Amalgamation of boards off the table

THE call to amalgamate Bord na nÓg Peil and Bord na nÓg Iomaint was decisively beaten.
Putting the proposal, Jim Collins, Scariff said, “There is no criticism of any board or any individual offered or implied. We are just talking about consolidating what we have. We are full of admiration for the individuals who give of their time.”
“We have more and more dual clubs and more and more dual players and we need to integrate far more the work of the clubs, make it more flexible. We need to have a good look at club development. We must put something together to help keep the parish identity. Some years ago, the hurling and football boards were amalgamated and it turned out quite successfully and I see no reason why this won’t happen here. We decided to propose the motion and allow debate and discussion on it,” he said. The proposal was seconded by John Hehir, St Breckan’s.
Amongst those to speak against the motion were Oliver Hanrahan (Éire Óg), PJ Fitzpatrick (Sixmilebridge), John Lynch (St Senan’s, Kilkee), Flan O’Reilly (Cratloe), Noel Walsh (Miltown) and Ger Lyons (Ruan) who asked if the county executive had any imput into the motion.
“There had been no imput whatsoever from the top table with regard to this motion,” chairman O’Neill said.
The outgoing secretary of Bord na nÓg football, Anne Hayes said that such a move would only be feasible if there is a full-time secretary. She suggested the appointment of a committee to look into what is involved, a suggestion that was supported by the county board chairman.
The proposer, Jim Collins said he was delighted that the motion was aired and he would be delighted if a committee was put together to consider the matter.
On a show of hands, the motion was comprehensively beaten.

County players must be available to clubs

ALL players involved with the Clare county senior panels must be released for Clare Champion Cup and football league matches in 2011. There was strong support for this proposal which came from Cratloe.

Championship format unchanged

THE format for the 2011 Clare senior hurling championship remains unchanged after delegates didn’t have to vote on a proposal from Sixmilebridge which, if successful, would have combined the championship and league.
At the outset Sixmilebridge delegate Seán Chaplin said that the club’s recommendation was to have a committee set up to examine their proposal with a view to having it implemented in 2012. He withdrew the motion.

U-12 change confirmed

A CALL for the restoration of U-12 competition to the format, which has existed in recent years was defeated.
The motion was proposed by Anthony Culligan, Lissycasey, who said his club’s concern was that these players will be lost to other codes and this was the reason for putting forward the motion which sought to reverse the decision taken last year to change to the Go Games module
Seconding the motion, Michael Hogan from Clonlara said, “Other sports are rubbing their hands with glee”.
Clare’s senior coaching officer Seán Chaplin said there will be little change for the coming year except that games will be for 11-a-side teams.
Primary schools delegate PJ Fitzpatrick said, “It is most important that everyone is playing”.
Cratloe’s Flan O’Reilly said the problem is not with the kids but with the adults.
On a show of hands, the motion was beaten, 73 to 46.

No second chance for U-21’s

A CALL from O’Callaghan’s Mills to allow the beaten finalists in the Munster and Leinster U-21 hurling championships to re-enter the quarter-finals against Galway and the Ulster champions failed to win support.
Clarecastle’s Pat Barry supported the proposal but PJ Fitzpatrick (Sixmilebridge) reminded the delegates that “this is a particularly difficult championship to run off as it cuts across everything. This will put further pressure on the fixtures committee,” he said.

No change in minor schedule

A CALL from Miltown St Joseph’s, proposed by former board chairman Michael McDonagh, that the Munster minor hurling and football championships not commence until after the Leaving Certificate exams, failed to win the necessary support.
Putting the proposal, McDonagh said, “It’s time to look after our young players. If we don’t change, we will lose players.
“The county is full of dual clubs and this would pose major problems,” Corofin’s Jimmy Neylon said. PJ Fitzpatrick (Sixmilebridge) suggested the selectors sit down with the parents of the players and work out a schedule, which must be tailor made to suit the Leaving Certificate.
Bodyke’s Seán O’Halloran warned that the minor club players must be taken into consideration while Munster Council vice-chairman Robert Frost asked the proposer if he would agree to a change, which would see the minor final not going ahead with the senior final as this would result if the change called for was implemented.