Westmeath GAA keen to move on from vote saga

A Westmeath GAA County Committee meeting on Wednesday, August 21, at the Mullingar Park Hotel, was required following a significant and embarrassing controversy surrounding the miscalculation of an online vote on the Junior 2 Football Championship reorganisation.

The core issue was a misinterpretation of Rule 4.3 of the Official Guide by Westmeath officers. They mistakenly counted the total number of participants on the Teams call, rather than just those who voted, leading to confusion over the result. Estimates of the number of delegates on the call ranged from 53 to 61, and the exact number of votes cast remained unclear, fluctuating between 31 and 35.

It was agreed on the night that 31 had voted in favour of two groups (the official result was 31-4), and the committee erred by ruling that 60% of the 53 people on the call was required to change the Junior 2 Football Championship to one group of six. Instead, it should have been 60% of 35, meaning that the committee was given a clear mandate to revert back to the two groups.

Chairman Frank Mescall accepted full responsibility, admitting, “It was my mistake and mine only.” Despite the controversy, the online vote stood, with delegates agreeing to proceed with the new format, which features one group with only two teams - Caulry and Garrycastle - while Loughnavalley, Delvin, Ballinagore and Mullingar Shamrocks form the other group. All teams will advance to the quarter-finals.

The meeting highlighted the risks of online voting, with Mr Mescall acknowledging that it’s “not all plain sailing” and that in-person meetings are better for ensuring accuracy.

Ballinagore delegate Shane Heraty was unhappy, claiming the committee had no right to change the original plan (two groups) as it was never on an agenda for discussion, but the chairman felt Any Other Business (AOB) leaves it open to discuss all matters and therefore each club should ensure their delegates are present at all County Committee meetings.

The issue arose when Killucan and The Downs withdrew from the Junior 2 Championship, which was two groups, and it was decided to place the six teams in one group, giving them more games. The sole junior clubs were firmly against it, while the senior clubs wanted more games for their junior teams and were happy with the new six-team group.

It generated controversy and led to a rather chaotic online vote. The County Committee is keen to learn from the saga and move forward.