AVONDHU GAA CONVENTION
Avondhu GAA Board held their delayed convention in Mallow GAA Sports Complex on Wednesday night week last. There was a good sized attendance present. There was a minute’s silence in memory of Sean Cooney, president of the Mallow club, who died the previous week.
Arthur O’Keeffe, chairman presided. The outgoing secretary Michael Murphy and treasurer John Roche, both presented very detailed reports. Diarmuid Gowen, treasurer Cork County GAA Board, in his address paid tribute to the Board officers on their great work year after year.
He spoke of the shortage of referees. He congratulated Mallow footballers on their county success and also paid tribute to Ballygiblin Junior A hurlers who won Avondhu, Cork county and Munster titles and were All-Ireland finalists.
Over the past two years, Avondhu senior footballers and hurlers did not field in the county championships. For 2022 both sides will feature. Joe O’Brien (Harbour Rovers) is the hurling manager along with selectors Joseph O’Sullivan (Ballygiblin), Jerry Ryan (Buttevant), John Roche (Clyda Rovers) and Liam Kenny (Kilworth).
Joe O’Brien spoke on behalf of the hurlers and urged clubs to encourage their players to play for the division.
The football management is Martin Crummy (Killavullen) manager, John Geaney (Kilshannig), Colman O’Neill (Ballyclough) and John Fouhy (Kildorrery). Martin Crummy in his address spoke of the great talented footballers in Avondhu, with the division having come so close in 2016 and 2017. He urged everyone to support the side this year.
Barry Aherne, Irish Officer, spoke on Scór, saying it did not take place in 2021. There will be a county Scór na nÓg final in Ovens on Saturday, March 12. Scór na bPaisti in 2020 was cancelled just before Covid. If there is interest, then Scór na bPaisti may take place on April 22/23/24.
Following the death of Board president Owenie McAuliffe (Glanworth) last August, a new president was appointed. Liam Hanley, Doneraile, former chairman, is the new president.
For 2022 it is hoped the JAFC will start on either July 3 or July 24, depending on the format. The Cavanagh’s Ford League draw will take place on April 22. For the coming year the Avondhu/Duhallow hurling and football leagues will start shortly and will be finished by the first week of July. The Board AGM will take place in Mallow on Wednesday night.
Under 21 A and B FC fixtures have been postponed till later in the year. This Saturday, Ballycastle Gaels and Liscarroll/ Churchtown Gaels meet in the Ballylough Milling Under 21 C FC semi-final in Buttevant, with the winner facing St Dominic’s probably the following weekend.
SHORTAGE OF REFEREES
There is a serious shortage of referees in the division. The small group are a very dedicated bunch of officials and are professional in what they do. However, the Rúnai appealed over the past number of months to clubs to come forward with new referees, as the Board is now heading for a severe shortage and it is currently at crisis point.
The Board need urgently this year to recruit as the number of games played during 2020 and 2021 was significantly down due to the Coronavirus pandemic.