Lots of demands on GAA finances

CLARE County Board are constantly keeping an eye on their finances, delegates were told at this month’s board meeting.
Replying to a query from Doonbeg delegate, Michael Neenan as to what steps are being taken to cut down on team expenses, Clare GAA treasurer Bernard Keane told those in attendance on Tuesday night, “It’s a constant battle as there are a lot of demands. We have to be prudent and we are constantly keeping an eye on our finances.
“We are also carrying out improvements on an ongoing basis at Cusack Park, which we have to do and we will continue to do this. I am worried about what will happen when Caherlohan comes on stream as it will have to be maintained.”
Keane went on to stress the importance of promoting the annual draw, both for the board and for the clubs. “Last year the clubs of Clare earned €125,000 from this promotion, while the board earned €92,000. Every club must put their shoulder to the wheel this year,” he stressed.
He reminded the delegates that the draw was launched the previous evening when club chairmen, secretaries and treasurers attended a seminar, hosted by the board, at the West County Hotel.
Clarecastle secretary Neville O’Halloran was critical of the board’s approach, which he described as “a bully-type policy”.
“All clubs have fundraising plans, which are put in place early in the season. We have a fashion show tomorrow night in conjunction with the school,” he said.
Replying, board chairman Michael O’Neill said, “The draw is a standard fixture for many years and there are no excuses as clubs are well aware that it takes place”.

Bodyke remember Ned Doyle

BODYKE GAA is to run a seven-a-side tournament on Saturday, June 11 to commemorate the late Ned Doyle.
Their application for permission for the event, which was granted at this week’s meeting, pointed out that they will be inviting a number of clubs to participate in the event commemorating Doyle, who devoted many years to the club, both as a player and team mentor.

Official opening at Gurteen

ST Joseph’s GAA club are pressing ahead with plans for the official opening of their complex at Gurteen on Sunday, June 12.
A full day’s programme, beginning with mass, will include a selection of games at juvenile and adult levels.
The club’s letter of application included a request to be left free from fixtures that weekend.

Banner are London bound

THE Banner GAA club’s U-14 hurling team will be in London for St Patrick’s Day. In a letter, club secretary Owen Rynne explained the Ennis club received an invitation from London to join them on St Patrick’s Day and to take part in the parade at Ruislip. He explained that last summer Banner had hosted London when Féile na nGael was staged in Clare.

Considine puts it in writing

IN a letter to this week’s meeting, Aaron Considine confirmed that he had withdrawn his application for a transfer request from his native Clarecastle to Shannon Gaels. He explained that he had taken this course of action because of the adoption of a new bylaw, which wouldn’t have guaranteed that he would be able to continue hurling with Clarecastle.
Concluding the letter, Considine pointed out that the original transfer application had been written by himself. This was, obviously, a response to Clarecastle delegate Bernard Hanrahan, who had suggested at the previous meeting that the application had been written by a member of the Shannon Gaels club.

Returning to home club

CONOR Donlon has re-joined his native Clarecastle from Éire Óg. His transfer application was approved on Tuesday night.

Secretary issues a warning

CLARE GAA secretary Pat Fitzgerald has warned clubs of the importance of reading the bylaws. He made his comments having read a list of applications from players seeking permission, as isolated players, to play with neighbouring clubs in 2011.
“We must have a policy from here on in and we cannot have players from an area going to a number of different clubs,” the secretary warned.

Membership

THE importance of paying membership was again highlighted. Secretary Pat Fitzgerald warned instructions had been received that clubs not registered by the end of March are to have their fixtures cancelled.
The importance of collecting membership from all players was also stressed at this week’s meeting but clubs were advised that they should not use this as a fundraising venture.