Wallace appointed chairperson as Kelly switches to secretary

Paddy Wallace has been confirmed as the new Westmeath GAA Coiste na nÓg chairperson, with previous incumbent Barry Kelly taking over as secretary.

The appointment of Wallace, in addition to the change of role for Kelly, was confirmed at last Wednesday night's Westmeath GAA County Committee meeting held in the Mullingar Park Hotel.

Wallace is the current vice-chairman of Westmeath GAA and the Multyfarnham man now has the extra responsibility of being Coiste na nÓg chairperson.

With the secretary position encompassing the prime role in organising underage fixtures, it's a very challenging position but Kelly has plenty of experience in various aspects of the GAA.

Heavily involved with the Mullingar Shamrocks and St Oliver Plunkett's clubs, Kelly is renowned as a referee and has taken charge of the All-Ireland senior hurling final on four occasions.

Kelly succeeds Peter Collins (Lough Lene Gaels), who resigned from the position of secretary last year.

Westmeath GAA chairman Frank Mescall expressed his gratitude to Wallace and Kelly for taking on these roles.

"It's difficult to fill these positions, especially the secretary position, there is a huge workload in it," Mescall said.

Mescall also expressed confidence that Wallace would do a fine job as Coiste na nÓg chairperson, describing him as "a seasoned campaigner".

Fresh appeal to support 'Home in Spain' draw

Westmeath GAA chairman Frank Mescall has issued another rallying call for clubs to support the county's 'Win a Home in Spain' fundraising draw.

Speaking at last week's Westmeath County Committee meeting, Mescall said he wished he could paint a rosy picture regarding the progress of the draw, but he couldn't do so.

Westmeath GAA, in partnership with Westmeath LGFA, Westmeath Camogie and Club Iarmhí, is promoting the fundraiser which offers an impressive grand prize of a luxury two-bedroom apartment in Spain’s Costa del Sol region plus €50,000 in cash.

The proceeds from the venture will go towards the development of a new Westmeath Centre of Excellence, and the draw is set to take place on May 30.

Appealing for support with the draw, Mescall said there were 14 football clubs and seven hurling clubs in the county who had sold zero tickets.

“We need you to support this. It is for Westmeath GAA and the clubs should be driving this,” said Mescall, adding that the project to build new training facilities is one which simply has to be accomplished.

He praised the efforts of Ballynacargy, Ballymore and Fr Dalton's in selling tickets, but stressed that a major improvement is needed overall.

Mescall said the committee overseeing the draw may have to consider selling tickets door to door. While acknowledging that a big push may come in the last couple of weeks before the draw date, he called on everybody to step up their efforts.