Clubs to be notified of CCC findings

HOLLYWOOD proposed the third motion of the evening in Ballinakill recently and it related to clubs being notified of the findings of the CCC in relation to disciplinary matters.

The motion stated: ‘That all clubs be notified of the findings of the CCC relating to disciplinary matters’.

Speaking on the issue, Richard Burke said that he wished for the words ‘without delay’ to be added to the end of the motion. County Chairman Martin Fitzgerald said that there had to be due process and that a club had the right to bring a case to the Hearings Committee and that the notification couldn’t be sent out until that process was complete.

“Up to now, we’ve had to rely on word of mouth, or rumour, we didn’t know what was going on. I think it’s a very basic matter,” said Richard Burke.

A delegate suggested that the words ‘as soon as applicable’ be added to the motion. Wicklow GAA’s hurling officer Sean Hayes suggested the ending ‘or at the end of the process’ to clarify matters.

Richard Burke asked that ‘as soon as the matter is finalised’ be added to the motion.

Jackie Napier wondered that if the motion was carried would it result in the county secretary having to go home after a CCC meeting and send out emails relating to the findings.

Wicklow GAA county secretary said that that wasn’t going to be the case and that it would be a very simple document, perhaps monthly, that would be emailed to clubs highlighting the name of the player and the penalty.

The motion was carried.

CLUB VIEW

A look at our clubs through my eyes ahead of the hurling league. Avondale: Unfortunately they endured a difficult campaign in 2017 at Senior level. However, with the work that is being done in the club and the management team they have in place it won’t be long before they are asking questions of the top teams again.

Avondale have given us some very good hurlers over the years. Names like Eamon Kearns, Eugene Dunne, Ray Nolan to mention just a few spring to mind when we consider the Dales.

Avondale are working diligently and have good youngsters coming through; lads like Craig Byrne and Conor Sheehan. If they get these lads through to Senior level they will compete with anyone. New building works at the club and their football and camogie teams are doing well so their future looks bright.

COUNTY SCENE

Last week our county teams were out, and it was great to see them competing in the Walsh Cup.

Disappointingly they were well beaten by Wexford, but they won in the Kehoe Cup clash with Louth.

Both competitions were played the same day and it is good to see that we can field two teams in different competitions. There were good performers in both games.

The management team of Seamus Murphy, Michael Neary, Michael A O’Neill and Timmy Collins have a very important job on their hands to produce the best team and performances out of the lads.

As we all know our hurling and hurlers have improved so we need to get the results and move up to a standard where we should be playing.

In recent years Bray, St Pat’s and Éire Óg have been pushing the two old foes for the top spot, keeping the competition alive.

Our young lads are playing on college teams with some of the elite in Ireland and we have plenty of Christy Ring All Stars, so progression is evident.

So, the next step is to progress in the Christy Ring and maybe Wicklow can be in Leinster what Kerry are in Munster.

Admittedly, there is a long road ahead, but with the commitment of our County Board and the new Chairman Martin Fitzgerald there is light around the corner for Seamus Murphy and his management team.

I couldn’t let my first article go by without mentioning Glenealy and their Leinster performance - and what a performance!

It just goes to show if you have commitment, desire, hunger and skill, this is what you can achieve. Well done and hats off to all involved over the last five to ten years because this is what it takes do achieve what this team has done.

The work rate, commitment and desire to do well was unbelievable. This must be one of the best result from a Wicklow hurling team. I’m sure there was a few eyebrows raised in Kilkenny by the end of the match.

Looking at our other code, football, it would be remiss of me not to mention Rathnew. What a year for the club. They won the county final not showing signs of what was to come, but once out of the blocks they showed everyone what they were about.

After winning their first round, St Vincents came to town with the favourites tag for an All-Ireland on their head, but Rathnew had other plans for them, matching them with ever kick of the ball.

Harry had instilled a belief in this team that they were a match for anyone and coming to the last few minutes of the game you would wonder who were the favourites and who were the ‘no hopers’.

They came up short against Moorefield but showed that Wicklow can play football and the county is very proud of them. Well done to the duel stars that line out for both Glenealy and Rathnew.

Our county football has a tough year ahead with a new management team and big games on the horizon. If the management team can get all players to commit and get a few good results who knows what they can achieve. With self-belief and commitment, look what Rathnew achieved. Just go for it. Wicklow Abu!