Coolaney/Mullinabreena GAA Club Notes
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AGM:
The club held our annual general meeting on Saturday night last in St. Nathy’s Hall, Mullinabreena before a reasonable attendance. Proceedings got under way with the secretary’s report from Eugene Henry. Eugene gave a detailed statistical breakdown on the fortunes of all teams that competed throughout 2008. Great work was carried out at coaching the U-8/U-10 age groups with regular sessions as well as a number of blitz events. The U-12 team significantly reached the final of the A championship. Our U-14 side had a great year winning division 2 of the league and reaching the championship final. Both the U-16 and Minor grade teams did very well competing well in the league and reaching their respective championship semi finals. The club’s intermediate team had a fine year achieving league promotion and were unlucky to lose out in the championship final. An update on the park development plan was explained concerning grant allocation. He reflected on the highlight of the social calender with the 1958 team golden jubilee celebration as a great success. In conclusion Eugene again expressed sympathies to all those bereaved throughout the year in the club.
Club treasurer Shane O’Brien gave an excellent report on club finances for 2008. The detailed document outlined the state of the club accounts and any questions raised were dealt with. The cost of running the club has risen again this year in line with most clubs in the country. This highlighted the need for a greater emphasis to be placed on expanding our Club Lotto Membership, which is our primary fundraiser for the year.
Club Chairman Frank Gilmartin then gave his annual report and began by again highlighting the importance of the Club Lotto. He explained that club finances were well in line with the national average for a club of our size. Reflecting on the footballing year, he paid tribute to the superb work by all the coaches of the underage teams and how they excelled during another successful year. Best wishes were extended to the intermediate team and new manager for 2009 whom he hoped might go a step further than last year. He went on to stress how vital it was to press forward with plans for Nace O’Dowd Park and urged all club members to weigh in with a combined effort over the coming years. Frank also extended sympathy to all bereaved this past year and concluded by wishing all club members and supporters a happy new year.
One Motion was proposed on the night and debated. This was to limit the period of time for committee officers to five years in charge of respective posts. The motion was carried with a strong majority.
Election of officers followed with both Chairman Frank Gilmartin and Secretary Eugene Henry announcing they were to step down from the committee after eleven years and nineteen years respectively. Vice Chairman Brendan was subsequently elected new chairman. The secretary’s position will be filled by Leo Coleman with Francis Brennan as assistant secretary. Treasurer Shane O’Brien and PRO Oliver Lee were both returned to the committee.
Committee members for 2009: President, Walter Kivlehan. Chairman: Brendan Kivlehan. Vice Chairman, TBD. Secretary: Leo Coleman. Treasurer: Shane O’Brien. PRO: Oliver Lee. Assistant Secretary, Francis Brennan. Coaching Officer, Eamon Gorman. Further positions as well as all underage managers will be confirmed in the coming weeks. Incoming Chairman, Brendan Kivlehan paid tribute to the commitment and loyalty of outgoing officers Frank Gilmartin and Eugene Henry after many sterling years of service to the club. Brendan went on to wish the new intermediate team and manager the best of luck this year stating that the ball was now in the player’s court to respond with commitment.
Competition winners:
Congratulations to Jack Devaney, Maureen Lee, John Brennan and Brendan Kivlehan whose names were drawn at the AGM as winners of our Christmas competition. Thanks to all those who entered on the club website or via text message. Keep on the look out for further competitions in the near future! The answer to the quiz was of course John Brennan. John played at full back on the Sligo Minor team in 1968 that won the Connaught championship and went on to lose to Cork in the All-Ireland final.
Intermediate:
Pre season training resumes for the intermediate panel on this Wednesday evening at 8pm in Nace O’Dowd Park. Training will continue on Wednesdays and on Sunday mornings at 9am until the first game in mid February.
Membership Lotto:
Once again we appeal to all club members to renew their Lotto membership for the New Year. Membership is Eur100 for the year and this includes entry into the monthly lotto draws plus the Christmas bonus draw. The current jackpot stands at Eur6200 and monthly prizes are also drawn. This is the club’s principal fundraiser for the year and we appeal to all club supporters to sign up by contacting any club member or on the club website. Ticket sellers are urged to have all tickets returned by Monday January 19th. This is imperative as the first draw of the year is due to take place by the end of the month.
Club Meeting:
The next club meeting is scheduled for Monday January 26th at 9pm in St. Nathys Hall. Club members are encouraged to attend.
