Bertie makes his own pitch for the banished Galway Races tent
Sunday June 01 2008
TAOISEACH Brian Cowen believed it was no longer appropriate.
Charlie McCreevy thought it was a "pain in the arse".
Bertie Ahern, however, in a move that may embarrass the current Taoiseach, is looking forward to taking two tables at the Galway Races this year -- in the tent formerly pitched by Fianna Fail.
But before anyone accuses Mr Ahern of trying to organise a 'whip round' or a 'dig out' for himself, the Dublin Central TD is putting down €8,000 of his own money to help fund the development of underage GAA in Galway's primary schools and clubs.
The Galway Races tent might be back, but it's very much new and improved, and it's all thanks to Aer Arann CEO Padraig O'Ceidigh.
For, where once property developers and businessman paid €300 a plate to dine with Government ministers, now they will break bread with Bertie and each other, with all the money raised going to a cause many would people would see as a far more worthy one.
With tables of 10 for the Galway races ranging in price from €3,750 on the Wednesday to €4,000 on Thursday's Galway Plate day, to €2,500 on the Friday, the county's GAA organisation stands to benefit to the tune of thousands in much-needed funding for its youngsters.
Mr O'Ceidigh says he saw the potential opportunity to do some good as soon as he heard the news on RTE's Morning Ireland that Taoiseach Brian Cowen had decided to wind down Fianna Fail's annual Ballybrit fundraiser -- even though many tickets had already been sold.
Speaking to the Sunday Independent, Mr O'Ceidigh said: "What happened was I heard the announcement that Fianna Fail were bringing an end to the Galway Races tent on the Morning Ireland news.
"It was just after seven in the morning. Straight away I phoned the management at the racecourse. We had a meeting at 9.10 that morning where I told them I wanted to take over the tent vacated by Fianna Fail. They agreed right away."
The aviation entrepreneur says all the money raised in the tent will go towards the training and development of Galway GAA's underage players in primary schools and clubs throughout the county.
Outlining his reasons for channelling the money raised into the GAA, the aviation boss spoke of his belief in the value of team sports participation both for individual citizens and for society as a whole.
"This is a big, big issue. There was a report out from the ESRI only last week which said that while more people are involved in sports, less of them are engaged in team sports than in the past.
"That's potentially very serious for society.
"Participation in team sport helps to teach children how to work together, and to show them that we are all part of a bigger picture in work, and in society."
- RONALD QUINLAN
