|
SPEECH
BY BRIAN McAVOY (Chairman of Comhairle Iomána An Dúin) TO
DOWN HURLING CONVENTION ON 10./12/02 - 12/12/02
It is some nine months since I became the
first Chairman of Comhairle Iomána An Duin. The new committee
structure which gave all clubs representation on the main
hurling decision making body in the county was one of a
series of recommendations proposed by the Down strategic
review committee in their document 'Getting Down to Hurl'.
As I said at the outset, in many ways I was a reluctant
chairman as pressures of work and young family commitments
place great strain on my time.
It is important that the new hurling structures are given
time to bed down. Many may feel that progress has been slow,
and I certainly would have liked to have been able to devote
more time to the task, but now that the initial settling
in period is over, I am optimistic for the future.
Next year for example underage hurling teams from Bredagh,
Carryduff, Loughinisland and St. John's will hopefully play
some part in our activity curriculum
… and this is only the start.
A primary recommendation of 'Getting Down To Hurl', was
that each year An Chomhairle Iomána would produce an Implementation
Plan for the next year, based on the findings and recommendations
of the Report.
Producing this has taken longer than I would have hoped,
but I am pleased that it is now complete, subject to ratification
by the committee.
Let me tell you a story that I read recently.
When the Americans first put a man in space, they discovered
that a ball-point pen couldn't work in zero gravity. So
their scientists spent many millions of dollars and some
10 years later came up with this brilliant pen that could
literally write in any conditions - in 300o Centigrade,
-300o Centigrade, Underwater, Upside down, anywhere basically.
Their problem solved……The Russians however….well, they just
used a pencil.
What I am saying is that Implementation plans don't need
to be rocket science, they don't need to be earth shattering.
Yes, they need to be challenging, but they also need to
be practical.
Many of you will have heard of the SMART OBJECTIVES. This
implementation Plan is devised on that formula; It is Specific,
it is Measurable, it is Achievable, it is Realistic and
it is Timebound.
However, it is written with the hope of very crucial central
funding in mind. In the national Strategic Review Report,
sub-titled 'Enhancing Community Identity', which was published
by the Association last January, it pointed out that there
was a crying need for a major investment of money to promote
hurling. (thankfully this motion didn't come before the
Special Congress in October as it probably would have been
defeated)
The following recommendation was made. "The Games Development
Committee should produce a fully-costed plan designed to
raise the standard of hurling in at least six counties (to
be selected by that Committee but excluding all those which
have won the All-Ireland senior title in the past thirty
years) to the point where they can reach and compete effectively
in All-Ireland Senior Hurling Semi-finals within ten years,
and money should be allocated by both Central and Provincial
Councils to support the implementation of this plan.
"A special development programme should be produced
to assist the remaining weaker' counties to raise the profile
and standard of hurling."
We in Down have tried to steal a march on the other counties
by having our plan ready now, so we can maximise our chances
of being included among those so called elite six - though
that figure is not cast in stone.
But this or any other plan will only succeed if the will
is there. That will inevitably mean sacrifices for many
of us. It will especially mean it for some of our stronger
clubs. If we are to achieve success, we need to broaden
our base and to do that it will need a special concentration
in certain areas. Where hurling is the secondary game in
a club, those charged with running the affairs of that club
must realise that the game needs to be given some breathing
space; it need to be given the chance to develop. As I said
at the South Down Convention last week - just because hurling
is the secondary game in your club, it does not mean that
it should always play second fiddle.
When it comes to the promotion and development of the game
of hurling, parochial interests must be cast aside. We have
a collective responsibility, indeed a collective duty, to
progress forward together.
Once again there was no silverware for our county teams
this year. The senior hurlers had a memorable National league
Division Two campaign, before losing narrowly to eventual
winners Laois in the semi-final. After scoring a memorable
victory in a replayed semi-final against Ulster champions
Derry, the senior hurlers succumbed to Antrim in the Ulster
final. Six days later they lost heavily to Galway in the
All-Ireland qualifiers. I ask the question, why did the
Down hurlers have to play on four consecutive weekends?
What is this doing for the promotion of the game in the
county? Why the rush when Antrim had to wait seven weeks
between winning the Ulster title and playing their All-Ireland
quarter-final?
Jimmy O'Reilly and his management team are already in training
for next year and I wish them well. May I also pay tribute
to the work of Noel Keith and Martin Mallon, who have stepped
down from the management team for the coming year.
Pride of place among our hurling teams this year, must go
to our Junior hurlers, under the expert guidance of Paddy
Branniff. An amusing quote in this years Down GAA Yearbook,
attributed to Paddy, perhaps sums up the total commitment
and dedication of this man.
"There have been injuries and even deaths in hurling,
but none of them that serious."
This team performed admirably in the Ulster Championship
before losing by a point to Antrim in the final - a final
which was played in a wet and miserable - and empty
- Clones.
I beg the question, why was this game played at the Co.
Monaghan venue? The Ulster Council say they needed a curtain
raiser to the Derry/Donegal Ulster Football semi-final?
Well, there was no curtain raiser for the Armagh/Fermanagh
semi-final the previous week. Surely Comhairle Uladh knew
that there would be a disappointing attendance at this,
given the events that were taking place that afternoon in
Suwon, South Korea. I remember telling James Keenan in Casement
Park the evening before the game 'that there won't be 8,000
people in Clones tomorrow. I was right. There were just
over 7,000 at the game.
I don't want to open up a debate about the merits or otherwise
of playing an Ulster Championship semi-final in direct opposition
to a World Cup soccer game, but what I am saying is that
it was ill-judged to ask the Junior Hurlers of Down and
Antrim to travel to Clones to play in front of a few dozen
people, when the game could have been played in either county
at any time. Indeed it would have proved an ideal 'curtain-raiser'
to the Down/Galway All-Ireland qualifier which was played
in Casement Park less than twenty-four hours earlier.
I know that Comhairle Uladh are fully committed to the promotion
of hurling. But I would appeal to them to demonstrate this
by looking at the bigger picture, and giving hurling a chance.
Our U-21 team reached the Ulster final but having led for
most of the game were blown away by Antrim in the last twenty
minutes, while both our Minor and U-16 Hurling teams suffered
heavy defeats in their respective Championships.
Kieran Gilmore has stepped down from the minor helm, while
the senior team management have decided to relinquish control
of the U-21's in order to devote more time and effort to
the senior squad. An Chomhairle Iomána have suggested that
we look outside the county in order to find replacements
- but this is proving extremely difficult. I think it may
be necessary to re-appraise this decision in the very near
future.
May I place on record my thanks to all those managers, selectors
and officials who helped the county in any way over the
past year. I thank also the players for the commitment they
have given to the 'red and black', and hope that they will
continue to give this commitment in the years to come.
May I congratulate all those clubs who achieved League and
Championship success at all levels during the past twelve
months. The winners are listed in the Convention Booklet
and I don't intend to list them again. May I however make
special mention of Portaferry who won their first ever three
in a row of Down senior Hurling championships, and capped
off a brilliant year by winning the Antrim League.
A major source of disappointment has been the number of
games not played in Division Two of the adult league. In
order to have the competition completed, the Board at its
last meeting decided to complete the competition on a knock-out
basis among the four clubs which were in with a chance of
winning the league.
The same scenario cannot be allowed to prevail in 2003 games
are sometimes called off for the most dubious of reasons
- I even heard of one being called off for a christening
- but it was the success of the junior hurling team which
was the main contributory factor in so many games not being
played.
Some solution must be found and if this means having to
play a small number of games without county players, then
so be it. There is a price to pay for continuous competition
- nothing comes cheap.
If there is to be just one positive step arising out of
this convention tonight, then let it be this - that all
clubs - yes all clubs, will, as far as possible, give a
commitment to playing their games as outlined in the fixtures
programme, irrespective of whatever particular difficulties
it may cause them.
Games are the life-blood of our Association. There is an
over-riding imperative on GAA administrators, at all levels,
to ensure that club players are provided with a regular
pre-planned programme of games. Having made the fixtures,
let the players play them. If we don't, they will leave
and go elsewhere. We face enough competition from other
sports, without making it any easier for our competitors.
I thank the referees who have diligently carried out their
match duties over the past year. There is however a chronic
shortage of hurling referees and this situation needs to
be addressed. I appeal to all clubs here tonight, that in
2003, the centenary year of the Association in this county,
that you make refereeing a priority.
I thank our sponsors the Canal Court Hotel, who sponsor
our county teams, and East Down Construction, the sponsors
of Feile Na nGael. On the subject of Feile, may I again
congratulate Liatroim on hosting the event so well this
year - despite the inclement weather - and as always pay
the highest tribute to Bernard McGrattan for his organisation
of the event.
One of the highlights was a closely fought division two
final between Castlewellan and Warrenpoint, which the latter
were very unlucky to lose The sight of over thirty disappointed
Warrenpoint youngsters - yes, they had more subs than players,
was something to behold.
More importantly however, it was gratifying to see a traditional
football club like Warrenpoint, promoting hurling in such
a dynamic and vigourous manner. They have set an impressive
standard, and one which we could all take a lead from. I
hope and trust that the hard work and effort of those charged
with promoting hurling in the club, will bear fruit with
some silverware in the not too distant future.
I have enjoyed my first year as chair of An Comhairle Iomána.
It has been difficult and I have been learning as I go along.
I wish to put on record my sincere thanks to all the members
of both An Chomhairle Iomána and Coiste Bainisti Na hiomána
who have given me great help and support over the past year.
In particular I thank Runai James Keenan, Vice-Chairman
Gerard McShane, Leas Runai Brendan McKeown, Cisteoir Willie
Johnston and PRO Sean Og McAteer. I also extend a sincere
thanks to Leas Runai Coiste Chontae Seamus Walsh for his
valiant efforts in organising the adult fixtures programme.
It was a most demanding task, but knowing Seamus he will
have taken the problems he encountered this year on board,
and he will have his own thoughts and ideas on how to progress
matters in 2003 and in the future.
I thank the media for the coverage they have given us over
the past year - in particular Matt Fitzpatrick in 'The Down
Recorder' and Jerry Quinn in the 'Co. Down Outlook'. I have
been impressed by the special sports supplements in the
Democrat newspapers, Sportsscene in Down and Scoreboard
in Newry I hope and trust that more space will be devoted
to hurling affairs in these fine publications over the next
twelve months.
I thank all those clubs and schools who have made their
facilities available to the Committee and to county teams
over the past year. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
The Russell Gaelic Union left no stone unturned in hosting
the County Final in September. Indeed so impressed were
the committee that we chose to return here tonight for Convention.
And once again they have not failed us. My thanks to all
in the club.
To conclude - and you'll be glad to hear that - let us look
to the future. Our Implementation Plan will address some
of our immediate needs, but we have to ask ourselves where
do we hope to be in ten years time. If we are to improve
our current lot at inter-county level, we must broaden our
hurling base.
Not since 1956 has the Jeremiah McVeigh Cup rested outside
the Ards. For many years these 3 clubs kept hurling alive
in Down, and no words of mine can pay tribute enough to
them for that. Their dominance however has perhaps fuelled
a perception of a 'them and us' situation, a feeling that
if something is good for them, it must be bad for us.
It may only be a perception, but perceptions gather momentum
and gain credence. Perhaps it is now time to bridge this
gap.
In her inauguration speech, Irish President Mary McAleese
said "The theme of my Presidency is Building Bridges. These
bridges require no engineering skills but they will demand
patience, imagination and courage."
Maybe its time we built a bridge across Strangford Lough.
I can already see the headline in The Democrat - McAvoy
Wants to Give Ferrymen the Boot.
Well I think the ferry is safe for another while, because
like Mary McAleese's bridges, this one will require no engineering
skills. But it will require a realisation that we're all
in this together. The Ards Clubs alone cannot be asked to
sustain Down hurling teams indefinately. They need our support.
And the Ards clubs must be prepared to go that extra mile
to support clubs 'on this side of the water' as they aim
to improve their standards. If we can achieve that then
in ten or fifteen years time we may be able to compete favourably
at the highest levels. If we don't, then we will have to
content ourselves with the odd Ulster title here and there
and the once or twice in a lifetime appearance in Division
One.
It is a difficult challenge - but one we can't shirk. There
is no easy or quick solution, but if we move forward together
in a concerted effort, with what is best for Down as our
top priority, then we have a chance. Otherwise we will fail.
Thank you.
Brian McAvoy
Photo
of the elected 2002 - 2003 Hurling Committee
Site
was Created and Designed by Diarmuid Cahill
© DOWNGAA.NET
|
