Eastern Gaels Thrilled to be Ratified as Meath’s Newest GAA Club

Thursday, 2 February 2023

Eastern Gaels are honoured, and absolutely thrilled, to have been affiliated as Meath’s newest GAA club. It is humbling to become part of an organisation that dates back 138 years when the first clubs were formed, and included our neighbours Duleek. We have a lot of catching up to do but we intend to do just that – and make a very positive and progressive contribution to Meath GAA.

We would like to thank the Chairman of the County Board, John Kavanagh and all members of the Management Committee for endorsing our application following the report of the sub committee. We would also like to thank the sub committee, Iar Uachtarán, Liam O’Neill, Meath Vice-Chairman, Paddy Kelly, Alan Mulhall, Leinster GAA and Tomás Brady of Navan O’Mahonys for their courtesy and careful consideration of our application.

As the latest addition to the wonderful Meath GAA family we would like to sincerely thank the clubs of Meath for accepting us into their midst. We have met many of them on our travels, enjoyed their hospitality and were extended great courtesy as we set out our vision and ambition. Go raibh maith agaibh!

That vision and ambition is driven by the recognition that there are real challenges here in East Meath for our Association. Our mantra since coming together on this journey has consisted of just three words - Capacity, Opportunity and Participation.

Eastern Gaels are acutely aware that East Meath urgently requires additional capacity and facilities to cater for and promote our games. In the area there are currently over 500 children entering the school system every year and 350 pupils leaving at the other end. We need to give our young people as much opportunity as possible to play our games and be part of an amazing organisation.

We are delighted that we will provide much needed facilities in the area. We are delighted, and proud, that our community will be able to train, play and have fun as members of Eastern Gaels.

From day one Eastern Gaels will be member driven. We will only succeed with help and participation – and lots of it. This is the start of an exciting journey and our members will be the architects of our travel plans.

But we will also work with anyone and everyone in East Meath and beyond in the interest of improving facilities and amenities. This is about our community and especially our children. We are hugely ambitious and will happily work with those who share our vision.

We look forward with tremendous excitement to engaging with the people of East Meath and the wider Meath GAA family during 2023 and beyond!

Moving forward together – Ag bogadh chun tosaigh le chéile.