Club AGM 8/12/2021 Secretary’s Report.

SHAMROCKS GAA Club AGM 8/12/2021

Secretary’s Report.

7.30pm Wednesday 8^th December 2021 Grace McCarthy Room, Clubhouse

A Cháirde Gaeil, fáilte chuig Chruinniú Bliaintúil

Cumann Peil agus Iománaíocht na Seamróga

2021 was our 123^rd year as Shamrocks GAA in the Shanbally, Ringaskiddy, Coolmore, Raffeen and Monkstown areas. An amazing achievement itself due to the increased industrialisation and static population of those areas.

The Executive Committee was formed, once again, with most of the members staying on to perform their duties. Our AGM was held in a unique way as we had to engage with our members through an online and tech platform, due to severe Covid-19 restrictions. The only change was our outgoing Chairman, Kieran Lynam, stepped down, and we were left searching for a replacement for the next month, but to no avail. Eventually, Pat McCarthy, who had been Chairman for ten years up to 2019, agreed to fulfil the role for 2021, and this he did to his great credit.

Due to some great performances of our hurling and football teams in 2020, the incumbent managers Dave O’Neill in football and Alan Geary in hurling, agreed to fulfil their roles again for 2021. And so, with their selectors in place; John ‘Socket’ Twomey, Dick Andrews in football and Kevin O’Grady, Jim Ronayne, Liam Shanahan and David Nolan (Coach) in hurling, it was all systems go. Hopes were high, but alas what followed was, overall, a disappointing League and Championship season.

Football

The Football League was divided into two sections – six teams in each section. We therefore played five matches, won two, lost two and drew one. We also played two challenges. In the Championship, we beat Crosshaven, lost to Valley Rovers 3-16 to 1-11 and lost to Tracton in Belgooly by 1 point, a game we could have won. It was very disappointing, as we know we have great potential in this team. Our thanks to Dave O’Neill, who as usual put in a total commitment to the team, but I am sure he would agree that he didn’t get the same return from all the members of the panel.

Hurling

It must be said, hopes were very high in hurling after the exciting year we had in 2020. Enthusiasm for hurling has reached a new level in Shamrocks, and this was also reflected in the fact that we could field a team in Junior B hurling (albeit with some flexibility in our A panel too). The first hurling League game of the year was played against Valley Rovers in Brinny on 27^th June, and in a cracking game, we lost by two points, Shamrocks 3-17 Valley Rovers 2-22. Signs were good. We probably didn’t reach that peak again, very often through injuries, Covid and players missing League games through part-time work. Despite the best efforts of the whole management and selectors and the players who played, we just couldn’t seem to get to the next level required. David Nolan, our Coach, gave us all he could, whilst being up to his tonsils too with the Cork team on their march to an All-Ireland final. Overall we played six League and two Challenges. We beat Courceys and Kinsale, lost to Ballinhassig and Valley Rovers, drew with Carrigaline and Ballymartle and lost both Challenge games (eight games).

In the Championship we had a great win against Courceys 0-23 to 2-15, lost a poor game to Ballygarvan and finally lost to Ballymartle, the eventual champions on 12^th September 0-18 to 1-21. We were severely hampered by the absence of two of our top players by suspension, one by injury and our Captain through Covid-19.

Our Junior B hurlers played three League games, winning one, and were eventually knocked out of the Championship by Ballymartle under lights in late October.

Our thanks to Alan Geary and his selectors and Coach David Nolan.

So our playing season, although not successful, was still full of promise, which ended up unfulfilled, but already our eyes are fixed on the coming season once again, with the hope that a huge effort will be put in by all!

*******

Off the playing field, the Club has a very structured way of managing its affairs in a very challenging environment. Financially we were very restricted due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Club extends a great sense of gratitude to our PRO Diarmuid Murphy, who once again, as Covid officer, put in a massive effort in ensuring that our players and supporters were in as safe an environment as possible while being part of Shamrocks GAA. Diarmuid was also instrumental in getting our gym open and up and running, devising time plans and opening schedules and rules for the safe running of our excellent gym facilities. Well done to all who assisted him with this.

The Executive itself held fifteen meetings during 2021. This ensured the smooth running of the Club by a very dedicated group of individuals led by Chairman Pat McCarthy, who once again had to step into the position, as we failed to find a Chairman through our restricted process last January/February. Our sincere thanks to Pat, performing above and beyond for the Club once again.

Here is a summary, albeit a very brief one, of some of the items which crossed our paths beyond the playing side of matters.

• The extremely sad passing of the well-loved Harbour Parish Curate Fr. Con Cronin in a tragic accident in August, a huge loss to our community. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.

• Liaising with the underage Club and the Ladies Football Club, ably overseen by their excellent Chairpersons, i.e. John ‘Socket’ Twomey and Aidan McGrath respectively.

• Updating our Garda Vetting files.

• Addition of Children’s Officer role to our Executive i.e. Deirdre Twomey.

• Return to Play information and regulation.

• Hosting the South East Junior A Football Final and the Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship between Ballinhassig and Aghada.

• Managing the ticket allocation for All-Ireland Hurling semi-final and final (with great difficulty).

• The presentation of a new set of adult jerseys to the Club from a great Shamrock, John Collins, who never misses any of our matches. A sincere thank you and appreciation to John.

• We made a detailed submission to Cork County Council and the Cork County Board re the Council’s Development Plan and its impact on the population in our catchment area.

• We had a historic change to the Trusteeship of our Club. On 7^th October 2021, we held a Special General Meeting to ratify our transfer of Trusteeship to the Corporate Trusteeship, as recommended by the GAA. This removes any personal liability from the previously named Trustees of our Club. A huge debt of gratitude is owed to John Twomey, Pat O’Neill and Michael Brennan for shouldering this responsibility for many years. All the previous Trustees of our Club are also acknowledged with great appreciation for their sincere commitment to Shamrocks. The Corporate Trusteeship of the GAA delegates complete democratic support to the decisions of the Executive Committee.

This gives people an idea of the commitment by the Executive to the management of our Club in all its facets. I hope it doesn’t put anyone off! It is a hugely positive and rewarding task if you have a love for your Club and the GAA!

Once again, from an underage point of view, a sincere thanks to John Socket and his Secretary of Underage Pa Andrews and all his selectors and coaches for their huge input into:

1. Camp Ciarán in July.

2. The Academy and all their games and successes. Congratulations to them for filling all their positions for the coming year at their recent AGM. The great gap at the moment is the vital U18 age group, in both hurling and football. This has to be addressed in some way

3. Defibrillator Training

The running of our Lotto and the promotion of our Rebel’s Bounty (Club Draw) are vital to our survival for day-to-day costs in our Club, as is membership. So well done to all who help in this vital area – especially our Treasurer Seán Ó Tuama, Lorcan, Dino, Socket, Pat Mac and Tony O’Sullivan. The danger here is that I have left someone out, so forgive me if I do. A special thanks to Kieran Lynam for liaising with the three clubs regarding allocation of the three pitches. A vital and important role.

Well done to Patto, our groundsman, as we have never heard such high praise for the condition of our pitches as we did this year. Thanks to Kieran Earl working away on his Community Scheme, keeping the place spotless.

This leads me to the final part of my report.

Looking ahead, there is much talk about the Main Projects which lie
ahead of us as a Club
i. A hurling and football practice wall
ii. Development of an all-weather training/games area
iii. Development of our second pitch, i.e. levelling, nets and
floodlighting

The current age profile of the Executive is probably not in a position to take on any or all of these projects. It is time for a new generation to come on board and take on these projects. With full engagement by the three clubs, Adult, Underage and Ladies Football, as all three will benefit from these developments.

I wish to finish by reading out the statement we put on our website and our players’ WhatsApp group, stating clearly our wish for the coming year and the years ahead, which has to happen now, at this very point in Shamrocks’ history.

SHAMROCKS GAA AGM WEDNESDAY 8th DEC. 2021
GRACE McCARTHY ROOM, CLUBHOUSE 7.30PM
“TIME FOR CHANGE” ——– NEW GENERATION ——————— NEW IDEAS
The main theme to be addressed at this year’s AGM is the urgent re-generation of
the Executive Committee. While we will review the past year, our focus will be firmly
on the immediate future of our Club. If you are passionate about our GAA Club in the
community, now is the time to step forward and become part of the management of
your Club.
The current Executive are wholly in agreement that now is the time for ‘A new wave
of young, vibrant members to take us forward’. All current Officers are willing to
support any, or all members who decide to join the Executive.
Please join the debate, and advance the participation of a new generation of
people who will bring Shamrocks forward, both on the Management and the
Playing sides of our proud Club!
Liam O Seanacháin,
Runai.

Agus sin é deireadh le mo chuntas do 2021.

And that concludes my Secretary’s Report for 2021.

Na Seamróga Abú

Liam Ó Seanacháin

RUNAÍ