The GAA Club held there AGM in the community hall last Saturday night. Chairman Alan Flynn welcomed all in attendance and thanked them for coming out on a very cold night. A minutes silence was observed in memory of all club members and followers who passed away during the year. Secretary Dick O’Neill read the minutes of last year’s AGM compiled by the previous secretary Patrick O’Neill.

 In his secretary’s report Dick commended the junior, junior(b) and U21 teams on their efforts during the year. He said the success of the junior team in the county final was a wonderful effort by all concerned and he wished them the very best in the All Ireland final on the 15^th of February. He also congratulated the Junior(b) team on winning the Joe Walsh Cup. He remarked it was great to see the second club team pressing for honours which could only help the first team. He said it was an honour for the club having 3 players represent the county in All Ireland minor success last September. He also mentioned the clubs representation on the St. Kierans team who won the All Ireland last year and again said it was an honour having Liam Blanchfield captain the college team that won the league and Sean Morrissey who is captaining the team in the championship. Dick thanked all who supported the fundraising during the year and said it is always hard to fundraise but a great effort was made during the year and it leaves the club in a positive situation for the coming year. He also congratulated Maurice Walsh who recently won a national amateur photo competition and was presented with his award recently in Croke Park.

Chairman Alan Flynn in his address said it was a great honour to be in the chair given the year the club just had. He said everyone involved with the club should be so proud sitting here with 4 cups on the table. He wished the juniors the very best in the final in Croke Park in a fortnight. Alan thanked the ladies who made the soup and sandwiches for the players after training each night. He said it meant a lot to the lads who travelled down from college or work to have a hot drink and some food before heading back. It has also become a real social event with both players and supporters each night. He thanked the management of all teams for their efforts and hoped they would continue to put the effort in for the coming season. He congratulated all the players who represented the county and college teams during the year. He said well done to Jason, Sean and Liam on winning the minor All Ireland and also the college’s equivalent. He also congratulated James Mc Garry on winning the All Ireland as a member of the selection team of the Kilkenny senior team. Alan thanked John Brennan and Gerry Cleere for their work on keeping the pitch in such great order during the year. Alan said a development committee would be put in place during the coming weeks with a view to what is the best option for the club development plan. He thanked all committee members for their efforts during the year and encouraged new faces to come forward and commit to working for the betterment of the club. Alan congratulated Willie Blanchfield on being appointed as a selector of the county Intermediate team. Alan also congratulated the underage teams on their efforts during the year. He pointed out that this is where it all begins and thanked Paul Brennan and all his mentors on the work they do with the juveniles. Alan mentioned the U14 team in particular on going through the year unbeaten and said the clubs future is bright if the work at this age is continued. Alan mentioned it was a particularly tough year in the club with a lot of members and followers passing away. He mentioned the void left in the club with the passing of Martin Treacy and all the work he did for the club. He also mentioned Martins wife Betty along with club players Mick Mc Carthy, Jim Bennett, Matty Hayes, Ian Coakley and Tom Walsh along with the tragic death of proud supporter Kitty Blanchfield. Alan also offered his condolences to the Mahon and Wrenehan families on their recent bereavements. Alan said the club have booked Springhill for the dinner dance on 14^th March.

PJ Cullen presented the clubs accounts and thanked Mary Blanchfield for her support in getting the A/Cs ready for the meeting.

Officers elected were

Presidents. Henry Drea and Liam Cleere, V President Johnny Mc Govern, Chairman Alan Flynn, V Chairman Tommy Lennon, Secretary Dick O’Neill, Treasurers PJ Cullen and Mary Blanchfield, PRO John Wemyss, Co Board Rep John Byrne, N Board Patrick O’Neill, Health & Wellbeing Lydia Fennessy, Fball Board Christy Walsh, Registrar Samantha Mc Garry, Child Officer Paul Brennan, Health & Safety Officer Patrick O’Neill. The committee members elected were Brendan Walpole, Brian Lannon, Leo Mahon, Eamonn Hanrahan, Christy Hayes, John Nolan, Tim Dooley, Ger Kelly , Billy Molloy and Bob Mc Munn.

It was agreed that a finance committee would be appointed with their primary functions being managing fundraising events, sponsorship and grant application forms.

In AOB  PRO John Wemyss thanked John Warren jun. , Shane Doyle, Tom Kiely and Joan Cleere for their support during the year. He wished Joan a speedy recovery after a recent spell in hospital.

Alan Flynn thanked all for coming to the meeting and wished everyone the very best in the year ahead. He hoped to see a huge crowd travel to support the club as they go for glory on 15^th of Feb.

He also announced that a quiz will take place in the Corner House on Saturday next with all proceeds going towards the All Ireland Final fund.