Ballymore’s Joe Martin (second from left), who was elected as the new Westmeath GAA president at last week’s convention. He is pictured with Westmeath GAA chairman Frank Mescall, alongside Mary, Julie and Joanne Martin. Photo: John McCauley.

Ballymore stalwart given president honour at Westmeath convention

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An unexpected but popular feature of last Thursday night’s convention was the naming of Ballymore stalwart Joe Martin as a new life president of Westmeath GAA.

The honorary title was first held by a Ballymore man, the late Peter Geraghty, and has since been bestowed on the late Christy Whelehan and Paddy Flanagan but the county committee was keenly aware that there has been no county president in place since Mr Flanagan’s death in April 2022.

Westmeath GAA chairman Frank Mescall said that Joe Martin had given “a lifetime of service” to both the Ballymore and Fr Dalton’s clubs and also to Westmeath GAA.

Working alongside Paddy Collins and the late Séamus Ó Faoláin, Joe was treasurer during the golden era of Westmeath football during the early 2000s, when the Delaney Cup came to the county.

“For years he was standing on the gates and getting abuse, and nobody would get by him,” Frank said. “There’s all this talk about pre-buying tickets and card machines, but it was cash in those days and if you didn’t pay up, you didn’t get in, when Joe was on duty.”

Joe was given a standing ovation, and said that it was a proud day for him and a big honour for the Ballymore and Fr Dalton’s clubs. “Thanks very much for having me,” he said.

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