Spanish apartment the top prize in Westmeath GAA draw

Westmeath GAA has announced a major fundraising initiative to raise €1 million for a new Centre of Excellence, with the top prize being an apartment in Spain.

The draw, revealed at the Westmeath GAA County Committee meeting last month, will take place in May 2025. It aims to generate €1.5 million in total, covering the cost of the apartment and the promotion of the draw.

The ambitious venture will see the county’s 47 GAA clubs tasked with selling €100 tickets to help reach the target. Promotion of the event will be handled by Sixtwo Digital, a marketing company, while Westmeath Camogie Association and the Westmeath Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA) will also lend their support. Between the three boards, a total of 5,000 tickets will need to be sold, explained Patrick Doherty, Westmeath GAA Head of Operations.

While the Spanish apartment is the headline prize, no details of additional prizes were announced at the meeting. However, the draw is expected to generate significant interest across the county.

Mark Bardon of Multyfarnham expressed concerns about the added pressure on clubs already busy with their own fundraising efforts. “Clubs are under a lot of pressure with their own fundraising,” Bardon stated, echoing concerns that were also raised by Ballymore's Thomas 'Spike' McCormack, who felt that more time was needed for such a large-scale initiative.

However, Westmeath GAA chairman Frank Mescall urged all clubs to fully commit to the draw. “Clubs have to work to continue to expand, and we have to develop our own facilities. There is never a good time, and we need to start now,” Mescall said.

He noted that six to seven months is considered the optimal timeframe for such a major fundraising event, and emphasised that the lead-up to Christmas is seen as an ideal period to kickstart the campaign, citing data from analysts.

Acknowledging the pressures faced by clubs, Mescall reminded them of the significant financial boost they received last year through the €1 million contribution from JP McManus. One delegate, light-heartedly, remarked, “We’ll be writing to JP for another donation.”

Despite the challenges, the collective effort of the clubs, camogie, and LGFA boards is expected to play a crucial role in the success of the draw. With €1.5 million needed in total, it is hoped that the enticing prospect of winning a Spanish apartment will capture the imagination of the public and help secure the future of Westmeath GAA’s Centre of Excellence.