Interm PRO, Denis O’Donovan reports on the recent 2019 AGM of Castleisland Desmond’s GAA club which took place at the River Island Hotel and was very well attended.
Secretary’s Report
In his secretary’s report the outgoing Colm Kirwan gave a detailed account of the club’s activities during the year.
The senior team played 21 competitive games in four competitions. Having finished the year on the strong note the team retained its position in Division 2 of the county league for 2020 and after some competitive games in the intermediate championship we retained our status in this competition for 2020.
Colm raised serious concerns regarding the organisation and timing of minor competitions.
Our minors played five games between mid- February and the end of March, two in July and one in September.
The amalgamation of clubs in the North Kerry District further reduces the number of games. This type of fixture timetable will not be good for retention of players at minor and U-21 levels.
There is no county U-21 competition therefore only one game for this group in North Kerry. Our U-17s played in all three rounds of a county nine-a-side blitz in June.
The club has six players involved in the St. Kieran’s team that reached the quarter final of the county championship.
Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Angela Ring presented the financial report which shows the club in a very healthy financial position.
Having recently received grant funding under the sports capital grant planning for further development of our facilities is possible and this will begin in the new year.
This will involve the realignment of our pitches and associated works.
Chairman’s Address
Chairman Willie Dom O’Connor, while addressing the meeting, thanked all involved in the club over the past year from underage to the senior team and how positive it is for the club to see some many young people involved and playing games and training during the season.
Willie Dom thanked the Secretary, Colm who was stepping down after 16 years in the position. Having worked with five different chairmen he oversaw and contributed hugely to a lot of positive changes in the club.
Willie Dom thanked Colm and his wife Brenda for all they have done for Castleisland Desmonds.
The chairman thanked PRO Gerard Murphy who also stepped down at the AGM. Gerard has given the club a huge profile on various social media platforms and in the print media during his term as PRO.
The senior team management of: John Brennan, Martin O’Donoghue and Nelius Lyons also stepped down at the end of the season.
The chairman thanked them for the huge commitment of time, energy and expertise that they have given to the senior team.
The process of putting a senior team management in place would begin immediately.
Willie Dom spoke about the plans for the development of the club and its facilities.
He thanked Cllr. Bobby O’Connell and Brendan Griffin TD for their assistance and support in securing a capital sports grant which will be used for the development of the pitches and grounds.
The future of the club will continue to strengthen and with the continued support of many there is no doubt that success on the playing fields is not far away.
The chairman concluded by remembering friends and members of the club who had died during the year,
Club Officers and Delegates 2020
The following are the officers and delegates for the coming year.
President: Donal Kelliher; Vice Presidents: Dr. Dave Geaney, Jimmy Greaney, John Joe Walsh, Billy Broderick, Kevin Dillon, Mary Horan and Mary Murphy; Chairman: Willie Dom O’Connor; Vice Chairman: Michael John Kearney; Secretary: Denis O’Donovan; Treasurers: Angela Ring and Hugh O’Connell; Club Development: Martin Downey; Insurance Officer: Denny Lyons; Children’s Officer: Eileen Brosnan; Coaching Officer: John Breen; Cultural Officer: Tomás O’Concubhair; County Board Delegate: Sean McCarthy; North Kerry Board Delegates: Jimmy O’Connell and Sean McCarthy; St. Kieran’s Board Delegates: Jimmy O’Connell and Colm Kirwan.
The position of PRO will be filled at the first executive meeting in January.
A very happy Christmas and a happy and healthy new year to all our members and supporters.
