Juvenile Club AGM

The Ballyhooly Juvenile Club AGM took place last Sunday evening, February 13th in Ballyhooly Community Hall. The meeting was well attended with a full agenda summarising the clubs activities through the past year.

Chairman Mike Whelan welcomed and thanked everyone for attending, emphasising how nice it was to be back in a normal meeting setting. The meeting formally began with Edel Leahy, club secretary outlining the agenda topics followed by the review of the 2021 AGM minutes which were duly seconded.

OFFICER REPORTS

The secretary’s 2022 report was read out by Edel, highlighting how the club has 240 juvenile players (150 boys and 90+ girls) across all age grades which is great to see. The report noted that 2021 was a challenging year due to lockdowns. Through all the changes and associated difficulties that came with Covid compliance our coaches were determined to put together training plans that were fun and increased players’ levels of skills and engagement in our games. Thanks were extended to Ballyhooly Homes and Quintas for the very generous sponsorship of new juvenile jerseys in 2021. Thanks to Stephen Bennett, a teacher in Ballyhooly NS and Waterford All-Star Hurler, for presenting the jerseys on the launch night and for sharing his time and expertise to each group with his encouraging words and experience. Thanks to Kevin Cogan on the successful running of the Cúl Camp in July.

Acknowledgments were also extended to the pitch committee and Ballyhooly GAA for facilitating both camps during the summer. Edel also thanked Angela Hess for her tireless efforts in running the Ballycastle Gaels and LGFA club shop. The LGFA wing of the club and the committee were thanked for securing €12,000 sport capital equipment grant to finance an equipment container for both clubs. The report also called out thanks to Kevin Crowley, John Hanrahan, Eoin Bracken, Anna McCarthy for starting the juvenile goalkeeping course on Wednesday evenings. Finally, the report thanked all coaches, mentors and Covid supervisors who without their help, the club could not function and their help is always welcome as the club looks forward to 2022. Edel also welcomed and thanked new faces Jane and Dan Dixon, who will be getting started with our nursery this year and we welcome any other help with this most important group.

Chairman Mike Whelan, in his report, confirmed after four years he was stepping down and thanked his prior and current officers that he soldiered with for their help and support, and thanked Ballyhooly GAA Chairman Jonathan Woods and his committee for the support of the Juvenile Club during his tenure, and everyone wished Mike well in his coaching role and he will continue to be a positive influence to all involved. LGFA secretary Ella Whelan read out the LGFA report for the year highlighting the success of LGFA teams in 2021, fielding an U16 team for the first time, thanking the coaching teams and parents.

Richie Holland followed with the report of the clubs finances, for the Juvenile account and the Ballycastle Gaels and LGFA accounts highlighting the main expenses that come with running a club and thanks to the generous fund raising and parental support.

CLUB OFFICER ELECTIONS

Following the reports, the Club President John O’Keeffe was called upon to preside over the election of Club officers. John also extended his thanks to outgoing Chairman Mike Whelan, commending Mike’s contributions and acknowledging the very healthy numbers in the club. John also extended sympathies to the Burke Family and in particular mentioned the late Seamus Burke, a former Juvenile Club Treasurer, a poignant inclusion as the 11.15am mass on Sunday remembered all deceased members of the GAA club. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha.

The following club officers were elected: Chairman Liam Dineen; secretary Edel Leahy; treasurer and pro Richie Holland; board delegates Noel Ahern; coaching officer Colm Finnan; children’s officer and designated person, Rachel Ahern; school liaison officer, Eoin Bracken.

NEW CHAIRMAN

Following the elections, new chairman Liam took the seat to moderate the remaining items of the meeting. Liam himself was chairman of the Junior Club in 1996 and again from 2012 to 2014. Liam also served as Juvenile Chairman in 2008 – 2010. He was a member of the 1995 Co winning hurling team and has coached and managed many juvenile teams over the years and his daughter Ciara is also well known in the club, and we wish him well in his tenure. The meeting went on to discuss the motions on child welfare, amendments to club playing policy and discussions on logistics for the season ahead. The meeting concluded with best wishes to Pete Sykes as he takes on his role with Rebel Og U15 squad and thanked him for his service to the club and the development of the young players, he will be sorely missed.

2022 SEASON

Plans are underway for return to training and renewing memberships etc. Please stay tuned to clubs communication channels for updates over the next few weeks.

CLUB SPONSORS

Ballyhooly Homes Ltd, Quintas.