The 2007 Down Hurling Convention will
be held on Wednesday 28th November 2007 @ 7.00pm
in Castlewellan G.A.C. Clubrooms.
Clubs are invited to send two (2) delegates
and in addition Club Secretaries are requested
to recommend to any member of their members
who have been nominated for the Executive Committee
that they should attend Convention [or send
a suitable apology] if they wish to stand for
office.
Geroid Mac Seain.
STANDING ORDERS:
1. The proposer of a motion or an Amendment
may speak for five (5) minutes and not more
than (5) minutes.
2. A delegate speaking to a resolution or an
amendment must not exceed three (3) minutes.
3. The proposer of a resolution or an amendment
may speak for a second time for three (3) minutes,
before a vote is taken, but no other delegate
may speak a second time to the same resolution
or amendment.
4. The Chairman may at any time he considers
a matter has been sufficiently discussed, call
on the proposer for a reply and when that has
been given, a vote must be taken.
5. A delegate may, with the consent of the
Chairman, move that “the question be now
put”, after which, when the proposer has
spoken, a vote must be taken.
6. Standing orders shall not be suspended for
the purpose of considering any matter not on
the Agenda, except by the consent of a majority
equal to two – thirds of those present
and entitled to vote.
NOMINATIONS FOR 2008 Hurling Committee.
POSITION: Vice - Chairman:
NAME: Outgoing. G. Mc Shane:
NOMINATED: G. Mc Shane: B. Mc Grattan: M. Conway:
J. Keenan.
POSITION: Treasurer:
NAME: Outgoing. W. Johnson:
NOMINATED: W. Johnson:B. Mc Grattan: B. Murphy.
POSITION: Secretary:
NAME: Outgoing. G. Mc Shane:
NOMINATED: G. Mc Shane .
POSITION: Assistant Secretary:
NAME: Outgoing. B. Mc Grattan:
NOMINATED: B. Mc Grattan: D. Stewart
POSITION: Referee's Appointment Secretary:
NAME: Outgoing. S. Bailie:
NOMINATED: S. Bailie:
Club Representitive: To be verified at Convention.
Motions/Recommendations
(1) That the Hurling Board organise Blitz tournaments
at Under 10 and Under 12 level once a month
during April, May and June
(2)That the Hurling Board establish a juvenile
fixtures/ communication sub committee to assist
relevant officers in the organisation
of underage fixtures.
TURASCAIL AN RUNAI – 2007.
This report is compiled as a summary, due to
being requested to carry out the duties from
August 2008. There may be omissions, please
accept my apologies.
2007 what a year for An Chomhairle Iomana; at
close of Convention last Year we had no Cathaoirleach,
as the previous incumbent, Brian Mc Avoy, had
indicated his retirement from the position as
his tenure was up also the position of Assistant
Secretary was unfilled.
By the end of the Year there was a Cathaoirleach
and Assistant Secretary but the Secretary, James
Keenan, had resigned in early August 2007, a
result of an appeal to the County Hearings Committee.
The position of Cathaoirleach wasn’t
filled until late January despite various possible
candidates being asked, each for various reasons
were unable to accept the offer. In our present
Cathaoirleach; Michael Keenan, we have a person
who has a tremendous love for the Game as he
previously coached, managed teams at all levels
including the Senior and Junior teams for many
years in the early 1980’s. Additionally
he has brought with him many years of administration
experience as he has demonstrated by understanding
and getting to grip with the intricacies of
Down Hurling at all levels in the County in
a very short period of time. Given that he was
late in being appointed, Michael worked tirelessly
for the good of Hurling and further improvements
will be clear for all to see and appreciate.
Bernard Mc Grattan was also appointed late
into the position as again there was no great
acceptance by those who were asked, as a result
the various competitions were late in being
agreed and started, granted there were problems
encountered throughout the Year but they were
not all as a result of decisions taken by the
Committee. It is time for each unit of the association
involved in Hurling in Down to stand back, take
stock and carry out a self analysis of how we
all acted over the past year.
Co. Teams:
Starting with our senior team, under the management
of Gerard Coulter, Hugh Gilmore and Paul Mc
Mullan to whom I say on your behalf a massive
thank you for their efforts and commitment given
over the past season. Yes we lost our Division
1 status and fell badly short of expectations
in the Christy Ring Cup but this was not all
due to the management. I’m not going to
outline how each game developed, suffice to
say that hopefully as many of you were at as
many games as possible and are aware of the
performances.
Perhaps I could be bold enough to quote a few
lines from the report from last year; “As
earlier stated, success may require time but
as we embark upon a new season I look forward
to undivided loyalty and total dedication. The
modern game demands nothing less and those fortunate
enough to wear the Down jersey must do so with
pride and passion”.
The ‘Junior’ team competed in and
successfully won the expanded Leinster Shield
after a reply in the Final which was played
as part of the reopening of Pairc Esler, a massive
thanks to the commitment and effort put in by
the players and Management, Paddy Branniff,
Michael Mageean, Brian Canavan and the rest
of the back room team.
Due to hard negotiations by County Officials
and our Cathaoirleach there are two competitions
available for the players from the mainland
to participate in next year, i.e. Nicky Rackard
Cup and Div.3 of the National Hurling League,
this is a mighty step for the players but especially
for Hurling in Down. No other County in Ireland
has been afforded this facility I thank all
of those involved in negotiating entries into
these competitions.
At U-21 level we fell short in the first game,
we can blame the timing of the competition,
but we are aware of dates for at least 6 months,
usually make this as an excuse, as stated earlier
perhaps it is time for a rational self assessment
regarding the participation in the competition.
Our Minor team also finished up with little
or no success despite the best efforts of the
management under Mick Branniff, again blame
can be apportioned to ever you wish to put it
on, but unless you have full facts don’t
assume it is all the County or Hurling Committees
fault, some may be but this seems to be the
easy option for detractors.
A shining light at Minor level was the success
enjoyed by the ‘B’ team under Brian
Murphy as this team annexed three trophies over
the season, viz: All Ireland ‘C’
Championship, Ulster League and Blitz Sciath
Iomana.
U-16’s displayed great courage and skill
in a highly competitive game against Antrim
in Ballycran in the opening game of the Ulster
Competition but unfortunately weren’t
able to replicate this performance in later
games. The ability is there and with nurturing
this group could more than hold there own at
Minor level in two years time. Thanks to Martin
Mc Cusker, Gerard Monan and Stephen Mc Aree
for their efforts also a big thank you to the
players.
The U-14 team, comprising of those who attended
the Development Squad training competed in the
Tony Forestall Competition after a number of
years, whilst they didn’t win they enjoyed
and had the luxury of having specific coaching
given to them whilst in Waterford and as each
game progressed there was an improvement displayed
by the players. To all players who represented
the County at any level thank you for your efforts
and commitment, also Managements and other associated
with each team, from the Physio, Medical, liaison
officers, Hurley / water carriers etc.
Clubs:
Hurling in the dual club continues to struggle
with the commitment expected in respect of football;
to all of you involved in maintaining hurling
against these problems a massive thank you.
Perhaps Coiste Iomana and hurling members in
the incoming year should initially try to stabilise
and then develop a growing strength within these
Clubs. We can’t afford to loose any more
dual clubs as in the recent past. To our three
(3) main clubs Ballycran, Ballygalget and Portaferry
despite what has been erroneously stated Coiste
Iomana and Co. Committee are 100% supportive
of you and yes perhaps it is time to assess
the position within these Clubs so that best
practice can be adopted for the good of all.
Finally, Ballela, who have their own difficulties
continue to make solid progress even with diminishing
numbers, they have to be congratulated for their
impressive ground after major refurbishment,
a ground any club in Ireland would be proud
off. Thank you for making the facilities available
especially to the Junior Team and in hosting
the Leinster Shield games and the Junior Hurling
Final.
To those Clubs who facilitated Coiste Iomana
this season by hosting Training Sessions, Co.
games, Championship games etc thank you but
if you agree to facilitate the hosting of a
game I would ask that full facilities are made
available. I was at 2 finals in grounds this
year where the only facility available were
the Changing Rooms for the teams and officials,
no member of the Club Committee was in attendance.
We in the board get castigated sometimes correctly
for our promotion of games, but if the basic
equipment isn’t made available by the
host club then why should the board be made
amenable. Let us all move forward in a united
voice from the commencement of 2008 to promote
Hurling in our Clubs and County.
Sponsors:
Many personnel assist Hurling within the County
and Clubs and without them Hurling couldn’t
survive, but to our ‘main’ sponsors,
(at the risk of leaving someone out), Canal
Court, O’Neill’s, Mc Dermott Coach
Hire, Spinnaker Restaurant, the Feile Sponsors,
Down Democrat thank you for your continued support
and I would request where possible for Individuals
and Clubs to support them.
Referees:
To the loyal band of men who continually referee
our games and Seamus Bailie, I can’t thank
you enough. Each Year ‘problems’
are put up by you the Clubs in not being able
to provide suitable personnel, but I would like
to request you to rethink why so few wish to
carry out these duties. Some questions I would
ask; in no particular order: Do you think of
the referee when rearranging a game; what does
your Club do when a referee is verbally or physically
abused at your ground; (do you defend the player
or person involved at disciplinary hearings?);
how do you welcome the referee to your ground;
how is your club referee/s treated within your
Club; do you listen or discuss their concerns
within your club committee; if you are aware
of an issue raised by your club referee what
do you do? There are many more questions that
could be asked, perhaps now is the time for
all of us involved in Hurling and G.A.A. to
consider the referee, respect them thereby maybe
volunteers may be easier found. An official
game cannot commence without a referee and unless
we get more referees then quite a few games
will not take place in the near and longer term.
Media:
Thanks must be expressed to Patrick Murphy,
P.R.O. for the effort and commitment he has
given to the promotion of hurling in the Local
and National Press, and for our various programmes.
To all media personnel, especially local correspondents,
who covered our games thank you, a special thanks
to our Adult Championship Sponsor the Down Democrat,
for their continued support and coverage.
We in hurling sell ourselves short but can help
promote our Clubs and county by making contact
with the correspondents or Sports editors to
organise weekly coverage of games at all levels,
players like to see their name and occasional
photograph in the press, only you can make this
happen.
Sympathy:
I extend sympathy to all in the hurling fraternity
who suffered bereavement during the past season.
Thanks:
This section is usually where numerous people
are thanked but on this occasion I would like
to only mention two.
At this convention we lose a total of over
60 years experience between two men, viz. Willie
Johnson, Treasurer since 1970 and James Keenan,
Secretary since 1983.
Recently Willie hasn’t been well but
he is now recovering with the aid of medical
personnel and his Family; also he appreciates
the thoughts and prayers offered by many of
you, it is gratifying to see him well on the
road to recovery. Willie have many years of
good health!
As stated previously James Keenan as a man
of principle found himself with no option but
to resign as Secretary of Coiste Iomana, this
is a sad way for a long serving member to leave
any committee.
To Willie and James, men I have worked with
for at least twenty Years a personal thank you,
it has been an honour to have worked closely
with you, your expertise and knowledge will
be missed and I know that if I should need advice
or assistance I only have to ask and it will
be freely given. THANK YOU.
Is Mise
Geroid Mac Seain.
Runai.
FEILE REPORT.
Feile 2007 was a great success, we were back
to our original format and very pleasing it
was to see all our teams taking part not only
in playing the games but also in the parade.
Castlewellan Club can be very proud of their
presentation of Feile An Duin over the past
two years, they were very cooperative with the
County Feile Committee and this led to the successful
outcome as witnessed by all.
The games were very competitive and this shows
that the teams are being properly coached, our
teams who represented the County in Kilkenny
at the National Finals gave a good account of
themselves and whilst the Hurlers did not get
as far as the divisional finals; the Ballycran
Camogie team did and were unlucky to lose in
the Final.
I look forward to being allowed to organise
along with the Feile Committee and host club
for 2008.
Is mise.
B. Mc Grattan.
Fixtures Secretary’s report.
I would like to thank Michael Keenan, Gerard
Mc Shane, Seamus Bailie and James Keenan for
all the help and support they gave me over the
year.
I would also like to thank all those Clubs
and referees whose co operation last year I
was very glad to receive because without their
help the competitions would not have been completed
as soon as they were. I would also include in
this Eileen Hamill, fixtures secretary for the
Camogie Board, Sean Mc Cashin, East Down and
Joseph Donnan, South Down for their co operation
and assistance.
I would like to offer a special word of thanks
to Miss Joanne Young for her invaluable assistance
over the past season.
I would once again like to thank those Clubs
who have afforded me the help and assistance
so vital in performing this role. We all have
to work together for the good of Hurling in
Down.
Is mise.
B. Mc Grattan.
