Who is hiding behind the glass at the Meath GAA raceday launch?

Meath GAA go racing at Fairyhouse

Published: Wed 2 Oct 2013, 9:45 PM

Last updated: Wed 2 Oct 2013, 11:03 PM

Fairyhouse racecourse manager Peter Roe and Meath senior football team manager Mick O'Dowd tonight in Navan launched the first Meath GAA raceday at Fairyhouse as part of a fundraising drive for county teams.

With support from Fairyhouse Steel and Uni Flu who were represented by Mick Brazil and Larry McGowan, the raceday will take place on Sunday 1st December and is one of the top early-season racing dates in the national hunt calendar.

'We will have three grade one races and a grade three event and last year at that meeting future Cheltenham winner Our Conor was a winner, so it should be a good day for racing and a great opportunity to support the Meath GAA and the team,' commented the Fairyhouse manager.

Meath hurling sponsor Martin Donnelly was also present and the Clare native was basking in the glow of last weekend's All-Ireland success.

He also pledged to the Meath hurlers that Davy Fitzgerald 'will be a visitor in January' and 'he will show the lads what training they need to do' - it was also announced that the Martin Donnelly logo will be carried on the Meath hurling jerseys for another two years.

Meath senior football team manager Mick O'Dowd said he was looking forward to the raceday at Fairyhouse and suggested that as Noel Meade is a big Meath GAA supporter that he might provide some useful tips for the day.

'Noel Meade was at our O'Byrne Cup game in Longford last January, he's a great supporter and I konw a few of the players like to have a bet also, so I'm sure someone will give me some advice.'

James Carney represented the Friends of Meath GAA who are involved in the organisation of the event.

'Hopefully this will be the first race day at Fairyhouse over the next four years and we should be able to grow the event each year,' he said.

The raceday will take place on Sunday 1st December (first race 12.15 approx) Tables - (10/table) €850 per table.

According to Meath GAA Co Board chairman Conor Tormey, the event will be a key fundraising event for the Co Board.

'We have plans for some development over the next few years with Dunganny (Centre of Excellence) in phase one and Pairc Tailteann in the second phase,' he added as he urged the public to get behind the raceday.

He also reported that crowds at local club games are up some 30 per cent on last year.

Conall Collier