Three former chairmen, Pat O’Neill, Barney Allen and Conor Tormey were among those who led tributes to the late Fintan Ginnity at last night’s county committee meeting.

Prior to the start of the meeting chairman John Kavanagh asked delegates to observe a moments silence in memory of the late former county chairman and Meath GAA president.

Leinster Council delegate Brendan Cummins said Mr Ginnity had acquired the title of legend and Gaels of Meath owed him a huge debt of gratitude.

“He was a Meath man right to the core and he even had it on record that no mattered what he did as an administrator he would have swapped it all to wear the green and gold jersey of Meath,” Cummins continued.

“He started off playing with the Drumbaragh club before moves were made to form a new club in the parish of Kells in the 1960s and Fintan became one of the leading lights in the formation of Gaeil Colmcille. He was also a leading light in the building and development of the Gaeil Colmcille clubhouse which was one of the most modern facilities at the time.

“He trained Gaeil Colmcille to Keegan Cup success in 1966 and they also won it again in 1968.

“He became minor board secretary in the early part of the 1980s and county board chairman in 1986. He immediately threw himself into the redevelopment of Pairc Tailteann which was a huge undertaking at the time and he provided incredible leadership and drive to that project.

“In his first year as chairman Meath won their first Leinster senior crown in 16 years and the following year they won the Sam Maguire Cup for the first time in 20 years and the year after that they retained their All-Ireland title and also won the NFL title.

“Sean Boylan and the players of that glorious era were grateful of the backup that they received from the county board under the leadership of Fintan Ginnity.

“His last big achievement was the purchase of the lands at Dunganny for the Meath Centre of Excellence. He had the vision to see that the additional pitches were so badly needed for county teams to train.

“One of Fintan’s great qualities was that he wouldn’t ask anyone to do something that he wasn’t prepared to do himself.”

Barney Allen said that one of Fintan Ginnity’s biggest achievements was the purchase of the 28 acres at Dunganny without having to borrow to pay for it.

Ultan Fitzpatrick (Gaeil Colmcille), TJ Reilly (Boardsmill), Paddy Ward (Dunshaughlin), Cathal Joyce (Clann na nGael) and Joe O’Brien (Skryne) also added their tributes.

Young Oldcastle footballer Darren Connell and Odhran O’Donnell (Donaghmore/Ashbourne) were also remembered at the meeting.

Tweet

Most Read Stories