CLG ULADH An Chomhdháil Bhliantúíl 2017 NAOMH MHUIRE, BOIREANN, AN DÚN 28Ú EANÁIR 2017 CLUICHÍ | CULTÚR | TEANGA #WeAreUlsterGAA ANNUAL CONVENTION 2017 05 // Tuarascáil an Rúnaí A chairde, foundation in 1903 the Ulster Council on 5 December 2016 and was looking has made an indelible mark on GAA forward to working alongside Danny For generation after generation the history and I look forward to working for two months during my ‘bedding innate strength of the GAA has been with so many talented individuals in’ period. Alas, this was not to be its ability to attract and secure the across the Ulster GAA family as we as nature took its course and on the devotion and respect of people to strive to build on the wonderful and morning of 7 December Danny sadly selflessly give of their time through unique ethos of the Association. departed this world. a sense of loyalty to club and community. Big challenges lie ahead but, as we Danny was many things but above all have always done, we will meet them he was a man of great compassion, From its formative times the GAA ideal head-on and at all times ensure that devotion and understanding. He was to have a club in every parish and the best interests of the GAA in Ulster accomplished so much in his 67 years the greatest decision ever taken by are protected. Ulster GAA, with its and left this world as he entered it – a GAA administrators was to place the great clubs, schools and counties, friend of all. He was, as the saying club, the basic unit of the Association, is very relevant in Irish society and goes, ‘some man for one man.’ In at the heart of the local community. makes a positive contribution far and recent years Danny fought his illness Basing the GAA club on the local beyond the playing fields and I am with great bravery and courage parish has sustained the Association committed to ensuring that Ulster GAA and indeed his strength and steely since its inception and explains its will continue to be the progressive and determination undoubtedly carried him great strength, particularly in rural respected organisation that it is today. through some difficult periods during Ireland. this time. He remained steadfast to Dónall Ó Murchú the end and despite his failing health The GAA today is a modern, vibrant undertook engagements to the end. organisation that has grown immensely “If a man hasn’t discovered something On 25 November he was honoured since its turbulent early years. It is to die for, he isn’t fit to live” with the South Down GAA Hall of a confident organisation that has Fame and two days later attended the a presence across the globe and The year 2016 will always be Ulster Club Football final in Armagh. which makes a telling and powerful remembered by the Gaels of Ulster Ten days later he left us for the last contribution to the lives of the Irish for the death of our esteemed Rúnaí time. diaspora. Dónall Ó Murchú. Dr. Danny Murphy served the GAA in many capacities at In an inspirational tribute at his funeral, That said, events of 2016 have club, county, provincial and national GAA President Aogán O Fearghail cast an uncertainty which has the levels, but most people came to know said that; ‘The Mourne mountains are potential to impact on our affairs Danny through his involvement with made of granite and Danny was made going forward. The impact of Brexit Comhairle Uladh. He served on the of the same stuff.’ A man of wisdom, has yet to be realised but one thing Council for almost 35 years, first as a integrity and strength, Danny was a is certain – Ulster will be affected Down delegate and then as Cisteoir, great Irishman and he had a wonderful more than any other province and it Leas Uachtaráin, Uachtaráin and Rúnaí. love of all things Irish. He lived this to is important that the GAA voice, with Between 1997 and 2001 Danny was his death – how fitting are the words its all island structures, is heard during Acting Rúnaí before his appointment above of his great icon Martin Luther the ‘negotiation’ period. Meanwhile became permanent and for three King! the Trump Presidency could have years he served as Acting Rúnaí and repercussions for the ‘undocumented’ President at the same time – who Danny enriched the lives of those Irish in the USA, many of whom find other than Danny could have managed among us who were privileged to great solace and support from their to combine such challenging roles? know him and his contribution to involvement with the GAA. GAA life, particularly in Ulster, has On 1 August Danny announced that been immense. Ulster GAA today is Just last month I was honoured and he was standing down, though it was an organisation that makes a real and privileged to become the eleventh his intention to remain in post until 1 lasting impact into the lives of so many Rúnaí of Comhairle Uladh. Since its February 2017. I formally took up post and has spread its wings reaching 36 AN CHOMHDHÁIL BHLIANTÚÍL 2017 #WeAreUlsterGAA TUARASCÁIL AN RÚNAÍ “IF A MAN HASN’T DISCOVERED SOMETHING TO DIE FOR, HE ISN’T FIT TO LIVE” communities that could be described We had many great times together, and support in ensuring that a difficult in GAA terms as being ‘non traditional’. not least in 1991 when as Cathaoirleach logistical operation ran smoothly from It is a very different Ulster GAA than and Rúnaí of Coiste Chontae An Duin start to finish. Above all I thank and that which Danny inherited when he we had the honour of welcoming ‘Sam commend the Murphy family for their became Rúnaí Comhairle Uladh and Maguire’ back to the Mournes after a dignity throughout and their unstinting the expansive portfolio of activity is in 23 year absence. Our time together at support for the ‘GAA family’ during many ways his legacy. His Honorary Ulster GAA was all too short but I know this time. degree from Ulster University and Danny took comfort in his final days his recognition at the highest levels that the process to find his successor Throughout his lifetime of involvement of government, including a reception had been completed. I hope and trust with the GAA Danny received the total hosted by First Minister Arlene Foster that I will not disappoint him. support of his family and we owe them and deputy First Minister Martin a huge debt of gratitude. I also thank McGuinness, are testament to Danny’s Danny’s wake and funeral was a fitting all others, too numerous to mention, ground breaking work and the esteem testimony to his brilliant life and I who made such a telling contribution in which he was held – he did indeed wish to place on record my sincere for an occasion from which we can serve Ulster well. thanks and gratitude to my colleagues take great pride, even though it was at Ulster GAA, the Down County tinged with great sadness. I knew Danny from childhood – we Committee, Fr. Charlie Byrne PP, the were in fact related - and I’ll miss his PSNI and in particular St. Mary’s GAC, Sleep well dear friend! friendship, advice and wise counsel. Burren for their co-operation, efforts ANNUAL CONVENTION 2017 37 #WeAreUlsterGAA TUARASCÁIL AN RÚNAÍ 05 CONVENTION IN BURREN FINANCE traditional methods of obtaining match In January 1990 I was elected as Down Our Championship attendances tickets. We shall continue to support GAA County Secretary and later that were up in 2016 on the previous year the enhancement of Community month the Ulster GAA Convention was from 142, 691 to 172, 693 but this development and to this end will seek held at my beloved St. Mary’s GAA was largely due to the fact that both to maintain our investment in games, Club in Burren. Twenty seven years Senior Football Championship semi- games development and areas of later history is repeating itself as the finals necessitated replays. While physical development. Ulster Convention returns to Burren. accepting that these are challenging and uncertain times economically, our Our team of stewards from the Today’s venue was chosen long before games remain attractive and at this Counties, the team officials and I took office as Rúnaí Comhairle Uladh stage it is important to acknowledge members of Comhairle Uladh have and would have marked the final and thank all our patrons and been of great assistance in organising farewell of Danny Murphy’s tenure on supporters who continue to turn out in a very substantial games programme the Council. But while Danny may all-weather to attend our games. and without their continuing efforts not be here with us today he is all we would be unable to maintain around us and it is truly fitting that The income of Comhairle Uladh major input into all aspects of the we are gathered in Burren today to amounted to €6,255,602 inclusive games programme. I acknowledge the not only review the past year but of all grants. Our gate income, dedication and commitment of all who also to remember Danny and his €1,983,844 represented 32% of this have given so generously of their time achievements. compared to 26% of the total income throughout the year and thank them in 2015. In 2016 our grant income, for it. They all do so in a voluntary Just a few short months ago the €1,145,378, represents 18% of our total capacity and that includes many people of Burren and further afield in comparison to 23% in 2015.