Our monthly Executive meeting was held Wednesday 07 May and those with a keen eye will notice that it was not held on the first Tuesday of the month (as normal).  The reason being that our u15 Boys were competing in and winning the Meath Feile Peile Division 1 competition which was held in Simonstown on that first Tuesday.  This is a fantastic achievement and the boys will now be taking part in the National Feile Competition on June 28 in Derry.  More details on their preparations and the competition itself to follow.  

 

As regards the meeting itself, continuing our monthly Committee updates, Ann Marie Fox briefed the Executive on the work and plans of the Community Committee. Ann Marie outlined the areas of progress including the opening of the coffee shop, the Members Night with Jim Gavin (13 Feb), the Clean Up Day (19 April), the Irish Life Step Challenge amongst other positive initiatives.  Future plans include the establishment of a ‘retiree’ drop in/coffee morning, club talks on nutrition, well-being and CPR training.  It is also the Clubs intention to identify a club charity partner for 2025 and beyond and more details will follow on that.  

 

Following that, the Executive itself started and a main topic discussed was the agreement of the club to host the Leinster LGFA Gaelic for ‘Mothers and Others’ on June 14.  This will be a very big event with approximately 840 players and many more attending including supporters, families and team managements.  It is an excellent opportunity for our club to showcase our outstanding facilities (developed over many years) and also to ideally utilise it as a fundraising opportunity from shop sales, bar sales, concessions, lotto sales and a raffle.  It is a very big undertaking and the support and assistance of club members as volunteers that day (and leading up to it) will be vital to a successful occasion for all. More details on how you can help later. 

 

From a football point of view, it is and was extremely busy.  The Football Committee organised an excellent Easter Camp that was really well attended.  This camp was free of charge thanks to the generosity of long standing and invaluable members of the club.   In addition, you may have noticed the increase in visibility of posters and information about our club which will drive interest in our club and hopefully attract new players and members. Planning is also underway for a school blitz before primary schools end for the Summer and other follow up football events such as ‘Games on the Green’ and ‘Mini Leagues’.  In addition to the Boys Feile competition that was held in our club we also successfully hosted and participated in the Girls Feile Football Competition.  This was a major competition to host and was an outstanding success and my thanks to all who assisted and volunteered that weekend.  Please continue to support all teams in the various competitions. 

 

On the Finance side, as you are aware the costs of running the club are very significant but great work is being undertaken by the Finance Committee and others (notably Seán Tobin) to raise money to enable us maintain and enhance our facilities.  The recent fundraiser for the US Masters was very successful and my thanks to all.  In addition, the Ladies Prediction Fundraiser is going well and my thanks to all who have organised it and supported it. As messaged before, in terms of what you can do- pay membership, play the lotto and where possible support a fundraiser and encourage those outside the club to do so. Our Golf Classic is on Friday May 30th in Royal Tara and we are delighted to welcome ‘The Royal Meath’ bar as the Event Sponsor.  I ask that you support this event and our event sponsor in any way you can.  More details on the event will be in our social media posts. 

 

From an Infrastructure point of view, we are finalising quotations and arrangements for our Phase 2 Development works, which consists of the installation of new LED lights and necessary drainage works on our Main Pitch. The Infrastructure Committee are also progressing the purchase of new Juvenile goalpost sets and other projects. There is a commercial opportunity for anyone who wants to sponsor protective padding for the light poles and some fencing on the front pitch and if you or anyone you know wishes to avail of this one off and long term advertising opportunity, please contact any member of the Finance Committee. 

 

Planning has begun for a Club Day on September 06, which will consist of kids/family activities during the day, a bbq throughout and music in the bar.  Of note we will be marking the contribution of the 1995 teams (winning Minor, Junior and Intermediate) and the 2005 Senior Team (winning the clubs first Division 1 League) so hold that date and let others know. 

 

Conor Brady has agreed to take on the role of PRO (on the GAA side) and that is most welcome. I ask that all team managers liaise with Conor in providing regular updates and team photos so that we can continue to promote our players and our club positively.  There are two remaining roles (Assistant Secretary and Irish and Cultural Officer) within the Executive so if any member is interested, please let me know. 

 

On a more serious note it was unanimously decided at the Executive that with the strict exception of guide/assistance dogs, that no dogs are permitted within the club property (inclusive of pitches, car parks, grass areas and hard standing areas).  This is due to recent significant issues with dog fouling in various areas of the club property which posed a real health concern.  Whilst this may be disappointing for some, it is taken completely in the best interests of our members and particularly the children and is a clear health issue.  Your adherence to this is appreciated. 

 

There are some upcoming club dates to flag:-

Continued best of luck to all our teams and to the Meath teams in the Leinster Finals this Sunday.  

 

Remember to get involved where you can, it’s your local GAA club.