AGM
The Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Cill Mhantáin AGM took place on 6th October in the Parkview Hotel, Newtown. Jim O’Riordan, Cathaoirleach welcomed everyone to the meeting.
In attendance were Sinéad Ní Chréan Loinsigh (Scoil Chualann), Míchéal Ó Murchú, Fiona Ní Shuilleabháin (Gaelscoil Chill Mhantáin), Ian Story (St Joseph’s Templerainey), Gary McGillycuddy (Moneystown), Garrett Doyle GDA, Tara Walshe (Kilcoole), Pamela McDermott (Kilcoole), David McDonnell (St. Kevin’s), Dave Barry, Seosaimhín Gearóid (Gaelscoil Ui Chéadaigh), Jim O’Riordan (Newtown), Tommy Brennan (Dunlavin, West Wicklow), Ronán O Ceadaigh (Newtown) and Billy Cuddihy (St Pats).
Apologies were sent from Hugh Kenny and Paul Garrigan who were attending a funeral of a relative of Martin Coleman’s, Chairman of the County Board. Allianz Cumann na mBunscol, Cill Mhantáin extends their deepest sympathy to the family.
It was acknowledged that due to the above circumstances no one from the County Board was in attendance but it was disappointing that we had no correspondence from anyone on the Board.
Eve Talbot, Camogie is currently on sick leave so couldn’t be in attendance. Ciarán Byrne also sent his apologies.
Cathaoirleach
Cathaoirleach Jim O’Riordan began by congratulating all on a very successful year gone by. We ran blitzes in Camogie, Girls Football, Hurling, Boys Football, Sports Day, Tráth na gCeist. All the blitzes in the various codes went very well and Jim thanked the GDA’s for all their work and assistance in this, Garrett Doyle and Paul Garrigan in the West. No GDA has yet been appointed in the South and it is hoped that this will be rectified soon. It was good to see Templerainey in attendance and schools in the South were encouraged to come together to work together, and that we would support them in any way we could. Jim thanked the GAA clubs for the use of their pitches, particularly Bray Emmets which we use a lot for our blitzes and to Dave Barry for his help in liaising with the club. Jim thanked the media for their continued support and exposure of Allianz Cumann na mBunscol work. He acknowledged the success of the Young Whistlers programme, which will be addressed later on. It was agreed that the 11:45 time start to blitzes seems to be going well. Thanks to Collette Hunt for her medals and some generous donations for Sports day. Jim mentioned one of the highlights of the year being the trip to Kilkenny, where 16 boys and 16 girls from all corners of the county came together for a trip to Nowlan Park and got to meet some Kilkenny hurlers and to play in Nowlan Park. Jim thanked Ronan Keddy and Emer Fahy for all their work on this trip. Another highlight of the year was the National Awards where we came away with two awards, Public Relations and Kilcoole Primary School, School of the Year in the country. Jim spoke on the recent general meeting where there was an encouragement to begin Handball in your school. If interested look at gaahandball.ie for more information.
Jim spoke of his communication with the County Board regarding support in the form of grants or a helmet and hurley scheme. As of yet we still have had no reply, despite various phonecalls, emails and conversations; Jim has been told the matter is being looked into. We are aiming to promote hurling and camogie in the county. We would like to leave a bank of hurleys in each region rather than have to move them around, which our Camán and Give It A Go initiative started. If we could get more support it would mean more access for more children. Unfortunately we haven’t got a reply to this initiative and obviously we would need support and funding. We also asked for help with the trip to Kilkenny but didn’t receive any. Jim has emailed a contact and asked for further information from Croke Park but as yet hasn’t received a reply.
Jim acknowledged that Allianz Cumann na mBunscol, Cill Mhantáin is doing its best to promote hurling and camogie in the county. We are hoping that every child has access to a helmet and hurley; and that this would cause a ripple effect of improvement for the county for years to come. With combined vision and teamwork this could be a reality but we really need support.
Cisteoir
Cisteoir Dave Barry ran through the income and expenditure for the previous year. He thanked Croke Park for their grant and the Leinster Council. We also received money from our National Award win. One of our main expenses this year was the trip to Kilkenny, including a set of jerseys that will be used as a county Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Cill Mhantáin set from now on. It was decided to cut back on medals and replace these with sliotars and footballs to go back to games promotion in the school. Also it was decided that we are going to use our Young Whistlers as much as possible to save on referee’s expenses.
PRO
PRO Pamela McDermott thanked the local media for their continued support, namely The Bray/Wicklow People, Wicklow Times and Wicklow Voice. Our articles are featured weekly and it’s great to get such good exposure. We have a weekly slot on East Coast Radio and we would like to thank Michael Seargeant for his continued support. We feature in our County yearbook and our followers on Twitter are growing all the time. If interested you can follow us @cnmbwicklow and our website is www.cnmbwicklow.ie which has all our up-to-date information. Online registration for Sports Day appears to be a continued success but please don’t hesitate to contact us should there be a problem. Pamela emphasised the use of the Allianz name, sign and logo on all photos and articles and thanked them for their continued support. She also thanked all those who email in the articles and the GDA’s who take photos and send on information. She appealed for articles from all schools as the children are well able to write reports and would like seeing their article in the paper. If any school has any information it would always be welcome. Email to pro.cnmb.wicklow@gaa.ie If possible please send information by Friday to have it for the papers and radio. Pamela spoke about the National Awards and encouraged schools to take part. Information on this is in the current InTouch.
West Wicklow
Tommy Brennan was in attendance and spoke of activities in West Wicklow. He thanked Paul Garrigan for his assistance. West Wicklow meet at the beginning of the year and set their fixtures list. Tommy said that they tried rounders the previous year but that it wasn’t successful. He said that there was a push from clubs and parents to run a competitive league based on what it was like previously. It was felt however that children enjoy participating without the pressure of competition. There is lots of activity in the West and the feelings are positive from that end of the county.
Garrett Doyle GDA
Garrett Doyle thanked all the schools for their support for the GDA’s and he acknowledged that numbers participating are increasing all the time. Garrett reported that Johnny Tallon, Hurling Officer will be arranging hurling blitzes for the south and that he and Paul Garrigan hope to organize something in the South for football. Garrett said that Croke Park are putting staff in place to help with coaching with the support of the clubs. He also mentioned the club-school link and that schools should approach the clubs to see if this is in place and also if schools would be interesting in setting up the link themselves. If this was the case the schools could pay a certain amount and the county would contribute to it for coaching in the schools. Garrett also mentioned that a second workshop would be available for teachers as part of a Croke Park hour ran by the GDA’s free of charge and if schools are interested to contact him.
Young Whistlers
Sinéad Ní Chréan-Loinsigh spoke about the Young Whistlers initiative. David Gough is booked for 24th November at 3:30 p.m. in Bray Emmets. The Young Whistlers programme was a great success for us last year with the use of our young referees in blitzes for us. A boy and girl from Wicklow (Scoil Chualann and Kilcoole) also refereed at half time in an All-Ireland Semi-Final in Croke Park. Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Cill Mhantáin would like to thank Leinster GAA for sponsoring the gear for the Young Whistlers. Schools are encouraged to send two pupils and should contact Sinéad if they are interested.
Hurling
Ronan Keddy, Hurling Officer, thanked Garrett Doyle, Dave Barry and Míchéal Ó Murchú for their help with the organization of the pitches and assistance with blitzes. Ronan spoke of the trip to Kilkenny and that it was so successful in the promotion of hurling with all the boys and girls in attendance having such a memorable day. Ronan also thanked Emer Fahy for her help in the organization of the day. Ronan is going to email schools to see if they would be interested in using the hurleys and helmets as part of our scheme and to start a system whereby interested schools can contact and collect the equipment required. If interested please contact Ronan.
Camogie
Fiona Ní Shuilleabháin, Camogie Officer, thanked all the schools who participated in the recent blitz and for those who helped in it’s organisation. Fiona found it hard to get in contact with schools and hopes to get more schools involved in the next blitz. Fiona is also going to contact the Camogie Association for support.
Girls Football
David McDonnell, Girls Football Officer, was really encouraged by the amount of girls teams that turned up at the first blitz of the year. David thanked Dave Barry, Garrett Doyle and Míchéal Ó Murchú for their help in setting up the pitches. It was decided that it would be best to keep the rules of no goalkeeper and points only for maximum participation in the next girl’s football blitz.
Toghcháin
Cathaoirleach – Jim O’Riordan, Newtown
Runaí – Sinéad Ní Chréan Loinsigh, Scoil Chualann
PRO – Pamela McDermott, Kilcoole
Cisteoir – Tara Walshe, Kilcoole
Camogie Officer – Fiona Ní Shuilleabháin, Gaelscoil Cill Mhantáin
Ladies Football Officer – David McDonnell, St. Kevin’s Greystones
Boys Football Officer – Gary McGillycuddy, Moneystown
Hurling Officer – Ronan Keddy, Newtown
Tráth na gCeist – Billy Cuddihy, St Pat’s
In conclusion thanks and appreciation were paid to Dave Barry for his work as Cisteoir and for Míchéal Ó Murchú for all the help and assistance he gives. They are always welcome and their participation, expertise and time is greatly valued. Best wishes were paid to Claire Frawley and Emer Fahy, former committee members who have gone travelling.
We begin the school year with great hope and optimism of promoting our gaelic games and culture in all our schools. We hope to bring our games and heritage to all the children of the Garden County in a fun and all-inclusive manner. Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí!
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