Abuse of referees is still a problem

The Clare GAA referees association (CRA) annual general meeting was held recently in the West County Hotel, Ennis, and was well attended by referees and officers from the senior county board, Bord na nÓg Iomaint and Bord na nÓg Peil.

In the secretary’s report, John Dolan highlighted a number of issues, principally the increase in abuse towards referees, process of appointments to games and the growing lack of discipline that was particularly evident at underage in 2012. The help and support of the various boards and clubs was sought in addressing this problem in 2013.

A small number of foundation referees began refereeing in 2012. Concern was expressed that many clubs in Clare still do not have a referee and this will need to be addressed in the future. The number of assessors has increased and it is planned that all active club referees will be assessed in 2013. It was the view of those present that assessment is important in order to maintain refereeing standards and to allow for referee progression.

One of the highlights of the year was the attendance of Dickie Murphy, former multiple-All-Ireland hurling referee, as the special guest at the Clare Referees annual social. The county board, Bord na nÓg Iomaint and Peil were acknowledged for arranging the event as was The Clare Champion for its coverage of the event throughout the year.

The referee’s association has committed to an action plan for 2013 which includes in-service training, fitness and rules assessment, umpire training, introduction of a structure for a positive mentoring programme to support referees, supporting the senior and Bord na nÓg initiatives in challenging the culture of verbal abuse and physical aggression in Gaelic games.

County board secretary, Pat Fitzgerald, Bord na nÓg Iomaint chairman, Martin Reynolds and Bord na nÓg Peil secretary, Niomh Madigan all spoke of the Clare referees dedication support and help throughout the past year.

Ger Hoey, Clare referees’ administrator, provided a detailed report on refereeing administration in Clare during 2012. He advised of the new gumshield rule that all players must wear the protective device from January 1.

The following officers were elected: chairman, Fearghal Gray; secretary, John Dolan; treasurer: Flan O’Reilly; vice-chairman, Johnnie Healy; assistant secretary, Rory McGann; assistant treasurer, Pat Cosgrove.

In his closing address, the CRA chairman, Fearghal Gray, thanked the county board, Bord na nÓg Iomaint and Bord na nÓg Peil for their help and support. He thanked Michael O’Neill outgoing chairman of the county board for his help and support over the years.

He congratulated Michael O’Regan, referee liaison officer, on his recent appointment as chairman of Clare camogie and wished him every success for the future. He paid tribute to Clare referees for their on-going commitment to ensuring the games continue to be refereed at a professional standard.

 

U-21 success the highlight for Clondegad
At a well-attended annual general meeting of Clondegad GAA club, held at the Blue cottage, on Friday night, the winning of the U-21A football championship for the first time was highlighted.

There were also compliments for all involved in the retention of senior status while members expressed satisfaction at the news that the club is to receive a grant of €50,000 for pitch upgrading.

The 50-year relationship with neighbours Ballyea was also praised, with members noting that 10 players had featured on the U-21A hurling and football championship double-winning team.

Outgoing chairman Fintan Meaney called for increased efforts from all involved to further develop the club and he highlighted the need to improve the playing field, construct bigger dressing rooms and a meeting room.
In a report, secretary Paddy Reidy spoke of the exciting times that lie ahead for the club and thanked all who helped make 2012 so memorable for the club. Treasurer Flan King presented a financial statement that showed a deficit of €2,147 on the year’s operations.

Michael King is the new club chairman but the meeting failed to fill the post of secretary.

The following were appointed: president, Raymond O’Shea; vice-presidents, John Joe Enright, TJ Scanlan, George O’Shea; chairman, Michael King; vice-chairman, Fintan Meaney; assistant secretary, Paddy Reidy; treasurer, Flan King; assistant treasurer, Patrick Frawley; field officer, Josie Gavin; field finance committee, Kieran Browne, Flan Enright, Josie Gavin, Michael King, George O’Shea, TJ Scanlan, Paddy Reidy, PRO/registrar/county board delegate, Seamus O’Reilly; Youth Welfare officers, Benny Duggan, Jimmy Conlon; Irish officer, Joe Hestor; Bord na nÓg delegate, Benny Duggan; senior management, Michael Hehir (manager), Michael Coffey, Declan Power.

The various underage management teams will be elected at the January meeting of the club.

New chairman for O’Callaghan’s Mills
The annual general meeting of the O’Callaghan’s Mills club was held before Christmas in the clubhouse and there was disappointment that there wasn’t a bigger attendance.

Secretary Michael Jones and treasurer Joe Meaney gave there respective reports outlining the year’s activities.

Chairman Micheal O’Brien addressed the club and acknowledged the club’s hard work during the year. He also acknowledged all volunteers, sponsors team management and players for representing the club in 2012 and to all who he served with over past two years as chairman. He didn’t seek re-election for the year ahead.
Before election of club officer Joe Cooney, county board vice-chairman, Robert Frost, incoming Munster Council chairman and Noel O’Driscoll addressed members. Joe Cooney spoke of the honour for the club next March when Robert Frost will become Munster council chairman and proposed that Robert be made a honorary member of the club. Robert thank the club for its support.

The following were elected for 2013: presidents, JP Guinane and John Fitzgerald; patron, Fr Donal O’Dwyer, chairman, Joe O’Gorman; vice-chairman, Neil O’Brien; joint secretaries, Neil O’Brien and Micheal Jones, treasurer, Joe Meaney; assistant treasurer, Ollie O’Driscoll; PRO, Neil O’Brienp; Irish officer, Patsy Neville; membership officer, Micheal O’Brien; insurance officer and registrar, Neil O’Brien; players rep, Adrian Flaherty; executive members, Joe Cooney, John Cooney, Pat O’Brien, Tommy McMahon, Matt Donovan, Billy Murphy and Brian Nolan.

New chairman Joe O’Gorman said it was an honour for him to become chairman of the club and thanked his predecessor for his work in the year just gone. No county board delegate was picked on the night but the position will be filled at first executive meeting of the year along with senior and junior A team management. Other management personnel selected were David McNamara as junior C manager, Declan Nugent as football manager, John Cooney as U-21B manager and Pat Loughnane as minor B manager.

Lissycasey
At the annual general meeting of Lissycasey GAA on Friday night, much time was devoted to discussions on fundraising and a finance committee was appointed to examine a number of proposals.

Chairman Eamonn Finnucane, secretary Anne Hayes and treasurer Geraldine Hill were returned for another season by the members, who ratified the appointment of Barry Donnelly as senior team manager for 2013.
Each of the outgoing officers presented detailed reports, as did all of the management teams from U-6 to senior. The posts of assistant secretary, registrar, Bord na nÓg delegate, junior and U-21 and U-14 team managers will be filled in the coming weeks.

The following were elected: patron, Fr Joe Hourigan; president, Fr PJ Melican; vice-president, Senan Culligan Snr; chairman/county board delegate, Eamonn Finnucane; vice-chairman, Tony McMahon; secretary/Irish and culture officer, Anne Hayes; treasurer, Geraldine Hill; assistant treasurer, Declan Kelly; PRO, Seamus Hayes; child protection officer, Anne Hanrahan; ASAP officer, Denis O’Herlihy; field chairman, Jamesie Meere; coaching officer, Patrick Griffin; finance committee, Declan Kelly, Kieran Clancy, Robert McMahon, TJ Kelly; senior manager, Barry Donnelly; minor, Michael Collins; U-16, Thomas Considine; U-12, Declan Kelly; U-10, Patrick Griffin; U-8, Pat Keane; U-6, Tommy Clohessy.

Kerry legend and current Clare senior football manager Mick O’Dwyer will be the guest of honour on Friday night when Lissycasey will honour the U-16A championship-winning team and the senior Garry Cup-winning squad. The function will take place at Fanny O’Dea’s at 9pm.

Joint victory function
The county U-21A hurling and football champions, Ballyea and Clondegad, will hold a joint victory function at the West County Hotel, Ennis, on Saturday, February 2.

Clare football manager Mick O’Dwyer and Clare All-Star, Brendan Bugler, will present the medals. Tickets for the function can be had from committee members in both clubs.

Kilmihil to join forces with Shannon Gaels for underage
The annual general meeting of Kilmihil GAA Club was held on Sunday.

Like many other clubs throughout the country, Kilmihil is experiencing a decline in numbers at underage level and in this regard, a delegation from the club met recently with representatives from Shannon Gaels, the outcome of these discussions was a recommendation for both clubs to form group teams at U-14, U-15 and U-16.

The recommendations were discussed and approved at the recent Shannon Gaels’ AGM and similarly approved at the Kilmihil AGM.

The finance committee under the chairmanship of Gerard Johnston and the vigilance of the treasurer Darragh O’Flaherty recorded a surplus for the year.

The following officers were elected: patron, Fr Peter O’Loughlin; president, Paddy Quinlivan; vice-president, Tom Downes; chairman, Eoin Downes; vice-chairman, Dominic Curtin; joint secretaries, Mairéad Considine and Carmel McNamara; assistant secretary, Andrew Johnston; treasurer, Darragh O’Flaherty; PRO, Gerard O’Neill and James Pilkington; county board delegate, Gerard O’Neill; registrars, Mairéad Considine, Carmel McNamara and Darragh O’Flaherty; website manager, Gerard O’Neill; youth officer, John Dalton and Andrew Johnston; child officer, John Kelly; Irish officer, Carmel Coughlan; intermediate team, Enda O’Halloran and Thomas Coughlan were appointed with a number of others to be co-opted.

The appointment of a management team for the junior team was deferred to the next club meeting. Timmy Ryan, Paul Reidy and Mark O’Connell will take charge of the U-21 team.

Miltown St Joseph’s
Miltown St Joseph’s GAA club will hold its re-convened AGM this Saturday at 8.30pm in the clubhouse. Anyone who has an interest in football in Miltown is requested to attend.

It is vital to the running of the club for 2013 that all officers and executive positions, along with team managements, are filled at this meeting.

Coolmeen
The annual general meeting of Coolmeen GAA Club will take place this Friday in the clubhouse in Coolmeen at 7.30pm. All members are invited to attend.

Magpies’ Junior A double highlighted
Clarecastle GAA Club reviewed its landmark 125th anniversary at annual meeting of their adult club on Sunday where a historic Junior A Hurling and Football Championship double and an unprecedented fundraising effort provided the undoubted highlights.

The Magpies celebrated their 125th year in style, beginning with a hugely successful Mayor of Clarecastle electoral campaign, followed by their annual Castle-to-Castle cycle, village games, regatta and 125 golf classic, while a club gym was also erected in conjunction with the hurling forum implementation committee during the year.

At Sunday’s AGM, the delegates also voted to review the underage football structure, a discussion on the new senior hurling championship format was undertaken while the Clarecastle Community Development Ltd and local Gathering events this July from 12-22 were also embraced.

Chairman Ruairi Concannon, secretary Neville O’Halloran and treasurer John Callinan were re-elected for the coming year while Paul Murphy stepped up from his social/cultural/Irish officer post to become the new vice-chairman, with Eimear Reidy replacing him in his former role.

The Clarecastle GAA victory social will take place in the West County Hotel on Saturday, January 19, with medals being presented to the winning junior A hurlers and footballers and junior B ladies footballers. Tickets are available from Eimear Reidy at 086 0565785.

The following were elected: president, Sean Keane; chairman, Ruairí Concannon; vice-chairman, Paul Murphy; secretary, Neville O’Halloran; treasurer, John Callinan, assistant treasurers, Michael Ryan, Sarah O’Neill; adult activities officer, to be filled; purchasing officer, Michael Rya; PRO, Eoin Brennan; social/cultural/Irish officer, Eimear Reidy; field manager, Pat Barry; assistant field manager, Martin Reynolds; youth officer/CADCÓg chairman, Fergie O’Loughlin; CADCÓg secretary, Peter Donnelly; county board delegate (hurling), Bernard Hanrahan; county board delegate (football), Michael O’Donoghue; membership officer: Michael O’Donoghue; camogie/ladies’ football liason officer, Colm McEldowney.

Whitegate
Whitegate GAA Club held its annual general meeting on Saturday night in the clubhouse. There was a large turnout which included recently crowned All-Star Brendan Bugler in attendance.

Chairperson David Solon, who was re-appointed  for the coming year, in a comprehensive address paid tribute to the underage teams that reached semi-final stage or better in all grades.

The success of the U-15 team, who defeated Tulla, was highlighted as it ensured the club was not devoid of silverware for the year. A special mention was also given to the achievement of receiving Bord Na nÓg Club of the Year award.

Tribute was paid to all those involved in the underage structure, without whom the award would not have been possible. Special mention was also given to those involved with county panels at various age groups.

The meeting saw the ratification of a new manager for the intermediate team, David Considine. The past year was acknowledged to have been difficult due to reduced numbers. Compliments were paid to the outgoing management. Padraig Hynes and Terence Fahy remained as managers at junior and U-21 levels respectively.

Following a lengthy discussion on the pros and cons of amalgamation at minor level, it was decided to retain the club’s identity. Declan Hynes was appointed as manager to this group. The appointment of the remaining underage management teams will be made at a committee meeting in the coming weeks.

The following were elected for 2013: presidents: Micheal Cleary, Sean Hynes; vice-presidents, Michael Doyle, Tommy Holland; chairperson, David Solon; secretary, Tony O’Rourke; assistant secretary, Denis Tuohy; treasurer, Adrian Hynes; PRO, Fiona Sampson; child liaison officer, Eugene Quirke; committee, John Bugler, Sean Haran, Patrick Minogue, Eamon Doyle and Ger Hogan.

Shannon Gaels
Paudie Neylon was elected chairman of Shannon Gaels, in succession to Eamon Keane, at Saturday’s AGM. Peter O’Connell was elected secretary, while Joe Markham remains as treasurer.

The full committee is as follows: chairman, Paudie Neylon; vice-chairman, Noel Kennedy; secretary, Peter O’Connell; treasurer, Joe Markham; assistant treasurer, Paul Cleary; PRO, Eamon Keane; county board delegate, Damien O’Connell; registrar, John Cahill; Irish officer, Mary Neylon; lotto co-ordinator, Peter O’Brien; child protection officer, Mary Keane.

A three-person committee of Paudie Neylon, Noel Kennedy and John Cahill were appointed to recommend a senior management team for 2013.

Killanena executive unchanged
The annual general meeting of Killanena GAA Club was held in Dromindoora school on Sunday.

David Noone (chairman) Ollie Noone (secretary) and John McArthur (treasurer) were all returned for another term, as was intermediate team manager Pat McNamara and team coach, Patsy Fahy.

Paddy Brody joins Liam Canny and Tommy Clancy as honorary presidents.

The attendance noted a successful year at underage level with the winning of U-15 and U-21 titles.

The club is continuing to struggle for numbers, with a several players emigrating this year.

The coming year will be a special one for the club, which will celebrate its 125th anniversary.

Clooney-Quin
The Clooney-Quin GAA Club annual general meeting will be held this Sunday afternoon at 5pm in the GAA clubhouse.

The club will hold a presentation night for the boys and girls, who won county cups and shields during 2012, at 7.30pm in Quin Hall this Saturday.

Kilrush Shamrocks
There were no changes to the executive of Kilrush Shamrock’s senior club for 2013.

Chairman, Anthony O’Connor outlined to the meeting the progress the club made in 2012, both on and off the field. The senior team reached the county semi-final, only losing by the minimum after a replay to eventual winners, Kilmurry-Ibrickane.

On the development front, Captain Tubridy Park continues to be upgraded. The boundary wall will be completed in 2013 and it is hoped a spectator stand will go to planning this year.

The full executive is: life president, Matt Fitzpatrick; president, Fr Michael Sheedy; vice-presidents, Mick Lane and Richard Maguire; chairman, Anthony O’Connor; secretary, Dermot Mahony; assistant secretary, Brendan Carey; treasurer, Sean Lyons; assistant treasurer, Richard Maguire; PRO, David O’Shea; field committee chairman, Martin O’Shea; county board delegate, Colm Browne; senior team management, Aidan Moloney, Daniel Ryan, Joey Meaney and Fergal Maguire.

Junior and U-21 management teams will be be announced at a later date.