Aileen makes history as new chair of GAA club
LOCAL lady Aileen Browne created her own piece of Charleville GAA history when she was elected the first female chairperson of Charleville GAA Club at the annual general meeting held on last Thursday night at their Baker’s Road Centre.
A community activist and prominent Fine Gael branch member, Aileen was the vice-chairman last year and was a member of the group which ran the club’s hugely successful fund-raising venture, Hollywood Comes to Charleville, that raised a massive €56,000 for the improvement of facilities at the club’s second field at Baker’s Road. The members were Oonagh Healy, Sharon Berry, Treasa McAuliffe, Amanda Crowley, Yvonne Roche, Aisling Carroll and Aileen Browne.
Aileen replaces outgoing chairman Mike Keane who presided for the past three years over what may be described as the club’s most successful period with the winning of the Cork County and Munster Intermediate Hurling final, and an appearance in Croke Park to contest the All-Ireland final, only to lose to Connaught champions Oranmore Maree.
At the annual general meeting club secretary Christy Dennehy, in his comprehensive report for 2019, recalled that the club also won the North Cork Premier U21 Championship
and the Division 2 hurling league and were promoted to Division 1 of the league for the coming year.
Charleville played in the Cork County Senior championship in 2019 but were beaten in round three by Glen Rovers after extra time in an enthralling game played in Mallow. He thanked the team coach, Ben O’Connor and selectors John Moloney, Tony McAuliffe, Ozzie Lambert, Martin Kavanagh, Moss Fitzgibbon, George O’Sullivan and Kevin Owens for their contribution to the team’s success during the year.
Mr. Dennehy commented in his report that discipline continues to be a problem within the club, “as during the year we had players and supporters suspended for indiscipline, ranging from one match to 48 weeks and the club fined on two occasions for amounts of €700 and €350.”
The cost of running the club, he said was now in excess of €80,000, which puts a considerable strain on the club finances. “We are indebted to Martin Condon and Cavanagh’s Garage of Charleville for their generous support, and also to Lee’s Centra, and Dick’s Supervalu, as well as the large number of business and individuals who contributed to the club during the year,” said Mr. Dennehy.
He thanked the actors who participated in the Holly Comes to Charleville film segments, the group of ladies who organised the entire event, as previously mentioned, and the other sources of club funding, like the Cork County Board Draw, from which the club receives 45% of the money donated, and the weekly bingo sessions for the Mannix Sportsfield.
Mr. Dennehy thanked his fellow club officers and committee for their assistance and support during the past year and wished the incoming committee all the best for 2020.
The officers for the coming year were elected as follows: President Donie Forde, Aileen Browne, Chairperson; Micheál O’Súilleabháin, Secretary; Des
O’Donnell, Juvenile Committee Chairperson; Teddy Tuohy, Field Committee Chairperson; Micheál Casey, Treasurer & Culture Officer; Jim O’Callaghan, Vice Treasurer; Jerry Hawe, Treasurer; Mike Keane, Development Officer; Mark Kavanagh, Coaching and Games Officer; Pat McEnery, Insurance Officer; John O’Donnell & Moss Fitzgibbon, County Board Representatives.