Fergus Cosgrove on the screen flying the Irish tricolour and (seventh from left) with a group of players at Walterstown GAA club.

Fergus to fly the flag for Ireland at European Championships

Jimmy Geoghegan

Published: Wed 30 Aug 2023, 8:13 AM

Last updated: Wed 30 Aug 2023, 8:22 AM

Parking spaces were much sought after at Walterstown GAA ground recently when an event was organised to give local athlete Fergus Cosgrove a right royal send off.

Fergus, a richly-talented athlete, will be representing Ireland in the SUDS European Athletics Championships in Padova, Italy, between Sunday 3rd September and Sunday 10th September.

The Walterstown send off also doubled as a fundraiser to cover Fergus's considerable expenses as he sets out to conquer Europe.

Among those in attendance was Meath manager Colm O'Rourke, the former principal of St Patrick's Classical School where Fergus is still a student. Also eager to show their support were members of the Meath men's and women's senior football teams.

In his speech to those in attendance Colm O'Rourke congratulated Fergus on qualifying for the championships in Italy. He spoke about how he knew Fergus from St Pat's and how the young, hugely popular Walterstown man couldn't walk down the corridor in the school without being greeted by everyone he met.

Brian O'Connell, captain of the Walterstown team, presented Fergus with a Kerry jersey which was signed by members of the Kerry senior football team.

As part of the day's event youngsters took part in a Go-Games Blitz. Players representing a wide variety of clubs participated including Simonstown Gaels, Navan O'Mahonys, Seneschalstown, Ratoath, Summerhill and St Colmcille's.

The schedule also included a cake sale/coffee morning held inside the clubhouse with local people supplying a wide range of beautifully prepared treats including cakes, buns, bread and jams - and business, not surprisingly, was brisk. There was also a raffle for two signed Meath jerseys, one signed by the men's team, one by the women's team.

Walterstown GAA club chairperson Ruth Chambers as well as Ian Reilly and the club's Juvenile Committee put a lot of work into organising the 'Fly Fergus to the SUDS European Championships' event. They went to great lengths to ensure to ensure it was a big success.

The morning concluded with a game of football between Simonstown Gaels Mothers & Others team and a Walterstown Mothers & Others selection. Great fun was had by all.

The funds raised will be used to support Fergus in the European Championships and his family would like to thank everybody that supported the Walterstown event.