GAA club at the end of November.
The novel idea was brought to fruition by Denise Farrelly and Joanna Duff with the training provided by Martina Dixon and the Encore Stage School.
The event clashed with a similar type of fundraiser organised by Kiltale GAA club on the same night. That had a negative impact on the attendance, but for entertainment value the Broadway promotion was a big hit.
Co Board officials expressed disappointment with the overall event from a financial perspective and that is understandable, but then the Co Board must also shoulder some of the responsibility.
The Broadway promotion was a new event, it was step into the unknown and the fact that the original date was changed had a significant impact on numbers attending on the night.
Still, that shouldn't detract from what was delivered on the night - with a few minor changes and a set date sometime next December this fundraiser could surpass even the very successful raceday at Fairyhouse.
And it would certainly be more palatable for the hard-working club officials if all the various levies that currently apply could be collected in a more user-friendly manner - some innovative thinking from the Co Board could harness the potential of this Broadway event.
Current Meath selector Gerry McEntee was one of the three judges on the night and he was certainly impressed by what he saw - he even resisted the urge to 'burn' the Meath hurling captain James Toher and his Blues Brothers crew and gave them a maximum 10 points when it came round to the voting.
The Blues Brothers were eclipsed on the night by footballers Donal Keogan, who revelled in the lead role (Grease) with Mickey Burke, Mickey Newman, Donnacha Tobin and Paddy Gilsenan.
That quintet had substantial female backing from Ailbhe McHugh, Blathnaid Keogh, Hannah Heskin, Aideen Guy and Niamh Lister.
Meath GAA Co Board may, unconsciously, have struck gold with this hugely entertaining fundraiser - a real type of variety show in which neither age or ability was a factor as all seven acts kept the audience entertained.
The ‘most-entertaining-act-of- the-night accolade, if there was one, would have been claimed by the Mama Mia crew who included Pairc Tailteann head steward Arthur Reilly, top referee Colm McManus and Meath GAA kit man Paddy Doyle.
Another gem was Dudley Farrell, the MC for the evening. While the small attendance may have been a disappointment, the entertainment value was certainly top quality and everyone enjoyed the show.
The advice for the Co Board - don't dismiss this as a fundraiser, it has huge potential.