Westmeath U21 heroes of 1999 to reunite

It's 25 years ago since Westmeath's famous win over Kerry in the All-Ireland U21 football final at the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick.

To mark that remarkable victory, the U21 heroes are to reunite at a special event in The Village Barn, Tyrrellspass, this evening (Friday) for what should be a wonderful celebration.

Guests will gather from 7pm at a reception and among those attending is former GAA President Seán Kelly, who presented the Clarke Cup to Aidan Canning in Limerick on that memorable day in May, 1999. Luke Dempsey, who managed the Lake County side, will join Aidan Canning and his colleagues for what should be a wonderful event.

MC for the event is well-known broadcaster Will O'Callaghan.

Gerry Buckley, one of the main organisers of this evening's reunion, remembers the campaign vividly, including the great days in Tullamore and of course that famous May afternoon in Limerick when Westmeath fans made the Davin Arms their own.

Gerry was part of the Midlands 103 radio team for the final and they set up base at the Davin Arms. The venue became a sea of maroon and white as the afternoon wore on and the ever loyal Westmeath supporters had only a short walk to make to the Gaelic Grounds to watch Luke Dempsey's young guns create history.

Gerry has a special bond with the 1999 group and indeed made numerous journeys to Dublin to take home players after training that year, as did other volunteers, who looked for no reward other than the joy of seeing these great young footballers achieve their goal on that famous day at the Gaelic grounds.

The role of volunteer in the growth and development of GAA is often lost in the modern era, but certainly Westmeath would not have enjoyed such great success during the 19990s had people not been so generous with their time.

This evening's celebration is an opportunity to reminisce on all aspects on that glorious campaign and no doubt some great stories will be told.