Clubs hear options to raise €300k for county ground work

THE re-development of Pairc Tailteann was the main topic on the agenda at Monday night’s Meath County Committee meeting in Dunganny.

Treasurer Jim Mullery gave a presentation ‘Funding the Future’ and outlined plans and costings for the development.

The matter was discussed recently at a development meeting when it was agreed to proceed with a €9 million development plan for the grounds.

It was also agreed to apply for planning permission immediately and to get to the planning stage will cost in the region of €300,000.

Various options were discussed as to how to raise the money required to get the project to the planning permission stage and three options were recommended to clubs.

One is a €100 ticket draw in which all clubs are asked to sell a minimum of 60 tickets. All proceeds above the minimum go to the club.

The second option is for all clubs to get five interest-free loans of €1,000 each, repayable from 2022 to 2027 from Meath supporters in their area. The third option is for all clubs to get 50 donors to give €100 each for the project.

The Meath senior hurlers were congratulated on their Division 2B Final success against Wicklow in Parnell Park last Saturday.

Following a query from Summerhill delegate Ann McDonnell, chairman Conor Tormey said he was awaiting correspondence from Leinster Council regarding a fixture for the Leinster MFL Final between Meath and Cork. The chairman said he wasn’t certain if the game would ever be played as Cork would not agree to the date that was originally fixed.

Meath County Committee meetings will take place at club venues for the next four months, starting with the May meeting in Kiltale. The gathering will be held in Nobber in June, St Colmcille’s in July and Castletown in August.

The Junior C and D championship draws took place at the meeting. Group A – Simonstown v Rathkenny, Seneschalstown v Cortown, Castletown v Oldcastle. Group B – Duleek-Bellewstown v Summerhill, Moynalty v Ratoath, Syddan v O’Mahonys. Group C – St Michael’s v Clann na nGael, Dunsany v St Ultan’s, Blackhall Gaels a bye. Group A – Wolfe Tones v Longwood, Carnaross v Ballinlough, Kilmainhamwood v Ballinabrackey. Group B – Bective v Dunboyne, Drumbaragh v Kilmainham, Clonard v Boardsmill.