Stones brothers provide financial boost to Westmeath underage scene
The new season has begun very positively for the Westmeath GAA underage scene with the announcement of a brand new sponsorship deal with MJS Building and Developing Company, owned by Kilbeggan natives Michael and James Stones.
The new sponsors have strong Westmeath connections and played Gaelic games in the county as young boys. Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner, Michael Stones recalled how the brothers’ New York adventure began and spoke of his teenage years in the Lake County.
“I'm from Kilbeggan and I moved to New York in 2003. We both played football in Kilbeggan and hurling in Castletown Geoghegan. My brother, John, had gone a year earlier. We kept working away out there, working for other people and then, in 2013, we looked at other people and how well they were doing in the construction industry and we decided to follow suit,” he explained.
“We were anxious and took baby steps, but in 2018 we formed MJS and it has been going from strength to strength. We started off doing small extensions and then things got better and better, and now it’s really big. We’re busy and we’re hugely involved with Westmeath GAA in New York.”
The invitation to come on board as sponsors was one they felt they simply couldn’t refuse, particularly since the Lake County was riding the crest of a wave following the success of the senior footballers in the inaugural Tailteann competition.
“When this opportunity arose we jumped at it, especially after seeing the joy the success in the Tailteann Cup brought last year. Seeing the joy on the young people’s faces. I said, ‘listen, we need more of this’. And what better way to support Westmeath than to get involved in the future, pump some money into the underage structure and make it stronger.”
Other counties, such as Kerry and Donegal, have developed lucrative links with the Big Apple and this, the first such venture for Westmeath, can be a stepping stone to even bigger things, Michael feels.
“Not only is this an investment in the future, we are building a link between Westmeath and New York for funding. If you don’t have funds, you can’t develop squads. You have to treat the underage just like the senior players; make them feel important, like they’re county players. At the end of the day, that’s what they are,” he opined.
URGENCY
He credits Frank Mescall for helping to bring it all together, while Patrick Doherty, Westmeath GAA’s Head of Operations, and Eddie Casey of KC Sports were key players also.
“We met with Frank in America last year and had a good chat. James and I were home in August and we sat down with Frank and Patrick Doherty and we talked more about it. Before the holidays ended we signed on the dotted line and, over the last couple of weeks, James and I, along with Frank, Patrick and Eddie worked on finalising things,” he explained.
County Committee Chairman, Frank Mescall is not one for taking plaudits, but it was his trip to New York last year and an impromptu meeting with the Stones brothers that provided the initial spark. Westmeath GAA’s old underage sponsorship deal was in the final year of its agreed term and there was an urgency to get something in place to ensure the various development squads were catered for.
The chairman recalled how receptive the Westmeath people in New York were, but he was still pleasantly surprised with what emerged. The successful MJS company will sponsor the various Westmeath underage development squads for the next three years, while they will also become sponsors of all underage leagues and championships in the county.
“I spoke to the Westmeath committee in New York in August and I forewarned them that we would be coming back with our begging hand out. They said, 'that's okay, you're welcome'. However, I never expected it to be as good as the sponsorship deal we now have in place,” he remarked.
Mullingar’s Eddie Casey, former footballer and hurler, and current member of Joe Fortune’s senior hurling backroom team, will supply the gear for all of the underage development squads, from under 14 to minor. It’s another local link to an exciting deal.
The chairman spoke of the importance of developing a winning culture among Westmeath’s underage players and how creating the best possible environment is crucial in this regard.
“Gear has been a thorn in the side for a while now in Westmeath , but our players will be well kitted out now. But it’s about more than gear - strength and conditioning and nutrition are other key areas. We need to develop a winning Westmeath mentality and to do so at a young age,” he said.
BOOST
Darren Magee, Westmeath Games Manager, said the new deal is a major boost for the various development squads and that additional funding is crucial in building the best environment for young hurlers and footballers who will represent Westmeath for many years.
The new sponsorship deal was officially launched in the Annebrook House Hotel, Mullingar on Friday 27 January, with a great turnout for the occasion. Members of the various development squads got an opportunity to wear the new gear as they posed for the first photographs and understandably, there was a positive vibe on the evening.
Gear has been a thorny issue in Westmeath for some years and this new sponsorship deal will help considerably in that regard, but it is also important in giving the young Westmeath footballers and hurlers the best chance to make progress.
“It’s a step up from club level and you need to treat it like that. It’s all part of the bigger picture, of getting these players used to a winning environment and things like strength and conditioning, nutrition and having the best facilities are all important,” noted Darren Magee.
In recent times Magee has seen his Coaching and Games team in Westmeath enhanced with the addition of five Games Promotion Officers and among them is Westmeath senior football star Robbie Forde of Moate All Whites. It’s yet another boost to this key area, with these officers linking in with primary schools and clubs to help develop better coaching structures in the county.
Welcoming the support from New York, Mr Mescall recalled that in his younger years, his family in his native county Clare would receive very welcome gifts from America at different times of the year. Firstly, there were kools, American cigarettes, when his uncles visited during the summer and then the all important envelope in the post at Christmas time. Naturally, this was eagerly awaited.
“It was physical dollars; very welcome indeed,” he recalled.
Comparisons can be drawn with the current sponsorship deal which is, in essence, a gift from America.
Mr Stones said he and his brother are keeping alive a proud family tradition by getting so prominently involved with Westmeath GAA.
“It’s a huge honour for myself and James. Our father, John, was a great GAA man - an Offaly man, but GAA through and through. That’s where we got our love of the sport from. He would be proud to see our company’s name on the Westmeath jersey,” he added.