Calf sale and AGM

Our calves have been busy bulking up over the last few weeks, as they get ready to head to the Cork Mart next Tuesday, 15th March. Cork Marts have facilitated all our calves being brought into the ring together at approximately 11.30am, we expect there to be between 13-16 calves. The rest will be sold privately, with all proceeds still going back to Ballygiblin pitch development. Thanks to everyone that got involved and to Fionn Herlihy for his hard work on this, we really hope the prices are high on Tuesday.

AGM

Last Friday night we held our AGM and had a very big turnout. Chairman Liam O’Doherty welcomed everyone, and we began the meeting remembering those who sadly passed in 2021. Paddy Ryan recalled the sad events of the deaths of the Hennessy brothers and Liam Molan paid a tribute to Mairead Pendle. Michael Birmingham then led everyone in a remembrance prayer.

Secretary Brian Coughlan then gave his report, recalling our matches in both the junior A and junior C leagues and Championships. First up was the division 2 group B league and although we had 4 wins from 4 and were top of the table the league was never completed due to availability of pitches and of course Covid. Brian then recalled our fantastic run in the North Cork, Munster and All-Ireland Junior Championship. He then spoke about a similar situation with the division 3 league and although we finished second in the table to Dromina with the same points the latter stages of the league were never completed. The junior C and U21 championships unfortunately never went ahead. Brian thanked Ronan Dwane and Dave Mother for their fantastic work throughout the year on a journey we will never forget.

He also congratulated and sent best wishes to Mark Keane on his call-up to the Cork senior team and to Darragh Flynn on his 2 All-Ireland medals in 2021 and wished him the best in the U20 campaign for 2022.

Brian then spoke of the various club activities throughout 2021/2022. This included the Rebels’ Bounty and he thanked Eibhlin O’Brien for her trojan work on this.

CALF REARING

He thanked all those that got involved, rearing and donating to the venture. Know your Sport – Thanking Brian Molan and Fionn Herlihy for setting this up and thanked those who got involved.

Supporters Wall – Thanks to everyone who donated so generously to the wall, the support has been amazing.

Finally, Brian thanked all those who supported the team through the year and spoke of how great it was to see so many Ballygiblin flags and banners around the locality. He also thanked people for their support in welcoming the team back after the successes but also after the all-Ireland defeat.

He thanked our main sponsors Jackie O’Brien and Mitchelstown Credit Union and thanked all the officers for their work throughout the year. He finished up thanking everyone over the last 4 years of his tenure as secretary. The club would like to take this opportunity to thank Brian for his hard work throughout those 4 years.

Brian Molan treasurer then gave his financial breakdown for the year, the finances were generous bolstered by the donations and sponsorships due to our run to the All-Ireland final and Brian thanked everyone for their contribution. He also spoke of the need to have our finances in good order ahead of our planned pitch development. We also have some further fundraising happening in the coming weeks with the calf rearing sale happening next week and a whiskey tasting session this Friday night which sold out and we would like to thank Kevin O’Gorman for his help on this. We will also be hoping to hold the postponed Poc Fada on 18th March.

The meeting was then opened to those attending and Tom O’Donoghue spoke of our plans for the pitch development. Tom confirmed planning permission went in last week and that it was decided there was a need to develop the maximum amount of space with the initial plans now extended to 100 x 40 metres.

Juvenile chairman Des McCarthy congratulated Ballygiblin on their success and thanked the players for the time they gave to all juveniles on the open night but also on their school visits and throughout the year. He also called for players to pop into training sessions going forward to keep the link going between the adult and juvenile club.

Edward Horgan spoke on behalf of the camogie club and again congratulated the club and commented on how it impacted the youth of the area, with an increase in the numbers playing.

Paul Horgan spoke on the schools coaching programme and their plans to extend the training to more classes as well as to include Glenahulla school. He said there was great enthusiasm shown since the success of the team and how it encouraged more children to play.

The appointment of officers then took place with the following officers in place for 2022 - Chairman Liam O’Doherty; vice chairman Eddie Barry; secretary John Hennessy; vice secretary John O’Donoghue; treasurer Brian Molan; vice treasurer Fionn Herlihy; PRO Grainne Lynch; North Cork Delegate; Paddy Ryan.

The meeting concluded with an address from chairman Liam O’Doherty. He spoke of the success in 2021 and thanked all those involved especially clubman Dave Moher for all his hard work throughout the campaign. He thanked all the officers for their contribution and thanked TJ Rea for his hard work at the beginning of 2021 between the purchase of the field, the plans for the pitch development and on getting Ronan Dwane involved. He thanked all the sponsors and all those that contributed to the sponsors wall. He also thanked outgoing juvenile chairperson Mary Hannon and the officers of Mitchelstown Football Club for their support and for the use of their facilities for training throughout the winter months.

UPCOMING FIXTURE

Hurling is back for 2022 and first up are our junior Cs in the division 3 league, they take on Clyda Rovers on Friday night in Clyda at 19.30. It would be great to get a crowd out to support the lads.

SYMPATHIES

The club would like to extend their condolences to the family and friends of Vera O’Keeffe and also to all in Glanworth GAA on the death of clubman Neilius O’Neill.