Officers / Sub-Committee’s Reports 2013 Gaeilge/Cultúr 2013 buíochas freisin to Pat O’ Callaghan (Taghmon- Camross), Chloe Kenny (Oulart-The Ballagh) and Bhí mé gnóthach go leor le dualgaisí an phoist i 2013 Domini Codd (Fethard) whose fine renditions of Amhrán ach bhí an táth liom go raibh roinnt mhaith daoine na bhFiann greatly enhanced match days. toilteanach cabhrú liom i rith na bliana. Míle buíochas dóibh go leir. Agus an méid sin ráite agam, caithfidh me admháil gur bhain mé taitneamh as bheith ag obair ar As regards Scór, I am pleased to relate that despite the son Cumann Lúthchleas Gael Loch Garman. Ba mhaith controversy surrounding the introduction of changes, our liom comhghairdeas a ghabháil le hoifigí an chontae as Scór committee can report increased interest and ucht an sár obair a dhéanann said go léir, o bhliain go participation, particularly in Scór na nÓg that is bliain agus ba mhaith liom freisin a thréaslú leis na currently underway. The recent co. semi-finals had over clubanna go léir as ucht na cluichí breá bríomhair a chuir 150 youngsters involved agus tá súil agam go mbeidh said ós ár gcomhair le linn 2013. sé mar an gcéanna le Scór Sinsir, in mí Feabhra. Following my election at last year’s Convention I invited Clubs are obliged to have an Irish/Cultural Officer and I some people to serve on my committee and I am truly would appeal to those office holders to endeavour to appreciative of their input to the various strands of my make some efforts, beag nó mór, to engage with me so brief. Tony Furlong, Jim Breen and Dominic Williams that together we may promote our native language, worked so diligently in researching and sourcing the culture, music and traditions. Bhí cruinniú specialta photographs (and arranging the mounting, framing and agam do na hoifigí sin ar an 17ú Deireadh Fomhair ach installation) of the thirty Wexford teams (minor to ní árdódh an tinreamh do chroí! Mar sin féin, bainfidh senior) that have achieved all-Ireland success. This mé triail eile as agus socróidh mé cruinniú eile san photographic display can be viewed in the entrance hall Earrach. of the G.A.A. office, in Wexford Park and it spans 120 years, from the 1893 All-Ireland Senior Football victory Ar aghaidh linn le chéile! of Selskar Young Irelands to the Senior Camogie 3-in- a-row, 2012. Added to that, if you visit the Canteen you Breda Jacob can view a selection of other historic photographs featuring personalities and events of Wexford’s glorious sporting past as well as a framed chart of the crests of Development Report all the clubs of Loch Garman. I ndáiríre, insíonn gach pictiúr scéal! I am pleased to say that this aspect of my Chairman: Gerard Carthy brief is a work in progress. Committee: Noel O’Keefe, Dave Ormonde, Seamus Whelan, Seamus Howlin, Mick Kinsella, Aidan Committee members, Jim Breen and Dominic Williams O’Connor, Darragh Ryan, Paddy Wickham, Tom also contributed well-researched articles to Co. Final O’Shea. programmes, recalling personalities and events of the past. Their scholarly input greatly enhanced the Meeting: 5 programmes and added to their value as collectors’ items. In my second year, I have come to fully appreciate the challenges that are faced by Wexford GAA. These Caithfidh mé buíochas a ghabháil freisin le Rúnaí agus challenges vary in range from financial issues to Leas-rúnaí Coiste na nÓg, Marion Doyle agus Angela achieving the best practice at coaching and games and McCormack on account of their very efficient promoting the Gaelic Athletic Association within County administration of the Gaeltacht Scholarship Scheme that Wexford. It is quite clear that there are a huge number was availed of by 14 déagóirí ón contae. of voluntary people in our clubs who work tirelessly on behalf of the Association and are in need of our support Aileen Kennedy (Cathaoirleach Scór) agus a deirfiúr, to allow them to continue the immense contribution they Aine (P.R.O. Scór) continued to work tirelessly make to their clubs, parishes and County. organising Scór activities and also agreed to serve on my Irish/Cultural Committee. They were instrumental in Our Committee has responsibility for the upkeep and organising Scór musicians to play Ceol Gaelach as maintenance of our County grounds, St. Patrick’s Park delegates arrived to attend Coiste na nÓg convention and Wexford Park and the implementation of the County 2012 and in the Canteen as refreshments were served on Strategic Plan. While a lot has been achieved in this the day of the Dublin/Wexford championship match. area, there is still a lot of work to do. A County (or club) They also encouraged and facilitated contestants to can never stand still and competitors pass you by. participate in the television series, Scór Encore. Míle 1 I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Meetings: 20 members of my Committee who were of great assistance The above Committee was tasked with bringing this to me, as were Michael Reynolds (Leinster Council) and much needed facility to a successful conclusion within the entire club Officers whom I dealt with throughout the financial limits that this Association finds itself in. the year. From the Project team’s inceptions, it has been a long and hard road with a lot of time spent trying to get a Leinster Council Grants handle on the project, however, 2013 has brought this The level of facilities in place in clubs continues to grow Project to a new level with the completion of the and all work has been completed to a very high standard. construction of four state of the art pitches with the Clubs must be complimented for continuing to put infrastructure in place for the flood light systems. Kevin wonderful facilities in place in this very testing Kehoe must come in for praise for his and his company’s economic climate. Unfortunately, the level of financial outstanding workmanship. These are due to be installed assistance available through grants has lessened in recent in the coming months. Tenders for the construction of years. Furthermore, grant applications are now the dressing room complex have been opened and we thoroughly examined at Leinster Council level. Clubs envisage that a Contractor will be appointed prior to this now have to ensure that all documentation attached to year’s County Convention. the application strictly complies with the guidelines laid down. Also, clubs must plan in advance for grants, In an overview, 12 months ago the Project had shown no therefore, any club who wishes to complete work and signs of coming to fruition due to various issues. receive grant assistance in 2015, must have their However, in 2013 we have seen the Project go from an documentation submitted before May 1 st 2014. underdeveloped green field site to a state of the art centre of excellence. A place that Wexford GAA can be proud St. Patrick’s Park / Wexford Park of. St. Patrick’s Park: The New Year saw the installation of a new 500 seater stand to provide cover for supporters I would like to take this opportunity to thank both the and give some comfort to our paying customers without County Grounds Committee and the Centre of whom the Association would be unable to function. Excellence Project team all the contractors that have There has been some minor works carried out to worked on the Centre of Excellence development and Patrick’s Park following on from the installation of a indeed all of our facilities. new turnstile, revamp and painting of existing dressing rooms and some plastering of existing walls including In 2013 we lost one of Wexford GAA’s larger than life the long awaited signage in 2012 while also delivering characters, Michael Lynch. Having given a lifetime of an excellent playing surface. This is in line with Stage 3 service as Groundsman in St. Patrick’s Park, he will be of the Strategic Plan and our Committee is to be sorely missed for his directness, honesty and above all complimented for their vision in this regard. his wit. However, the Lynch name lives on in St. Patrick’s Park through his son, Michael Junior, who has Wexford Park taken up the position that his father coveted for so many Wexford Park has received substantial investment in our years. endeavour to deliver an excellent playing surface in our flagship stadium, but I would have to state that this is a Ní Neart go Cur le Cheile. work in progress and I would ask the members of our Association to be patient in this regard. It has received Gerard Carthy a lot less usage over the past year, the reason for this Development Officer being that we are endeavouring to achieve the high quality playing surface which our players deserve. The Dressing Rooms were also revamped back in 2012 and we are in the process of painting the stand seats. Club and County Planning Report I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff of Vice Chairman : Micheál Martin Wexford Park for their dedication and hard work during 2013. Club Officer Training & Volunteer Recruitment For the third year in a row, a development night for club Wexford Centre of Excellence – Ferns officers was held. This year’s event, held on February Project Team: Gerard Carthy, Bobby Goff, Derek Kent, 5th , had Liam Sheedy from Tipperary as guest speaker. Anthony Neville, Michael Mahon, Projects Manager, Liam gave a passionate speech on the importance of Dave Tobin, Quanitity Surveyor. keeping the club at the heart of the community, recounting his own experiences with Portroe.