There is great excitement here in East Meath as Eastern Gaels prepare for our first ever county final, less than nine months after joining the Meath GAA/LGFA family. All roads lead to Grangegodden, Kells next Sunday when we take on Dee Rangers in the Kepak Meath LGFA Junior F Championship Final.

2023 has been quite a year. We became the 60th GAA club in Meath, and first since 1965 at the beginning of February. On 20 March our Ladies were affiliated to the LGFA as Meath’s 45th club. Then on 12 May, the Ladies travelled to Castletown to play the hosts in our first ever fixture. It was a beautiful sunny evening, and the beginning of a wonderful journey.

There have been all sorts of twists and turns on the road, quite a few obstacles to negotiate, a few bumps but lots of pleasant and fun stops along the way. It has been with great pride that we have watched this group of players grow together, work hard for each other, improve hugely and most of all, have fun doing so.

Their first competitive action, in the Masita Cup was a great experience. The Ladies battled their way to the semi-final before losing out narrowly to Ratoath in a cracking game in Sean Eiffe Park. The loss motivated the team who were determined to build on it and progress further.

They have achieved that with their performances in the Kepak Junior Championship and now the final beckons. It is wonderfully exciting for our club and we hope it is the beginning of great things.

Our Men had a difficult Championship, not helped by the fact that eight players were not able to play because of transfer objections. Still the team fulfilled every fixture and battled to the last in every game. It was a tough campaign but one of tremendous resilience and it will make us stronger.

The club was founded to increase games participation here in East Meath and we are doing that and will continue to do so. Since April the juveniles in our Little Stars Academy have been honing their hurling and football skills every Sunday morning. They are keen to learn and are already showing great promise. Most of all they are having fun.

Eastern Gaels are delighted that we are now also coaching in our local schools. It is fantastic to be able to introduce young children to our games and teach them the basic skills. The feedback has been hugely positive, the kids love the coaching and we are very thankful to the schools for partnering with us. It is a win win for everyone!

As you might expect, getting a club up and running is quite a challenge but already we have settled in to our beautiful home in Páirc Réalt na Mara, Tower Road, Mornington. Situated on the banks of the historic River Boyne, Eastern Gaels are actually the most easterly club in Meath, and bringing Gaelic football back here for the first time in over 50 years.

We have put a lot of work into our pitch and it is looking resplendent. We are so looking forward to hosting our fellow clubs from Meath and indeed from all over the country and abroad in the coming years. Eastern Gaels believe in participation for all – we believe that everybody should be able to play our games. If you think you could help in any way why not get in touch – details below.

So another exciting chapter beckons at the weekend. Our small but growing club are looking forward to our first ever final with great anticipation. The men will be out in support, our Little Stars will be cheering on our bigger stars and we are grateful for all the support from our community here in East Meath.

Why not take a spin out to Grangegodden next Sunday and support the Gaels as they seek to make a little history?

[You can contact us on mobile at 085 240 2015, on Twitter @easterngaelsgac, on Instagram at Easterngaels or on Facebook at Eastern Gaels GAC.]