Good Turn out at AGM

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In attendance: Jim O’Riordán, Pamela McDermott, Dave Barry, Michéal Ó Murchú, Ciarán Byrne, Sinead Ní Chrean Loinsigh, Emer Fahy, Claire Frawley, Garrett Doyle, Dominic Leech, Billy Cuddihy, Ronan Keddy, David McDonnell, Conall O Frighil, Roisín Sheehy.

Cathaoirleach

Welcome to everyone especially the new faces in attendance. The past year has been very successful. The change of blitz times has been one of the big improvements while Hurling Initiative was highly complimented and has been a highlight of the year winning an Award at the National Awards.

Thanks to the committee, Pamela (PRO), Claire (Runai and Girls Football), Dave (Treasurer), Míchéal and Ronan (Hurling), Emer (Camogie) and Sean (Tráth na gCeist). Also thanks to Tommy Brennan for all his work in the West. Great work has been done by the GDAs in helping with the fixtures and in coaching in the school, long may this continue.

A special mention and sincere word of thanks to Michéal O Murchú, Paraic Corbett and Bernie Jones who retired during the past school year. They gave many years to Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Cill Mhantáin and we wish them all the best.

Thanks also to Dave Barry and Bray Emmets for their help in allowing the use of their ground for Cumann activities.

Thanks to the teachers for all their help organizing the blitzes during the year and

Club-School links are to be encouraged as much as possible as it helps form great bonds between club and school.

Very good relations continue with local media – Wicklow Times, The Wicklow People and The Wicklow Voice. Thanks to Pamela for her fantastic work in promoting the Cumann.  Reporting on our activities on East Coast Radio occurs once a month but certainly could be more if somebody would be willing to take responsibility of this.

Allianz continue to be our main sponsor providing us with grants and it is very important their logo appears in as much of our public relations as possible.

Leighton Glynn sends his apologies as he could not attend but he has forwarded on a structure for games in the south, teachers are getting involved and there is a Girls Gaelic blitz scheduled for this Friday. The coiste will provide any assistance needed to South Wicklow.

Best wishes to Michael Murphy Runaí of Cumann na mBunscol Naistiúnta who is not well at the moment.

West Wicklow

Tommy Brennan sends his apologies but has forwarded on his report which Jim read aloud.

Re matters in West Wicklow ,I am pleased to report that all is well and healthy with lots of schools participating in events from cross-country to outdoor and indoor blitz events.We don't have a committee but all teachers in the West are invited to a meeting in January and we decide on a list of fixtures for the coming year in conjunction with events organised by Wicklow Cumann na mBunscol.There are events tailored for smaller and larger schools and to include Junior schools events are held for children in 1st and 2nd classes.The main reason for the smooth and successful running of West Wicklow Cumann na mBunscol is due to the interest,dedication and organisational abilities of Paul Garrigan.We are very fortunate to have his services and really appreciate his efforts.Thanks to Cumann na mBunscol Wicklow for the ongoing support and interest in activities in the West. Best wishes for the year ahead.

Cisteoir

Income

There has been a slight increase in grants and we received money from the National Awards. There was an increase in the All Ireland tickets from last year due to the replays.

Expenses

Lynaham’s held the AGM in 2014 which added to expenses as finger food was provided. National Awards were held in Carrick on Shannon reason for increase there.

Bank charges continue to increase.

New initiative - money used to purchase hurls helmets etc.

Medals, trophies are big expenses.

Sinead questioned for indoor footballs purchase, where are they now, might we pass them on to schools that would use them?

Thanks to Dave for his hard work as cisteoir.

PRO

Pamela congratulated everyone on a good year for national awards in the PRO and the New Initiative categories.

‘Camán and give it a go’- thanks to Dave for presenting the initiative at the national meeting in September.

Plea for articles from schools to put on the website and for newspapers, emphasis on the Allianz sign begin on each article and in every photo and a thanks to those who send on reports. Player profiles, or any article related to GAA activities is appreciated

Continued support from the local papers – The Bray/Wicklow People, The Wicklow Times and Wicklow Voice, thanked for their assistance.  Also thanks to the GAA yearbook for publishing our articles and photographs. 

Online registration for sports day- doing well

Website address reminder and to follow us on twitter.

Pamela spoke about an e-mail regarding a handball initiative if any school is interested in promoting the sport.

Well done to Pamela on her continued hard work.

G.D.A Garrett Doyle

A fixture list was emailed to South Wicklow schools last week for the remainder of the year to encourage teachers there to begin to co-ordinate activities.

8 teams are set to attend the Girls Gaelic blitz tomorrow with 5 other schools expressing interest, activities in the South are set to run alongside the west and north east. Ballinakill, Rathdrum has been chosen as the south venue for its facilities and availability of juvenile goalposts

Leighton will support schools in the South and it is hoped teachers will step forward to carry on and co-ordinate activities there in the future. It was suggested that schools only be notified in future of events in their own area- 3 contact lists to be created based on the 3 regional areas, there are approx. 25 schools in each area.

There is no need for schools to get all invites to activity in other areas as it causes confusion.

Dave Barry asked that we acknowledge the tremendous role of Colm Gaskin and his work in south wicklow in the past. He retired at the beginning of the summer.

Teacher GAA workshop supported by Leinster GAA are available for individual schools and groups of teachers. The workshop is all practical activities to encourage as many touches on the ball as possible for children- feedback has been positive. Activities very child friendly and easy to use - no GAA background needed. Contact Garrett for workshops!

Coaching qualification courses can be organized if interested.

‘Camán and Give it a Go’ initiative is in the South at the moment GDA’s would like to make adjustments to make the best use of resources. As a result schools have encouraged children to bring own hurls and helmets and clubs have become involved. National meeting feedback was very positive but wondered could the equipment be left in the schools afterwards. Concerned was expressed at the financial cost of this.

Dave felt a GAA National Draw initiative may be in the pipeline which might solve this this in conjunction with club. The tickets schools sell they will get to keep the money and put it towards equipment-no expense.

Report from the National Cumann Conference

Jim Fennelly suggested a hurling and camogie team (a selection) from Wicklow travel to Nolan park for a training session with Kilkenny hurlers and Brian Cody, they will be treated to a meal and a hurley. This was proposed for June. Discussion followed on how we decide on the team/selection to send.

How GDAs work within the county was discussed at length and they were delighted to hear the strong links and co-operation we have within the Garden County.

Changes-Mini 7s you must be under 12 on the first of January for all schools-irrespective of the size of your school.

Some counties have a skills day and a game to decide on the mini 7’s. For/against? Does a game become subjective? Skills is a level playing field. It will be monitored for this year.

Young Whistlers

Sinead spoke to Tom Fitzpatrick-unwell at the moment- David Goff was suggested. Gerry O’Meara was contacted and he was to contact Jim. It will be funded by Leinster GAA. David Goff can come out but it will be after school-it will be one day to begin with and he could take a selection of pupils from schools. Find out how many he can take- begin straight away-1 hour session. Sinead to find out details.

Girls Football

Super turnout yesterday- no goalkeeper- worked well. 17 teams.

Suggestions made were to restart with a throw in from the middle as a player was kicking out to 5 defenders v 6 attackers. It might give the defending team a chance to attack.  Any contact details for refs? Teachers refereeing worked well yesterday.

Camogie and Hurling

Camogie: A plea for teams-if there are 17 teams for girls surely we could have more for camogie, disappointed with turnout- how can we encourage teams to participate-hurling likewise.

Hurling: the rule of no goalie worked very well. Teachers felt it levelled out the playing field for younger players. Similar wouldn’t work in camogie. It is hard to keep hurling/Camogie going in the smaller schools. Garrett suggested keeping the activities local will encourage schools to attend the activity- club input is very important and lack of equipment may be an issue also.

Participation day in areas and lower age limits may help promote the sport-2nd/3rd and combining school teams in an area- teachers come together to amalgamate schools-  to promote the sport was also suggested.

Ronan and Emer both thanked Bray Emmets, Garrett, Dave and Míchéal for their help. Both were very enjoyable days.

Dominic Leech-Ladies Football

€200 euro donated to Cumann for Girls Football- Dominic feels they don’t get a lot of notice about activities but he will try and attend Tuesday and Thursdays in Ballinakill.

Toghcháin

Chairman: Jim O’Riordan

PRO: Pamela McDermott

Cisteoir: David Barry

Runaí: Claire Frawley

Hurling Officer: Ronan Keddy

Camogie: Emer Fahy

Football: Garrett Doyle

Tráth na gCeist: Billy Cuddihy and Ronan Keddy

Aon Ghnó Eile

How important are the medals? Would sliotars/footballs be better? To be given to the schools to be used for training and coaching.  Wrist Bands –for the winners?  Medals are important too for those small few who don’t win anything. Prizes for participation? One competitive and one prizes based on attendance blitz to be trialed this year.

Dave asked that we encourage teachers and players to tidy up the pitch after blitzes!

Any school interested in a visit from the Wicklow U21 All-Ireland winners to contact Garrett.

Micheál thanked everybody for their support over the last number of years and wished everybody well.

Dominic thanked teachers for their support for ladies Gaelic and girls playing with just girls encouraged more and more girls to play! Amalgamations will soon be a thing of the past. Many playing with schools and not with clubs. More participation with the Leinster Blitzes in future perhaps.

It was a very successful AGM, with lots of food for thought and it was great to see some new faces there.  The future of gaelic games in our primary schools looks bright.

 

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