Clare athletics officers get another run

There was a big attendance at the 11th annual convention of the Clare Athletics Association in the Auburn Lodge Hotel, Ennis, last Friday night. All outgoing officers were returned for the 2012/13 season.
Chairman, Michael Lillis welcomed the club representatives from St Cronan’s, St Mary’s, Ennis Track Club, Marian, St John’s, Kilmurry Ibrickane-North Clare, Kilmihil, Shannon, Kilnaboy, Fergus. He had a special mention for new club in East Clare, Corbally
He paid tribute to the Clare athletes that won Clare, Munster and national titles
Michael also paid special tribute to the Clare county secretary, Vincent McCarthy and also to his fellow officers for assisting him with his Munster Cross Country duties.
County secretary Vincent McCarthy gave a very detailed report and he called for a lot more help on the ground on the days of Clare championships. He congratulated all the coaches and mentors and the clubs for the way all their athletes have represented their clubs in Munster and National Championships.
Joint treasurers Margaret McCarthy, John Devine and Michael Egan had a very busy year with attendances up at all cross country events but slightly down in the track fixtures. They reported a cost of €18,000 for the past two years.
PRO James Sexton gave a very detailed report on all the Clare, Munster and National Championships.
Holder of this position for 26 years, he paid tribute Mary Keane St Cronan’s for her work and commitment as Clare competitions secretary. 
The following officers were re-elected.
Patrons: Tom Byrnes (Tulla), Patrick O’Dea (Fergus AC), Seamus Conlon (Marian); president: Tommy McCarthy (St Mary’s); vice-president: Teresa Russell (St John’s); chairman: Michael Lillis (Kilmihil); vice-chairman: Peter Flynn (Shannon); secretary: Vincent McCarthy (Kilnaboy); competition secretaries: Mary Keane (St Cronan’s) and Sheila Clancy (St John’s); treasurer: Margaret McCarthy (Kilnaboy); assistant treasurers: Sean Whelan (Ennis Track), Michael Egan (St John’s), and John Devine (Kilmihil); PRO James Sexton (Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare); assistant PRO: Michael O’Brien (Ennis Track), Richard McMahon (Shannon); child  officers: Tracy Guilfoyle, (Kilnaboy), Sheila Clancy (St Johns), Peter Flynn (Shannon), Vincent McCarthy (Kilnaboy); race starters: Gerry Hayes, (Ennis Track Club) and Cyril Donnellan (Kilmihil).