Tribute to the late Vincent Keating

Westmeath GAA County Committee Chairman, Frank Mescall paid a glowing tribute to the late Vincent Keating at Wednesday's meeting in the Mullingar Park Hotel.

Mr Keating was the former Principal in Tubberclare NS and was involved with the Athlone GAA Club for many years. Mr Mescall described him as an outstanding secretary of Westmeath Cumann na mBunscol, a position he held for three decades.

“No disrespect to any of the great Westmeath secretaries, he was the best and most efficient secretary that I worked with, and I worked with him for 16 years. I was chairperson of Cumann na mBunscol and he was secretary of that organisation for over 30 years. He was an absolutely brilliant man,” remarked the chairman.

“He was a good Clare man, as well, so it was easier for me to get on with him!” he quipped. “Because he didn’t suffer fools lightly."

"He was a fantastic GAA man and Vincent’s son, Oliver, said that he continued to follow Westmeath GAA up until the very last.”

Mr Mescall noted how Vincent Keating was involved prominently with Athlone GAA Club and acknowledged his outstanding work for Cumann na mBunscol, a hugely successful competition for Westmeath GAA over the years.

“He brought Cumann na mBunscol into the county, really. He and Oliver were secretary and assistant secretary, and Oliver then took up the mantle when Vincent stepped down,” noted the chairman.