Rath Chairn man Cathal Seoighe appointed to Údarás na Gaeilge

The last few weeks have been busy for Rath Chairn man, Cathal Seoighe, who was appointed to Údarás na Gaeilge and also received a GAA President's Award - Gradaim an Uachtaráin - from Jarlath Burns for his contribution to the Irish language within the organisation.

He was one of two Meath men to receive a prestigious GAA Presidents Award this year - the other being Walter O'Connor who received his award for his contribution to handball.

In his award citation, Cathal is described as having dedicated his life to the GAA.

"From a young age, he was active in his club, An Ghaeltacht, and later, Clann na nGael. In addition, he has done more than his share at county level and for the Gaeltacht Football Competition. He is the current secretary of the Gaeltacht Football Competition National Committee and is looking forward to bringing the competition to his own area, Ráth Chairn na Mí, this year.

"He has spent many years on the Gaeltacht Football Competition National Committee and has done a great deal of work promoting the competition in County Meath for a long time. Cathal has served on the Meath County Board for various periods and was elected as the County’s Culture and Irish Language Officer at the recent Meath GAA AGM. Prior to that, he was the Meath GAA delegate to Leinster Council. He has also served as the Meath GAA’s Irish Language and Culture Officer and as Secretary and Chairman of the CCC in Meath. He served two terms on the National Irish Language Committee, GAA, during the presidency of Seosamh Mhic Dhonncha and Seáin Mhic Thaidhg."

Cathal was the head of the Irish language youth organisation, Ógras, for a number of years and chairman of his club, Clann na nGael.

"I have been involved in Scór, the cultural side of the GAA, for many years and our local group has won two All Irelands," he explains. Separately, Cathal has been appointed to Údarás na Gaeltachta the regional authority responsible for the economic, social and cultural development of the Gaeltacht by Meath County Council.

In the past, elections were held for membership of Údarás and in 2000, he was elected to the board for the first time. He was re-elected in 2005 topping the poll ahead of candidates from Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, the Greens and Sinn Fein.

The recession and economic bail-out saw big changes to Údarás with elections no longer being held and members instead being nominated by the local authorities. The smaller Gaeltachts like Meath and Waterford have a rotating place on Udarás every two years and Cathal was appointed in 2011, 2019 and now again.

Meanwhile Walter O’Connor, one of the true greats of Irish handball also received a Presidents Award.

From a famed handball family, Walter enjoyed tremendous success as a player. After making his breakthrough in the mid-1980s, he was one of the elite players in Irish handball for over 15 years and also established himself on the international circuit, qualifying for the American pro tour after recovering from a serious road accident.

O’Connor played all codes of handball during his career, excelling in them all. Among his honours in the 60x30 softball code were the All-Ireland senior singles (1998) and six senior doubles titles along with two minor doubles titles (with Tom Sheridan) and a junior doubles in tandem with John Grant.

In 1992, Walter won the All-Ireland 40x20 Senior Singles title and also added senior doubles titles with Sheridan in that code as well as minor singles (1985) and doubles crowns.

Walter also excelled in the traditional game of hardball, winning numerous Senior Doubles All-Ireland medals with Sheridan and David Gough as well as a Minor Singles title (1986) and two Senior Hardball Singles successes (1998 and 2001).

In 1991, he won the 23 and under World Championships title in Phoenix, Arizona. Known for his power, ambidexterity and skill, Walter also won countless tournaments and competed strongly in all events across all codes of the game, singles and doubles.

After his playing days ended, Walter continued to contribute to the sport.

In 2010, he was elected as President of GAA Handball, the top officership in the sport, serving in the role for three years.