Councillors know their sport after Packie visit

On the agenda for the meeting of Westmeath County Council, it read that Football Association of Ireland development officer, Dave Connell, was due to make a presentation about the progress of soccer.What it didn"t say was that the former Bohs star - the FAI"s point man for the development of soccer in Westmeath - would be accompanied by someone else for the meeting.Through the door of Market House, Mullingar walked a tall, familiar figure: it was Irish goalkeeping legend Packie Bonner, now the FAI"s technical director.A sports theme dominated Monday"s monthly Council meeting, with the FAI reps joined by Westmeath GAA club support officers, Eddie Bouabbse and James Heffernan, who brought councillors up to speed about the development of hurling and Gaelic football among clubs and schools in the county.Concluding the soccer presentation - which highlighted the FAI"s work with regard to social inclusion and young people"s activities in Westmeath - Packie Bonner said that it was important that sport be 'kept at the top of the agenda'.Cllr. Joe Whelan welcomed the former Celtic and Ireland goalkeeper to the meeting, saying that everyone 'remembers where they were' when Bonner made his famous penalty save against Romania in the 1990 World Cup.Welcoming the GAA representatives, Cllr. Whelan said: 'It"s very appropriate that we receive this presentation in 2009, the year in which the GAA celebrates its 125th Anniversary.'The County Manager, Danny McLoughlin, is known for his continuing support for the development of sports facilities in Westmeath - most notably the proposed integrated sports centre.Speaking about the Council"s association with the GAA, and with other sporting organisations, Mr. McLoughlin said: 'Westmeath County Council approached this in the context of our contribution to sport, to getting people out, and getting young people away from street corners.'We"re anxious to keep this going, because it"s been working very well.'