Secretary's Address to Club AGM - 2 December 2007
2007 has been a busy year on all fronts, with a lot of activity both on and off the field. On the field of play there have been a lot of positives and progress is being made at both under age and adult level.
Pride of place this year has to go to the under 12s on winning the divisional and County titles, which hasn't been achieved for quite a number of year, and also had success at tournaments throughout Ulster. Credit here must go to all the dedicated coaches and helpers involved with this group of players over the last few years since under 8s.
At adult level while in some ways it was a disappointed year there were some positives. The flagship of the club, our senior team played seven games in the championship. This hasn't happened for a number of years, losing to eventual winners St. Eunan's in a replayed Quarter Final, having had them on the rack in the drawn game. The disappointing aspect of all this is that we find ourselves in a relegation play-offf for survival in Division 1A of the league. But I'm convinced there is enough character in this team to survive.
Congratulations are due to all concerned with our third team who captured the Division 4 League title back in June with a resounding win over Four Masters in the League Final in Ballintra. Disappointment was to come later in the Junior B Championship losing out at the quarter final stage to Ardara who went on to win it.
Our reserve team struggled throughout the season, while the third team had an abundance of players, this was not the case with the reserves. This needs to be addressed. For the younger players in particular it should be their ambition to play at the highest possible level.
On the hurling front while we failed to achieve the highs of last year, when the club picked up county title at under 16 A and minor A, it has to be said that it wasn't for lack of effort by the dedicated coaches, mentors and helpers. Having said that, the minors picked up the County Minor A title making it two in a row, while the under 16s failed in their attempt at three in a row.
The seniors competed in the county senior league and championship, as well as the Ulster hurling league and performed admirably.
Great strides are taking place at under 10 level with good numbers attending and participation in a number of blitzes with some success. Well done to everyone concerned.
In Ladies Football there was quite a bit of activity. The seniors participated in the County Senior League and championship. The minors reached the county semi-final, under 12s also enjoyed some success on the field. Again well done to all concerned.
On the cultural side we had county success in Scor na nOg last weekend in Glenswilly when our quiz team and solo singing acts won through and now go forward to the Ulster semi-final again in Glenswilly on the December 8th. Well done to all concerned.
Development / Fund Raising
This certainly has been a busy year on the development and fund raising front. With our Centre of Excellence development at Munday's field which will be well documented in our Park Committee report. In conjunction with this we organised a fund raising draw which after a lot of stop start realised profit of something in the region of 44,000 euro. Other fund raising events were organised by Bord na nOg which included pig racing and the senior team had a race night. We also ran a golf classic in partnership with Erne Gaels. The draw was somewhat disappointing as I feel the potential was there for a much greater return. It is my belief that in future when we go with a fund raising effort, whatever it may be, we, as a unit, should channel all our efforts in the same direction rather than going with a number of smaller events. In other words we are spreading ourselves too thinly.
Finally as this has been my first year as secretary I wish to thank some people who have helped me along the way. First of all our very efficient PRO John Hughes who has been a tremendous help especially in the setting up of the texting service. Chairman Terrence McShea who has always been at hand, not forgetting our departing club treasurer Patsy Kilgannon, who's been a truly great club officer and I would like to take this opportunity to wish him well in the future. I would also like to give mention to John Travers who has helped me on occasions throughout the year.
Sean Mag Aoidh
Runai
Report Filed: 29 April 2008