DOWN COUNTY GAA 2019 ANNUAL CONVENTION TURASCAIL AN RUNAÍ 2019 Secretaries Report to Annual Down GAA County Convention 1 www.DownGAA.net #OfficialDownGAA DOWN COUNTY GAA ANNUAL CONVENTION 2019 2 TURASCAIL AN RUNAÍ 2019 At this time of the year County than in the direction of what is right. This is where passion is masked in a Secretary’s throughout the Country I have been very proud of the values red mist of anger and vitriol, yes, we reflect in their annual report on how that Down GAA espoused over the want people to be passionate about their County has performed in the decades, values that served us well our games, but we want it to be in a GAA world in 2019. We do so in a even in the most difficult of times in positive vein. No one should have to twin fashion looking firstly at our our nation’s history. We as a County leave our games because they are County within and then at the GAA, and our people have always had feeling intimidated by those around it is as if we have x-ray glasses as we backbone, we have had dignity, them, that is something that has scrutinise and examine, we probe honesty, humility and compassion belonged in other sports and not in and we ponder, it is what we do. and we have always acted in a the world of the GAA. There should The objective is too for critical manner that was right for our be no difference in how people analysis on a range of matters and Association. behave in the stand or on the to create debate and hopefully to Sideline at a GAA match than they stir the passions of those who take In the summer of 2019, I think our would do so in their place of work, the time to read the writings of a moral compass went off in a their homes or amongst their Rúnaí Coiste Chontae. My report different direction and showed a friends, a GAA match should not be this year will be no different, very different side of how we should the opportunity for someone to hopefully it will provide a critique of treat people. Respect for the person vent all of their frustrations on how we performed internally and sitting beside you or in front of you those in close proximity to the contribute to debates that are at a Club Game went out the extent that people feel they have to ongoing nationally. window as emotion and passion leave our venues and leave them in were channelled in a negative tears. I have often said that the greatest direction. Respect for your asset the GAA has is its people and I opponent was cast aside as we Similarly there must be respect firmly believe that is particularly moved in a direction of who could shown to those who play our true in County Down. This year in cast the biggest derogatory and games, we are all part of the GAA Down we lost some outstanding hurtful insult to their direct Family and is it necessary that on people in the Club and County opponent, knowing that this would occasions that we stoop to lows of scene, people called far too early to unnerve them and cause upset, directing hurtful comments to our their eternal reward and I will their focus would shift from the direct opponents as a means of dedicate a section of my report to game to a painful time in their lives gaining an advantage in a game? those great people. and the perpetrator would gain an This win at all cost’s mentality is advantage and his team would win. being instilled in players at all levels, Yet in how we treat people I feel Respect for our Match Officials also there is a fine line in this mentality that we need to return to the values reached a low level this year with a and when that fine line is crossed, that helped make our Association serious physical assault and we are left to wonder has that win the great body that it is, and which numerous instances of verbal been worth all that it involved. sets us apart as not just a sporting abuse. Indeed, we seem to live in a Clubs have a responsibility to ensure body but the cultural heartbeat of a society now where verbal abuse of that the players who go out to nation. Values are by definition: the those in any post of responsibility represent their Club are aware of regard that something is held to is an acceptable norm and is the values of the Club and that deserve, the importance, worth or especially directed towards when they transgress and are in usefulness of something, they are volunteers. Would it be the norm in breach of the values of the Club, one’s judgement of what is any of our Homes? then the Club will uphold and important in life, a person’s support any sanction imposed. principles or standards of That’s where I feel that our values behaviour. need to be reaffirmed, it is So, I believe that we in Down GAA unacceptable that in 2019, mothers need to refocus on Respect, and So, in 2019 how important were watching their son play in a match, respect for all our people, either values in the world of Down GAA, feel that they have to walk out of supporters, opponents on the field, did we put our values above a win Pairc Esler because of the abuse Club and County Officials, Match at all costs attitude, has our moral being directed towards their son, by Officials. We are not asking that you compass been turned in the people sitting beside them but who must like everyone, but you must direction of need and must rather are followers of their opponents. show respect to the position that 3 www.DownGAA.net #OfficialDownGAA the person might have within our Pairc Esler and there was a great used by especially those looking Association. We want people to atmosphere about the Mayo game. from outside to see how healthy the enjoy participation in our games as Newry was alive on that Saturday, GAA is in your County. The County players, as managers, as coaches, as footfall in the local Shopping Teams are what attracts referees, as administrators, as Centres was increased and all in all sponsorship and much needed parents and as supporters, we want there was an economic dividend for financial support into the County them to value their part in the the city of Newry that economic and in respect we have been very family that is Down GAA. Let us say spin off makes it easier for Down lucky at a time when our fortunes that in 2020 enough is enough and GAA to knock doors in the business are not as high as we would wish, reaffirm our commitment in every community and seek sponsorship. that we can attract Blue Chip club and in every dressing room in Sponsorship in the form of EOS I.T our County to Respect those around The rescheduling of the Under 20 Solutions. us and return to the values that Competition now to February is I made us the County that we are, a feel a decision that is The reality is though that if we County respected throughout the incompressible, a decision taken want to continue to enjoy the GAA world for doing the right thing. because some counties could just preparations and lifestyle of a not manage their Team County with Super 8 and Joe Moving to the direction of the GAA Managements and the schedules McDonagh Cup ambitions then we nationally I am very concerned that they wished to implement. In a have to have success on the field. about the dilution of the Inter County like Down where our second Promotion in football and hurling County Calendar to I believe the level schools will most likely be in 2020 has to be a requirement, detriment of many young men who involved competitively in February we have to set targets and we have will no longer get the opportunity to and possibly into March, then to achieve them. As administrators play Inter County Football or reality is that some people will not we have to ensure that the Hurling. Down is a County who has a get the chance to play Inter County environment for success is in place well-oiled Club programme of football in 2020. We are once again both on and off the field, after that fixtures in Football and Hurling. making life difficult for the player, it is up to players and management, we are saying he can train with the there has too to be accountability We set out our calendar at the start Under 20s but not play as long as his and in 2020 we have to deliver in of a year in agreement with our school is involved in competition, terms of promotion from Division 3 Clubs, in 2020 our Senior Football what school focusing on the of the Football League and from Clubs will have 18 League games MacRory or McLarnon Cup is going Division 2B of the Hurling League. and a Minimum of 2 Championship to allow a player to train with the No Down Team in my term as games, in Divisions 3 and 4 the County. It is a ludicrous suggestion Secretary and I know in the years players will get more games.