Annual general meeting report
Chairman Pat Clancy in welcoming everybody declared it was very important to have it, “it is what it is” were his opening comments of an annual general meeting held on zoom or phone link and commencing just after the scheduled starting time of 8pm on Saturday night last.
As part of his own address to the meeting which came later, added “it to be a strange year on the playing side”. This year, whenever it starts, the new management team of Shane Kearney, Shane Fitzgerald, Colm Burke, Martin O’Keeffe and
Tim O’Connor will take responsibility for club teams in both the intermediate hurling and junior B football championships. Well done to all those players at college level and also playing divisional hurling and junior B football championships. Well done to all those players at college level and also playing divisional hurling. Congratulations being extended to Eoin Davis goalkeeper on the Munster winning U20 hurling team.
He mentioned that Scór is very important for the club while the effort and contribution of the three schools in the parish would be noteworthy in its promotion at juvenile level. Medical officer Brigid Cotter with the assistance of Dolores Hartigan were thanked as were club physios John O’Meara and Finola Neville. Field chairman was Billy Neville along with Pat Hartigan and Tom ‘ Waxer’ Murphy were complemented on their work on the grounds. Overall there would be no voting at the meeting, All officials agreeing in advance to stay on. Though it’s currently being working on club registration format will remain intact for now the new system emerging for 2022.
Praiseworthy comment would be forthcoming for the work being put in under the championship of Brian Sheehan at juvenile level. Poc fada was very important for the club and although there wasn’t any in the term just ending, hopefully we will make a return for the end of 2021.
It’s important to stress the importance of the weekly lotto draw, “it keeps our club going”. Membership as before but there must be an improvement in lotto contribution.
As regards the club development project with the area being subdivided into seventeen separate regions and it must be stated that the positive response from the parish and the public to be beyond one’s wildest expectations. Marion Morrison putting in great work with the club executive. However the work put in by T&A in the whole diverse project was second to none. Earlier the chairman pointing out that T&A had announced a bigger and better sponsorship deal for 2021 and 2022. There was also the generous sponsorship deal provided by Mulcahy Steel for the underage section of the club, Mention of which Brian Sheehan as chairman Lisa Moore as new secretary and treasurer Fiona Sheehan had their positions ratified from the juvenile AGM of January 7th.
Last year’s minutes were read and adopted prior to Eleanor Glavin presenting the secretary’s report. It being a year of firsts. It being the first virtual AGM and for many first mention of the word lockdown. Going on to mention the tie up between the GAA club and the community councils to connect with those cocooning, Another new word.
An often sad and strange year compounded by the sad departures of Toss Morrison and Dan McCarthy, both ex-chairmen of St Catherines GAA Club. While later in the year there was the sad death of Jim Roche, a loyal club servant.
On the playing field which had a condensed season highlights, were the reaching of the semi-finals of the lower intermediate hurling championship and of the U21 C football championship. No U21 hurling championship was played.
Highlights the contribution of Elaine Fitzgerald as chairperson of the final sub-committee.
Eleanor thanked everybody for their co-operation and urged everyone to look out for themselves. Treasurer Richard Hegarty presented an informative and well prepared financial statement. Again stressing that the development could not have been undertaken without the very generous contributions received from members and supporters. Johnny Sheehan declared that a games’ development plan with the GAA and camogie clubs behind it is soon to be launched. Paul Davis, child protection officer, again pointed out that coaches and selectors must be vetted. Just check if you need to renew your vetting.
Doubling as Covid officer of the club and Paul thanked everybody who worked for the club in the course of the year. Then there was that fitting finale to Eleanor’s piece – “Saints Abu” – “and so say all of us!”.
LOTTO
Keeping your details up to speed with the results from the most recent lotto draw held on Monday night last, March 1, numbers drawn were 13, 17, 20 and 29. There was no winner of the €9,000 jackpot. Consolation winners on the night being; Noel Tobin, Monty’s Meadow, Conna, Fiona Higgins, Ballycullane, Ballynoe, E Kenneally c/o PH, Sonny Cotter, Glentrasna, Ballynoe and Teresa Buckley c/o English’s, Conna.
There will be a draw on Monday night, March 8 with a jackpot now standing at €9,200.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
We would like to be associated with those praiseworthy comments bestowed on Conna trader Tom English over the weekend. As a line aptly stated “any enterprise is only as good as its captain”.
RACING SUCCESS
Right up to the commencement of the AGM there was a plethora of unattended sport through the various channels on TV. There was a great win for Jonathon Burke aboard Clondaw Castle in a €50,000 handicap chase at Kempton, where earlier tritonioc and Kilworth’s Adrian Heskin look as if they laid it down to duffle coat Quilixios or Zanahayr or whoever Gordon Elliot puts out for the four year olds in the triumph hurdle. You can’t beat a bit of competition!
CONDOLENCES
Deepest sympathy to Betty Higgins-Galvin and Geraldine Twomey from Ballynoe on the death of their brother Rev John O’Brien SCA originally from Fermoy and then of Brentwood diocese in London.
SUNDAY MASS
Live streaming of Sunday Mass continues on St Catherines YouTube channel until this current lockdown ends.
SPONSORS
St Catherines GAA Club sponsors are T&A Building and Civil Engineering Contractors, Ballynoe, Mulcahy Steel are juvenile club sponsors.