Fermoy the perfect host for Avondhu convention
THE Avondhu Divisional Board held their annual Convention at Fermoy GAA Club last Friday. The County Board was represented by Diarmuid Gowen, County Board Treasurer, and Pat Horgan, County Board Development Officer.
Brendan Keane, Chairman of Fermoy GAA club, spoke of the great commitment given by the late Derry Gowen to the GAA at all levels, as a referee and Avondhu selector, whose idea it was to launch the U-21 FC in the 60s. The late Derry was the only Cork person to be County Board chairman on two occasions. Tradition is now going on in the Gowen family with his son Diarmuid the County Board Treasurer.
Chairman Barry Aherne said it was appropriate that the Convention was in Fermoy as it was the ideal opportunity to honour Derry Gowen. Scor has grown immensely over the years gone to All-Ireland level. Congratulations were extended to the Kilshannig club who in 2019 won County, Munster and All Ireland Scor Sinsear honours in Ceol Uirlise (Instrumental Music) This is the first time in 19 years.
During the 2019 season the Board promoted 19 competitions – 13 championship and six leagues. Kilshannig won six titles. Clyda Rovers took the JAHC title and three clubs Castletownroche, Fermoy and Kilshannig retained the Divisional titles they won last year. At County Board level Grange won the County JBFC(1) title with Castletownroche taking the County JBHC(1) title.
Fermoy U-21 hurlers are in the County U-21 A HC final while Killavullen are in the County U-21 B HC final. At the title of Convention Kilshannig are still in the County U-21 A FC semi final, Buttevant are in the County U-21 B FC semi final and Mallow are in the County Premier 2 U-21 HC quarter-final.
The Chairman paid tribute to the work of the referees. He spoke about the deadlines for leagues. This year a number of factors prevented the Board from finishing the leagues on time. Next year dates will have to be laid down for finals and they will have to be played on time.
He spoke about club developments in some clubs, the work of the IT committee and Facebook. He paid tribute to the Cork U-20 and the Cork Minor footballers on their great success in winning both All Ireland in 2019. The Avondhu Board were well represented on both.
Patrick Horgan, County Board Development Officer, in his address congratulated Kilshannig footballers on winning the Co title. He also congratulated Grange and Castletownroche on taking the County JBFC and County JBHC titles.
Mr Horgan paid tribute to the late Derry Gowen who gave a lifetime of service to the GAA. He held numerous Officer positions and he remembered that it was the late Derry as County Board Chairman that presented the Sean Og Murphy Cup to the Midleton captain. All is alive and well he stated in Avondhu.
Diarmuid Gowen, County Board Treasurer, stated he was very pleased to be here in Avondhu where there is a great tradition of the GAA. He commended Chairman Barry Aherne, Secretary
John Courtney and Treasurer John Roche for their excellent work and detailed reports. He paid tribute to both John Courtney and Michael Beecher for their dedication as County Board delegates.
John Courtney, Board Secretary, presented a very detailed Secretary’s Report. Clyda Rovers took the Divisional JAHC title after a lapse of 30 years. Kilshannig won the JAFC and went on to claim county honours. Castletownroche retained the Divisional JBHC title and they also won the County championship. Grange won the County JBFC(1) title. In the Divisional JBFC(1) final Doneraile overcame Grange, Kilshannig retained the U-21
Photo by Eric Barry
A FC success with Buttevant taking the U-21 B FC title and Ballycastle Gaels took the U-21 C FC title. Kilshannig also won the JBFC(2) and were crowned Division 1 FL and 2 FL kingpins.
Charleville won the Premier U-21 HC with Fermoy taking the grade defeating Kilshannig for the second year in a row in the final. Ballyhea were JBHC(2) champions. Abbey Rovers took the Division 3 FL title.
In the County qualifiers (football) Kilshannig beat Doneraile while in hurling, Ballyhea accounted for Castletownroche.
During the year there were 227 games fixed. 184 were played with 43 walkovers being conceded.
The Runai in his report spoke of the Avondhu website that was revamped in early 2017 to become compatible with the increasing demand by users on phones and tablets etc. This investment has proved to be worthwhile as we had an astonishing 159,828 visits in 2019 and increase of 9%. We also saw he stated 1,000 new users in 2019. The biggest viewing device in 2019 was the phone. This is huge for the Board sponsors as they appear on each visit. During the year the website had visits from over 63 different countries bit 90% of our viewers are from Ireland.
At present there is 2,285 Facebook and 5285 Twitter followers. The Secretary thanked Ciaran O’Regan for his help in the I.T. Section during the year. After all the praise the web is only as good as the information it receives and here it is vital that the clubs send back results after each match.
The financial report by Treasurer John Roche was in great detail. Board funds are well handled and maintained. The sale of season tickets and tickets for concerts was once more a great fundraiser for the Board.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
There was no change in the Officer Board for 2020. President: Owenie McAuliffe (Glanworth); Chairman: Barry Aherne (Churchtown); Vice-chairman: Arthur O’Keeffe (Glanworth); Hon Secretary: John Courtney (Mitchelstown); Treasurer: John Roche (Clyda Rovers); PRO: Michael Murphy (Mallow); Development Officer: Tommy Lenahan (Buttevant); Cultural Officer: Michael Sheehan (Liscarroll); Children’s Officer: Tom Fox (Kildorrery); Coaching Officer: Noel O’Regan (Kilshannig); Management Committee: John Twomey (Kilworth), Tom Barrett (Castletownroche), Liam Hanley (Doneraile), John O’Donnell (Charleville)