Will Coiste come under total control of the adult board?

THERE IS still no white smoke regarding the future of Coiste na nOg in the county, but it will be one of the main issues as we head into 2017. Predictions are difficult, but it’s widely believed that since Wexford Coiste na nOg dismantled in controversial circumstances towards the end of 2016, we are wont to find a solution and a way forward for the under-age board in the county.

The politics of Coiste na nOg which led to its downfall has been disapproved of in G.A.A. circles throughout the county. There was open canvassing by Coiste Secretary, Angela McCormack, supporting the nomination of its Chairman, Bobby Goff, for a coaching post on the adult board, which ultimately led to the resignation of Treasurer, Noel O’Keeffe.

Following much controversy, both McCormack and Goff subsequently relinquished their under-age posts. However, Goff’s move to continue his bid for Coaching Officer with the adult board made it clear that the officers did not understand or realise the gravity of the issues which had earlier arisen.

And his subsequent election in my view compromises the position of Coaching Officer which deals directly with the Coaching Office in Wexford, an office that carries out so much work through various under-age levels.

One of the reasons one doubts a smooth future for Coiste na nOg as it currently stands is that we head into 2017 with the under-age board having many questions hanging over it. As it stands it is without a Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, while the P.R.O. position has subsequently become vacant following the election of P.J. Howlin to the communications post of the adult board.

So as it is at present, the under-age board is rudderless with only Marguerite Furlong, the Vice-Chairperson, now in office.

The second major question is what future Coiste na nOg holds under its current remit, as its authority as a body has been eroded with each passing year?

For example, County Board meetings, all five of them held during 2016, are now without any real significance. The most pressing question is how Coiste na nOg can be revamped to deal with the pressing issues at under-age level, and begin open discussions as to the future of under-age in the county and where it is moving.

But is it too late for Coiste na nOg to continue operating or should it be placed under a special committee under the chairmanship of an officer of the adult management, with quarterly meetings with club delegates?

If this was proposed, how would it sit with the clubs? Yet again though County Board meetings, the handful which were held, were poorly attended, with little of consequence on the agenda.

The meetings held were mainly taken up with fixtures, which are now capably and professionally under the guidance of the administrator, Marion Doyle, along with John O’Neill, while the finances have been consolidated into the adult accounts, with Coiste na nOg left with a small working capital.

The new officer board at adult level will be striving to bring Coiste na nOg affairs to a level that is required for the running of this most important area of the Association. Already there are rumblings of discontent over what has already happened, leading to this impasse which now requires urgent attention.

After 2016 drew to a close, all eyes will now be on the first meeting of the County Board and the announcement of the various committees. These committees will be more prominent on the agenda this year, particularly with a new Chairman in place.

There are already rumblings as to how the new officer board will deal with the local media and the restraints they will endeavour to place on their coverage of G.A.A. affairs in the county. We are well aware of the feelings of certain officers regarding sections of the local media, so the changes they may try to impose could explode at any time. It could be the biggest political issue facing the new officer board, as in sections of the media there is a great sense of an era of co-operation ending, and a new, more fearful one, beginning.

There is no reason to believe that the process of change will not continue through early 2017, but if anything will gain momentum under the new Communications committee under the Chairmanship of P.R.O. P.J. Howlin, and which will include Ed Rowsome, Lar Sutton, Maria Nolan, and a possible few further names.