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Business–like Herts convention
THE 47th Hertfordshire Convention was held on Sunday and in his inaugural
address chairman, Shane Ó Neill spoke of the progress being made
at juvenile level.
He was upbeat about further progress for the coming year. Numbers playing
underage football in the clubs are constantly rising and the numbers are
being matched by children playing in schools.
Runaí Willie Joyce spoke glowingly of the achievements of county
champions Cambridge Parnells in only the club’s second year in competition.
He expressed disappointment that once again the county footballers failed
to show their potential in the All-Britain. He stressed the importance
of ensuring the county retains minor and under-21 players so that a future
is retained for our clubs at adult level.
Pointing out that we appeared to be no different to other counties in
that games occasionally fail to take place, he said we should take comfort
that all competitions were completed.
He added that the fixtures committee deserve wholesome praise for their
hard work through the season.
Willie Joyce announced that Herts’ new website is hosted by the
GAA and the county’s existing site will shortly close down. He was
lavish in his praise for Maurice Fallon setting up the new site.
Speaking of The Strategy for Britain and the role of the new Development
Officers, he said huge opportunities were opening up for Herts and stressed
that we fully avail of them. He told delegates that the County must fund
the Development Officer role to an annual sum of £5,000 by providing
office accommodation and equipment.
Finally, he spoke of three milestones in Herts that offer much cause for
celebration. He congratulated St. Dympnas on their 40th anniversary while
in 2010, both Herts and St. Vincents will celebrate their Golden Jubilee.
Some motions brought interesting debate:
A motion from St. Dympnas that any club failing to supply a referee for
a least three games in a season would lose a part allocation of All-Ireland
tickets was passed. A dearth of referees in the 2007 season brought this
motion to Convention.
A Glen Rovers’ motion that the first two competitions of each season
be played on blitz basis with each tournament being played over two weeks
was passed convincingly.
Finding unanimous favour were motions proposing two by-laws that had the
season starting in the first week in March and the first round of the
Championship starting on the first Sunday in June. It was agreed that
the Fixtures Committee would be the decision makers.
The motion from Cambridge Parnells that a club failing to field would
forfeit home/neutral advantage in the next game between the same two clubs
except where that game is the county final was passed.
Voting for officers saw leading St. Vincents player Dermott McCabe elected
vice-chairman. He is son of outgoing registrar Andy McCabe.
Willie Joyce defeated his assistant, Aaron Ó Byrne for runaí.
Joyce was allowed to stand as deviation was granted by Croke Park to counties
in Britain until 2009 to help implementation of The Strategy For Britain.
The vote for Registrar ended in a tie between Joe Russell (Glen Rovers)
and Adrian Slavin (St. Colmcilles). The casting vote by the chairman was
to the Colmcilles’ man who he said had given great service in the
past year on the fixtures committee and with the county team management.
County youth officer saw outgoing Diarmuid Walsh (Glen Rovers) comfortably
see-off Paul Bignold (St. Colmcilles).
Under other business, development officer, Marty McManamon, outlined the
progress being made to develop football in the county.
He said in addition to the participating primary schools a further seven
in the Waltham Cross area and four in south Watford have expressed their
willingness to commence playing football. To support this, he has arranged
referees, coaching and first aid courses for early 2008.
Treasurer, Jerry Brennan asked delegates to consider how best the £5,000
might be raised to finance accommodation for the Games Development Administrator.
He asked delegates to consult with their clubs and come to the next County
Board meeting with ideas.
Officers for 2008: President, Fr Ó Hanlon; uachtarán onórach,
Bob Canty; chairman, Shane Ó Neill; vice-chairman, Dermott McCabe;
runaí, Willie Joyce; leas runaí, Aaron Ó Byrne; treasurer,
Jerry Brennan; development officer, Marty McManamon; youth officer, Diarmuid
Walsh; PRO, Boib Canty; Assistant PRO, Damien Moloney; Provincial Council
delegates, Shane Ó Neill and Willie Joyce; Proxies, Aaron Ó
Byrne, Marty McManamon, Boib Canty.
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