Civic reception awaits All-Ireland champions

The triumphant Meath senior women's All-Ireland football champions and the Meath minor All-Ireland winners are to be honoured at a civic reception to be organised by Meath County Council, Cathaoirleach Cllr Sean Drew announced this week.

Arrangements are being put in place to have receptions in the coming weeks. The ladies’ team arrived back from Croke Park to scenes of wild jubilation throughout the county on Sunday night after their historic win over rivals Dublin in the TG4-sponsored championship. When the team arrived at the Knightsbrook Hotel they were formally welcomed by the County Council Chairperson and Council Chief Executive Jackie Maguire. Cllr Drew told a Council meeting on Monday that the county had had two great successes in sport in the last eight days .

Speaking on behalf of the Council and its officials, he said that the successes had made everyone very, very proud. Both teams had been involved in great performances throughout the season and he paid tribute to the effort and hard work of the teams, their managements and officials. He was sure that every member of the Council supported his remarks.

Cllr Noel French said that the women's final was a wonderful game. He also wanted to congratulate the Meath senior and minor football teams for their wonderful championship wins.

Cllr Paddy Meade said that the win had put pride back into the county.

Cllr Emer Toibin said she wanted to congratulate “two brilliant teams, the boys and the girls.” But she also wanted to congratulate the Meath minor camogie team who are in an All-Ireland final this coming Saturday. Everyone wished them well and it was hoped they would “follow this super record” set by the women's’ football team.

Cllr Padraig Fitzsimons said it was a pleasure to have the Meath minors back in the Fitzsimons pub following their great win. The ladies’ final had been fantastic and provided a brilliant atmosphere He added congratulations to golfer Eddie Maguire who won the British Open for the visually impaired at Galgorm Castle.

Cllr Sharon Tolan said that the ladies’ match was “a cracking game to watch”. She said that the people of east Meath were very proud to have seven players from that area on the minor team. “They did us proud, I won’t name them all”. She also congratulated 16-year-old Evan Ferguson from Bettystown who was now playing for Brighton and also Mornington’s Alex Maguire, winner of this year’s Northern Ireland Open Golf competition.

Cllr Brian Fitzgerald said the wins by the women and minors had brought grat pride and passion back into the county. After all the difficulties in the country over the last year or two, the wins had given people a great lift.

“They should include in the congratulations the minor hurlers and the under-20 hurlers but also Kerrie Leonard, the archer from our own area, who had competed in the Paralympics in Tokyo.”

The Meath victory would be remembered for generations to come, similar to the 1949 team who won the first senior All-Ireland title for Meath.

”The ladies and the minors were underdogs in both matches which made victory all the sweeter”, he said.

Cllr Maria Murphy also congratulated the ladies and men’s teams and congratulated Kerrie Leonard for her participation in the Paralympics.

Cllr Yemi Adenuga added her congratulations. "The ladies’ win was a tremendous inspiration for women but also for the people of Meath.

Cllr Elaine McGinty congratulated both teams. She said it had been “a joy” to watch Sunday’s match. “They are all an inspiration to young people. We must never quit, never give up, We have been through a hard time and this all gives us a great sense of pride”.