THE PARISH:
UPDATES FROM LOCAL GAA CLUBS
HELP WANTED
The club is appealing for volunteers and underage coaches to support the club’s activities during 2021. If you would like to be involved please contact a committee member, phone details are available on our website, www.coolaneymullinabreena.com
TRACK WALK
Coolaney-Mullinabreena GAA Club’s work as part of the GAA’s Healthy Club Project continues with ‘Lights on our Track’ at Nace O’Dowd Park, Achonry, every Tuesday and Thursday (7pm-9pm).
The track at Nace O’Dowd Park is open every day for all to use within 5km. A one-way system in place. No group walking except within one’s family unit. Physical distancing is in place at all times.
STEPS CHALLENGE
The club are taking part in the ‘Every Step Counts Challenge’. There has been a brilliant response from club members so far and in only one week they have completed one lap of Ireland. The club will be running its own prize draw for all who register.
HEALTHY CLUB PROJECT
The club is one of 300 clubs nationwide involved in phase four of the GAA’s Healthy Club Project and representatives from Coolaney-Mullinabreena took part in last Saturday’s worthwhile webinar conference. Highlights included keynote speaker Tony Holohan and the ever inspiring Joanne O’Riordan.
The club have lots of exciting ideas for new events and initiatives for 2021. The ambition is to expand the club’s role within the community to deliver various health-related projects to improve physical and mental health.
Those who would like to contribute in some way or join the club’s Healthy Club committee, please contact club chairperson Ollie Lee for details.
CLUB COMMITTEE
At the recent annual general meeting, which was held online earlier this month using the Zoom platform, the following committee members were elected: Jack Devaney (president); Ollie Lee (chairperson); Eugene Henry (secretary); Leo Coleman (assistant secretary); Brendan Kivlehan (treasurer); Rose Quinn (PRO); Padraig McGourty and John Marren (national schools co-ordinators); Caroline Coleman (children’s officer); David Hosey
(IT officer and assistant treasurer); Shane O’Brien (registrar and insurance officer); John Brennan (County Board delegate); Padraig McGourty (strategic plan co-ordinator and coaching officer).
LEE PRAISES EFFORT
At the club’s recent annual general meeting, which was held online via Zoom, club chairperson Ollie Lee – who was re-elected for 2021 – commended all involved in the club throughout 2020, hailing the contribution of sponsors, players, coaches, officers, parents and supporters. He remarked on the considerable achievement in getting through 2020. Great effort was again given to providing hours of coaching to the club’s large membership of players, youth and adult.
The club also managed to deliver significant improvements t its facilities at Nace O’Dowd Park in Achonry, including a car park extension and associated works.
Lee expressed huge pride in being involved in such a great club with great volunteers and asked for renewed commitment again for what promises to be a challenging 2021.
Sympathy was expressed to all the recently bereaved families of the club, with special mention for former chairperson, the late Fr Paddy Kilcoyne. Fr Paddy was a loyal and unconditional supporter of the club ever since his tenure.
Send notes to liam.maloney@sligoweekender.ie 9860314 or email secretary.stfarnans.sligo@ gaa.ie for the link. It is very important that as many as possible attend the meeting to ensure the future of the club.
ARE YOU A GAA CLUB PRO?
Tributes were paid to the outgoing executive committee members who served the club with great distinction over the past four years. Under the stewardship of Peadar Niland, Paul Corcoran and Gabriel Keaveny, great progress was made in terms of club facilities – the new training pitch was a particular highlight of development in recent years.
Overall, the outgoing committee have left St Mary’s in a strong position, both on and off the field.
The new committee in place for 2021 is as follows: Niall Murray (chairman); John Clifford (vice-chairman); Adrian Keane (secretary); Conor Conway (treasurer); Breda Mullaney (assistant treasurer); Dylan Kilgallon (PRO); David Keane (coaching officer); Seamus
Cronin (County Board delegate); Marcella McGarry (club registrar); Sinead McGuinness (assistant club registrar); Catherine McGowan (children’s officer); Cathal O’Donnell (pitch secretary).
KENT PARK
While the country remains under Level 5 restrictions, members are advised that St Mary’s clubhouse, along with surrounding facilities at Kent Park, is closed until further notice.
NEW WEBSITE
St Mary’s GAA Club is currently developing a new website – it is expected to be live within the next week or two.