Tuarascáil
an Rúnaí, 2007 - Seretary's Report
The role
of County Secretary has proved to be many faceted,
challenging and rewarding. During the year 2007
major decisions have been taken which will impact
greatly on the future development of the GAA
in Down, progress has been made in the development
of our existing facilities, but many dreams
and aspirations have yet to be accomplished.
The decision of Down County
Committee on 16th August to recommend the sale
of St. Patrick’s Park, Newcastle is possibly
one of the biggest decisions this county has
taken in its entire history. This was a bitter-sweet
decision, bitter at the prospect of losing St.
Patrick's Park, the traditional home of county
games, but sweet in the sense of the benefits
that would accrue from the sale of this lucrative
site.
St. Patrick's Park has served
the county well over the years and credit must
go to the astuteness of our forbearers in acquiring
such a key property. Not only have they passed
on a rich cultural heritage, but now with the
impending sale of St. Patrick's Park, the Down
GAA is about to receive a huge monetary inheritance
which will ensure that GAA facilities in Down
are on a par with the best on this island.
The financial benefits that
will arise from the sale of St Patrick's Park
will provide for the development of a second
county ground, the completion of Pairc Esler
and the creation of a centre of excellence,
which will have dedicated facilities for the
preparation of all our county teams from Development
Squads to Senior Teams in both hurling and football
- something which has long been recognised as
absolutely essential. Such a development would
not only be a great asset to the county but
it would also ease the burden on all those clubs
(to whom we are all indebted) who year after
year have provided pitches for winter training
very often to the detriment of their own grounds.
It is incumbent on the County
Board, as custodians of Down GAA affairs, to
ensure that this financial package and the proposed
development plans are effectively managed and
where necessary engage the services of suitably
qualified personnel.
The GAA in Down is moving towards a more composite
unit with the integration of Camogie and Ladies
Football now moving forward at a pace. This
is a most fitting development given that the
GAA was always perceived as and often referred
to as the "GAA family". Happily the
ladies too will be able share and enjoy the
benefits that arise from our improved facilities.
Down defeated Cavan in the
replay after the drawn game in the Ulster Football
Championship in Breffni Park. This was the first
senior county game played in Páirc Esler
since we played Antrim in 1999.
Unfortunately we lost the next
two games to Monaghan and Meath with both matches
being played in Páirc Esler.
Sunday 7th October 2007 was
a momentous day in the annals of Down GAA when
the official opening of Páirc Esler took
place following the completion of the new south
stand, the upgrading of the pitch and the erection
of the Floodlights. A capacity crowd enjoyed
a packed programme of events which ran seamlessly
throughout the day. Credit must go to the professionalism
of those involved in organising such an impressive
showcase and the participants from the championship
teams involved for providing such an entertaining
and skilful performance.
We are deeply indebted to the
Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure through
the Sports Council of Northern Ireland, Comhairle
Uladh, Ard Chomhairle, Newry & Mourne Council,
own Club Down and of course the clubs of Down
who all provided the necessary finance to, in
the words of Club Down ‘make it happen’.
The switching on of the floodlights
on Friday 26th October for the playing of Division
One Football Final was another outstanding occasion,
which was made even better by the fare served
up by two great footballing teams - Kilcoo and
An Riocht. It was fitting that former County
Chairman and Rúnaí, Chomhairle
Uladh, Dónall Ó Murchú
performed the switching on of the lights accompanied
by Edgar Jardine, Deputy Secretary of the Department
of Culture, Arts and Leisure.
Throughout the year recognition
was given to ardent promoters of our culture.
Early in the year Seamus McGrattan from Ballygalget
was most deserving of the President’s
Award for his services to Hurling. The Cumann
na mBunscoil PRO, Paddy Campbell again entered
and won the PRO National Award and has been
involved in setting up a comprehensive new website
- www.bunscoilanduin.com.
Claire Rooney from Mayobridge added to the list
by winning the All Ireland recitation title
in Scór na nÓg.
Eugene O’Hare from Dromara
had the privilege of refereeing the Senior Ladies
All Ireland Football Final in Croke Park between
Cork and Mayo - a great and well deserved honour.
Progress continues to be made
both on and off the field with clubs and schools
collected various honours and club development
projects forging ahead.
St Columban’s, Kilkeel
made the breakthrough this year when they brought
honour to their school and to the county winning
the All Ireland U-16 Vocational Schools Final
beating Bridgetown from Rosslare after extra
time in St Loman’s Park, Mullingar. They
were the recipients of the prestigious Irish
News Second Level Schools’ Award and they
also won the U16 Ulster Camogie Championship.
This was a remarkable achievement for the school
which draws from the five Mourne Clubs of An
Riocht, Atticall, Ballymartin, Glasdrumman and
Longstone. Congratulation to all involved.
Optimism for the future of
football in the county should be further enhanced
by reflecting on the strong representation from
Down on the panels competiting in the Sigerson
Cup final. Queens University hosted the Sigerson
Cup and finished winners of the competition
beating the University of Ulster, Jordanstown
in the final. A total of 17 players from Down
were part of these two squads. Daniel McCartan
was the only Down Senior County Panellist to
be named on the Higher Education All Star Awards
in 2007.
In June Ballycran reached the
final of Féile na nGael in Kilkenny.
Unfortunately they lost that game, but nevertheless
it was another great display from our clubs
at National Level.
Adding to their success of
last year Kilcoo went on from winning the county
Féile title to win the Ulster competition.
Clonduff Camogs celebrated
their 40th anniversary year by winning their
first ever Senior Camogie Championship under
the guidance of our Hurling Development Manager,
John Crossey.
Two of our clubs officially
opened their grounds this year where Iar Uachtarán
Jack Boothman performed the honours at Saval
while our own president and ex President of
the GAA Paddy McFlynn cut the tape at Ballela.
Both grounds are a credit to their clubs and
just reward for the sterling work put in by
their members down through the years.
The announcement that Liam
Ó Maolmhichíl was stepping down
as Ard Stiúrthóir after 28 years
was greeted with a little consternation as he
had been to the forefront in ensuring that Cumann
Lúthchleas Gael led the way not only
on our playing fields but in most walks of life.
However the appointment of
Paraic Duffy to take over from Liam in February
assured us that our association is in safe hands
and that he will lead Cumann Lúthchleas
Gael forward into another exciting phase of
our development.
We congratulate Paraic on his
appointment and wish Liam well in his retirement.
This year under the five year
rule we loose the services of Hugh John Harper
who has managed the coffers of the county for
the last 14 years.
Hugh John has kept a tight
rein on the finances of our county when money
was not plentiful and his astute management
has helped to put the county where it is today.
Hugh Cahill, another long serving
officer of the county also steps down from his
position.
We wish both officers well
in the future and thank them most sincerely
for their work on behalf of the county.
County Teams
On the playing fields it may not be regarded
as one of our better years with our Senior Footballers
only winning one game in both League and Championship.
The Senior Hurlers did not fare any better and
there was disappointment at both U21 and Minor
Level for both codes. Nevertheless we must thank
and congratulate the efforts of the players
and their management team and hope that greater
success will be achieved in the year ahead.
However, on a more positive
note, the Down Junior Hurlers won the Leinster
Shield after a replay in Páirc Esler
in June defeating Longford by 2 goals. They
made history in that they were the first team
outside of Leinster to win this competition
and also were the first team to collect silverware
in the newly refurbished Páirc Esler.
Congratulations to Paddy Braniff and his team.
The non-Ards Minor Hurlers
also had a great year entering three competitions
and winning all three. They won the North East
Blitz in Louth, beat Donegal in Letterkenny
to win the Ulster ‘B’ league and
topped this by beating Sligo in Ballyhaise,
Cavan to lift the All Ireland ‘C’
Cup - A truly great year for the boys and their
management team of Brian Murphy, Ronan Sheehan
and Willie Mageean.
Former Antrim Manager Jim McKernan
has been appointed to take over from Gerard
Coulter as Senior Hurling Manager. Jim has already
met with clubs and players in his efforts to
prepare the county hurling team for the next
year. We thank Gerard and his backroom team
for his unstinting efforts in the cause of Down
hurling and also extend thanks to Mick Branniff
who put in tremendous work at minor level.
It was disappointing to read
in the local press where both our senior football
and hurling squads had declared that they would
support a players strike if it was called by
the GPA.
However as a large majority
of the football squad are not in favour of a
strike and at this time a squad has not been
pulled together for hurling there remains a
question mark over the validity of these statements.
It is heartening however that
both the senior football manager, Ross Carr
and the senior hurling manager Jim McKernan
have backed the position of the County Board
when they declared that Down will field teams
in all competitions and in both codes.
Our players have always been
well looked after in every aspect even to the
point where the complete senior county football
panel were screened for Sudden Cardiac Death
in accordance with medical guidelines. This
screening will also be afforded to our hurlers
when their panel is complete.
We are also pro-active in supplying
and training those involved in our county teams
and clubs in the use of defibulators.
Internal Competitions.
Mayobridge continued their domination of the
Senior Football Championship but were given
a scare when Longstone took them to a replay
at Páirc Esler. This was the fourth time
in a row for Mayobridge to lift the O’Hare
Cup. Longstone can be proud of their efforts
and I’m sure we will see more of them
in the not too distant future.
A young Ballycran side defeated
Ballygalget in Portaferry to get their hands
on the McVeigh Cup for the first time in twelve
years.
In St Patrick’s Park,
Newcastle, Downpatrick defeated Ballymartin
in the final of the Intermediate Football Championship
- a repeat of the 2005 final. Meanwhile Bosco
overcame Drumaness in the Junior Football Final
on the same day.
Ballycran were also successful
in the Intermediate Hurling Championship final
defeating Ballygalget while Bredagh lifted the
Junior Hurling Championship title defeating
Warrenpoint in the final. Bredagh can be proud
of their achievements considering they won their
first ever championship accolade only last year
when they won the Junior Football Championship.
Division One of the hurling
leagues saw Portaferry come out on top with
Bredagh winning the Division 2 title.
An Riocht continue to stride
onwards and upwards under the astute direction
of our current U21 County Football Manager,
Peter McGrath. After winning Division 2 last
year, they overcame Kilcoo in a terrific Division
1 final in the first floodlit game in Páirc
Esler, while Saval won Division 2 with Ballyholland
also being promoted.
Dundrum won all three of their
play off games to win Division 3 to reach the
Second Division for the first time in 20 years
while long time leaders Tullylish were also
promoted.
Drumaness ensured promotion
to end a great year for them when they won Division
4 winning all their games along the way and
are joined in Division 3 next year by St Michaels.
Sympathy
During the year we have lost many members of
our association within the county. To all those
who have lost friends or family I extend my
sympathy. Go ndéanfaidh Dia trócaire
orthu uilig.
Conclusion
The large number of people who, through all
the various committees and sub-committees, commit
their time to the cause of Cumann Lúthchleas
Gael never ceases to amaze. These men and women
give of their time freely and generously and
the association are beholding to them. On behalf
of all the Gaels in Down I thank you all for
your commitment.
To our referees again I say
thanks for the tireless work you do ensuring
that our games are played regularly and without
any major problems.
My first year as Rúnaí
has been a very busy but enjoyable experience.
I would like to thank my fellow officers for
their guidance and good council over that time.
I thank the clubs and their officers for their
forbearance and patience and finally thanks
to our County Administration Manager, Sean Óg
McAteer, all the coaching staff and Mary Sloan
for their advice and help over the last twelve
months.
Le gach dea-ghuí
Séamas Breathnach
Rúnaí
NOMINATIONS
UACHTARAN
Pádraig Mac Floinn (Paddy McFlynn)
Tulach Lis
CATHAOIRLEACH
Caoimhín Mac Giolla Mhaoil (Kevin Bell)
Crois Darach
LEAS CATHAOIRLEACH
Briain Mac Fhíobhuí (Brian McAvoy,)
Boireann
CISTEOIR
Antaine de Burden (Tony Burden) An Cloch Fhada
Séamas Ó Riain (Seamus Ryan)
Clann na Banna
LEAS CISTEOIR
Breandan Mac Giolla Phádraig (Brendan
Fitzpatrick) Ath Bhriain
Seán Mac Giolla Phádraig (Sean
Fitzpatrick) Baile Ui Mhairtin
Aodh Sean de Harpur (Hugh John Harper) Cluain
Daimh
RUNAI
Séamas Breathnach (Seamus
Walsh) Dún Droma
LEAS RUNAI
Seán Ó Ruanaidh (Sean
Rooney) Droichead Mhaigh Eo
OIFIGEACH FORBARTHA
Liam Ó Gribin (Willie Gribben)
Clann na Banna
OIFIGEACH OILIUNA
Eamann Ó hÍr (Eamon
O’Hare) Rinn Mhic Giolla Rua
OIFIGEACH OIGE
Seán Mac Caisín (Sean
McCashin) Baile Choinnleora
OIFIGEACH GAEILGE
AGUS CULTUIR
Seán Ó Dubhánaigh
(John Devaney) Breadach
OIFIGEACH CHAIDREAMH
POIBLI
Diarmuid Ó Cathail (Diarmuid
Cahill) An Riocht
BALL na hARD COMHAIRLE
Donal Mac Artáin (Dan McCartan)
Sabhaill
BAILL COMHAIRLE ULADH
Gearoid Ó Maoláin (Gerry
Mullan) Baile Crann
Fiontán de Maosáin (Fintan Mussen)
Cluain Daimh
TEACHTAI do CHOMHDHAIL ULADH
Caoimhin Mac Giolla Mhaoil (Kevin
Bell) Crois Darach
Antaine de Burden (Tony Burden) An Cloch Fhada
Aodh Sean de Harpur (Hugh John Harper) Cluain
Daimh
Séamas Ó Cianáin (James
Keenan) Liatroim
Briain Mac Fhíobhuí (Brian McAvoy,)
Boireann
Donal Mac Artáin (Dan McCartan) Sabhaill
Sean Mac Cáisin (Sean McCashin) Baile
Choinnleora
Donal MacCormaic (Donal McCormack) Rinn Mhic
Giolla Rua
Sean Ó Cuinn (Jerry Quinn) Cluain Daimh
Sean Ó Ruanaidh (Sean Rooney) Droichead
Mhaigh Eo
Seamas Ó Riain (Seamus Ryan) Clann
na Banna
Seamas Breathnach (Seamus Walsh) Dun Droma
TEACHTAI do CHOMHDHAIL
NAISIUNTA
Antaine de Burden (Tony Burden) An
Cloch Fhada
Diarmuid Ó Cathail (Diarmuid Cahill)
An Riocht
Maitiú Mac Giolla Phádraig (
Matt Fitzpatrick) Ceathru Aodh Dhuibh
Aodh Sean de Harpur (Hugh John Harper) Cluain
Daimh
Seán Óg Mac an tSaoir (Sean
Óg McAteer) Misteilig an Íuir
Briain Mac Fhíobhuí (Brian McAvoy,)
Boireann
Sean Mac Cáisin (Sean McCashin) Baile
Choinnleora
Donal MacCormaic (Donal McCormack) Rinn Mhic
Giolla Rua
Sean Ó Cuinn (Jerry Quinn) Cluain Daimh
Eamann Ó hÍr (Eamon O’Hare)
Rinn Mhic Giolla Rua
Sean Ó Ruanaidh (Sean Rooney) Droichead
Mhaigh Eo
Seamas Ó Riain (Seamus Ryan) Clann
na Banna
TEACHTA do CHOMHDHAIL
NAISIUNTA U-21
MOTIONS
1. County Bye law 2.1 to
be changed as follows:
(i) Officers Chairperson
Vice Chairperson
Secretary
Assistant Secretary
Treasurer
Public Relations Officer
(ii) Central Council Representative.
(iii) Chairpersons of the Divisional Committees.
(iv) Chairperson of An Comhairle Iomaná.
(v) Provincial Council Representatives (2).
County Bye law 2.3 to be
changed as follows:
The quorum for meetings of the County Management
Committee shall be five (5) members. (Clann
na Banna)
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. That both County and
Clubs move forward the process of integration
through good leadership, co-operation, understanding,
having respect for each others codes and
sharing expertise in order to continue the
development and raising the profile of our
Gaelic games. (Liatroim)
2. That the Senior and
Intermediate Football Championship are refereed
by referees from outside the county and
that Down referees go to other counties.
e.g. Referees from Antrim referee Down Championship
games and Down referees go to Antrim.
This could also apply to hurling. (Liatroim)
3. That County Bye Law
26 governing transfers of players are extended
to include club referees.
Amend Rule 26 to read …..
Any club declining to assent to the transfer
of one of its players or referees must state
a reason ….
Amend Rules 26 a), b),
c), d), e) and f) to include or referee
after the word player.
Amend Rule 26 g) to include
… Club assents to the transfer of
one of its players or referees, the player
or referee shall be entitled to transfer..
(Naomh Eoin Bosco)
4. That the County Board
designate area teams throughout the county,
provide coaching and provide competitions
between the teams in an effort to develop
hurling in the whole of the county. (Cluain
Daimh)
5. That the Feis 7’s
should be a non-compulsory competition,
played on a single date at an All County
level. (Naomh Pól)
6. That the weekly press
inserts for the All County Leagues should
include the names of the referees appointed
for each game. (Naomh Pól)
7. That, following from
the ongoing meetings of the Integration
Committee, this county further expands the
integration of all units of the three associations
(Cumann Lúthchleas Gael, Cumann Camógaiochta
na nGael, and Cumann Peil Gael na mBan)
within the county. This includes such things
as co-ordination of leagues, fixtures, use
of club and county facilities and focussing
on co-operation in various areas such as
coaching, games development, public relations,
youth development, refereeing and strategic
planning.
(Cumann na Ruiséil)
8. That participating clubs
in Down County Championship Finals at Senior,
Intermediate and Junior level for both Football
and Hurling be allocated 15% of the gate
after all legitimate expenses are deducted.
(Droichead Mhaigh Eo)
9. That participating clubs
in Down County Championship Finals at Minor
level for both Football and Hurling be allocated
5% of the gate after all legitimate expenses
are deducted. (Droichead Mhaigh Eo)
