Pictured, l-r: Frank Mescall (outgoing Westmeath GAA chairperson), John Hunt (TEG, new main sponsors of Westmeath GAA), GAA President Jarlath Burns, Tommy Kelly (TEG), with Paula Finan and Paddy Wallace who are both running for Westmeath GAA chairperson tonight (Wednesday).

Finan and Wallace vie for Westmeath GAA chairperson role

Image 1 of 1
Sinead Kiernan, who will take up the mantle of Westmeath GAA PRO, pictured with GAA President Jarlath Burns at the announcement of TEG as the county's main sponsors for the next three years.

Published: Wed 10 Dec 2025, 2:23 PM

Last updated: Wed 10 Dec 2025, 3:06 PM

A contest will take place to decide the next Westmeath GAA cathaoirleach when club delegates convene for the annual County Convention in the Mullingar Park Hotel tonight (Wednesday, 7.30pm).

Frank Mescall’s five-year term has come to an end and Paula Finan (Castledaly/Cill Óige) and Paddy Wallace (Multyfarnham) are contesting the position.

A very active campaign has been underway to secure the support of the clubs across the county and it’s the first time in many years that there will be a contest for the leading position.

Paula Finan is secretary of the Westmeath Ladies Gaelic Football Association and is aiming to become the first woman to lead the county committee.

Paddy Wallace has served as vice-chairman in recent years and has many years service with the Multyfarnham GAA Club. He is currently Westmeath GAA Coiste na nÓg chairman.

Meanwhile, Joe Daly of Tyrrellspass is nominated for the vice-chairman’s position. The current Central Council delegate may face a contest depending on the result of the vote for cathaoirleach as Paula Finan is also nominated for vice-chair.

For the position of treasurer, Garrycastle’s Michael Mannion has been nominated along with incumbent Aidan Walsh (St Joseph’s). Des Cawley (Bunbrosna) is nominated for the position of assistant treasurer.

Elsewhere, the position of PRO will be taken up by Sinead Kiernan (St Malachy’s), who is replacing Marie Lynagh (Kilbeggan Shamrocks), with the latter having served five years in the role.

Clubs want an end to age restriction

Three clubs - Tyrrellspass, Shandonagh and Ballynacagry - are calling for an end to Westmeath’s age rule for players entering adult football. Westmeath GAA has voted in favour of decoupling (not allowing 18-year-old players to play adult games) for the past two years, but the issue will be back on the agenda once again at the Convention.

Shandonagh are proposing that a minor player in his final year at the grade should be permitted to play adult games, as are Tyrrellspass. Ballynacargy are calling for the same, subject to a minimum of 48 hours between adult and minor fixtures.

Westmeath GAA’s Head of Operations, Patrick Doherty, is warning of potential challenges for fixture makers should clubs vote to reverse the county’s position on the decoupling issue.

“Apart from the very obvious player welfare consideration, where players are attempting to serve many masters, it is really important that we point out how important the decoupling is for fixture makers – the Bórd na nÓg and adult CCCs (Competition Control Commitees) can work, almost autonomously, without having to work out gaps between minor and adult matches knowing that individuals may be double-jobbing,” he states.

“When we look at the schedule, it is clear that our only real scheduling difficulties are for under-20 games, which involve both adult and minor players.”