Jack has no cheque to clear ground debt

December 1989

LEINSTER chairman Jack Boothman tells delegates to the Louth GAA annual convention in Dunleer that he hasn’t come with a cheque in his back pocket in response to the county’s application for increased aid to clear off the debt of the Gaelic Grounds in Drogheda.

He does say that the case presented by Willie Dixon and Bartle Landy was a good one and will result ‘in a little more than anticipated, but less than Louth applied for’.

Mr Boothman, a candidate for the GAA presidency, believes the provincial council should be speding less on grounds and more on games development, especially at school and college level.

He refers to the challenge that the success of the Republic of Ireland’s soccer team presents to the GAA for the hearts and minds of the young, and says that he, like any other Irishman, rejoices at the achievements of the team because like most GAA followers he is a sportsman.

He wishes Ireland well at the World Cup in June, but says that soccer is a rival and he has no intention of allowing such a rival to win out.

Mr Boothman remarks that Loouth hasn’t enjoyed much success on the playing field of late but he maintains that the margin between success and failure is very narrow and that Louth has skilful players.

‘With hard work and organisation you can win out. You want players who want to play for your county, and who take pride in wearing the jersey.’

He adds no county can afford the luxury of ‘prima donnas’ who believe they are bigger than the team.

The provincial chairman regrets that being in the EEC makes Ireland a country of spongers and whingers, always looking to someone else for help.