Annual Report

2015

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Annual General Meeting 2015

The Annual General Meeting will be held in

Harlequins RC

on Sunday,

10 th January 2016,

at 8:00pm

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CHAIRMAN ’S ADDRESS

Good evening fellow members, This is where the fun is and the kids get a May I welcome you to the 2015 AGM. It has chance to simply enjoy kicking ball and been a great year for the Club and although pucking about. However, as we move up the Phil will go through the finer details, I would groups, it is difficult not to be competitive and like to mention some of the highlights. trying to win as against playing all children. Firstly, I would like to thank everybody who This is always a dilemma for managers, as they has helped Naomh Brid in any capacity need to ensure that all players are kept throughout the year. There have been so involved. Of course, this does not always many contributors and volunteers that it work, but it is important that team leaders are would be dangerous to try to mention you all aware as to the affect of their selections on so please accept my general go raibh maith these children. At the younger groups we agaibh. must ensure that all children get equal time We should be very proud of what we have and that winning is only part of the process. achieved throughout the year, both on and off However, as we move up to the older groups, the field. The Club continues to grow and it is we need to develop a winning mentality which credit to all involved. helps them be ready for the rigors of Senior May I firstly thank the Managers, Coaches and football. We need to get this right. helpers with all the different teams. Being May I thank our Referees, Conor Campbell involved with any team involves time and Donal McCarry and Martin McCarney who commitment and our volunteers have risen to continue to serve the Club on the pitches of the challenge. May I especially thank the Antrim. Senior team coaches, Eunan Conway and Sean To the committee and my fellow officers, Carter who managed the Senior men and took thank you for your continued support. When us back to Division One, Barry Mulligan who concerns arose I could always able to turn to led the Senior ladies and of course, Anthony them for a listening ear and this made it Carleton who took on the task of developing easier. Special mention at this stage to Pat O the Gaelic for Mums team after Una McGurk Hagan and John McKeever for their continued proffered the idea to develop this team. attendance at the respective Antrim and To have approximately 50 ladies turn out is a South Antrim Boards. Their patience is to be remarkable achievement and well done to all. admired and hopefully things will improve It augurs well for the future. with the possible changes in the old guard at To the other coaches, whether it be at Hurling, County level. These potential shifts in power Ladies, Boys and Fun Sunday, well done to all can only help move Antrim forward and this and we thank you for your efforts. It can be will provide the platform for a better Antrim. difficult coaching a team with all the To the money men, Declan and James, well frustrations of other sports, exams, non done on keeping our feet on the ground with attendance, fixtures gluts and pitch access, a dose of reality each time we discussed but nevertheless our coaches kept going and where we were with regards to the finances all credit should be given for that. within the Club. Of course their contribution As we have said before, the very heart of the to the Strictly event was unquestionably a Club is our Fun Sunday group as it is here that huge part of it's success. we can develop our stars of future. All credit To the Strictly sub committee, led by the to Peter Mulgrew and his coaches and helpers evergreen Frank Cassidy, what an for keeping the momentum going and looking achievement! I say this not only from the after 150 children. financial aspect but also from what the event

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achieved from a social aspect. The parish and * To develop a strategy as to where we are beyond is effusive in its praise in what was going on and off the pitch and where we want achieved and so I thank all involved in the to be in the future. committee, never mind the dancers * We need to develop the 'connectivity' themselves who stepped out the comfort aspect of the Club so that ALL know what is zones to perform for Naomh Brid. May I also happening at ALL levels and ALL codes comment at this stage, that the support we * To ensure our teams have the right had from Bredagh, St Pauls Holywood and St coaches and coaching in place and that we Johns also shows how, although there is develop a goal for where we want to be on rivalry, Clubs can work together and this can the field at ALL levels only serve the GAA well. * To develop the Ladies and possibly To the Ladies Dance Committee, Suzanne, camogie Geraldine, Grainne and Helen, well done once * To try to develop the cultural aspects of again. This year's event was a triumph in the the GAA. That we encourage participation in way the Ceili was enjoyed by all. Well done Scor, and create an access to the huge amount thank you and we look forward to another of talent which lies within the Parish. That we event in February where we can acknowledge use Naomh Brid as a conduit to bring these our victorious teams. groups together. Thank you to all those who contributed * To develop the Irish language is part of financially to the Club, with special recognition this. the McGrady Insurance for their continued * To raise the remaining monies to fund support of the Men's Senior team. Musgrave and create a sustainable system of To Pat O Hagan, Paul Campbell and Leo funding the Club Browne for negotiating through the * To develop closer links with Antrim and development of Musgrave, which now seems South Antrim IF the necessary changes are ready to start. This has been a delicate path made on these boards as anticipated, so that and one which has had frustrations and thank we can help not only Naomh Brid move you for guiding us. Leo's legal know how has forward, but that it happens within a County kept us right and I thank him for his time and which lies very much dormant. patience. * That we develop a tighter Child Protection To Fr. O Donnell, for his continued support policy and develop and promote the and for other groups who have supported us importance of Health and Well Being within throughout the year. Thank you the Club

So where do we go from here? We cannot sit Now is the ideal time to grasp the euphoria back on our laurels. We need to address those which exists at present. Keeping our Club areas which need possibly tweaked and bring members together is a huge part of that, in more volunteers to help us on along this never mind getting that new blood involved in road. Going forward I would like to suggest running teams and participating on that we concentrate on the following points in committees and I would urge all to recruit. an effort to create an even better Club. Personally, I have said that I would commit to The Strictly event has no doubt given us a very remaining as Chairman of Naomh Brid until solid base to work from and we need to the Musgrave facility is sorted and unless capitalise on that and moving forward I think others feel a change is required, I would like we need to remain as Chair. However going forward we need to develop a system of succession at all

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levels, so that new blood comes in and brings in the season, but a draw in the league four new ideas and that the younger groups have a days before the championship game showed greater say. they had improved. So it proved. We were By the very fact that we have so many well beaten on the day although the result volunteers who have committed their time to was not helped by a combination of injuries, a Naomh Brid we are now one of the main Clubs farcical eight match suspension for Jack in Antrim and for that I thank everybody's Dowling (later reduced to one game), players effort. We have built something of which we on holiday and playing in a blizzard on 2 nd should be proud. But let's not sit back and let's August! build something which our children can take The team returned to winning ways in the over and continue to develop and that we league however and the only two defeats of become a force not only in Antrim but also in the campaign came in the last two games Ulster. when the League and promotion to Division 1 Well done everybody and go raibh mile mile had already been won. The overall record of maith agaibh achan duine played 18 won 14 drew 2 lost 2 reflects great Is mise credit on the team and promises much for Dermot 2016 back in the top division. Our congratulations and thanks go to Eunan Conway, Sean Carter and all the coaches who SECRETARY ’S REPORT helped with the seniors this year.

Foreword to Secretary`s Report There was equal success for the Senior reserves. The management team of Eamon Once again we can be very proud of what has Convery and John Bogue was joined by John been achieved this year, both on and off the McKeever. The team won the Division 2 pitch. reserve league with a record of played 18 won 15 lost 3, including a 10 game winning run in After several years of reporting that our mid season. The last game of the season younger teams have outshone the clubs senior against Glenavy decided the league and players, it’s great to be able to report that the resulted in a joint presentation of the Division seniors have turned the tables in 2015. 2 and Division 2 reserve trophies on the same The Senior men under the new management day. team of Eunan Conway and Sean Carter, and captained by Ben Sinnot swept all before A mention should also go to our U21s who them in the league. After four straight wins in had a good run in their championship, losing April and four more in May, it was obvious to Aghagallon in the quarter final. It should be that it was a group that worked well together. remembered however that this was a very young u21 team. A considerable number of The team set out at the beginning of the the panel had been playing under 16 last season with twin objectives, to win promotion season and first year minor this year. It’s also and to have a good run in the intermediate good to see senior players Ronan Mc Grady, championship. While the first was achieved Peter Lundy, Chris Mc Cann and Ben Sinnot with something to spare, the second goal was take on the responsibility of managing and different. We played Moneyglass in the training the u21 squad, so well done to them. preliminary round, a team that has been our Not to be outdone the Senior ladies also had a nemesis in recent seasons. League form successful year winning the championship and augured well. We beat them comfortably early having a good league campaign. Unfortunately

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the Ladies were defeated in the Ulster which join with Eire Og playing under the Championship by Lisnaskea in the first round name of Brid Og. The u8 team were very ending the campaign. I know coach, Barry successful, winning the Division 2 final of the Mulligan, feels that there is a lot more scope North Antrim League in Ballymena. The U10 yet to develop the potential of this squad. He hurlers won North Antrim Division 3, also feels there is scope to push on even defeating Dunloy 2 in the final. The p5/p6 further next years if we can develop squad team competed in the Pat Sheehan Cup at St numbers, and this is an area he is looking to Gall’s where the lads were very narrowly focus on. defeated by Lavey.

While trophies were thinner on the ground for In the Pat Rice cup at Woodlands, they our U18 U16 U14 and U12 football teams this defeated Keady, Lamh Dearg, Dunloy and St year than previously, this is still an area of Gall’s to win for the second year in succession. strength for the club. We field two teams at both boys U12 and U14 The U12 Hurlers competed well in south football when many clubs struggle to field Antrim Division 2, finishing level at the top, one. Next year we will probably field A and B and only losing out on points difference. teams at U16 for the first time. It is not that With a very young team, the management many years since I regularly reported that we decided to play U13 blitzes instead of entering were failing to field one U16 team for some the U14 league. games, so we must not lose sight of the As testament to the hard work of the mentors, progress being made here. The majority of our 12 Brid Og players have been called into the minor team this year was made up of last Antrim u14 hurling Development squad. Our year’s U16s and this was a big step up but we thanks goes to John Duffy Frank McGurk and should see the benefit of this next year. A the many other coaches involved with the number of these minor players also stepped young hurlers. up to the U21s when the time came. Our Fun Sunday for the primary school group It was also a transitional year for the U16 continues to be real strength of the club and is boys, with many new additions to the squad the front door of the club through which many and training much disrupted by the number of families and children enter. It has been players called away to Antrim development revitalised this year by the new leadership and squads. Success brings its own problems ideas of Peter Mulgrew. Fun Sunday has really sometimes! benefited from Peters impetus and great progress has been made particularly around Let’s not forget our u10s who played with getting more parents involved in coaching and distinction at a number of tournaments, improved communications with parents to winning at Downpatrick and Ballymena. keep them better informed. Many thanks to Peter, and all the Fun Sunday coaches who all TheU14 and u16 girls found it a tough year, do a fantastic job for the club. after many years of success, with many also making the step up to a new age group and Real progress has also been made in our local lower numbers making it difficult to stay at schools this year. Gaelic games are now being the top. coached in Stranmillis primary School and Hurling continues to grow strongly, from the Victoria for the first time. St Brides also roots up, in the club, with our young hurlers continues to be successful, with the boys and continuing to play in our amalgamated teams girls both winning their league finals recently

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to make up for their defeat in the Raffo Cup have been spent discussing how to move final. A huge thank you must go to Frank forward with it. McGurk our schools officer, who works There have been numerous meetings with tirelessly to promote the club and our games Belfast City Council, correspondence with in the local schools, and to all the other Ulster Council, and debates about planning, coaches who take time out to coach in the fences, floodlights, pitch extensions and more. local schools. We will continue to see the Equally important has been the process of benefit of this coaching in the years to come planning and executing a fundraising process as these boys and girls progress through the to ensure we have the funds to pay our club. contribution for the scheme. With this in mind I think we need to recognise the Our three Cul Camps were again among the fantastic contributions from the likes of Pat largest in the county with 200 kids attending, O’Hagan and Leo Brown in dealing with Belfast and playing both hurling and football. Once City Council, and Frank Cassidy and all again coaching was done from within the club, involved in the Strictly Brid dance event which with both senior and juvenile players working has proved one of the landmark events in the with the younger children. clubs history. Strictly Brid has been successful not only as a fundraiser but also as a way of pulling the club together as a family and Off the field involving many of those who don’t have a day A GAA club at the end of the day is all about to day involvement with the club. playing and promoting our games. But it has seemed at times this year, that what has been We stand now in a position where the work happening around the club, off the field, has on Musgrave is due to start shortly and we are been equally important. Off the field in 2015 well funded to be able to pay for it. A brilliant the key events for the club were the next achievement and a huge debt of thanks is phase of work at Musgrave Park and the owed to all who contributed, including all the Strictly Brid fundraising event to raise funds Strictly dancers and all their supporters and for Musgrave. This will see the construction of sponsors. changing rooms, a meeting room, security fencing to protect the pitch and the extension Let’s also recognise the commitment, of the training pitch into a full size surface. dedication and skill of the many coaches and This work will start shortly and when it is helpers who give up their time to work with complete we can look forward to a first class the teams. The club would not exist without facility at Musgrave which will help take St all your efforts and on behalf of St Brigids I Brigids forward for years to come. want to thank every one of you.

A word of thanks also needs to go Paul It seems looking back over the various Campbell, who throughout the year has made committee meetings this year that we have light of the impossible task of making sure spent more time debating off the field matters that all our teams have a pitch to play or train than games. I know Eunan Conway has on when they need it. Thank you also to Marc chastised us for that as he feels that the Murphy who, as our main liaison with games should always take priority. However Harlequins, has helped to ensure that our the project at Musgrave is a huge part of our relationship with the Rugby club here is as future plans and countless hours this year smooth as possible. An acknowledgement must also go to Martin McCarney who has

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worked hard throughout the year to ensure The first game was on Wednesday 8 th April in that our membership database is accurate and Musgrave and Sarsfields were dispatched 2-16 that we have all our players registered, to 1-7. Sunday 19 th was away to St Paul’s and insured and paid up. the first big scalp of the season was gained 0-9 to 2-10. Moneyglass travelled to Musgrave for Thank you also to all the other members of Sunday 26 th April and were sent packing with a the Club Committee who help with the day to score line 2-12 to 0-3. The month was day running of the club and our planning for rounded off with the fourth win in a row when the future. away to Rasharkin 1-6 to 1-10.

Good luck to all our teams and coaches going Clearly a marker was put down and May into 2016. I hope your time spent taking the produced four more wins over Gort Na Mona, teams and playing our games, is rewarded Tir Na nOg, St Enda’s and St Joseph’s Glenavy. with success and satisfaction. The first round of matches in the league ended with a dropped point away in a draw Is Mise Ballymena 1-8 St Brigids 0-11. Phil Convery Runai Enda Clarke (Greencastle- Tyrone) and Diarmuid Mc Laughlin (Kilcoo – Down) had FOOTBALL transferred during the pre-season and were playing significant roles as part of the senior SENIOR MEN ’S FOOTBALL team.

The 2015 season commenced yet again with a Jack Dowling and Ronan Mc Grady were both new management team, the fifth in five years. members of the county football squad and Sean Carter, who in 2014 was with St Joseph’s with the Ulster Championship underway there Glenavy, and Eunan Conway took on the was disruption to the club fixtures. So much so responsibility. Early in pre-season training it that there was only one club game played th nd appeared that the commitment shown by between 7 June and 22 July being a period management was re-energising the players, of over 6 weeks. The game was on Friday th under the captaincy of Ben Sinnot. evening 10 July in Musgrave v Rasharkin and both teams were seriously depleted due to Two clear objectives were set down the holiday commitments. It was an easy win for primary objective being to regain promotion the club. to Division 1 but of equal importance was to have a good run in the Intermediate After such a long break in the schedule it was nd Championship. then a matter of hectic catch up Friday 22 July was another win over Gort na Mona Management and players knew that the first followed two days later with a very important four games of the season, in April, would be win over St Paul’s who were chasing hard the benchmark for the season. That’s because sitting second place in the league. they included games against St Paul’s and Rasharkin, both relegated in 2014 from Then came the dilemma for management. On th Division 1, plus a team who for many seasons Wednesday 29 July we were away to were our nemesis namely Moneyglass. Moneyglass followed by playing them, only four days later, on Sunday 2 August in the preliminary round of the Intermediate

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Championship. The dilemma of what team we opposition who in St Joseph’s case were should put out in the league fixture had been fighting relegation and for Ballymena to join in the mind of management for some time. us in promotion and of no significance to us. However with Enda Clarke carrying an injury, They resulted in the only defeats of the Jack Dowling under a farcical 8 match campaign. suspension (ultimately after an appeal reduced to a single game) and players on Played 18 won 14 drew 2 lost 2. holiday things were just not quite going to plan. The season concluded with participation in the All Ireland 7’s at St Jude’s Dublin, which was The league game away to Moneyglass ended an enjoyable event to end the year and the in a draw 2-10 to 1-13 St Brigids. Following the team performed well to progress through the result the only thing to conclude was that league series but was just beaten by a single having hammered Moneyglass at the start of point in the knock-outs. the season they were a stronger team and would be a totally different challenge in the 2015 also saw two stalwart players, who have championship game. been involved with the club from its initiation, play their last game for the club as they How true that turned out to be and in terrible transfer due to work commitments. Best weather conditions for 2 nd August Moneyglass wishes to Deaghlan O’Hagan and Ruairi got the better of us scoring 1-7 to 0-5. That O’Neill. ended the second objective set out at the Our congratulations and thanks go to Eunan start of the season. Conway, Sean Carter and all the coaches who helped with the seniors this year. By the 12 th August, following 2 more wins, we Everyone is looking forward to the challenges had secured both promotion to Division 1 plus of being back in Division 1 in 2016. Pre-season the title of league champions. The players and strength conditioning has already begun. management are to be thanked for such an emphatic performance. SENIOR RESERVE MEN ’S FOOTBALL

Following the success of 2014 when the reserves won the Reserve Shield the team decided to enter the Reserve Cup, normally only for Division 1 Reserve teams – more on that later.

Once again under the captaincy of Michael Donnelly expectations were high that it would be a good year for the team. John Bogue and Eamon Convery stayed on in their management role and were joined by John Mc Keever who had in 2014 been part of the minor management team. With the league won players who had any form of injury were rested and the final two April saw the team record 3 out of 4 wins, th th league fixtures were played on 13 and 27 of with a one point loss away to St Pauls to be September. They were important to the top of the table. Eddie Mc Keever

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(Portglenone – Antrim) no connection to John Quarter-Final with an impressive 2-12 to 0-9 Mc Keever had joined the team pre-season result. The semi-final was scheduled for and had settled into his mid-field role. Wednesday 15 th July and the squad was depleted due to players on holiday. So it was a Back to back losses at the start of May home big ask to play St John’s, who by that time had to Gort Na Mona and away to Tir Na nOg convincingly won all 9 games in Division 1 resulted in the team being second behind St Reserve League. It proved to be a step too far Joseph’s Glenavy. The third game in May was and St John’s ran out clear winners. away to St Joseph’s and a great team performance deservedly gained 2 valuable Still it was a great season for the squad which points with a score line of St Joe’s 2-9 St encouragingly saw many players back from Brigid’s 3-12, so back on top. either working abroad or long term injury and very importantly more minors being available. That game kicked the squad into top gear and they proceeded to win ten games in a row. St Ever young Michael Donnelly is already Joseph’s very much kept the pressure on the looking forward to 2016. A big thank you goes team as they too went on a winning streak. So to Eamon Convery and the other coaches who tight was the battle between both teams that now see the team to Division 1 next season. it came down to the final game of the season.

On 27 th September St Joe’s travelled to U21 Football Musgrave and once more it was a great game Senior players Ronan Mc Grady, Peter Lundy, of football with eventually St Brigid’s running Chris Mc Cann and Ben Sinnot took on the out winners 1-11 to 0-8 and were presented responsibility of managing and training the the cup after the game as so were the seniors. squad for their championship.

With some of the more experienced under 21’s away at University it was credit to the management and commitment of the footballers to get out training. A considerable number of the panel had been playing under 16 last season and first year minor this year. But they showed great determination to represent the club as best they could.

The first game was on Saturday 24 th October at Musgrave against Cargan. Team captain Sean Mc Kernan knew this was going to be a tough battle but marshalled his player’s extremely well. It was an intense game from A great achievement for 2015 with both start to finish with both sets of forwards seniors and reserves winning their leagues. scrapping for opportunities. We came through however by a goal 3-7 to 2-7. Played 18 won 15 lost 3. The result put the team into the Under 21 A th On Wednesday 8 July the team beat Greegan Championship and saw us travel to play Gort Kickhams (Division 1) in the Reserve Cup Na Mona on Saturday 7 th November. A good

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all round performance particularly the second next few years. So well done to all in achieving half when the players grit and determination so much , particularly well done to Ronan was tested plus strong encouragement from Peter Ben and Chris and thanks for their hard supporters saw us run out winners 2-11 to 0- work with the team, and lots to look forward 12, as Dermot Mc Menamin kept a clean sheet to. in goals. Minor Football That put us through to a home quarter final The Minor panel began the season with their against Aghagallon who had dispatched both first training session at Musgrave on Sunday O’Donovan Rossa and St Gall’s in their way 25 th January 2015. The majority of the panel through to the clash with St Brigid’s. were made up of last year’s U16s with only 7 from the 2014 minor panel eligible. The early The weather for a few days had been sessions focussed on stamina and fitness atrocious on account of Hurricane Kate and along with developing tackling and shooting there was uncertainty if the pitch would be skills. We had one pre-season challenge game playable. So on Sunday 15 th November, after against Bredagh but quite a number of other Brendan Toland the referee confirmed the pre-arranged games were cancelled due to game would proceed, it was game on. bad weather and pitch conditions. The competitive season started with the Dwyer Under foot conditions were poor and both Cup (South Antrim Minor championship) in teams witnessed players finding it hard to mid-February. We began with a victory against keep control of the ball. The first half was a Gort na Mona but were knocked out in the very tight encounter seeing the teams score 3 next round by Rossa. For the first few months points apiece by the interval. It was there to the Sunday training sessions were reasonably be had; but Aghagallon started the second half well attended however the impact of studying with clear determination. Ten minutes into and exams on attendance became a serious the period came a crucial score. issue. This was especially so from early May until mid-June and the problem was then When trying to clear out of defence the ball amplified by the summer holidays with little was intercepted by Agahgallon resulting in the opportunity to have the full panel together for ball finding the back of the St Brigid’s net. That training until early August. Despite this there gave the opposition a 5 point lead which they were some excellent performances with a further extended to 6. It could have been number of highlights including a good run in considerably more had it not been for 2 the Minor ‘A’ County Championship reaching tremendous saves by Dermot. the semi-final and finishing 3 rd in the All County ‘A’ League with eight victories. In A point from Cathal Conway reduced the addition there was good club representation deficit to 5 with still enough time on the clock. with 5 players making the County Minor Panel It was attack after attack by St Brigid’s and (Joseph and Patrick Finnegan, Conor King, one shot came straight back off the crossbar. Peter Webb and Brogan Austin). Finally it was Had it been under and found the net, then the pleasing to see a large number of the minor final 5 minutes could have been a real battle. team playing for the club in the U21 Anyhow it wasn’t to be and we bowed out of championship. This was particularly evident the quarter final 1-7 to 0-5. with 12 of our minors playing in the team that lost narrowly in the A championship quarter It must be remembered that this was a young finals to this year’s finalists, St Mary’s under 21 squad with many available for the Aghagallon. The minor players were Dermot

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McMenamin, John Blaney, Peter Webb, starting wing half forward. Michael Hooley, Joseph Finnegan, Patrick Finnegan, Conor who had never played the game, became our King, Daire McGarvey, Peter Lavery, Rory full forward and scored eight goals in the Smith, Shane Moran, Michael Cummings and league. Ryan McGuigan Issues faced by the U16s included some Overall, although we recognised that the players being required to move up to help out majority of the minor panel were in their first the minors and the difficulty in maintaining a year at this grade and that the going would be training schedule with so many of the boys tough there was a sense of under attending county development sessions. Many achievement. We believe that much of this of our key u16 players were continually could have been addressed with a greater playing for the u18s. This created burn out commitment to training from the players. The injury problem and those players being forced coaching staff will be looking for ways to to choose between the two teams. address this for the 2016 season including the timing of the sessions on a Sunday, increasing Had it not been for some of these issues could the number of challenge games throughout have won the county championship. We were the year and re-introducing fitness and 0-6 to 0-5 v Rossa after 50 minutes and only a conditioning over the winter. calamitous goal keeping error saved them. The 2015 minor panel was a follows: Malachy Armstrong, Brogan Austin, John Blaney, Oran Training was ruined by players being away at Boyle, Tiarnan Cahill, Oliver Cairns, Ethan County development squads. Our nine best Carleton, Michael Cummings, Finbar Devlin, players were on development squads (u16 Joseph Finnegan, Patrick Finnegan, Edward and u15). Other problems that affected the Gildea, Conor King, Peter Lavery, Phelim team were the lack of time on the Musgrave Lennon, Matty Loane, Rory Mac Allister, Niall pitch, and the perennial clash with GCSE Marken Frank Mc Cormack, Andrew Mc exams meaning we never had a full team. We Dowell, Daire Mc Garvey, Ryan Mc Guigan, finally had a few sessions with a decent turn Dermot Mc Menamin, Shane Moran, Jamie out the week before championship and Murphy, Callum Power, James Smith, Paul performed very well against a superb Rossa Storrs, Rory Symth, John Toner, Peter Webb, (the ultimate champions now en route to Owen Winters winning ulster). Had it not been for some of The minor panel this year were coached by these issues could perhaps have won the Greg Finnegan, Lorcan McGarvey, Jack county championship. We were 0-6 to 0-5 v Dowling and Joe Webb, and our thanks go to Rossa after 50 minutes and only a calamitous them for their hard work this year with the goal keeping error saved them. team. A few days before that Rossa game our star player Ethan Carleton injured himself playing U16 Football American football. Thanks to Joe Brolly and We approached the year with the ethos that John Mackle for tirelessly arranged training we would foster participation and give sessions and pitches (3G at Queens, 3G at St everyone equal game time. So everyone in Mary's) and made sure all the lads got regular league games played at least a half. We had football. seven players entirely new to Gaelic football, six of them from an exclusively rugby background. Henry McGuigan quickly became our starting corner back. Liam Gray our

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Under 14 Football sets of games against O’Donnells and Pearses who finished above us while we beat the The U14 Division One team had a mixed year other teams in all of our games. The highlight and probably did not meet its full potential. of our league performance was a fine win over They put in some wonderful performances St Johns ‘A’ team who dropped down from Div playing an adventurous style of football with 1 to Div 2 in the early part of the season. the focus on kicking the ball long and accurately. However a number of fairly The league aside we also played in the B Feile, mediocre performances took the shine off losing to O’Donnells who went on to win the what should have been a better year. We competition. In the U14 ‘C’ grade were beaten in the Feile by Sarsfields who championship we managed to reach the final, went on to win it. The League was won by St where we lost to Belfast Saffrons, who we had Pauls who only narrowly beat us at Shaws beaten in the league earlier before they Road, where due to injuries and other strengthened their team for the commitments we fielded a team with a championship. number of our Division 2 squad and battled So in all competitive games organised by heroically. Our lads won the home fixture South Antrim we had 13 games - that just isn't comprehensively as they also did against enough to develop our young players. There is Sarsfields. surely a case for playing a combined South The campaign was however hampered over Antrim / South West Antrim or even a triple the Summer months when we struggled to round league at this level. Unfortunately the field with so many of the squad on holiday. limited number of competitive games we had were played mostly in the summer months, We had no less than 7 players make the including the championship final so some kids Antrim Development Squad and will probably lost out. make a similar contribution next year. Along with John McKenna and Martin Gareth Bradley the lead coach was assisted by McCarney we took a combined U14 team to Cormac McGrady, Peter Lynch and a number the divisional Feile at Owenbeg in June. This of parents to whom we are most grateful. was worthwhile although our number of Many thanks to them for their efforts this games was reduced when one club failed to year, and also to John Mckenna who acted as field on the day. We won one game and lost co-ordinantorand administrator and ensured another, narrowly missing out on the the smooth running of both U14 teams this knockout stages. year. We also managed to arrange a series of U14 B challenge matches outside Antrim against St Paul’s Holywood, Bredagh, Carryduff and The club was fortunate enough once again to Newbridge (Co Derry). They were all very have more than sufficient numbers to allow worthwhile and allowed us to ensure that all for two teams at this age grade. The B team of our kids got as much playing time as was coached by Brendan Mulgrew along with possible. The game against Newbridge in Michael Megarity. particular was a novel fixture, never having gone there before. It was good for our lads to The lack of competitive games meant that our play a new team and their hospitality league was restricted somewhat - with only 6 afterwards was very welcome. The logistics of teams in Division 2 we had 10 league games. that day wouldn't have worked with our We finished a creditable 3rd place, losing both

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parental support and we are very grateful for available this year. In fact only 4/5 made the A that. team on a regular basis.

Between training and games the season ran The reverse will be the case next year where from mid January to the end of October which the vast majority of this year’s players are is a long stretch for the kids, hopefully they again available and we feel this group have benefitted from that experience. will/should be very competitive.

Thanks go to coaches Brendan Mulgrew, Our B group were beaten finalist in the Micheal Megarity and to a select number of O’Donnell Plate. This team performed parents who were at all the games to offer consistently all year. practical support. I would like to extend my thanks to the panel of coaches Cathal McNichol, Mark Finegan, Brendan Birt, Shane Finnegan, Micheal O Mainnin, Michael Gorman, Gareth Bradley, Damian O Neill, and Adrain Toner, for all their hard work with this group throughout the year.

Under 10 Football

A large squad of over 40 under 10s was ably coached this year by Coaches - Gareth Graham, Shane Quinn, Stewart Bevan, Peter Gilleece, Paul McErlean, Greg Blaney, and Maurice Delaney. Training was held on Sunday and Wednesdays at Harlequins. Under 12 Football This year’s U12 squad made steady progress. The squad entered the tournaments at It would be the view of the coaches that this is Bellaghy, Carryduff and Moy where they not the strongest year in St Brigid's. That said reached the semi finals at each, at Downpatrick we have up on 40 boys training on a regular where they won the championship and basis. There is a large gap between the more Tullylish where they reached the shield final. At developed players and less developed players, St Pauls they reached the championship final. which creates some issues during training. At Ballymena we won the championship and shield. At St Galls we were quarter finalists and Both the A team and the B team were very in our own tournament we entered 3 teams competitive within their respective leagues. and reached both the championship and shield While the A team was beat in the O Donnell finals. Cup semi final, there was little to separate the top four teams in the South Antrim "A league."

The coaches would be of the opinion that our A team is unfortunate to have so few 1st years

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skills and team-play. The boys’ individual skills clearly progressed and their spatial awareness, support play and defensive abilities markedly improved also – that was very apparent as the summer went on when we beat two teams, St Paul’s and St Gall’s, who had beaten us in their own tournaments earlier in the summer. There was great camaraderie amongst the boys and between us the coaches and because there was a good number of us, we also were able to spread ourselves out across the summer and were never really caught without at least one of us being able to cover a training session/game. We also had friendlies against Bredagh, Carryduff, Lavey, St Galls, St Pauls (+ a mini tournament), Gort Na Mona and a range of Antrim GAA ‘Go’ Games play offs – Naomh Brid was probably the best attender at these out of all the clubs in Antrim. We also played in a Carryduff-organised mixed teams evening where players from N Brid/Bredagh/C’duff and St John’s were blended and everybody had three games each. This was a great success and a good opportunity for our lads to mix on the same team with some of the boys they came up against quite a few times over the summer. We thought we’d like to reciprocate and hopefully will do so next Spring.

This coaching team largely moved through I think it’s definitely fair to say that we were in from u8s last year and we feel that real the top three teams in Antrim (with St Paul’s progress was made in terms of both individual and St Gall’s), and we played some really

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impressive football in the Bellaghy and Moy Underage hurling 2015 tournaments taking on and beating some of the biggest clubs in Ulster. Another big plus for During 2015 our hurlers continued to play in us was the progress the whole squad made, the our amalgamated teams which join with Eire improvements were very well marked right Og playing under the name of Brid Og. across the range of abilities amongst the boys and this augurs well for the future when the The primary school-age hurlers started the teams move to 15 a side. year with indoor training on Saturday afternoons in St Brigid’s Parish hall. Other team building highlights included a mini- tournament last winter followed by a trip to On 15 th February the u11 and u13 teams Ravenhill for the ‘Game for Anto’ – this played challenge matches against Na Fianna included a visit up from Silverbridge and the teams in Dublin before attending the National then Lady Mayor of Belfast coming to league match between Dublin and Tipperary Harlequins for a visit to greet and thank the at Parnell Park. teams. This was a great night for the boys. We also organised a trip to Croke Park for the National League semi-finals in April this year. CulCamp We had a training session before we left and brought about 20 boys down – we had a great St Brigid’s hosted another hurling Cul camp at day. Harlequins from 10 th to 14 th August. Over 35 boys and girls attended and a great week’s I think it’s important to note in closing that we hurling was had by all. Thank you to Frank are very grateful for the support we got for the McGurk, Frank McElhatton, Gerard and running of our own u10 tournament – there Darren for their work with the players and were a number of people in particular who we Martin for his organisational skills. couldn’t have done it without for instance Brendan Birt, Marty McCarney and Pauline P4 and P3 Hurling Blaney were crucial in ensuring we got it delivered so well. Pity about the results for the In January and February Go Games blitzes three Naomh Brid teams but it was a great commenced with the North Antrim Indoor tournament and we coaches were very pleased league and the Co Down indoor games at with how well it all passed off. Bangor. The u8 team were very successful, Again a huge thank you has to go to all the winning the Division 2 final in Ballymena. The coaches involved with the U10 group. team also played regularly at the South Antrim Congratulations on the success this year, and Go Games at Andersonstown Leisure centre good luck for the year to come. We look on Saturday mornings. forward to seeing some of these youngsters With better weather in the Summer and play for the club for many years to come. Autumn months, the Go Games moved

outside with Saturday morning blitzes right up

to the end of October.

P5 and P6 Hurling HURLING

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During 2015 the P5 and P6 hurlers have final, so that not only was the number of competed in Brid Og colours in the Co Down players competing for each team changed, but Indoor league, South Antrim Go Games, and one club was allowed to field the same players South West Antrim blitzes, the Ulster in the plate and the shield finals. provincial games in Magherafelt and the North Antrim Indoor league. U13 Hurling The panel which had performed so well in The u10 team won the North Antrim Division 2104 moved on a year and it was decided by 3, defeating Dunloy 2 in the final. the mentors that it would be better to play On 10 th May the p5/p6 team competed in the challenge games against u13 teams than enter Pat Sheehan Cup at St Gall’s. Wins against the u14 league. Rossa, St John’s, Bredagh and St Enda’s saw The first series of matches were in the Ulster the team through to the Cup semi final where indoor blitz at Magherafelt. These were the lads were very narrowly defeated by followed by challenge matches against St Lavey. MacNissis (Larne and Glenarm), St Patrick’s (Carey and Cushendun), Ballygalget, Creggan The competitions continued throughout May and Carryduff. and June with a strong showing in the Joe The team concluded their matches in McKelvey tournament at Rossa and success at September and October, with participation in the Pat Rice cup at Woodlands, defeating the Ulster u13 Series. Over successive Keady, Lamh Dearg, Dunloy and St Gall’s to Saturday’s, the lads played against Ballycastle, win for the second year in succession. Cuchullain’s Armagh, Loch Mor Gaels, Warrenpoint, Castlewellan and Ballela, U12 Hurling registering 4 wins and 2 losses. As testament to the hard work of the mentors, The u12 hurlers began the year with 12 Brid Og players have been called into the participation in the Co Down Indoor games at Antrim u14 hurling Development squad. Bangor, the Antrim games at UUJ and the Thanks must go to John Duffy John Rush and Ulster Council games at Magherafelt. Gerard Murray for their great work with the lads throughout 2015. The team were entered in the S Antrim u12 development league and started very well with a win over Gort Na Mona. The next few 2015 has been a successful year on many games against St John’s, Rossa, St Paul’s, Loch fronts for the hurlers. Winning u8 and u10 Mor Gaels and Lamh Dearg proved to be more trophies in North Antrim, the Pat Rice challenging. Despite the defeats, numbers tournament and the Loch Mor Fleadh is a playing continued to increase and after the tremendous achievement for the lads league was split in August, the team played in involved. Division 2. After games with Ardoyne, I would like to thank John Duffy Colm, Frank O’Donnell’s, Loch Mor the team were level at Mc Gurk, Frank Mc Elhatton, Gerry, Joe, Mark, the top of the league, losing top position on and Oliver Lennon for their coaching skills and score difference. support throughout the year. In addition, In the Nipper Quinn championship Brid Og thank you to Ciaran, Darren, Gavin and Gerard were entered in the plate section and received from Eire Og for their help and support with a bye into the final. With great numbers the p5, p6 and U12 and u13 hurlers. attending, the South Antrim board changed A big thank you to our players, parents and the rules of the competition on the day of the families for their continued support, many

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have clocked up a few hundred extra miles supporting our teams ......

Some of the girls are naturally talented and LADIES FOOTBALL have a lot of ability, however in both underage and senior there was confusion about Ladies Seniors 2015 positions and what was expected of them The Ladies had a successful year winning the during the games as they had only ever championship and having a good league ‘played in one position’. campaign. Unfortunately the Ladies were This was very evident when we played St Pauls defeated in the Ulster Championship by on two occasions. Their fitness, movement Lisnaskea in the first round ending the and game awareness was very impressive and campaign. The ladies also took part in the gave us a hard lesson, particularly after Portmarnock 7s and a number of friendlies winning the championship. against Breda their local rivals. Next year, with a more focused recruitment The ladies have a core of 8-10 girls who would drive to university students and people who be reliable and extremely dedicated to the have moved to the city for work would expand team. However, outside of that there were the panel and offer more options during difficulties in getting satisfactory numbers to games. I have no doubt that if the training on a number of occasions. Particularly commitment levels increased and with a few disappointing was following the Championship extra players, including the additional younger win when preparing for Ulster, training was girls, the team could be challenging for called off on a number of occasions due to honours again. lack of numbers. We were only able to rely on I would like to thank lead coach Barry Mulligan having one goalkeeper throughout the for his work with the senior girls and Barry championship, resorting to random selection was very appreciative of the help from Philip for league games. Doyle and Ronan Graham for their assistance However when there were numbers at throughout the year, anything that was asked, training and for matches, team spirit grew and he said, was always supplied without skills improved. It was encouraging to see how question. Thanks to all of them and the best of the girls improved both individually and as a luck for 2016. team as the season progressed and they were very keen to learn new ideas and approaches Ladies U-16 and U14 Football to games. There were a number of new ”So much was asked by so many, so often, of attendees to the training from other clubs and so few!” these girls added a lot to the group, I would be encouraged that St Brigids is seen as the ‘club It has been a difficult summary to write this to go to’ for people coming to Belfast and wish year as we began with at best, moderate to play football. hopes of silverware which sadly were dashed! There were a number of underage girls who Coming off the back of 5 successful seasons, it joined the panel for a number of training was inevitable that maintaining the sessions and the span of ability was striking. I momentum through another year would be would suggest that at underage level, there difficult given the fact that a number of our needs to be a focus on the development of key players moved up an age group. general skills such as kicking and hand passing.

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Historically, our U14 girls have been stalwarts headed down to a fantastic welcome supported by a solid group of older U12’s who and a fantastic game where against strong have stepped up to 14’s and blooded opposition, we earned a 3 point win and the themselves at this age group. Unfortunately, respect of a big home crowd! The hospitality this past season’s U12’s group were very of St Colmcille’s was second to none and we young and were for the most, not ready to have provisionally pencilled in a rematch in join the 14’s game. This had a big impact on Belfast next season. The day was completed what the 14’s could hope to achieve. by a few hours at the most glorious of beaches Having warmed up with 10 weekends of and dinner en route to home. Winter League, we had a small but well drilled Late season saw us in Dublin again as regulars squad of girls who were set for the start of a at the prestigious Kilmacud 7’s where we long season. After four Antrim Feile acquitted ourselves bravely but exited at the Championships in five years, it was quarter finals. We followed this with the unfortunately one tournament too far this season finale at St Gall’s Culbert Brennan cup year and we exited at the knockout stages, but we were unable to hold onto our winning disappointed, but with heads held high. title from last year. Focussing on the league, we knew that this At county level, Eimear Matthews, Rebecca season was likely to be the closest in many Doyle and Sorcha McGarvey helped take the years with Glenravel, Aldergrove, St Enda’s, 14’s Antrim ‘A’ Squad through to the Ulster Moneyglass and of course, St Paul’s, all Final where they lost out to a strong Donegal putting forward strong opposition. squad. At U14 Development level, Anna We fought hard across a long and tiring Moore and Lauren Carroll played an integral campaign but only managed to claim a fourth part in feeding into the future county setup spot in the league behind eventual winners St and all five players helped lift winner’s Paul’s and joint runners up, St Enda’s and trophies at the early season Inter County Blitz Glenravel. in Tyrone. The Championship offered us an opportunity The regular squad of around 18 players were to progress but a particularly difficult set of put under more pressure having to deputise circumstances saw us exit early to Colin Gaels. for the majority of the U16’s team who, Of course it wasn’t all doom and gloom! despite numerous pre-season promises from Over the years, our success at Feile, League, parents and players, were frustratingly non- Championship and Kilmacud’ 7’s has allowed existent! The dedicated U14/16 players who us to strike up relationships with clubs across have been fully committed to the cause over the length and breadth of Ireland and it is the years weighed in consistently and have clear that our exploits have gained us a our gratitude, but given the fact that 16’s formidable respect and positive notoriety as a games were scheduled for Tuesdays and 14’s club who are progressive, forward thinking on Wednesdays, asking our younger girls, and welcomed as challenging competition. many of whom were heavily involved in This status saw us invited to St Colmcille’s, county duties, inevitably put a strain on the Bettystown, County Meath where one of the squad and injuries were inevitable and costly, fastest growing clubs in Ireland singled us out particularly as the season wore on. as the team they most wanted to bring to the At U16 level, despite a genuine effort from East Coast to challenge their up and coming many of the dedicated regulars and the U14 U16 girls. girls, ‘no shows’ saw us complete less than On a glorious June Sunday, our mixed squad of half our league games and we exited twenty two girls, made up primarily of the Championship at the first hurdle. Strong 14’s, with a few strong 12’s and our 16’s performances as ever from Maeve Blaney,

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Emma Ferran and Niamh O’Kane saw them called up to regular spots on the U16 county squad through to the Ulster C Final where they were pipped by Armagh. The lows this year definitely outweighed the highs and ultimately, the success of Ladies junior football at St Brigid’s remains dependent on the commitment and support from players and parents. The ladies game across the World continues to grow exponentially and in the last 3 years, 10 more clubs have added their weight to Antrim. Coaches, club and county continue to provide the platform to play, but we need the support of more mums, sisters and girlfriends to ensure the game grows at St Brigid’s. We cannot continue to ask more and more of those girls who are already giving their all if we are to add to the successful legacy of ladies football over the last number of years. Thanks to all the players and parents who gave of their time and thanks to Ronan Graham and Philip Doyle for their coaching and management support at club and county level.

GAELIC FOR MOTHERS AND OTHERS Gaelic for Mothers & Others was set up in May 2015. Emma Gorman is the LGFA registered coordinator and Anthony Carleton is lead coach. Una McGurk assists with team administration. The inaugural training session took place at Harlequins on Monday 11 May 2015, when 55 women turned up to train.

Since then the squad has grown to include more than 75 women, with training sessions taking place each Monday at 8pm. A second weekly training session was introduced for the final 6 weeks training of the year, with some of the training taking place indoors.

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Membership fees continue to be competitive, The squad have taken part in a number of when benchmarked against other clubs, and challenge matches at Harlequins, against other sporting codes. Bredagh, Queens International Student team, Newry Boscos, Creggan, amongst others. The Thanks go to Martin McCarney who has G4M&O squad also entered a Belfast blitz at worked hard throughout the year to ensure Sarsfields, the Ulster blitz at Wolfe Tones, that our membership database is accurate and Derrymacash and the All-Ireland blitz in that we have all our players registered, Portmarnock. insured and paid up.

The G4M&O team has also taken part in a CUL CAMPS number of charity events within the club and We held three summer camps over the community. A number of players ran the 5km summer, with over 200 children passing Colour Run race supporting the NSPCC; the through the gates of Harlequins for coaching Hell and Back challenge supporting the in both football and hurling and lot of fun! Climb4Clare charity; and the team took part in St Brigids again continue hosting some of the raising money for Strictly Brid, playing the u12 largest coaching events in the county for the boys and girls teams. primary school section of the club. Once again these camps were excellently Great camaraderie has been built up among organised by club members, with the coaching the ladies who take part in training and being provided by the senior men and women matches and it is anticipated the squad will of the club. This year is was also great to see a take part in many blitz matches and sizable number of the Naomh Brid juveniles tournaments in 2016. The St Brigids G4M&O helping out at the camps, learning from their team hope to be in a position to host a older peers and gaining valuable leadership tournament in the incoming year. skills. Thanks to Una McGurk Anthony Carleton and Emma Gordon and the others involved in the The two camps in August were generously success of this new branch of the club. sponsored by Cedar Grove and Ormeau Veterinary Clinics. We’d like to extend our MEMBERSHIP thanks to John Heatherington, father of 3 Fun 2015 saw a broadly flat membership Sunday regulars – Emma, Jack, Ben (with compared with 2014, with just over 700 Johnnie in the wings waiting). The club relies members paid up members of the club. With on sponsorships such as this and would ask around 250 individuals or family units being members to support our sponsors if they can. members of the club. High level numbers Thanks also must go to all the coaches and would suggest that senior men playing helpers who gave up their time to organise membership slightly declined, senior ladies and lead the Cul Camps this year, without playing membership slightly increased, with whom these weeks could not have taken overall juvenile/family memberships staying place. the same. Fun Sunday Membership revenue increased mainly due to “Small steps lead to big things” small increase family membership fees in For Sun Sunday (FS), 2015 can be defined as 2015. being a year of little steps, but every step has been a step forward. The coaches can look back collectively and see that we have taken

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the clubs already very successful FS brand and participants this year and this can be build developed its sense of purpose and upon next year to ensure early collection. organisation. When we combined that with Later in the year we produced a Newsletter, the already existing enthusiasm and goodwill the first for FS in a number of years and of coaches, parents and players then we have something that we aim to make quarterly. a much stronger FS as the year closes. Improved Coaching recruitment For the first time in a number of years the role Coaching recruitment was a major issue at the of Fun Sunday Officer (FSO) has now been start of the year. It was not unusual for each filled, with Peter Mulgrew taking on that role. group within FS to have had a lead coach and It must be noted though that this only not a great deal of back up behind that. As happened on the understanding that a key well as being fortunate in having a number of group of coaches would work very closely parents volunteering to help, all coaches alongside Peter effectively meaning that the agreed that we would persuade and cajole club now has an FS subcommittee which met other parents to help out. We have always at various times throughout the year. been conscious that in a lot of cases there has Agenda items for that group would include: been willingness for some parents to help – communication with parents; recruitment and they just needed to be asked. This year we training of new coaches; greater integration of asked and the result has been a number of hurling into FS; resources of girls activities; new coaches are now regularly helping. improving rates of membership paying participation; winter indoor facilities and support for Strictly Brid. Communication When we think of communication, it is often interaction with parents that jump to mind, but before we could improve that we first had to develop a culture of communicating better internally. Meeting regularly as a group, exchanging emails, discussing a timetable for training, P1 and P2 Dads are told “Standing at the seeking cover for your group if you are not sidelines isn`t an option at our club”! going to be able to attend on a Sunday or clarifying if we had the resources to accept a We know that there is no room for match invitation has become the norm – small complacency and agree that recruitment is a steps forward. We even had a night out in the continual process. For a number of reasons Albany organised by Muiris, after all we are there will always be a churn of coaches or part of FUN Sunday. even just one off unavailability. Now when a We also feel that the flow of information to lead coach knows that for whatever reason parents has greatly improved in 2015. The FSO they can`t make a Sunday there is sufficient will regularly tour all the various elements of back up to allow that group to proceed, this FS, talking to parents clarifying who may not greatly eases the pressure on everyone, and be receiving email notifications and updating coaches will even cover across groups. the database and later informing the individual coach. This is also an opportunity to discuss membership and fees and we feel that we have a very high rate of fee paying

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Collectively we are known as Fun Sunday, but this year we have been involved in a lot of Fun Saturdays and a few Fun Fridays too. As a group we decided that there is no substitute for competitive matches – no matter what the age – we have probably played more matches across the FS age range this year than in previous years. We have enthusiastically embraced the Go Games concept and have fielded almost 20

P5 coach Dwyer “job swaps” as he takes the times each this year across all the primary girls to let Noreen fulfil her Strictly Brid duties. years. Our P1`s and P2`s have played real matches and have thoroughly enjoyed the Coaching the coaches experience. When we try and recruit often the first comment is; “I wouldn`t know what to do” and “I never played”. To counter this in the summer we ran a series of training sessions whereby new and existing coaches were given a crash course in how to coach younger children by Ulster coach Antoin McCaffery. We had 6 evenings with around 15 FS coaches attending and it was obvious when touring FS that what we were taught in terms of keeping P1`s and P2`s proudly celebrate a win at kids active, making warm ups competitive and indoor Go Games in November. working in smaller groups was being put into good use. Early in 2016, we will again have a Highlights across our age groups would have similar introductory/ fresher course for been participating in The Wolfe Tones coaches as we aim to keep what we do fresh. tournament in Bellaghy in August when we Thanks to Ciara, Antoin and Kieran at Antrim brought down 2 teams at under 8 and under and Ulster GAA for their support. 10 level and lost out in the semi finals and a

home and away set of fixtures against

Bredagh which saw close to 200 players from

across our teams and theirs battling it out

over 2 weekends in September at Cherryvale Playing more games then Harlequins.

P5`s battle it out against Davitts at a Spring Go Games session

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Supporting Strictly Brid FS was very proud that we had a number of our coaches Martin, Tracy, Noreen, Paul (and new recruit Catherine!) all dancing for Naomh Brid. Equally it was fantastic that so many of the parents of our young players came on the night and contributed to that fantastic event. P5`s squad at Bellaghy tournament. FS played it`s part in the fundraising by Coaching through the Winter organising a coffee morning in advance of the This year Methody was unavailable to us but Match of the season – The GFM&O V NB after visiting schools and halls across South under 12`s! Belfast we decided upon Stranmillis College for our winter training. Our first Sunday indoors was like a summer’s day! Our move indoors was soon vindicated as several weeks since have been wet and cold. We have 2 large halls booked between November and the end of Feb (excluding a Christmas break). It is very tight when we are all in but where possible the P5`s and the ever tough hurlers have played outdoors on the gravel pitches to ease that space pressure.

Cakes and buns in plentiful supply, thanks to the usual suspects!

Towards year end FS is growing steadily in terms of player and coach numbers, we are playing more games, improving the skills of coaches, improving communications and we hope making sure that the kids have fun. We hope to have a visit from Santa before the training year ends and the coaches and FS Hurlers ready for action players take a well deserved break! Next steps There are a number of things that are work in progress or to begin next year. Some affect the whole club and some are FS specific: Better use of social media and improved website; An ability checklist to assess players as they move through the years; A trip to a match at Croke Park to allow players and parents to experience the big P3`s in Stranmillis College occasions;

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been forthcoming and we would urge Committee members and all other club members to pop down once in a while and support what is happening at either FS or Go Games. If your passion is ever waning, then the raw enthusiasm of our younger members could be the perfect tonic. We hope that continuing with the small steps forward, we will make huge strides in the long run.

Schools

The club now has a coaching presence in 3 schools in the area. In addition to our longstanding involvement with St.Brides we have since September a coaching presence in Victoria College and Stranmillis Primary School.

ST BRIDES SCHOOL

Boys Football

St.Brides boys had another successful year. In the A League they reached the quarter final stage and exited the Carragher Cup at same stage Joe and Isaac (P5`s) enjoyed a great day out at This gave us the confidence to go forward and the Dublin V Mayo Semi Final in August. We try to win the Raffo Cup for the third time in a aim to collectively have a trip to Croke Park row. next year. Training sessions went according to plan with

full turnouts and 100% effort both by the boys Continual recruitment and training of coaches; and coaching staff of Marty Cunningham Continued integration of hurling through (school) and Cathal McNicholl Mark Finnegan introducing the Gaelic Start Programme. and Frank McGurk from the club. Conclusion We were confident going into the competition We are acutely aware that FS is often the first and subsequently reached the final against experience that players, parents and others Bunscoil Phobal Feirste.On a wet windy will have of Naomh Brid. Those first evening at the Dub we were well beaten by interactions must be organised, passionate, the better team after a good first half display. and sensitive. The coaches are passionate that Cathal McNicholl stepped down after the players we are bringing through now will completing a very successful three years with be the Under 12`s, 14`s, 16`s, minors and all the team and thanks is due for his the way through to Senior level players for participation. this club for the years to come. Although the school did not retain the Raffo We are grateful that anything that we have Cup we finished on a high as the P6 team won ever asked or needed from the Committee has

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the inaugural Aquinas Cup. Schools hurling/camogie does not start until after Xmas and we are working to get back From September Cathal has been replaced by into the major schools tournaments. Paul McErlain and the boys continue to turn out for Thursday training in large numbers. VICTORIA COLLEGE WE have had a good league campaign and Ronan O'Brien is the Gaelic Games co- won the A league final against John the ordinator in Victoria has for the past number Baptist. of years been entering teams from the Prep School and year 8/9 of the Grammar School in GIRLS FOOTBALL the competitions for girls with some success. Edelman McMahon and Lizzie O’Leary hold The Prep School camogie team won the Allianz training sessions each Monday after school Antrim Camogie Championship in January with up to 35 girls in attendance. Last year 2014.The year 8 team contested the Ulster they reached the league final only to lose to Schools Camogie Cup and while they did not Holy Trinity. win the cup they were not outclassed by any Unfortunately they lost out in not qualifying team in the competition The same team for the Cup. entered the year 8 camogie team held at So far this season they have been very Queens and turned up with three teams (34 impressive and again qualified for the league players) while other schools had one team and final where this year they beat last year’s a few had two teams. Each of the three teams opposition. Unfortunately there are fewer won most of their games which justifies their competitions for girls football St Brides are ranking as one of the top teams in schools considered one of the top teams camogie in the greater Belfast Area. This shows the potential within the school in girls HURLING /CAMOGIE Gaelic games which must be positively Due to a lack of available teachers there was developed by this club. not a great deal of hurling/camogie played in We have already made a start as from the school last year and therefore unable to September Sean McKenna (Community Active take part in the major Bunscoil Coach) and Frank McGurk have been helping hurling/camogie competitions. However, the Ronan O'Brien and his staff coach years 8/9 in boys and girls took part in a number of specific camogie and Prep School in football each year go games tournaments run in the Monday after school with as many as 30 Andersonstown Leisure Centre by Kieran children taking part. Megraw (Ulster Development Coach) throughout the early part of the season. While the results are not important in these STRANMILLIS PRIMARY SCHOOL competitions our teams are up there with the After a number of unsuccessful attempts to best and the children had lots of enjoyment as get Gaelic Games established in this school well as getting most of the morning out of with the help and influence of Una McGurk school We have made a promising start. The school has just completed its first 6 week coaching During the early part of the year Mark course in Gaelic football for the p5 and p6 Sidebottom and Frank McGurk held coaching classes. This is an in school time course taken every Monday after school in the Parish Hall by Antrim Development Officer and Frank for P6/7 boys. This proved to be worth the McGurk. Initial feedback from the teachers effort as two of the boys were selected for the involved was positive. The next step is to meet Belfast Schools Hurling Team . with the principal Mr Jackie Wallace and his

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teachers to review and decide how to take THE FUTURE things forward. Thanks also to Ciara Ferry Hopefully the present level of coaching can be (Antrim Games Manager) for her help in maintained in the three schools. negotiations with the school and supplying the Unfortunately there have already been coach and of course Una McGurk cutbacks in the Antrim Games Development Sector and proposals to close down the Active REPRESENTATIVE HONOURS Sector from March next year. This means the During the year a number of our club level of coaching we receive from these members were selected to play on the Belfast organisations may be drastically cut back. The Schools Teams to play the Dublin Schools Club will need to address this early in the New In Boys Hurling we had F Clery and N Murdock Year. (St.Brides) and B McGurk (Stranmillis Primary) In Boys Football we had A McNicholl. D Hanna Child Protection and N Finnegan (all St Brides) The Club is very committed to Safeguarding In Girls Football we had Teresa Mellon (St our children and young People. This year 30 Brides. Congratulations to all. coaches, mentors and volunteers attended Child Protection awareness training run by THANKS. Child Protection Officer, Deirdre Webb. There are a number of people who must be Fourteen of the attendees completed Access thanked for their efforts to promote our NI application forms. games and St Brigid's GAC in the schools In 2015, there were no reported significant during the past year. safeguarding events. Two complaints were Teachers Marty Cunningham ,Paul McAuley, received and resolved. On the 10 th December Edel McMahon Lizzie O'Leary (St Bride's) 2015 Deirdre attended training on the new Ronan O'Brien (Victoria College) Online Access NI procedures to ensure we Club members Cathal McNicholl Mark remain compliant with the regulations. Finnegan, Mark Sidebottom and Paul McErlean. Thanks to our outside coaches Strictly Brid -A Message from Frank Cassidy namely Kieran Megraw Sean McKenna and Chair of the Strictly Brid sub committee Alfie Hannaway for their efforts to promote St Briget's GAC in the respective schools. As Fundraising Officer for the Club I was asked Finally a huge thank you must go to Frank by the Executive Committee to put together a McGurk our schools officer, who works sub-committee which would organise a major tirelessly to promote the club and our games fundraising event for the second phase of our ion the local schools. facilities at Musgrave.

HENRY DUFFIN. We had a blank canvas on what the Although Henry was not directly involved with fundraising event should be. the school teams during the past year he was still available .Fortunately for Henry but I was delighted although more than a little unfortunate for the school and the club he left apprehensive when we decided upon a Strictly St Brides to take up a principal’s post in a extravaganza. school outside Ballymena. We thank Henry for his work over the years to promote Gaelic I needn’t have worried since a very capable games and this club within the school and and enthusiastic sub-committee was wish him well in his new post established and I wish to thank them for their commitment and endurance during those long

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and often arduous meetings which began in The post-event party was held in the April. No task was too great. Wellington Park Hotel which again proved to be a superb venue. The sub-committee were Claire Finnegan, Helen Graham, Patricia Lundy, Mark Murphy, As Chairman of the sub-committee I would James Higgins, Declan Canavan, Paul Finnegan like to pay particular tribute to all of the sub- and myself with regular contributions from committee members who worked so tirelessly our Club Chairman. to make the event such a success.

Following some research we decided to I also want to thank Father Eddie for use of engage Kevin Rowe Communications who has the hall, Aiken PR for the use of their offices, great experience in these types of events. Paddy Coyle for his incredible efforts in the design of the programme, Eoin and Paul for We booked the Whitla Hall at Queens and we having the Parish Hall ready every Sunday then set about persuading/hoodwinking a evening, Kevin Rowe and his team for the group of 30 dancers to perform on the night. choreography and the video production team, Marie Canavan for organising Queens PEC, Dancing practice was arranged for Sundays Una McCarney for all the catering and baking, and the dancers themselves arranged many Malone Lodge Hotel , Wellington Park Hotel, hours of additional practice, primarily through Windsor Tennis Club, Niall Mitchell for the the PEC at Queens and also in the Parish Hall. photography, the Judges Mark Sidebottom, James Loughrey and Leona O’Neill and all the A Strictly Bríd Facebook page was setup by sponsors and donors who gave money so Paul Finnegan and this gave rise to great generously. anticipation and excitement particularly when the names of the couples were being Thanks also to all of the people who worked announced. on the night doing door entry, selling and counting votes and many other unseen tasks. Niall Mitchell attended frequently to take the requisite photograph. Special thanks to the Breslin McLaughlin School of Dancing and in particular to Sinead Sponsorship was organised for the dances and Rainey. for associated parts of the event and the generosity of so many sponsors was greatly I would also like to thank everybody else who appreciated. are far too numerous to mention who helped in any way to make our event such a One of the unexpected but very welcome tremendous success. benefits of the event was the way it re- engaged so many club members from right Most of all I would like to thank the 30 across age groups. dancers who were persuaded to put themselves forward to dance in the event and Financially the event was a wonderful success who acquitted themselves so incredibly well. netting around £100,000 which greatly exceeded the sub-committee’s expectations. Frank Cassidy

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TREASURERS REPORT will have a surplus of c£100,000 in the capital account by the end of the calendar year. No As outlined comprehensively by our Chairman costs are yet accrued for the Musgrave and Club Secretary, 2014/2015 has been development which will change this figure another busy year for St Brigid’s GAC. significantly in the coming year.

I will look at the Clubs financial position in three categories: Annual Operating Income and Expenditure - Capital Account (banks loans and The Clubs operational Income and development funds) Expenditure account shows an overall - Annual Operating Income and operational surplus of £3,168 for the year. On Expenditure the face of this, this looks like a strong - Current Operational bank accounts performance however if it were not for the “Strictly” fundraiser the club would have run out of cash before the year end as c£13,000 Capital Account was needed to meet the capital repayments The Club started the year with a Capital loan on the existing bank loan. The club needs to of (£58,395) with First Trust Bank. The loan generate a surplus of c£13,000 per year to changed into a five year capital repayment meet its debt service commitments for the term loan in 2014 with a margin of 5%, next 5 years or until the loan is repaid from resulting in a monthly “debt service” payment capital fundraising. of £1,311 per month which has been met mainly from income derived from operational Income: activities. This has caused some cash Almost 70% of our income during the year pressures at certain times during the year. came from three sources – being membership, the dinner dance and the summer camps. The Club also has a deposit account with Danske Bank to hold Musgrave Park Looking at Membership first, our Club development monies. The club holds £50,565 Registrar did a sterling job in collecting in this account at the year end. The payment £31,470 in membership fees. I know that this timetable for the upcoming Musgrave takes an inordinate amount of time and I development has not yet been finalised and would personally like to thank Martin & Kieran the committee is keeping the level of this for the sterling work they do here. account under review. Funds raised from the Unfortunately though, there continues to be recent “Strictly” fundraiser are still in the main an element of our members who are operational account, given the historically low “reluctant” to pay membership fees but deposit interest rates there is little or no expect to be able to play. This creates an financial benefit to be gained from inequality between our members and also transferring funds to the deposit account at absorbs a lot of Martin’s time. this time. Special thanks are also due again to the Overall, through continued capital loan organisers of the Annual Dinner Dance, held in repayments during the year we have reduced February. The three ladies (namely Grainne, the Capital Account Deficit completely and Suzanne and Geraldine) played a phenomenal now have a surplus of £55,005. A significant role in organising another social highlight of portion of the Strictly monies were received the year, whilst generating a fantastic surplus post year end and it is expected that the club

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for the Club through ticket sales, ballot One recurring source of income is the Club proceeds and donations on the evening. Lotto scheme and this continued successfully during the year, with an average of c77 In addition, the Dinner Dance weekend saw individuals contributing on a monthly basis – the Club hold another Church Gate collection giving a very welcome net c.£2,700 to the Club at masses on St Brigid’s day at our local St Income (after ticket purchases). Many thanks Brigid’s chapel – which resulted in an to all patrons who continue to support the additional £2,000+ being raised. It certainly lotto – it is much appreciated. makes for a rewarding St Brigid’s weekend with the club raising over £6,500 from the We received Gift Aid refunds from HMRC of activities on one weekend. However this £3,265 during the year. This was the second impressive fundraising result is down on 2013 year of our new Senior football sponsorship year (where we raised a tremendous sum in with McGrady Insurance many thanks to them excess of £9,000) and this reflects a general for their continued support. trend in fundraising. Many thanks to Fr O’Donnell for facilitating the Club Mass and Over the last number of years it has been collection and to Gerry McKernan and his commented that the club appeared family for their considerable help with the increasingly unable to “connect” with the Church Gate collection. wider membership with regards to establishing regular fundraising events. It was The Summer Camps were as successful as ever with this in mind that the club set up a during the summer. Special thanks to Martin, “Strictly” fundraising committee to try and Anthony & Frank for their time and effort in emulate the success of the Bredagh GAC organising what are recognised as excellent function last year. Setting aside the financial Summer Camps. A significant amount of time success of the event the engagement with a and effort goes into these camps and they are wide cross section of the club was very rewarding to the Club both in creating a link encouraging and it is hoped to build on this between the Club coaches and the junior foundation in the years to come. I am players and also raising a substantial amount however slightly concerned that the success of of money for the club, a fact that becomes the “Strictly” event will lead to some increasingly important given the fall-off in complacency in relation to the operational other fundraising income. fundraising and while our membership continues to grow, giving added pressures on On fundraising, Pat O’Hagan put in a great expenditure for facilities and equipment the effort in selling tickets for the Croke Park operational cash income may not be sufficient sponsored annual draw. Pat was ably assisted to cover the requirements. by many club members in selling tickets and raised £3,420. Given there are no costs Expenditure associated with this draw, I know Pat is hoping The two major items of expenditure are to increase our sales in the coming year. The facilities and affiliation fees which account for club also sold a winning ticket this year and 57% of our expenditure during the year. the lucky winner received XXXXX I would ask, Whilst we have limited control over these given the real underlying financial expenses, the facilities costs decreased this performance of the club, that all members year reflecting increased maintenance costs assist Pat with selling tickets this year. on Harlequins in 2014, which had been underprovided for in previous years.

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The Insurance and affiliation costs shows an projects, and raising additional funds for decrease, as 2014 figures included an element further development at Musgrave such as of 2013 insurance cost and also significant facilities for the Hurlers.; medical expenses which have still not yet been refunded by the Croke Park Insurance and and Injury scheme although we have been informed the claim is currently being paid to - the ability to raise sufficient funds to us. The clubs insurance claims procedures meet our annual running costs. were modified last year to limit insurance costs falling back on the Club going forward. I am grateful to Marc Murphy FCA and James Higgins FCA for their help in vouching this Current Account year’s financial statements and I would again, Despite the overall surplus, the operational like to thank Martin McCarney for his help bank account (after removing the “strictly” during the year in collecting the membership cash) has decreased during the year, such that monies. Finally I would like to thank my we have a closing operational bank balances predecessor James Higgins who was of great of c. £2,641 at the year end. This decrease in help to me in explaining the intricacies of the the bank position is largely a result of the club accounts. capital loan repayments . Is Mise

Looking forward to the incoming year, two Declan Canavan core financial issues are An Cisteoir - the ability to raise capital funds in respect of the increased cash requirement to service the existing Musgrave capital

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