AGM

Body: 

The AGM of Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Cill Mhantain was held in the Parkview Hotel, Newtown on Thursday 2nd October.

In attendance: Jim O’Riordán, Pamela McDermott, Dave Barry, Michéal Ó Murchú, Ciarán O’Neill, Sinead Ní Chrean Loinsigh, Emer Fahy, Claire Frawley, Garrett Doyle, Dominic Leech, Tommy Brennan, Colm Gaskin, Paul Garrigan, Billy Cuddihy, Ronan Keddy, Eve Talbot

Cathaoirleach:

Welcome to everyone in attendance. Special welcome to Eve Talbot from the Camogie Association, Dominic Leech from Leinster Ladies Football Association, Billy Cuddihy (Éire Óg) Ronan Keddy (Kilcoole), and the GDAs Paul Garrigan, Garrett Doyle and Colm Gaskin.

The past year has seen a full programme of events in all codes. Great work has been done by the GDAs in helping with the fixtures. Thanks to them. Also thanks to the committee, Pamela (PRO), Ciaran (Runai), Dave (Treasurer), Michael (Hurling), Claire (Girls Football), Emer (Camogie) and Sean (Tráth na gCeist). Also thanks to Tommy Brennan for all his work in the West.

Highlights were the County Finals in Aughrim and Ballinakill, and the Skills Competition – parents are very appreciative of the chance the children get to play in Croke Park.

Tráth na gCeist – Numbers up on previous years and a good night.

Sports Day – Huge turn out as usual and a great way to finish the year’s events.

Very good relations continue with local media – Wicklow Times, Bray/Wicklow People, Wicklow Voice and Michael Sargent. Thanks to Pamela for her fantastic work in promoting the Cumann in all the media.

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

Leinster AGM – Jim Fennelly – Person (Jarlath Burns) who carried out a review of Cumann na mBunscol and came to very negative conclusions has left his position. Clarity had been required with regard to C. na mB. Powers and finances. Report is due soon into this.

ALLIANZ – Wicklow Cumann get part of the 100K Euro from Allianz. Logo/Board needed at all times in photos. Gerry O’Meara invited but not present.

Young Whistlers – Tom Fitzpatrick will help – funding can be got from Leinster branch.

GAA anxious that GAA games be used during PE classes as much as possible. Paudie Butler, Croke Park will help in this regard.

Issue of what time Wicklow Cumann na mBunscol events are played. Taking pupils out of class at 10 o’clock in the morning (or earlier) and returning at 2 p.m. is quite disruptive to the school day. Discussion was had as to whether we could delay the events to 12.30 or 1 p.m., in which case pupils would not be back to school until 3 p.m. or later. This would also create problems as pupils would then miss buses etc. Decision was made to trial a later time (1 p.m.) for outdoor events in the second term. And 12 p.m. for indoor events in second term.

Also, the issue of whether we concentrate on one code per term, as is done in other counties. Decision was made to stay as we are for now.

Finances are in a good way. Ideas welcome on how we distribute extra funds. Idea was suggested and accepted that hurleys and helmets be bought and rotated between schools to promote hurling among the younger pupils.

Awards – change has been made to the awards – final date for receipt of nominations is 31/12. National Awards will now take place in Carrick on Shannon as part of the National AGM on 6/7th March. Merit Awards – Level 1: participation. Level 2: more participation, notice board, club/school links etc. Certificates to be awarded. Thanks to Sinead for attending meeting in Croke Park.

Cisteoir:

Income – higher grant from Croke Park, Less from Leinster. Balanced out overall. Thanks to Pamela, award gives us 900 euro extra. Extra expense in 2013 was due to web site, database for sports day registration. Most money goes to paying for referees, medals, trophies etc. Thanks to Dave for his hard work as cisteoir.

PRO:

More information is always needed from every school. Eg profile of school captain, team, match reports, etc. These should be emailed to Pamela.

Kilcoole won awards for large school section. Would be nice to see other schools getting recognition. All that is required is a collation of all the years’ activities –

would be relatively easy to do if everything the teacher/pupil writes for the school notice board was put together in a book format at the end of the year.

National PRO commended Pamela on her excellent work. New national website is up and running now – www.cnmbnaisiunta.com

West Wicklow:

Tommy Brennan spoke about events in West Wicklow. Many thanks to Paul Garrigan for his efforts – greatly appreciated. Lots of blitzes are taking part from 1st to 6th class. AGM takes place every February. 10/12 teachers attend regularly.

Paul Garrigan expressed thanks to Tommy Brennan for his help, as did the chair.

South Wicklow:

Colm Gaskin:

Most schools are participating but there is a lack of teachers involved. Blitzes in the south are run in conjunction with what Garrett Doyle is doing in the North East.

Toghcháin:

Chairman – Jim O’Riordan

PRO – Pamela McDermott

Cisteoir – Dave Barry

Rúnaí – Claire Frawley/Ciaran O’Neill

Hurling Officer – Micheal O Murchu

Camogie Officer – EmerFahy

Football Officer – Jim O’Riordan

Tráth an gCeist – Sean Stakelum

Eve Talbot:

Regional Development Officer for Camogie in Dublin/Wicklow. Eve’s job involves:

Coaching Education – running workshops for coaches/teachers

Clubs – trial events for schools, parents getting involved

Camps – club based summer camps. Lifestyle programme for girls

Transition year students – foundation/refereeing course in conjunction with Gaisce.

All these activities will then filter back to the pupils in the primary schools.

Help is there from Eve if needed. Splitting the year into sections for the different codes would help.

 

Dominic Leech:

Registrar for Leinster Ladies Football/Wicklow Football

Thanks to the teachers. Ages of 8-13 yrs has seen the biggest increase in uptake of girls football. 100% increase in the last two years. This is due in no small part to the teachers becoming active and involved. 21 clubs in Wicklow – 5 of them new clubs at juvenile level (8-16 yrs). Progress slow with regard to amalgamation of Ladies Football within the GAA.

Compliments to Pamela on the new website. Leinster Ladies looking for initiatives to use finances. Lack of Wicklow schools taking part in Leinster blitzes.

Girls Football:

Claire Frawley - Thanks to Paul Garrigan for his help with the girls football finals in Roundwood. Both fields were full for the day and a great success all round.

Hurling:

 

Micheal O’Murchu - Thanks to Garrett Doyle for his help with the blitzes, and to Dave Barry and Bray Emmets for the use of their facilities. Good new coaching website – learning.gaa.ie Bray a great venue – however is the distance too far for some schools. Could venues be rotated for next year. Should we go back to the league format? Suggestion was made that mileage could be given to schools who are travelling long distances to events. Schools could also ask local clubs for help with funds for travel expenses.