DOWN G.A.A. Annual Convention 2015

Cumann Lúthchleas Gael an Dúin Comhdháil Bhliantúil 2015 Óstan Chúirt na Canála An t-Iúr Céadaoin, 16ú Nollaig 2015 7.30 i.n

2015 Annual Convention DOWN COUNTY GAA in CANAL COURT HOTEL WEDNESDAY 16th DECEMBER 2015

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www.DownGAA.net Or Facebook & Twitter: 1 www.DownGAA.net #OfficialDownGAA

DOWN COUNTY GAA ANNUAL CONVENTION 2015 2

Clár Oibre – Agenda 5

Gnáthrialacha / Standing Orders 5

Minutes Of Down County Convention 2014 6

Turascail An Runai 2015 8

Tuarascail Runai Coiste Cheannais Na Gcomortaisi 34

An Coiste Pleanala Agus Forbartha Fisiciula / Planning & Physical Development 36

Public Relations, Marketing And Information Technology Committee 40

Coiste Oiliuna Agus Forbairt Na Gcluichi / Coaching and Games Development 42

Coiste Chontae An Dúin / Tuarascáil Gaeilge Agus Cultúir 50

Nominations 54

Motions/Recommendations 56

Deceased Members 60

Notaí 62

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CUMANN LÚTHCHLEAS GAEL COISTE CHONTAE AN DÚIN

46 Main Street, Castlewellan, Co Down BT31 9DP

3ú Nollaig 2015

A Chairde,

Tionólfar an Chomhdháil Bhliantuil in Óstan Chúirt na Canála, Dé Céadaoin 16ú Nollaig, 2015 ag toiseacht ar bhuile 7.30. i.n.

Tá cead freastail ag beirt thoscaire ó gach cumann. Gheobhaidh tú dhá chóip de Thuarascáil an Rúnai agus den Chlár.

The County Convention will be held in the Canal Court Hotel, Newry on Wednesday 16th December 2015 commencing at 7.30pm.

Your club is entitled to be represented by two delegates plus your county board representative.

Three copies of the Secretary's Report, and Agenda are enclosed.

There will be a hot buffet available from 6.30pm for delegates.

Mise Ie mor-mheas,

Sean Og Mac an tSaoirr Sean Og Mac an tSaoir Rúnai Chontae An Dúin

DOWN COUNTY GAA ANNUAL CONVENTION 2015 4

CLÁR OIBRE - AGENDA

1. Amhrán na bhFiann

2. Minutes of Previous Convention

3. Adoption of Standing Orders

4. Chairman's Address

5. Secretary's Report

6. Treasurer's Report

7. Adoption of Sub-Committee Reports

8. Election of Officers and County Representatives

9. Formal Elections of:  Chairperson and Secretary of the Divisional Committees

 Representatives' of the Clubs

A Representative of each of the following Committees  County Handball Committee

 County Primary Schools Committee

 County Post - Primary Schools Committee

10. Motions and Recommendations

11. Official launch of Down GAA Yearbook ‘A Review of 2015’

RIALACHA SEASTA / STANDING ORDERS:

1. The proposer of a Resolution or an Amendment may speak for five minutes.

2. A delegate speaking to a Resolution or an amendment must not exceed three minutes.

3. The proposer of a resolution or an amendment may speak for a second time for three minutes, before a vote is taken, but no other delegate may speak a second time to the same resolution or amendment.

4. The Chairman may at any time he considers a matter has been sufficiently discussed, call on the proposer for a reply and when that has been given, a vote must be taken.

5. A delegate may, with the consent of the Chairman, move that "the question be now put", after which, when the proposer has spoken, a vote must be taken.

6. Standing orders shall not be suspended for the purpose of considering any matter not on the Agenda, except by the consent of a majority equal to two - thirds of those present and entitled to vote and voting.

7. A Speaker to the Secretary’s Report/Sub Committee reports or to any other general discussion shall not exceed three minutes on any one topic.

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MINUTES OF DOWN COUNTY CONVENTION 2014

The Down County Convention was Seamus paid tribute to those were adopted on the proposal of held on Wednesday 17th December players who have retired from Inter Sean Lennon and seconded by 2014 in the Canal Court Hotel County duty and commended the Tommy Kelly. In relation to the Newry. efforts made by all who wear the reports Donal McCormack A Hot buffet was served at 6.30pm Red and Black. expressed his disappointment that and the Convention began at there had been no Youth 7.30pm. In relation to CCC there were Conference and was dismayed at incidents that took place in 2014 the demise of the Youth Board. The deceased Gaels of 2014 were and these were unacceptable. With Diarmuid Cahill in reply urged Clubs remembered with a minutes silence regard to our fixtures we need to be to identify people who could fill the prior to the Convention. imaginative and we need to be roles. James Magennis requested positive about the good work that that a hard copy of the Lamhleabhar The Minutes of the 2013 we do undertake. Seamus urged be produced in 2015. The Health Convention were proposed by respect amongst our Clubs and the and Wellbeing policy was adopted Johnny McConville and seconded by leaders within the Clubs need to set on the proposal of Dan McCartan Donal McCormack. the standards, in 2015 we need to and seconded by Johnny McConville. Standing orders were proposed by all act with integrity. Tony Burden and seconded by Johnny McConville. In conclusion Seamus thanked our TREASURER’S REPORT Sponsors for their continued Mr Darragh Cotter from Daly Park THE CHAIRMAN’S ADDRESS support and thanked the Clubs for and Company was present and in a giving him the opportunity to have new departure all the reports had County Chairman Seamus Walsh served as County Chairman. He also been circulated to delegates in paid tribute to the members of thanked his family for their support advance. Emmett Haughian asked Coiste Bainisti for the work that at all times and wished all Clubs for an update on the situation with they have undertaken over the past every success in 2015. regard to Burrenbridge seeking year. Seamus also acknowledged clarification on whether the project the work done by all of our Team was now concluded. Michael Managements and in particular SECRETARY’S REPORT Monaghan expressed concern that thanked James McCartan for his The report of the Runaí was the creditors appeared to have efforts over the past five years. On adopted by the members and there increased on last year’s figures. the Club front the Chairman were only two comments. Kevin Loughran asked about the congratulated Cumann Pheadair practice of offsetting and whether Naofa and Portaferry on their Dan Morgan was disappointed that this was working in relation to Club success in the Club there had been no finances. Championships and wished them acknowledgement of the success of well in their All campaigns. Liatroim Minor Hurlers in winning the County title whilst Donal Brendan Fitzpatrick thanked Darragh for the presentation of the The ongoing work in our schools McCormack commended the Accounts and thanked Seamus Ryan was commended and in particular Secretary on an excellent report. and Diarmuid Cahill for their the work undertaken in relation to assistance all year. the Down Mageean Cup Team. The various other subcommittees

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ELECTION OF OFFICERS The following were elected: Motion 4 from Darragh Cross  Chairperson  Central Council Delegate In relation to the International Rules Sean Rooney Seamus Walsh Series was carried. Mayobridge Dundrum

 Vice Chairperson  Delegates to Ulster Convention MOTIONS TO ULSTER John Devaney Sean Rooney CONVENTION Bredagh Sean Og McAteer The motion in the name of the Seamus Walsh  Treasurer County Committee with regard to Maureen O’Higgins Brendan Fitzpatrick ground rent was carried. Brendan Fitzpatrick Bryansford William Smith  Assistant Treasurer COUNTY BYE LAW CHANGES Diarmuid Cahill  Delegates to Congress The Clonduff proposals relating to An Riocht Diarmuid Cahill the membership of the County Maureen O’Higgins  Coaching Officer Referees Administration Committee Brendan Fitzpatrick Tom Potter and the promotion of young

Drumaness referees were all carried.

 Development Officer MOTIONS TO GAA The CPN proposals to amend the Maureen O’Higgins Bye Laws in relation to the CONGRESS Liatroim appointment of a Officer Motion 1 from Annaclone was proposed by Donal McCormack  Irish and Cultural Officer In relation to facilities in Croke Park and adopted to come into place for Paula Magee Sean Rooney outlined that such 2016. Provision has already been Mayobridge power has already been given to made for the appointment of a Ard Comhairle and this will be  PRO Hurling Development Committee looked at in 2016 by Ard Comhairle. Paul Rooney and this Committee will be in place Mayobridge for 2016. Motion 2 from CPN  Ulster Council Delegate That Rule 2.6 (f) T.O 2014 Part 2 be Michael McArdle The Convention concluded with the removed was proposed by Donal Drumgath singing of Amhrán na bFiann. McCormack and was carried.  Ulster Council Delegate William Smith Motion 3 from CPN Glasdrumman To amend the playing rules in relation to the hand pass was defeated.

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TURASCAIL AN RUNAÍ 2015 The Year that Was. about personal abuse of its prominence of people who are as It is often remarked that the darkest volunteers for such a mechanism to happy to be reporting from the hour is just before the dawn and if refer to itself as gaaboard.com is a Aviva, Ravenhill or Windsor Park as that is to hold true then there will total misuse and abuse of the term they would be from Pairc Esler or be a great dawn for Down GAA in GAA and all that it stands for. the . The ethos of 2016 and beyond. There is no doubt Similarly the use of a forum Hogan the GAA which has stood us well that there was much darkness in Stand besmirches the memory of since our founding in 1884 is not Down GAA from the month of June Michael Hogan a man who gave his something of interest to these onwards, the prophets of doom and life for the freedom of our nation in people what is more important is gloom were in their element and the belief that we were building a sensationalism, rumour and they found plenty of organs to vent better future. innuendo. their gloom.

The continued use by our detractors The meetings of the Down County The constant negativity over a of these forums to have cheap and Committee were now in 2015 being number of weeks during the vindictive shots at our called by the media, they were summer months directed towards administrators is indeed despicable deciding when the Down GAA in no doubt took its toll and should not be tolerated or Committee was going to meet. It on the efforts of those Officers in condoned in any shape or form. In was farcical as they bandied names key positions within the this summer these forums sunk to about at will and prepared their Administration. What was not new depths of personal abuse readers for imminent factored into the equation was that directed against Senior Officers of announcements that were going to these administrators are made of our County, unfortunately these take place at meetings that were stern stuff, they are committed and forums then entered the lives of our not even scheduled to be held. This dedicated GAA people who only families and loved ones and caused was hardly good journalism, there want to give of their time selflessly only heartache and annoyance for was no evidence of checking with in the cause of Down GAA. They volunteers trying to do their best for official sources within Down GAA no opened their shoulders and they Down GAA. indeed better to speak to some had the courage of their convictions unnamed source within the County to make decisions and to stand by No thought was given by these who knows more after all than any their decisions doing things in the “Keyboard Warriors” as to the officer of the County. Indeed for one right manner and for the right degree of truth to any of their journalist to refer to the Down reasons. postings or malicious Senior Team Managers job as a

scaremongering that they were “poisoned chalice” showed a basic Did we make mistakes? Yes in some engaged in. No thought was given to ignorance of Down GAA and what cases we did and in the future we the hurt that might be felt by people the job of managing a County Team will all make mistakes at varying to whom posts of a threatening and in particular the Down team stages of our lives better to have nature were posted online all from means to many many people. lived and tried than never even to behind the cloak of anonymity. The have made the effort.There are people and officers who I work From Barney Carr in 1959 Down indeed lessons to be learned from with in Down GAA are all people have only had 14 other County all of the experiences of this who give willingly of their time to Team Managers over a total of 56 summer the challenge is to learn try and once again make Down years and indeed amongst that and to change what needs to be great again, will they be the people illustrious line up Seán Smith and changed, to feel the fear and do it to succeed? We do not know but James McCartan senior actually anyway, to be positive and to hang what I do know is that it will not be managed the Team on two different out our brightest colours even in for the want of their efforts and it occasions. The Down Managers job our darkest hours. will be in spite of our detractors. is a great honour and in 2016 we go

forward with a man at the helm of We must be positive going forward The media I also felt was very the stature of Eamonn Burns who we cannot be dragged down by the imbalanced in its treatment of recognises fully the honour that anonymous barbs of people who Down GAA over those summer there is in taking on this job and hide behind boards that by their months and really I think we were who only wants to give of his best very names bring shame on our witnessing the demise of the GAA like those other 15 people before great organisation. The GAA is not journalist and the coming to him. DOWN COUNTY GAA ANNUAL CONVENTION 2015 8

So now we go forward we put 2015 County Teams and all that it entailed behind us, we Last year in my report to Hare found the back of the net. hang out our brightest colours and Convention I welcomed the Kilcoo man Paul Devlin was sound we say that Down GAA is open for appointment of Jim McCorry as our finding his range and his two late business and it’s a case of onwards New County Senior Football Team points saw us safely home by 1-12 and upwards. We have work to do Manager and looked forward to to 0-11. On a real winters night in and now we need people to row in what we hoped would be a year Newry Down continued their behind us the dawn is close at hand when the famine for a Provincial pattern of starting games well and and in GAA terms Down are the one Title would end. The playing season inside 55seconds Conor Laverty had county in Ireland who when they in fact would end with us in Down the ball in the UUJ net and despite get momentum behind them a road GAA looking for a new Manager for the best efforts of the students opens up. We have a Mourne both our Senior and Minor Down went on to win on a score line Academy in place, we have a Footballers; this had not been on of 1-13 to 1-7. pathway for our future, we want to our agenda for 2016. We now go be successful and working together forward under the leadership of There was to be no Dr McKenna Cup that success will happen. Eamonn Burns at Senior Level and title for Down in 2015 as the focus James McCartan at Minor Level and now turned to a journey to I appeal to all of those who we still carry the hope that the Newbridge where we were to meet genuinely have an interest in Down search for Provincial honours will Kildare and renew old rivalries. The GAA to put their shoulder to the come to an end in the summer of optimists amongst us thought back wheel, we are an Open Door, we 2016. to 2010 and a same fixture and a want your help, and there are new manager could we dare to many areas where your help would The Dr McKenna Cup campaign dream the dream again. With be of great benefit to our County. began with a home tie against seconds left in the game Down fans So push that door open further and Cavan on January 4th and although were feeling they were going to come on in, support our initiatives, we started brightly two Martin have no joy in Newbridge, they give us your ideas, play your part in Reilly goals were to deny Jim a were probably content that this was making our County great again, winning start in his new role. Next a work in progress and that the Down GAA our strength is in our up was a trip to Clones to meet the team had tried hard, they didn’t Unity Ag Obair le Chéile. Provincial champions Monaghan however bargain on a stirring finish. and here Down supporters were Kildare leading by three points as hardly in their seats when Donal O we entered the final seconds were 9 www.DownGAA.net

rocked back when Arthur and perhaps should have been out disappointing day and once again a McConville palmed a ball that had of sight but for some marvellous Down journey to Croke Park ended come off the crossbar to the net and goalkeeping by Stephen Kane. in defeat, we had not now won in then followed a long range point Indeed the men from the west were Croke Park since that great day from Paul Devlin followed by as left scratching their heads as to how against Kildare in 2010. It was one quickly as the kick out a goal from they had lost this game, Donal O of those days when you knew this is Donal O Hare. The journey home Hare got the revival going when he not going to be our day, Mark was filled with optimism and those converted a penalty at the second Poland got accidentally hurt in the Down fans who had headed for the attempt and four minutes into injury warm up and then into the first half exits early had missed a great finish time Paul Devlin lofted over a free Brendan McArdle was sent off in a and yes we did dare to dream that and Down were victors 1-17 to 1-16. decision that had us all baffled. something great was a foot. Once again though the physical The tails were up as the team then strength of Roscommon dominated Saturday night in Pairc Esler is headed for in Mullingar us and we were beaten on a score always a special night for Down GAA and for the third game in a row line of 1-17 to 0-15 the worry was fans and the visit of Roscommon on Donal O Hare found his goal scoring though that deficiencies were 7th February was greeted with touch as Down led from beginning appearing in our style of play and optimism after the victory in to end in a comprehensive victory in certain areas of our Team that Newbridge. Roscommon were on a score of 2-17 to 0-1. Other would ultimately cost us in the physically stronger than Down and results were now pushing Down summer. we were treated to a taste of reality towards the top of the table and when the men from the West with two games left promotion was If any County did more for the headed for home with a 4 point a possibility. Meath were the tourist industry in Derry than Down victory. Once again Arthur visitors to Newry on a wet Saturday in 2015 I would like to talk to them. McConville had been the goal scorer night and like in the game against For the record our County Teams but the handicap of playing the last Roscommon Down left their best played in Celtic Park three times 24 minutes with only 14 men was form behind them and a physically this year and in Owenbeg on four too much for Down and in reality we stinger Meath Team had too much occasions and we all know that the did not deserve to win. power for Down. A seven point Down supporter is good for the defeat was the order of the night in local economy. So it was to Celtic The visit to Kingspan Newry and Down could have no Park now that our Senior coincided with GAA Congress in complaints it now meant that the Footballers headed for on the first Cavan and the inauguration of next game v Laois had to be won to Sunday in June to meet up with Aogan O Fearghail as President of guarantee promotion. Derry in the Quarter Final of the the GAA but a Donal O Hare late Provincial Championship. The goal on a wet wet night ensured Laois came to Newry to try and summer always brings optimism for that the celebrations were not going prevent Down getting promotion Down fans year on year since 94 we to extend to the playing field. Down but two first half goals from the have hoped to dream that a showed great character and Kilcoo duo of Conor Laverty and Provincial Title might come our way commitment in harsh conditions as Paul Devlin set Down on their way and each year our supporters have they got back to winning ways and to what at one stage looked like a travelled in that hope, some years as people of a different generation comfortable victory. Though over that hope has been dashed on day will tell you Breffni Park is no easy the years we have learned that One and other times like in 2003 place to win in. Down teams don’t do things the and 2012 we have lived the dream easy way and it was a nervy finish as up to a Provincial Final. Now a The visit next of Galway to Pairc Down held on to win by three whole generation of Down Esler on a Sunday afternoon saw points. followers have not witnessed Down Danny Commins the grandson of a winning in Clones on Ulster Final former Down great the late Patsy O In Jim McCorry’s first year day, they know nothing of the joy it Hagan come to ply his wares for the promotion had been achieved and brings other than watching with Tribesmen. Down and Galway Down were now back in Croke Park envy as our neighbours and our games in the past have always been for an Allianz League Final and competitors in the have exciting encounters and always things were looking positive as the lifted the Anglo Celt Cup. provided plenty of scores. This game team headed to London for a was no different and by half time training camp. The Division Two Galway led by 6 points and could Final against Roscommon was a

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Celtic Park on June 7th 2015 was I am absolutely clear in conscious my introduction that the success again one of those days when the that we delivered on all requests; we seek will only come from within dream ended on day one and again we facilitated everything that was that is the challenge we face, do a harsh sending off was to play its within our power to do so from the the Down players want that part when Conail McGovern was installation of floodlights at the success as much as many sent off early in the second half. The Abbey to a training camp at London supporters do or is success 14 men fought hard but Irish grounds in London. We do something that they could take or inexperience in front of goal cost us support always our County Teams leave? dear and seven bad wides were and I for one would not have it any regretted as we lost out by the other way, they are our Shop In the light of all of the events of the narrowest of margins and once Window, when people look to judge past year perhaps we all need to again we were out of the Ulster the strength of the GAA in Down look ourselves in the Mirror and ask Championship. they look firstly to how our County ourselves are we happy with what Football Team did in any given year. looks back at us. The Qualifiers set us on the road to That support given to Team Wexford Park for only a second ever Management by the County At Under 21 Football level we meeting between Down and Committee has been lost in the continue to disappoint, the effort is Wexford in the Championship. Our translation of events that transpired there seemingly with 44 sessions record on the road in the Qualifiers from the 20th of August. I found Jim taking place before we played Derry once again came back to haunt us McCorry very good to work with in Celtic Park. There is no doubting and in a most disappointing display and I have to say that his decision to that every effort was made by the Down were comprehensively resign came as a shock to me as I Team Management of Frank beaten on a score line of 2-16 to 2- had been in contact with him every Dawson, Paddy Murray and 11 and the truth was that we were day that week arranging meetings Brendan Mason to ensure that the worse by more than 5 points, we and putting plans in place that he best talent in the County took the meekly left the stage of the All requested for 2016. I would like to field against Derry. The fact is we Ireland series. Those Down publicly thank Jim and his were always chasing the game, a supporters who made that long Management Team for the job they bad start ensured that we were journey to Wexford and there were did in 2015 and for the courtesy playing catch up and too many many, made the journey home shown to me at all times. wrong options taken near to goal disappointed and frustrated by the meant that Derry were winners of whole experience. Last Year in my report I also had a this preliminary round game. message for our Senior Footballers That defeat took place on the 27th of when I said What is consistent is Within Down I think we need to look June and on the 20th of August in a that to be a successful Inter County again at my proposal of last year to phone call to our County Chairman Footballer you must have play a one round Reserve league Jim McCorry resigned as Team commitment and dedication, it is with an Under 21 League on the Manager. His reign had lasted just not an A La Carte menu, there is no alternative Sunday, we need to 11months and had come to a room for holidays or weekends address the loss of players between disappointing end. Much has been away in a playing season that is 18 and 21, this I feel might help written since and the Down County already in the public domain address the issue. We would be Committee and in particular the twelve months in advance. If you creating I believe a greater pool of County Executive has been are privileged to be part of a Down players available for selection and castigated for the way that this panel in 2015 then you must be with a change in the timing of the whole business was handled. I do prepared to commit for as long as competition we should be able to not propose to get in to any tit for the Red and Black is to the fore. ensure that more than 13 teams tat debate we have kept our counsel compete in the competition. We on the matter and I believe that was You must be prepared to stay the need to think outside of the box it is the right course of action. I do course, to make the sacrifices, you no longer acceptable to just pigeon though wish to make just some cannot dip in and out of training, hole the competition to start at the general points firstly Down County you have a responsibility to those end of October and in 2016 with the Committee provided everything that players who are training with you, Adult Leagues expected to start was asked for by the Team a panel must become like a earlier then we have an opportunity Management from the very first day brotherhood there must be a bond to alternate between Reserve and of their appointment up until the that says we are Down and we are Under 21 earlier in the year. 20th of August. all in this together. I said earlier in

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At National Level the debate has At present it is also a good age to be quotes less is more. commenced with regard to the representing one’s County on the proposals of the Ard Stiurthóir to do stage before your Senior Footballers Training schedules must not be away with the Inter County Under it is nearly like a coming of Age. So I about the Physio, the Caterer, the 21 Competition and indeed it is a would favour keeping Inter County Team Management, the Video debate worth having. There is no Minor at 18 and I would try to be Analyst and how many sessions doubt that our players at this age creative about Under 21, if we were each can clock up to ensure their level cannot possibly serve all the going to do away with the football worth, it has to be about the masters that they are expected to competition, Could we say that in players and their welfare. If we and if everyone has to give a bit in our panels for the pre season were to manage the amount of terms of compromise then that is provincial competitions that we training sessions properly then we what we have to do. must have a specified number of might not have the same issues players under the age of 21? that we have around burn out and I share the concern that moving player fatigue, the onus is on the Minor at Inter County Level to If the debate succeeds and we go County to take charge to say yes or Under 17 leaves a big gap through with Minor at Inter County being no. to Senior Inter County if we have Under 17 then we do need nothing in between. I probably have something at either Under 20 or In my report last year I stated that a bigger fear that Minor at Inter Under 21 on a County basis to Minor Football can be a cruel world County should go to 17, this is still a bridge the gap and look at the and indeed in Celtic Park this year very young age to put the full onus timing of and the scheduling of an that once again rang out to be true. of representing your County on the Under 20 or 21 competitions. In the second half of the game we shoulders of young men, I for one had dragged ourselves back into the would still keep Inter County Minor County’s must take responsibility game and indeed were in the at 18, I am not convinced by the ultimately for player welfare, a ascendancy where three horrible arguments to go to 17. County Committee must be strong minutes changed the game and two enough to say to a Team goals in quick succession meant we At 18 our young men are starting to Management when they see a were on our way out of the be exactly that Young Men, they are training schedule that is too Championship. A whole season can voting, they are in most cases demanding and not to the benefit turn on just a couple of minutes and driving, some are working, some are of the player. After all it is a County a whole world can turn on just a in education, and they have started Team, it doesn’t belong to any wrong judgement call. to thrive in their own ways on Individual Coach or Manager, this is responsibility and all that that about the betterment of our players It is hard to believe that it is 1999 brings. for as one good friend of mine often since we won an Ulster Minor

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Football Title; we need to get back we must now rise again and look to out saw us journey to Newbridge to creating the ethos of winning at 2016. The visits to Newry of and here a physically stronger this level. Later in my report I will Donegal, Kerry and Dublin are Kildare team had six points to spare address the Consultative Process mouth watering ties in Division One over Down and reality was that we and matters that have arisen from around the corner on the 5th of June were now fighting for second place that which I hope will deliver await Monaghan in Clones sure in in the table and the hope of positive outcomes for us as a 2016 we want to be able to say it’s meeting Kildare again in a League County and in particular with regard great to be a Down Fan. Final. to our Under Age Development Process. Let us rally and show the country The first Sunday in March saw us that Down Football is alive and head to Mayo and the wheels were I would like to place on record my well, that talk of its demise are ill back on the wagon with a 2-21 to 0- personal thanks to Shane conceived and that once again the 15 victory the journey home did not Mulholland and his management Red and Black can rise to the top. Is seem so long. Two weeks later team of Cathal Rushe, Brendan an Ulster Title the stuff of Dreams? Donegal were visitors to Grant, Anthony McNamee, Peter I know not that answer but I do and the gulf between the Teams Travers and Shane Fitzpatrick for know that come the 5th of June and was apparent with Down having 14 the work that they did over the past 2.00pm in Clones, Down will be points to spare at McKenna Park. two years with the County Minor ready, supporters will be behind Football Squad. I hope that time will the Team and well we will dare to The place in the league final was all be a good healing process and dream. An Dún Abu. going to be decided in the last game whilst I know these men will not be when we were visitors once again to lost to the GAA, I do hope that they When we look at the hurling season Trim. In recent years Down hurlers will in time return to help their we can only but feel disappointment have played a lot of games at this County in whatever way that might on many fronts our star definitely County Meath venue and in truth it be asked of them in the future. has waned and we need to look at has not been a happy hunting where we really are in terms of Inter ground. This visit was to be no The name McCartan is synonymous County hurling. There is and only better and going into the game we with Down football and it was with can be one objective for 2016 and knew that if in a worst case scenario great pleasure that we were able to that is to win Division 2B and thus we were beaten we just had to announce the appointment of gain promotion, in a nut shell make sure that we were not beaten James McCartan as County Minor nothing less will do. by more than nine points. Down Football Team Manager. hurlers though don’t make it easy As a County Committee we have and having gone behind the When Down come calling it is in the invested greatly in our County emphasis was to go for goals and McCartan gene to respond in the Teams and rightly so we have the outcome was that we lost a positive and in 2015 it was no always tried to treat both codes game by ten points! If only we had different when we asked James to with fairness and parity, we are as steadied ourselves and converted take this role, he is only following in committed to success for our some of those chances into points. the great tradition of giving inspired hurlers as we are for our footballers. first by his grandfather Briney and Now a bit like my call in relation to One factor which raised its head then continued by his own father football for us all to look in the again in the defeat was the lack of James and his Uncle Dan. You mirror the same call must be made physical strength in our team, cannot buy the values that the with regard to hurling as members Meath were able to in instances just McCartan’s bring to the table of of the Down Senior Hurling Panel shrug the Down players aside, Gym Down football and this is a are you happy with our current Inter work will need to be done in wonderful opportunity for our County Status? 2015/16 if there is to be a tangible young players to gain from the reward for the efforts. tutelage of a man who was the In 2015 Michael Johnston had taken outstanding Minor and Colleges up the reigns as Team Manager and There is no doubt that Down player of his generation. we looked forward with optimism to hurling needs to be out of Division the season ahead. The campaign Two B, we will not get out by virtue The challenge is now going forward started at Home to Armagh and of any divine right but only by hard new management teams are in Down had seven points to spare work, commitment and tactical place the players are back training over a Team that Michael had astuteness that is the challenge for and the dust is settling, 2015 is gone previously managed. The next day 2016. Any other achievements or

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performances will pale into against Antrim and a great chance This year our Under 21 team insignificance unless promotion is to get our hands on the Liam Harvey surrendered a 14 point lead to Derry obtained. Cup. For long periods of the game it in the semi final in Owenbeg a looked like Down were going to strange game if there ever was one It was ironic that the next game break the Antrim hold on the trophy after 17 minutes we were 14 points after the defeat to Meath witnessed but we retreated into defensive ahead and as often happens it Down’s best performance in 2015 mode in the second half and slipped and slipped away until it was when they travelled to Tralee and allowed Antrim to come onto us gone. So for the last time in 2015 ran Kerry to 7 points in a display with the saffron’s holding on to win we as a County paid farewell to that did restore belief. Indeed if one by two points. It was a brave effort Owenbeg and Derry a total of eight might single out the performances by Down but once again we had visits and only one victory! that day of Conor Cassidy of come up second best when an Carryduff and Danny Toner of excellent opportunity had presented Our Minor hurlers competed in the Ballygalget we had good hope for itself for victory. Ulster and Minor Leagues the rest of the summer. In the as Ronan Sheehan and Paul Coulter realms of the compact Christy Ring Whilst there has been much set about sorting out their panel for Competition Wicklow were the discussion on proposals to do away the Ulster Championship and a semi visitors next to Ballycran and were with the Under 21 Football final against Antrim. On the day our soundly beaten on a score line of 1- competition, there has to be real minors just did not perform as often 19 to 0-13, this was a team question marks about the timing happens at that age group and relegated from 2A so we witnessed and format of the Ulster Under 21 attention then turned to the All what Down can potentially achieve. hurling competition. The Ireland Minor B where we had competition has been rendered gained entry by virtue of Two weeks later the old rivals meaningless by its place in the Westmeath reaching the Leinster London came to Ballycran and once fixture calendar basically over 2 Semi Final and thus withdrawing again Down had nine points to spare Wednesday nights in July that is the from the All Ireland B. in an emphatic victory with Danny extent of the commitment to Under Toner continuing his good form and 21 hurling by us. Teams may get We played Donegal in Ballela in the Fintan Conway using all of his together a week beforehand and Peadar O Liathain Cup and were experience to good effect. As I said they may not reality is that they winners by 2-17 to 4-3 taking us into with reference to the footballers generally just arrive at a venue on a semi final against Kerry. The game earlier in my report we should have the night of the game and you are was played on the 15th of August in got frequent visitors status for all of left hoping that the names Newbridge and on this occasion the our visits to Derry this year so it was submitted for the programme turn men from the other Kingdom were no surprise that the draw would pair up. too strong for us and we were us against Derry in Owenbeg in the beaten by 2-22 to 3-9. The plus side semi final. The men from the Oak So what is the alternative? There was that our Minor Hurlers were Leaf had five points to spare on this has been the possibility aired of the still playing in August and gaining in occasion and again physically they winners entering Leinster at a experience all of the time. were stronger than us. Quarter Final stage, this would mean holding the Ulster I am worried in relation to new rule The Ulster Championship was next Championship earlier, I think that changes that come into effect in on the horizon and we began that there is merit in this suggestion. We 2016 with regard to the fact that journey in the Athletic Grounds could play the Ulster Under 21 County Minors cannot play senior against an Armagh team who had between the end of the Allianz with their Club until their inter lost out to Roscommon in the Nicky League and the start of the Christy county season is over. This will not Rackard Final but our experiences Ring Cup or we could even be more affect our footballers too badly but stood to us and Down were winners imaginative and play the it will have a detrimental effect on on a score line of 5-20 to 3-14. competition over two weekends our hurlers given the small base with Semi Finals played at the one that we have to pick from. I can The semi final saw us once again venue on one weekend and then only hope that our Clubs will bear head to Owenbeg and here we the Final with the shield final for the with us on this one and that gained a measure of revenge with a weaker counties again played at one perhaps from a CCC point of view five point victory that was well venue dare I suggest that the we might be able to work earned and well deserved. It was facilities at Queens would be a well something with regard to starting back to Owenbeg again for the final placed ideal location. times of the Down Club

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Competitions. It is evidence again Club Competitions that one size does not fit all and In Down we are proud to have 48 competing in Adult Football or with no room for manoeuvre it is Clubs within our County over the Hurling we have to make provision going to be a hard one to manage years that number has sometimes for such and we have to manage it for Down. changed by one or two in one to ensure that we provide direction or another but in recent meaningful competition for those In 2016 let it be our hope that the years we have maintained 48 Clubs. Clubs who wish to compete. We Red and Black of Down will once also have a duty to Gaels who want again return to the top table in all We are proud of our 48 Clubs and to play and if their competitions, football and hurling. what they do for the GAA in Down local Club is no longer providing Let us get behind our players and and in their communities, they are that opportunity then we have to our Team Managements and all often the life blood of the be imaginative to ensure that those work for the common good of communities that they exist in and players have the right to play seeing Down successful again. collectively they are the family that Gaelic games. There can be no place for makes up Down GAA. As times negativity, Down GAA harnessing change and within our County as This year our Club Leagues went all of its energies in a positive demographics change the makeup under change to prepare with the manner can be an unstoppable of our Clubs will change too as will pre agreed proposal to move back force, a Down GAA fractured and the viability of some of those Clubs. to 12 team leagues in Division One at odds with itself is only good for It is likely that in time to come we and Two for 2016 and 10 Team our competitors. might even mirror the changes that leagues for Division Three and Four. have taken place within the Catholic As many as Six Teams faced The famine must end soon and no Church whereby a Parish might well relegation from Division One and better year to do it than in 2016- cover two, three or four chapels Two this year and there is no doubt Bealach an Dúin Ag Obair le Cheile. which all at one time enjoyed their that the effects of this were two own separate entity. fold, there was a definite edge to the early part of the season and an For now at the end of 2015 we have unwelcome apathy towards the end 48 Clubs in 2016 it might be that when the fate of some Clubs was only 45/46/47 of them will be known.

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This year we did produce a fixture a marketing campaign which saw us 0-11 with goals from the Johnston calendar which I do believe was a advertise our games in advance brothers and Paul Greenan, indeed help to Clubs mentors and parents along with details of the admission Paul Greenan was a worthy winner and I do believe that it is the way to prices these factors combined with of the Mourne Observer Man of the go forward. People want to know good venue selection meant that Match Trophy. So full credit to when games are going to be played our Championships for the Kilcoo they now sit at the top of the and even more so they want to spectator were an attractive Leader board in terms of Down know that they are actually going to package this year. Championship wins with a proud be played. We still managed to have total of 14. instances this year where Clubs kept We had two great encounters with agreeing between themselves to Burren and Kilcoo this year including The possibilities looked good for ongoing postponements of refixed Extra Time in one of those games, Ulster Club glory and a trip to games this is not good practice and I we had the rise of Ballyholland as Kingspan Breffni Park for a meeting am glad to see that CCC are acting they got to a Senior Semi Final, we with Kingscourt saw the Magpies to ensure this practice does not had drama with a Rostrevor v decisive winners over the Cavan happen in 2016. Clonduff refix after a serious injury Champions. Next up was a semi final to Darren O Hagan in fact in the v Crossmaglen Rangers and the It was a great disappointment to me senior Football Championship we renewing of old rivalries for once that this year we had two games had great days and nights. Who will the coin fell favourably and the abandoned in Division One of our All forget Ross McGarry’s point for game was fixed for Pairc Esler. On a County League this year and that we C.P.N to win the game against wet Sunday in Newry nearly 10,000 had an unsavoury melee in our Ballyholland on a wet wet night in people were in the ground for this Senior Club Championship Semi Mayobridge there is no doubt the much anticipated battle and on the Final. It has been a long time since Club Championship lifted the spirits day Crossmaglen had too much for we had witnessed such incidents in this year. the men from Kilcoo and were senior football in Down and I hope winners by 0-12 to 0-8. As an aside that they are now behind us, they The Thrills and spills left us with a Pairc Esler had shown that it could certainly have no place within our final of those two great rivals when host a double bill in November and association. At a time when more the Town met The Village and Kilcoo that it had the highest attendance people are attending our games we going for a four in a row faced their at a sporting event that weekend in need more and more to show the neighbours and great rivals the North of Ireland yet somehow necessary decorum and present our Castlewellan. With a new man in the venue was passed over for the games in the best possible light. charge in Paul McIvor Kilcoo had final much to our disappointment. been growing in confidence The Down Senior Football throughout the Championship Loughinisland were the form team Championship went under a new whilst Castlewellan had John in the Intermediate Championship format this year as we used what Treanor trying to put one over the and with Dan Gordon at his very we termed the Christy Ring Model Derry man. There was a good best they were always going to be and I have to say that it was our attendance in Newry and it was the hard to beat. Indeed the final most successful Championship in old adage of goals winning matches against An Riocht proved to be a years. We also engaged positively in as Kilcoo ran out winners by 3-10 to one sided affair with the men in

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Blue dominant from start to finish. they will meet the Mayo Champions as if the hard work had been done in the All Ireland Semi Final. when they beat Burren in the Semi In their Ulster campaign Final but they had not taken into Loughinisland had a home tie Glasdrumman were no doubt the account a Rostrevor Team that had against the Derry Champions and Team of the year in Junior Football overcome a fancied CPN team in the once they got into their stride the in Down and they were League and semi Final. Rostrevor were the Down Champions were comfortable Championship Winners. In the better team in the final and they winners over Greenlough. Next up Junior Final they survived a nervous fully deserved their win and it was was a trip to Omagh where Edenork finish to overcome Ardglass in what interesting to learn in recent days succumbed to the power and was an entertaining encounter that they had been inspired by the strength of Loughinisland and with indeed both Clubs brought great writings of Alastair Campbell! momentum behind them the men colour to the occasion and certainly from East Down moved to a semi the Junior Final was a worthy Bryansford retained their Division final meeting with Doohamlet of curtain raiser to the Senior Game. One League title and ended a 15 Monaghan. The games was played match unbeaten league campaign in the Athletic Grounds and here it The performances of the Harrison by Burren. This was a bitter pill for was nearly like a pre emptor for the brothers amongst others suggested Burren who had been the stand out final and the old saying that goals that the men from Mourne could team in the League all season but win games as Loughinisland won by give the Ulster Title a good rattle on the day Bryansford were the 4-7 to 1-7. and after overcoming Davitts in the deserving winners and provided Quarter Final they faced Rockcorry some consolation for their poor It was a wild winter’s day in in the semi final. Unfortunately the Championship performances. Owenbeg as Loughinisland sought Monaghan Champions who went on to emulate CPN and become the to win the competition were too Ballymartin had a great season in second Down team to win the Ulster strong and there was Division Two and once they had Intermediate Football disappointment for the Mourne won that vital League game v Championship. The conditions were men. Loughinisland they were in the harsh and both teams deserve driving seat for the automatic spot. credit for their endeavours on the It was fitting that Glasdrumman With the new pitch facilities now all day as the game was finally should be crowned Junior in place they will look forward to balanced at 2-1 to 0-7 it looked as if Champions just a few weeks after once again welcoming the top the outcome could go either way the death of Derek Davis who had teams in Down in the 2016 Division when the capacity of the Blue Men become such an integral part of One. to score goals came to the fore and their Club since the days of Celebrity two goals meant the trophy was Bannisteoir. I am sure he was Glasdrumman as I have said were returning to McCartan Park on a smiling down upon them on that the stand out Junior Team this year score of 4-1 to 0-7. Sunday in Pairc Esler. and they completed the double with a league win that keeps them within On behalf of the County I wish For the second year in a row Newry reach of the top tiers in Down. Loughinisland every success in their Shamrocks were beaten in the quest for All Ireland honours where Minor Championship Final it looked

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On the Club hurling front the Intermediate Final with an and it was a long way since the Championship got off to a rousing impressive display by young Dara 1980s and a man called Liam Moran start when holders and Ulster Mallon who is showing his potential from the town of Coleraine used to Champions Portaferry were beaten at every opportunity. It was make his way out to the University in the Semi Final by Ballygalget. Carryduff who went on to represent to play hurling. Indeed times are There was a good crowd in Down in Ulster they had a quarter well changed Buiochas le Dia. McKenna Park for this game and final victory over Na Magha but the here again Danny Toner showed eventual winners Creggan Kickhams Newry Shamrocks suffered the why he is our best forward by far as proved too strong in the semi final. heartbreak now of losing a Minor the men in green caused a surprise. Hurling Final this year in addition to Portaferry were now hosts for the The most entertaining losing the football when they were final and we were rewarded with a Championship this year on the beaten by a skilful Ballygalget team. good day and an exciting game with hurling front was the Junior, two It is a sign though that the game is a dramatic finish as Ballycran good semi finals and then a replay growing, last year Liatroim won the produced a goal to win the game at in the final between Newry Minor Title this Year Shamrocks the death. Shamrocks and Ballela. The first were beaten in the final there is game in St Patricks Park saw a great hope for the future in these areas. The game itself was overshadowed personal battle between Johnny by news the next day of the McCusker and Ciaran Courtney two There is a challenge for CCC in the accidental injury to Johnny men who had also given great organisation of hurling fixtures; the McGrattan a member of the service in the Red and Black. A draw challenge is to transfer the games Ballygalget management, in times was a fair result as the game ebbed from paper to reality. Too often like this sport pales into and flowed and both teams agreed games are not played, too often it insignificance and yet it unites a to a replay in Ballycran as a curtain is just too easy to call a game off community and the family that is raiser to the Senior Semi Final. At and too often we as Administrators the GAA was to the fore, in lending the end of 60 minutes nothing could act haphazardly in relation to support, prayers and good wishes to separate the teams and it was only hurling Fixtures. All of our fixtures Johnny and the McGrattan family. in Extra Time that Ballela managed Football and Hurling need to get Thank God his recovery is well to pull away and record a famous the same level of respect and they under way and we are grateful for victory. all need to follow the one set of all the care given to Johnny by the guidelines and Competition Rules. medical profession. Into Ulster Ballela again showed that they like to do things the hard There is another issue that needs to Ballycran then faced Slaughneil in way and it took another replay to be looked at early in 2016 and that Dungannon in the Ulster Semi Final overcome Rasharkin, their near is the question of whether we are but this year there was to be no neighbours Sean Tracey’s were seen happy with the format of our repeat of Portaferry’s heroics and off in the semi Final but alas in the Senior Championship in Hurling. the men from Derry marched on to Final Eoghan Rua of Coleraine were Are we happy to have a semi Final an Ulster Final. too strong in too many areas of the and a Final as our Championship? field and the Ballela dream was Does this adequately meet our Portaferry seconds provided some over. As a former secretary of NUU needs? Would there be merit in compensation when they defeated hurling Club in Coleraine I have to playing the Senior Hurling Carryduff in the County say I was impressed with Coleraine Championship on a Round Robin DOWN COUNTY GAA ANNUAL CONVENTION 2015 18

League Format where each team you see bases in Banbridge, Dublin I would like to thank our additional would play home and away with London, San Jose and Dallas you see sponsors and I feel I must name each Club getting 4 games and the a hidden gem of a success story. We them to acknowledge our thanks for top two teams meeting in the look forward to building a the support that we get: Final? Just some thoughts that I relationship here whereby we can  Morgan Fuels who Sponsor would welcome your views on. promote EOS through our world in our Championships the GAA and EOS can bring a level of  O NEILLS who sponsor our introduction and support for us in Leagues Sponsors and Sponsorship the business community. Together  Newry Building Supplies Our hosts tonight the Canal Court we can build something great here Hotel are tonight stepping down as and we just want a wee bit of Associate Sponsors the Official Team Sponsors of Down success to be the icing on the cake. I  Autoline GAA; they have been with us from thank Brendan and Daniel for all of  O Hare and McGovern this Hotel first opened for business their goodwill and courtesy towards Associate Sponsors back in 1998 so for seventeen years Down GAA in all of our negotiations  The Quays Newry Associate now the McParland brothers John and in preparing the design for our Sponsors and Paddy have shown tremendous new jersey which was launched on  McAvoy Construction th support for Down GAA. They have December 12 . Associate Sponsors by virtue of their sponsorship  Modern Tyres Road Safety allowed us to develop as a County In 2016 we will be hosting a Partner and Associate and allowed us to avail of the best corporate evening on the 12th of Sponsors facilities possible. March when our Sponsors and our  Fegan Transport Associate Associate Sponsors will be our Sponsors John and Paddy and their staff have guests as we entertain All Ireland  Anonymous Associate become not just sponsors but they Champions Dublin in Pairc Esler. Sponsor are part of our Down GAA family, This event will include a Pre Match  In 2016 There is room for this hotel and its sister hotel the Meal, Bus journey to Pairc Esler and your company Logo Carrickdale have been put at the back to the Canal Court and a host disposal of Down GAA whenever it of past Down GAA legends. We will I would also like to thank the was needed. They have become be opening this event to businesses Individual who has paid to name our great friend to us personally and to showcase Down GAA and all that junior and Intermediate they have often gone beyond the we do so make sure you have this Championship in the name of remit of Sponsors to assist us in date in your diary. Trocaire to create awareness of the every way that they could. It would great work done by this body. be remiss of me not to pay tribute We have tiers of sponsorship open too to each and every member of to prospective companies and at all We need to broaden the staff in the Canal Court and the various points we have packages Sponsorship base Down is a big Carrickdale Hotels they are great to suit the needs of our Sponsors in county yet here when you look at ambassadors for the business and Down GAA we can only offer three the list of these companies they are the hospitality industry in the real benefits to sponsors and they all within a 10 mile radius of Newry greater Newry area certainly has are Access to Tickets, Access to and I repeat my call of last year for here a flagship model of how to look Players and Advertising in Pairc help to broaden that base. It just after people. I thank the McParland Esler. In 2016 two of our Allianz needs an intro to one company brothers for their unstinting loyalty Home League games will be located in the East Down or Greater to Down GAA and I am delighted televised on Setanta and this is a Belfast Area to allow us to establish too that their support will not be great opportunity for those who a foothold that other will follow in. lost to us and we look forward to advertise in Pairc Esler to show case developing a new partnership their company. As I said earlier together in 2016 and beyond. there were nearly 10,000 people at the Kilcoo v Crossmaglen match in We welcome new sponsors in EOS Pairc Esler on a wet Sunday in November for potential sponsors IT Solutions and again two brothers in particular Daniel and Brendan this is a great market and remember Strain. A good family business who Pairc Esler would be a great canvas have grown to a global stage and to show off your company. when you enter their website and

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The Consultative Process Back in 2013 we set about engaging ‘Provide a robust talent plan that geography, demography whilst in a Consultative process in an best develops all players in Down in building on the county’s proud attempt to find the best way a systematic, progressive and clear playing traditions and driven within forward for in Down pathway which clearly embraces, the clubs and schools.’ and to see how we could ultimately integrates and links the Family that develop a pathway whereby is Down GAA, including all Timeline: The expectation of the emerging talent would be identified stakeholders in the development of plan would be to see success at and channelled in the direction of talented players (clubs, schools, senior levels within seven creating a conveyor of players the coaches, parents, administrators, years. Indicators of success County. county staff and teams etc). The towards this end should also be plan will be supported by an seen at minor and U21 level within The published plan clearly sets out appropriately linked coach seven years. what we hope to achieve: education programme. It will be unique to Down’s infrastructure,

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In the plan there is a big emphasis they did in 2015 and we have only There is no doubt that there are a on the Development Squad two years left to achieve that great number of people here that Structure and already the work has success they talked about! That is we could get involved in our Clubs started on this front with the the scenario we do not want. This and in our County. At Club level establishment of the Mourne plan will be driven by the Steering more and more mothers are going Academy. The names of the Group it will be developed in stages to see their Sons and Daughters play Development Squads will be and on the Clubs Front there will than ever before so they are changed to the Down Emerging have to be a Road show around the actually present at our Club fixtures Talent Programme or in the world of Clubs to get the necessary Buy In. from Under age right through to abbreviation the ETP. Adults. What we have to do is The first thing we can do is simple ensure that our Clubs are The appointment of Paddy O Rourke we all need to become associates of welcoming, that we engage with as the head of Talent Development the Plan each and every one of us these people and we ask them if is a serious step taken to try and has to when the opportunity they would like to become involved address our needs in terms of presents be positive about the work in some small way initially but most having players developed for the being done. The people looking important we make them feel rigours of County Football. Paddy after it are all approachable people wanted and part of our GAA family. brings a world of achievement in and if you think that there should be They will bring energy, they will and dedication to the GAA, to this changes to it then suggest the changes bring challenges, they will bring role, no other man in Down has All get involved from Inside don’t throw ideas and they also bring a work Ireland Senior, Under 21,Minor and the toys out of the pram and ridicule ethic that gets things done. They from a distance. From the very start Club medals to their name, he is one let us say we are behind the Mourne will ruffle feathers but they will not of only five Down men to have lifted Academy and we want to make it mind and ultimately more Females the Sam Maguire Cup. We are work. will be good for our Clubs because delighted to have someone of his they will bring more to the table persona and status to head up this than is there at present. plan, other counties would be Does Down GAA Need a envious of the people we have at In Down at the 2010 Convention we our disposal in Down and it is crucial Version of the WI? elected Maureen O Higgins as our that we use them fully. This is a case Now before you start to think has Development Officer the first here where football people are the Runaí really lost the plot female to hold an Officer role on our driving the development of football altogether let me explain my County Executive and a year later in Down, we all need to get behind rationale. Maureen was joined by Paula it and embrace such a change. Magee as Irish and Cultural Officer. The profile of the person involved The facts are that as a County Paddy heads up a steering Group now with the GAA and indeed the Executive we got better thanks to that includes the following DJ Kane profile of the person attending our the input of the two ladies, they another All Ireland Winning Captain, games has indeed changed greatly brought a work ethic, they brought along with Dr Eddie Harney, Joe in the past twenty years. In time dynamism and they brought their Tunney, Tom Potter, Declan gone by we talked fondly of the late personalities to the table all things Mussen, Professor Niall Moyna and great Sheila McAnulty being “The that made Down GAA stronger by our County Games Development First lady” of Down GAA and in truth their presence. Manager Conor O Toole. There is she was. Sheila was one of the few real quality in this group and it is an ladies involved in administration So I am left to wonder Could Down exciting time to be involved in and yet for her great passion for GAA ever envisage having its own Talent Development in Down. A Down GAA she had more direct version of the WI should we move broad church has been established involvement with . Whilst more and more to full integration here with input from Clubs, Schools, our sister organisations in Camogie with our ladies Footballers and our health professionals and most and Ladies Football do provide an own Camogie Boards or should we importantly parents; we need now outlet for many females there are set up a committee of Down GAA the buy in of the players. still big numbers of females who consisting solely of females who attend our games as supporters, as formulate ideas and practises that So how do we ensure that the plan sisters, mothers, wives, grannies can be then put into place by becomes a working document and and even great grannies so how do County Executive. The WI by not just something we dust down in we in Down GAA tap into those definition “The WI plays a unique 5 years time when we say look what people. role in providing women with

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educational opportunities and the Tickets. My rationale is simple we packages. The sellers must be chance to build new skills, to by taking a Championship game to a people who believe in what we are participate in a wide variety of Club Venue hand over 10% of the doing, the job of Club Down should activities and to campaign on issues gate and then we also allow that be to support the new Mourne that matter to them and their Club to organise a half time Draw, Academy, to develop the Down community.” have the shops and generally we are Footballer of the future. Club Down creating an income for the Club and must have a single focus; it cannot I feel we in Down GAA should open yet the Club is not making any become a talking shop about all the the doors further and encourage contribution to the County by not rights or wrongs of the County but more Female involvement, we supporting the Clubs Draw. rather must be solely projecting the should welcome new skills and we positive message that we are intent should harness that care that The County also needs to perform on development of our players females have for their communities. better in ensuring that Draw with the aim for producing winning It might not be the WI but I do think Winners are paid promptly and Down Teams. To take on that role we are missing out if we do not get that our Clubs are also paid would make a huge difference to more females involved in regularly their dividends and I do our County and I ask where are the meaningful roles in our Clubs and in know that proposals are in place people to step up to the mark and our County. through the Core Finance Team for to deliver? both those things to happen in As for me I am away off now to 2016. This year in our County Final make some Jam!!! Programme we set out two pages Club Down can and should be a on Where We Spend our Money and major force for good in Down GAA we hope that gave a clear indication Finance and a major source of income to our supporters as to where the The Down Clubs Draw had another generation for our County. I look money paid in through the gates go. successful year in 2015 with returns with envy at Club Tyrone and Club The facts of the matter are that we of 4613 members generating Erne in particular and see the each month have to generate £554k it was interesting to learn finance that is generated and in £15,000.00 before we start to pay recently that our 48 Clubs have particular the finance at a tier of off loans, £10,000.00 to Croke Park benefitted to the amount of £500 per anum. The benefits to the and £5,000.00 per month to The 1,469,294.00 with Burren topping Club members are minimal; the real First Trust Bank. We have not the earners at £143,712.00 since benefit for them is in seeing that missed any of those payments and the Draw started. Only one Club has their County is successful. In the to date have paid back over not generated any income for early part of this year we tried to €300,000.00 to Croke Park and owe themselves or the County and really revamp and relaunch Club Down now only £90,000.00 to First Trust they are missing out on a great and we did manage to attract Bank. We will continue to service opportunity to raise much needed additional members and then the those loans until they are paid in th funds. The Clubs Draw is a great 27 of June came and defeat in full, they have arisen historically and concept which allows Clubs to Wexford and we then lost any mainly have been incurred in the generate income without any risk to momentum there was. Now as we Development of Pairc Esler and the the Club remembers that £96.00 out prepare for 2016 there is a need to abandoned scheme at Burrenbridge. of the £120.00 goes back to your reinvigorate ourselves and make the We need to face the facts that the Club once the Prize Fund has been push for a new beginning with Club debit is there and we will be accounted for. Down. John Devaney, Diarmuid honouring it so those who want to Cahill and Fiona Murphy have been talk about it can talk about it those In 2016 I ask again for all Clubs to doing an interim job as the Officers who want to help us the door is embrace the Draw, to make this in Club Down and they are to be open. In June 2032 at the present your Club Fundraiser for the year commended for the work that was rate the Debit to Croke Park will ahead, you will be benefitting your done and in particular with their have been paid in full YOU can help nd Club and you will be making a hosting of the 2 Club Down All quicken the repayments by positive contribution to the County. Stars sponsored by O Reilly supporting any venture undertaken I would go so far as to say that we Transport. We need now a new by the County. as a County can no longer allocate young dynamic leadership to take Championship games to the venue on the running of Club Down; we To raise funds this year we set up an of Clubs who do not support the need most importantly sellers, to Events Team under the Leadership County by selling at least 50 Draw sell the various membership of Michael McArdle and the big

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event was the Jailbreak, where 29 Referees people spent the night in Crumlin This year referee’s administration league games abandoned and one Road Jail to raise funds for Down came back under the remit of a Championship semi final marred by GAA. This event will generate in the separate subcommittee and under unacceptable scenes. region of £65k for the County and the chairmanship of Seamus Walsh one of the great aspects of it was and our referees continued to make We have to respect our referees that people who had no direct progress at national and provincial and to learn from other codes as to association with Down GAA were level. Ciaran Branagan was to the how we really do respect our prepared to embrace the event and fore in many national league games referees, they are vital cogs in the each raise £3000.00. Under the and whilst probably disappointed wheels of making our games State Secrets Act what happened in not to be in the middle for the All happen. Referees also have a duty the jail cannot be released under Ireland Minor Final he was still to respect players and team the 30 year rule suffice to say that if involved as Stand By Referee and it mentors and a duty to apply the we were to undertake this event was nice to see a Down man rules fully at all times they cannot again John Farrell would be in involved on the big day. afford to referee the game to their Solitary. own rules this only leads to Ciaran was also recently back in inconsistency and malcontent. Events like this are crucial to the Croke Park officiating during the Gaelic Football and Hurling are ongoing survival and growth of International Rules series and that simple games played well; they Down GAA, we need to be looking was a nice honour as well, whilst become complicated when players at a major event each year and Ciaran never forgets his roots to and and officials decide to play the under the leadership of Michael continues to be available to officiate games by their own interpretation McArdle I have no doubt that this as much as possible within Down. of the rules. Let us put 2015 behind will happen. We again would Brendan Rice has also been on the us and ensure that 2016 is a year welcome your ideas, Anita National Panel in 2015 and this year when all of our games at every Brannigan has a great saying that was an international tourist for the level are played to a finish and we should not put our arm around Ladies Football officiating in New within the spirit and rules of our the homework and Michael and the York and at the Asian Games in Association. Events team are open to any China. These are all great honours suggestions or thoughts on what we for Down as too was the could possibly do in 2016. The Down appointment of Paul Faloon to GAA family, Clubs and County referee the Ulster Minor Football working together can make us Final. We hope again that 2016 see successful in fundraising in the years more of our referees make it on to ahead. We have outlined where the the Provincial and National stage. funds are needed and we have set out where our money goes now we Within Down this year as I have ask help us with our ventures. already stated we had two senior

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Irish and Cultural means of a Ballad or it could be in In our Primary Schools we provide Our language and our Culture are the form of drama. I think this is coaching in 75 schools and that is key areas that set the GAA apart doable for our Clubs remember we funded from our own resources plus from our competitors they make us are more than a sporting a payment of £10.00 per child for more than a sporting organisation organisation, we are reflective of all the year. The charge is supported by and they are key components in that is good in our community and the offer of the Down GAA Schools helping us provide for our whole in this instance this is a challenge to Draw which when taken up by our community. Not everyone will be the Clubs of Down to make a schools has proved to be a very cut out to play our games or to positive contribution to the year of lucrative source of Income for the administrate in our Association but 2016. This could be the 1% school. yet they may be able to play a difference that we talked about last musical instrument or they may year and would it not send out a We always need to have GAA have a passion to teach our wonderful message of the vibrancy orientated teachers in our schools language, it is important that we of Scór in Down in 2016. and I would like to propose that we welcome them without any in Down GAA offer a bursary to prejudice and with the same At each of our County Finals and at students who are hoping to welcome that we would as if they all of our County games the Irish graduate and teach in our Schools. were a star footballer or hurler. and Cultural Committee under the Each year we could offer 5 Down leadership of our Officer Paula have GAA awards for graduates which Each year we give £5000.00 to our ensured that Amhrán Ná bhFiann is they earn when they have achieved young people in the form of sung at the various venues. This recognised coaching levels and are Scholarships to the Gaelteacht and does not just happen there are working within our schools and this allows 50 students to head off rehearsals and there are logistics coaching our games. We need to to Donegal to enhance their that all have to be put in place and I incentivise our teachers to promote knowledge of our language. This is thank each and every one of the our games and to help make Gaelic indeed very commendable but I just singers who through their Games the number one sport of wonder is this the best use of our participation made a real difference choice in their School. resources in attempting to promote to the presentation of our events. the language, how do we measure The next four years are years of the return? The Gaelteacht is like a So to all who competed in Scór this great celebration for Down GAA, in rite of passage for many of our year I say thank you and I 2016 we will celebrate 25 years young people but do they continue congratulate you, it is about the since 1991, in 2017 it is 40 years to make a positive contribution to participation and the honour of from our first minor All Ireland, in our Clubs. How many come back representing your Club and your 2018 it will be the Golden Jubilee of and give something back in return, I County please let us retain the spirit 1968 and in 2019 it will be 25 years don’t know the answer but I think of the competition do not let us be from 1994. These stories need to be this is something that can be consumed by the rights and wrongs told to our young people through an looked at. of adjudicators deliberations. education project with our Schools and I am proposing that Down GAA Scór continues to be embraced by should seek funding to allow us to many of our Clubs but I am sure that Schools employ an education officer for the the Scór committee would agree The Down schools will have a key next four years and hopefully that there is room for improvement. role to play in the success of our beyond. In 2016 that opportunity exists as Emerging Talent Programme, their we enter a period of national input and their support will be commemoration and celebration, crucial to its ongoing success. We in Youth Board Scór in Down should be to the fore Down GAA cannot operate in Over the years the Down Youth in such celebrations. Is it beyond isolation from our Schools and early Board was a great training ground possibility that each of our 48 Clubs in 2016 we will be engaging formally for future administrators and a could give a commitment in the with the Principal and the Head of place where many of us learned year that is in it to participate in PE of all of our second level schools. from great tutors like Dan McCartan Scór in a particular themed way to We want to see how we can help and Donal McCormack. In recent recognise the men and women of and we want to listen, we want to times the well has run dry but now 1916 and what they gave to our outline our vision and the roles that as we move to 2016, the Down nation. It could be a particular set, it our schools can play. Youth Board is alive and well and could be a recitation, it could be by making progress.

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Here young people have come Integration 2016 together to share their ideas and to I talk of the GAA family and I often The coming year will be a year of play their part in helping to make talk of the family that is Down GAA commemoration within our Country Down GAA positive and vibrant. At and I do so with a great sense of and in we in Down GAA will be the recent South Down Convention pride in what we have here in Down looked to for leadership from our it was great to see Niamh Murray GAA. That pride could become even Clubs. There are guidelines with and Michael Moore elected onto greater if we had stronger ties and a regard to the use of our premises the Board, Niamh is also a member more formal relationship with and these are covered in rule, our of our youth board and also a Ladies Football and Camogie. We role in the community and in member of her own Club advocate the One Club Model commemorative events will be Committee, Michael is an active amongst our Clubs and together scrutinised by those who wish to try referee making his way now to the with Maureen O Higgins our and detract from what we do. Ulster Academy. Integration Officer I have visited Clubs to promote that model and I would ask all Clubs to check with Things are happening it is hoped too also to see in Clubs where it is the County Office in the first to try and create a Down GAA Youth actually working and making a instance with regard to any requests Award an award specific to Down difference. that you might have, the GAA and with the idea of having the nationally with be commemorating Award in the memory of some of So why can’t Integration become the events of 1916 at a National our late great servants. This is more formalised at County Level if commemoration in Croke Park and something that all our Clubs could we are asking our Clubs to we in Down GAA will be taking our buy into and something that would undertake it and embrace it then lead from National and Provincial be of benefit to our Youth in terms why aren’t we doing the same and Level. of their CV’s and perhaps career why then are we not pushing for it possibilities. to happen at Provincial and We will at all times act in a dignified National Level. We have to take the and fitting manner in all that we do Once again Féile proves to be a steps to make this happen at our in memory of the men and women great attraction within Down, the County Convention we will have of 1916. hurling was hosted this year in invited representatives from both Portaferry whilst the Football was bodies within Down, I would held in Newry on the Easter Monday propose that the Officers of all three One County date that has now become part of bodies meet at quarterly in 2016. the Club Calendar. We need to The heading might seem strange to continue to ensure that both of our We are in reality all part of the great you but I feel it is very important to Féile competitions are about playing GAA family and to the untrained eye put the debate out there into the games and enjoyment for our we are seen as all the same, indeed Public domain. We are Down and children it is not about the adults it sometimes we all get tarred with Down GAA is a great brand it is a is about us letting our Youth flourish the one brush when one group does brand that lights up people’s eyes of doing what they do best playing our something wrong. Today we have a certain generations as they think of games. lot of parents too with no previous the men who have worn the Red GAA involvement and they don’t and Black or they think of In 2017 we will be one of the host see the difference when their son Administrators who have served at counties for Féile Peil and the and daughter are going to the one Provincial and National Level or planning will commence in 2016, ground and playing for the one club even simply at County Level. Down this will be a great opportunity for but are really affiliated to three engenders pride amongst so many us all to showcase our county and different organisations. It just people and rightly so for we are our facilities and a great chance to doesn’t stack up and we in Down very proud of our roots and our show once again what great hosts need now to take the lead and history. we are. make the leap of faith and see how we can positively integrate the There is I feel a need to address the whole Down GAA family unit. fact that at times we are a fractious County, we become pre occupied with the divisions to the detriment of our strengths. We focus on East Down, South Down, and The Ards as areas in particular, we measure

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things in how they affect those Officer Training programme is no tick box exercise areas and if something is to the There is always a need for training this is a real programme with the detriment of one of those areas of teams at Club Level and at County capacity to deliver real change. It is then it is seen as no good. Level and we put a lot of resources an honour for Down that two of our Representation on County Panels is and effort into the training of our Officers Diarmuid Cahill and analysed in terms of what areas Teams and rightly so, there is Maureen O Higgins have been people come from and a deficit for though another question identified as Associates to deliver one area or the other can be How much do we put into the this training and they will bring their interpreted as a slight on that area. training of our Teams off the Field. expertise to other counties as well. Having to travel to training in one The teams of Coaches and the This programme we hope will make area of the County is viewed as Teams of Administrators are they a real difference to our Clubs and causing hardship for those from taken as read, are they not worthy will we hope allow the people in our another area. In the greater scheme of investing in them to ensure our Clubs to feel valued and flourish as of things one is forced to think in Clubs and our County has good leaders and Administrators. 2015 where actually is the Centre governance. This year as a Coiste of the County? Banisti the Officers came together Governance on two occasions to discuss work We as senior Officers have been We should always be looking for the plans and strategies for the year honest when we say this has been a best for our County as One County ahead. This was a worthwhile particularly difficult year for Down not as areas within that County our exercise and it needs to be GAA, it has been a year when strength will be in our unity, Do we continued and it also needs to be negativity seemed to dominate our feel we are One County? We come improved upon, how many targets proceedings. From the defeat in together at a County Convention in our work plans were achieved? Wexford on the 27th June Down but will we divide on fractious lines GAA has been in the public eye and when it comes to voting? Will we At Club Level County Development as I stated earlier the negative vibes want to get our man/woman Officer Maureen O Higgins held became dominant. elected because we need our area workshops for Club Officer training of the County into that particular and these were well attended and I have said in the past that the post? Or will we look and say who more importantly there was follow shoulders are broad and indeed I the best person for the County is? up too with review meeting held six would say the same of my Chairman Or am I just being too idealistic? months later. Topics relevant to the but there is no doubt that the These are all questions I feel that Officers were examined and there constant negative criticism online in need to be asked is there a poor us was real engagement in all of the particular and in sections of the syndrome out there that is actually sessions and certainly from a County Media does get to you. We are after encouraged rather than point of view there was real benefit all only human but there is so much discouraged. gained in that we got an awareness time spent trying to address the of the areas of concern within Clubs. negativity that it does start to Are we best served by having two There is a lot to be gained when we undermine you, confidence goes, Divisional Boards or could we be go an actually engage with the doubts take over and your ability to best served by having a Minor Board people in our Clubs. do your job is eroded. that looks after Juvenile Fixtures. Nationally there is a new Officer The negativity came largely from I honestly just feel that we are not Training Programme going to be people online who would not put fully achieving our potential as a rolled out in 2016 with an emphasis their name to any posting, from County because we are too insular on the “Team off the Field” and the people out there in bars who only to our own area, we need to get the needs for us to Invest in our people wanted an audience to spread focus to be solely County, and and in turn Invest in our Future. This gossip, gossip without foundation County should be first not region or training Course will be about the and people who chose only to send area. We are Down and we can be people in the GAA, I have often said anonymous text message or leave great again but only as One County. that our people are our greatest obscene and nasty messages on a As officers of the County we need assets and yet they are the one phone or who chose to write from to do more to promote the asset that we don’t spend enough fictitious e mail addresses. message that we are One County. time developing. This unfortunately became the We need to develop our people, to methodology of Down GAA in 2015 sustain our future and this new theses are some of the things that

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Senior Officers in the County were greater unity of purpose. The new local Government subject to in the past year and these structures are now bedding in and things are unacceptable. Is it fitting We will also be working closely with we have Assembly Elections that when a decision goes against a our Divisional Board this year to scheduled for May a time when Club that players from a Club can ensure that we are all working to a candidates want your vote, we ring up and verbally abuse an common good, we need to all work need to ensure that the GAA Voice Officer of the County? Is it right that to measured work programmes and is heard. people can post threatening we all need to be conscious of message online and just get away putting our best image forward at The issue of Rates at our Sports with it and be protected by their all times. People out there have Grounds is a real issue, the provision fellow posters who know their standards they expect of Down GAA of Council owned GAA facilities identity but are complicit by not and we have to measure up to those compared to other sports is an issue revealing the identity of the standards, we are leaders in our and the need for GAA Clubs to be abuser? communities and we need to put an able to avail of Government grants emphasis on how we lead. at a time when there are greater In Down GAA we do not claim to get moves to Multi Use Sports Facilities, everything right not by a long shot We have too at all times protect our and these are real live issues. In but we do get 95% of things right volunteers who gave so freely of relation to Grants we have been unfortunately the other 5% is used their time, we have to make sure very lucky to have a lady like Sheila as the stick to beat us. We can host that all proper procedures are Kelly in our ranks and Sheila has events and we can do so very well followed at all times, we always done great work in this area and is as the Recent Club Down showed, want and need more volunteers we always willing to help Clubs in any we had excellent championships need to make sure that people can way that she can. I thank Sheila for this year and we are addressing our volunteer without risk, again this is her efforts in this respect. Finances and we are putting looking after the Team Off the Field. ourselves forward as participants in The Down GAA Ticket Van has been all of the Events. We are not asking I think that the quarterly Open on the road during the anyone to do anything that we meetings were a good initiative in Championship and now everyone would not do ourselves we only ask 2015 and I would certainly hope going into our games receives a that in 2016 you get behind us, let that they would continue into 2016 ticket this provides accountability us leave 2015 at the door of and certainly the first meeting after and also lets us see the makeup of Convention as we leave the Canal Convention where we are discussing people who attend our games, we Court and let’s say that 2016 will be the Recommendations and now know how many Adults, a different year. Competition Rule Changes should Students, Seniors and Under 16s be an Open Meeting. attend any game. We are then In 2016 I am proposing to better placed to ensure that the implement a new engagement with The County Committee consists of a facilities at our grounds are what our Clubs and the model I hope will representative of each of our Clubs they need to be to reflect the lead to a better working relationship and I urge Clubs to make sure that people attending our games and we with our Clubs. There are 14 the message is coming back to your also have seen an increase in our members on County Executive and Club meeting from your County Income at the Championships of we have 48 Clubs 6 members will be Board Rep. This is a vital channel of 2015. responsible for 3 Clubs with 6 communication with your Club and members having responsibility for 4 you need to ensure that the right In terms of how we work we get Clubs. The member of Executive will person is representing your Club at 95% of the things we do right we be expected to ring the Chairperson County Committee. just need to be more forthright in of their allocated Club each month actually telling people that we do just to see are there any matters Extra Time is an excellent means of so, in 2016 let us move forward with arising and to report back to getting news and messages out to a positive approach to all that we do Executive then each month. The the Clubs and we would urge you all and we will be the stronger as an Club will also know who their to send this on out and around your organisation for it. allocated Officer is and if they have members, don’t be afraid either to any issues then that person is their leave it in public places it is about point of contact. I hope that this will Down GAA and it is good news open up proper channels of story. Communication and lead to a

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Lost Lives People of the Year At Convention each year we take a way to a game in all parts of the I like as Runaí of this great County of minute to remember those who we County following Down and his ours to take time and acknowledge have lost in the past year and for beloved Burren. Father Gerry was a the good work and contributions of each of us in our Clubs and in our GAA man who lived out the Gospel people who made a difference or County there is always someone doing his best for others and it was make a difference in the world of that we remember at this time of with sadness that we learned of his Down GAA. In 2015 those people year. The people we think of have passing. are people who just work away given us this love of the GAA and in quietly and who do so to the some small way they might have John Gilchrist was a stalwart for betterment of us all. touched our lives and made a Ardglass and a man who had been a difference and for that we thank good servant to Down GAA, he had David Passmore is a quiet them and we remember them. a great rapport with the members Englishman who has become an of the Down 1968 team in particular adopted son of Limerick who has a This year if I may just reflect on the and had travelled in 1992 with the great background in Irish Hockey loss of one man in particular and Down team to America. He had and who is a lecturer at DCU. So that man was Clonduff’s own Dalsey battled hard against illness but how is David one of my people of Mooney. Growing up I never saw always retained a good interest in the year, well David Passmore has Dalsy play but I often heard of this the fortunes of Club and County. worked over the past two years to great player from Clonduff a man produce the Document which we who had captained Down to win an Seamus Faloon was a man whom hope will be the blueprint for future Ulster Minor title in 1966 and led us many young people in Newry owe football success in Down. He has to an All Ireland Final against Mayo. an awful lot to as an Under Age gone beyond the call of what we His mop of fair hair stood out in the Team Manager with Newry Mitchels expected at times of great personal black and white Team Photo and Seamus ensured that in dark days difficulty to produce for us a guide alas on that day in Croke Park there for our Country many of our youth to success already we are putting in was to be no All Ireland glory. Glory were kept safe by the provision of place many of David’s did come two years later with a Gaelic Football. Seamus drove the recommendations and we thank senior All Ireland but alas injury had minibus to all parts and collected him for his efforts. When into the robbed us of Dalsey and a true many of us and left us safely home future Down are successful at Inter potential was never to be fulfilled. again after journeys throughout the County level there is no doubt that For a young man like me the name County. It was unseen work that we the work done by David Passmore Dalsey created mysticism about the didn’t really appreciate until we got will have laid the foundations. His man this was no Sean or Paddy and older but a lot of young men stayed name will not be called out from the you always thought that even his safe thanks to the good work of steps of the Hogan Stand but Down name set him apart. men like Seamus. people need to be quietly aware of his contribution. As I got older I used see him at Rosemary Quinn was the wife of games and as County Secretary got Seamus from Atticall and sometimes The organisation and promotion of to know him as he made his way we take the ladies for granted but the Clubs Draw undertaken by down for tickets or sadly in recent they do make a valuable James and Mary McGrath is a times we had to provide car passes contribution in facilitating the men valuable work done by two great for him to attend games in Pairc to do all the things that they want people. When one sees that to date Esler. Dalsey was one of those to do within our Association. the draw has generated over 1.4m people to whom the GAA meant Seamus was able to give so much of to the Clubs of our County, one sees everything and he certainly was one his life and time to Atticall and to a great story and one doesn’t see of those who helped make Down Down because Rosemary was hours and hours of work behind the and Clonduff what we are today. Ar providing the support at home. scenes by James and Mary to make Dheis De go raibh a Anam. Seamus will miss her greatly and we it all happen. Their home is open to hope that he will find the will and Clubs to leave tickets with them, the Father Gerry McArdle was a great the strength to give us of his tickets all have to be logged and Burren man and a man who just expertise again. monthly they have to be checked. loved his football, his great way with Clubs have to be visited to try and the youth meant that he spanned all promote the Draw and each month generations. His small car would James and Mary have to be often be abandoned as he made his available to conduct the Draw. I

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thank James and Mary for the In the year that it was I think I speak Paddy Heaney now a sad loss to the difference they have made to the collectively for the Officers of Down world of GAA Journalism wrote back Clubs and County of Down. GAA when I say that our Families in 2010 that the “Down way is about were the real people of the year in winning” and none of us would To the 29 people who spent the 2015. They were the people who want to disagree with that mantra. night in Crumlin Road gaol to raise stood by us when online abuse The Down way is how we ourselves funds for Down GAA you are worthy invaded our homes; they felt the pride ourselves as to how we do of being named as People of the hurt too directed by shameless things, there has to be a Down way Year and in particular people people they could have said to us to of playing football, a way that amongst them who had no direct walk away from all of this. Instead reflects our tradition of style and link with Down GAA. You stepped they supported us and defended us flair if we lose that we lose our soul. up to the mark and you each raised when idle gossip came their way. £3000.00 for this County of ours, Our Families allow us to be able to There also is a Down way of doing you held events, you organised cake fill our roles to the best of our things off the field and here we are sales, big breakfasts, and even abilities sometimes they might not the victims of our own work not recorded a CD but most important share our passion for what we do being recognised within our own you stepped up to the mark and you but they see that it is something land, the other counties marvel at were counted. Each and every one that we care about and they how we host events, they want us of those Prisoners deserves to be understand. To the families of to come share our experiences of named in the ranks of People of the Down GAA you have a right to be in the Club Draw, they want to see Year, they answered the call and our people of the year not just for how we are innovative in they delivered and Down GAA is 2015 but for every year, you help administration and training, they very lucky to have people of their make it happen. even want to know about our quality in the ranks of our system of Starred games. They want supporters. us to pilot schemes because they Reflection know that Down will do it right in For 17 Years the Canal Court Hotel I am the full time secretary of a that they will do it their way. So I has sponsored Down GAA over that great County, a County that I love say be proud embrace the Down period the McParland brothers John passionately and one for whom I way and if you really want to and Paddy have been not just work to the best of my ability. I am change it then well help to make it sponsors but good friends to the employed now by Croke Park and I better , to knock is easy to build GAA in Down. Over that period the was delighted to accept the offer of takes hard work, my belief going sponsorship has sustained Down a new Seven Year contract in July forward is that we Build. GAA in difficult times and when we and I look forward to continuing to needed help beyond the norm John serve my County to the very best of To each and every member of the was always there to be a support my ability. Down County Committee I say thank and a confidante. The sadness in the you for your support and I say thank end of the Sponsorship is that we You see I do believe that there is a you for the work that you do on an failed to deliver silverware other Down way of doing things and ongoing basis for your Club and your than the and Dr sometimes this has been lost in County you are making a difference McKenna Cup to the Hotel, It would translation and has become a in a very positive way. Let us all have been wonderful if in 2010 we subject of ridicule the fact of the continue to make that difference. had reached the Holy grail and matter is that each County has delivered “Sam” it would have been indeed their own way of doing The Team in the Offices of Down what John and Paddy and their staff things. In Kilkenny that will be GAA also deserve a special mention would have deserved. The Team different to what they might do in and none more so than Mary Sloan Sponsorship might be over but the Cork and in Galway different to who is very much the rock for us all, relationship is not and Down Teams what they do in Antrim and that is we helped her celebrate the big will continue to support the Canal right we are not all cloned. The birthday this year and we also Court and The Carrickdale Hotels great GAA commentator Eugene witnessed Mary celebrate as Kilcoo and we will encourage our Clubs McGee in speaking to me was made it Four in a Row. Mary is a and other Counties to do so as well. dismayed how some counties go out GAA person at heart and is one of The McParland brothers are GAA to now try and change the way for those selfless people who give of people and we need to look after which they were renowned in an themselves willingly because they our own John and Paddy attempt to make themselves more care and they want to. McParland are my people of the fashionable. year for 2015. DOWN COUNTY GAA ANNUAL CONVENTION 2015 30

Gráinne Stacey has been of great GAA. You are the Team that makes due to the work of Brendan and help to Conor O Toole in the it all happen in our Schools and we Diarmuid Cahill. coaching department and Martina take great pride in the positive Casement is a great support to feedback we get from our Schools As Assistant Treasurer Diarmuid Brendan as County Treasurer and about your performance. now fulfils that role with the same she is often the first point of contact degree of expertise that he did in for people wanting something done. To all of those who lost loved ones previous roles as PRO and Ulster Martina is certainly a great asset to throughout the year I extend my Council Rep as well as continuing to Down GAA and is very meticulous in deepest and heartfelt sympathy, act as IT Officer and Treasurer of any task she undertakes. I am very tonight at Convention we remember Club Down. He also edits Extra Time lucky that she is also a great help to everyone in a prayerful minute and he is a true reflection of the me and I have no hesitation in before proceedings begin. The idea adage that if you want something saying she is not just a great work of including names of deceased done you ask a busy man, colleague but also someone who is members in our annual Convention personally too Diarmuid is a good very committed to Down GAA, for booklet is I feel a nice chance of friend too and I certainly appreciate Martina this is more than just a job showing to us all that we are all his advice and guidance. she genuinely cares. We are very acknowledging the work of those lucky to have a good team in place who have gone before us and Seamus Ryan though no longer an in the Offices of Down GAA long helped to make us who we are. Officer of the County selflessly puts may that continue. To my fellow officers I thank you for his own business at our disposal to all of your work during the year and ensure that we are fully compliant Conor O Toole is our Games your help and support shown to me with all regulations; this is the type Development Manager, a role that at all times. of hidden work people do not see. he continues to grow in strength in each day. The magnificent To my Chairman Sean, I say thank This time last year at County organisation of the Cúl Camps is you for your support and assistance Convention we had no nominees for down to Conor and the staff that he at all times, you have come through the position of Assistant Secretary recruits. I stated last year that a very tough first year but your and in January County Committee Conor like me is not bound by a 9-5 shoulders too are broad and you will appointed Jarlath Tinnelly to the job, we work for the GAA after all, continue to deliver practical first post and I have to commend Jarlath and that is very much true and for class leadership for this County. for the excellent job that he did this Conor O Toole he is always There is no doubt that Down GAA year, he grew into the post as the prepared to go the extra mile to can go from strength to strength year went on and it is testament to help Clubs to help coaches and to with Sean Rooney at the helm, he his contribution that he is returned assist with Development Squads. needs and deserves all of our unopposed at Convention. support. In 2015 Conor has also been As I stated earlier in my report there working very closely with Paddy O As Vice Chairperson John Devaney was a time in the world of Down Rourke as we develop the Emerging has also chaired CCC and has also GAA when the late Síghle Nic An Talent Programme and working with been a great support at all times, Ultaigh was well regarded as the Paddy even ensured that he got his those of you who attended the First Lady of Down GAA in 2015 we place back for Loughinisland’s Ulster recent All Stars Event or saw any of have had two ladies on Coiste Club Campaign, there is no doubt our Down TV videos will have seen Banisti who have worked as hard as that his fitness and diet improved that we have a real talent here in anyone else for the family that is under the tutelage of Paddy, he was John Devaney, a most capable and Down GAA. I pay tribute to Maureen following the master and there is no articulate public speaker and and Paula on the way that they have doubt that their combined energies performer. enhanced and developed their roles will bring progress for our as Development Officer and Irish Development plans. Our treasurer Brendan Fitzpatrick and Culture Officer. Tonight at continues to grow into the role and County Convention both of these To all our Schools coaches, our own has overseen the roll out of the ladies will step down from their Kyla, Liam, Cormac, Benny, Bosca system at matches to try and respective roles. Ambrose, Mark and Karol along with ensure greater accountability and the DENI coaches I say a big thank transparency. This year our As Development Officer Maureen you for the work that you do in our Championship Gates show a marked has made an invaluable contribution schools as ambassadors for Down increase and this is in no small way to the GAA in Down, she has in her

31 www.DownGAA.net

five years in the post secured almost programmes for Club and County Administration. Nationally there €500,000 for our Clubs in the form games to an exceptionally high was also further honour for Down of grants from Provincial level. She standard. Again when you wanted when Feargal McCormack was has initiated a programme of Officer something done Paul was there and appointed on to Coiste Banisti by Training and has seen many of our assisted by his sidekick Aidan the Uachtarain, it is nice to see that Clubs achieve optimum awards in Murphy they made sure that things our people are recognised at the Club Maith, whilst supporting others happened and that a photographic highest level. Other Down people on to undertake Development Plans. record was in place in the archives Sub Committees at National Level Maureen is one of those people of every event we undertook in the include Diarmuid Cahill, Paula who make things happen for others last five years. Paul has definitely set Magee, Dan McCartan and myself she is generous in her time given to the bar high for any new PRO but and these are all posts of Clubs and indeed has undertaken one thing for certain is that Paul will recognition for Down. many Club visits to just show her be there to offer any help that is support and thus the support of the needed. The help and expertise that is within County to their project or to just Down GAA is great and it is ease their worries about any issue. At Ulster Council we were well recognised nationally and Down GAA owes a big thank you to represented by Michael McArdle provincially with many of our Maureen for making a difference to and William Smith, though Michael members serving on committees at our Clubs and to our Administration still failed to secure us a Home all of these levels, I thank each and as County Development Officer but Championship Draw in the Ulster every person who goes that extra more importantly for just being the Championship he did represent us mile to serve on these bodies you person that she is. very well at CCC. This year when I are great ambassadors for Down asked at Coiste Banisti for someone and worthy of such recognition As Irish and Cultural Officer Paula to talk on responsibility for the Half Magee has raised the profile of Scór Time Draw in Pairc Esler, Michael Tom Potter has settled in well to the and Culture within the County we immediately said he would do it and role of Coaching Officer in what is have under Paula’s stewardship got together a team of sellers, the an exciting time with the launch of seen All Ireland and Provincial Titles half time draw in Pairc Esler has the Mourne County Academy, Tom come our way and we have also generated to date nearly £10,000 a is a member of that steering group played host to Provincial Finals valuable contribution indeed. and is also a very good support to which were organised to perfection Conor O Toole in his role. Tom is a by Paula and her team. So many Michael also heads up our Events man with a real passion for people young and old have been team and he is already planning for Coaching and there is no doubt that given the opportunity to participate a major Fundraiser in 2016, he he will make an impact in the Coach in Scór by the simple fact that Paula certainly is a man who delivers on Education Programme. persevered to get their Club to any task. William was also chair of enter. Paula like Maureen makes Referees Appointments in Down Kate Woods has stood down from things happen and I say thank you and also Chair of our Irish and her role as County Children’s Officer to Paula for in particular raising the Cultural Committee, in both of these and I thank Kate for the work she profile of our anthem at our games, roles he made a valuable did in this role, it is a role that our on a small note the next time you contribution and was also the Clubs are going to have to embrace are in Pairc Esler just listen and see conduit for the Grounds Inspection and address seriously. Our Children how many spectators are now Visits undertaken this year and here are our future and we have a duty singing our anthem, this all comes I congratulate Atticall on their being to protect each and every one of from having a singer at our games. named Club Ground of the year in them who come under our care, Thank you Paula and I hope that you the Ulster Presidents Awards. I playing Gaelic Games or and Maureen will not be lost to thank both men for their participating in any way in our administration in Down. contributions in Down and in Ulster. Association must be an enjoyable experience. Our PRO Paul Rooney comes to the Seamus Walsh represented our end of his 5 year term at Convention County at Ard Comhairle where he Gary Doherty has established a and in those five years he has was also a member of the Central good team in the Health and Well established himself one of the top Appeals Committee and I thank Being Committee and again we are County PRO’s in the Country. Paul Seamus for his contributions lucky here to have Michelle Pollock brought a dynamic style to the post centrally and at County Level where as secretary of this committee. and he continued to produce he was also chair of Referees There is a lot of work to be done

DOWN COUNTY GAA ANNUAL CONVENTION 2015 32

here and this year the County Minor the burden on our Club pitches. I so because of my own team off the Footballers wore the slogan hope that Danny continues to enjoy pitch, the team at home who give “Minding Your Head” on the back of good health in the months and me the support necessary to fulfil their jerseys as a message to create years ahead. the role. There is no day when you awareness of Mental Health. We are not the County Secretary, it is a need to work on getting our In Croke Park Ard Stiurthóir Paraic demanding role on a family too and message out to show the good work Duffy is always willing to be of help I am very thankful for their being done by this committee. and assistance and this is much understanding. To Teresa, John and valued and appreciated. To all the Fiona your support for me is To the Divisional Boards and their staff in Ulster and in Croke Park I say invaluable and I just would not be Chairs Michael McArdle and Donal thank you on behalf of the Gaels of able to do the job in the way that I McNally I thank you for all your Down, this is the great strength of want to without your continued support and work in 2015, I hope our Association we are a family of input. We don’t say thank you often that my comments in relation to equals. You get as County Secretary enough, I suppose it is a GAA thing your boards earlier in my report will to meet great people in our we expect people just to fit in be taken in the spirit that they were Organisation the Staff in Ulster and around us, but to the team in intended and I look forward to a Croke Park, I can only speak highly Chestnut Grove I once again say healthy debate. of, like us all they are all part of the mile mile buiochas you certainly great GAA family that continues to play your part. There is good work being done by a go from strength to strength. whole lot of people all for the 2016 can be a great year for Down betterment of Down GAA and it is I am looking forward to 2016 as GAA, I have no doubt about that but our failing that we don’t shout it Runaí of Coiste Chontae an Duin, it whether it will be or not is down to enough from the rooftops and we is an honour and a privilege to serve each and every one of us. If we don’t thank people like Michelle my County, no two days are the want it to happen it will, from the Pollock, Sheila Kelly, Dermot Baxter, same and we would not want them youngest to the oldest, from the Tony Burden, Seana Talbot, Brian to be. I love working for Down GAA players to the supporters, from the McAvoy, Fiona Murphy, Aisling but I am only the keeper of the team managers to the McGivern enough for the jobs that flame, Down GAA is to me the administrators, from those who they do on our County Sub greatest organisation in the criticise us, to those who are there committees, to each and every Country, and I only want to serve for us, we need you all with us on person who does anything for Down and to serve you well. To be there the journey. Let the Dawn happen GAA I say Thank you, you help make for Clubs. To help where I can for Down GAA in 2016 and let us all a difference. You are all part of the help. To share the highs and the play our part. great Down GAA family. lows. Yet all the time working hard to try and be the best that we can Bealach an Dúin: Ag Obair le Chéile In Ulster and in Croke Park there are be. The Down Way: Working Together. a lot of good people doing a lot of good work and believe me we in To make Down successful that is my Down have a lot of good friends in aim. I hope that in 2016 we can both places, there can be a achieve Inter County success as the perception out there that Authority saying goes a rising tide lifts all is out to always stifle you. I can boats and a successful Down County assure you this is not the case as Team lifts all spirits, I believe that in Runaí Comhairle Uladh Danny 2016 we can come in under the Murphy has been a great support to radar and we can surprise people, I me and not just to me, Danny loves for one am looking forward to the his home county and if there is a Dr McKenna Cup, The Allianz chance for Danny to go the extra League, the Christy Ring Cup and of mile to get some benefit for his own course the Ulster Championship. So County Danny is always willing to do let us all get behind our teams and so. That was nowhere more evident our County let us see only the in Danny’s assistance in providing positive and move forward together Floodlights at the Abbey CBS to and create the spirit of 2010 again. allow Down to have a floodlit grass facility going forward and thus ease For me to do this job I can only do

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TUARASCAIL RUNAI COISTE CHEANNAIS NA GCOMORTAISI

The season began in February with significantly in the 2016 season, gatemen and club volunteers the ACPR league and will conclude should the changes be approved by throughout the county, your with the U21 'A' league final this the incoming County Board. commitment equates to many tens Sunday, during that period there of thousands of man hours were 870 scheduled All County Although there will always be a throughout a season and without Football games, of which 90% or couple of standout disciplinary your input, our fixture programme 783 games were played. The issues that grab the headlines in any could not function. Thank you also instances of un-played games given year, there has been far too to the many clubs that made their seemed to spike as the season was many instances of indiscipline pitches and facilities available as winding down, when competitions throughout the season, with 38 neutral venues for various were already won and it is fair to clubs contributing to over 120 competitions and to the media report that going into the last sending's off between U16 and outlets for carrying our fixtures and couple of rounds of league fixtures, Senior level. This figure can never be match reports throughout the year. games completed were around 95% allowed to become the norm and of those scheduled. the onus is on clubs to ensure that Having taken on the role of fixtures their teams give due respect to our secretary at the beginning of the There were various reasons given association and playing rules and year, I am indebted for the advice, why games remained un-played, the referees that implement them. help and moral support that I including exams, end of season dead received throughout the year from rubbers and teams withdrawing My sincere thanks to all the club my fellow Coiste Banisti officers, from the competition after the and fixtures secretary's for your co- CCC members and county office fixtures programme had been set or operation throughout the season in staff. I had to seek guidance on an began. I constantly encouraged club helping to ensure that the fixtures ongoing basis and that help and and fixtures secretary's to commit calendar was adhered to. assistance particularly from our to and fulfil all their outstanding Congratulations to all the County Chairman and County fixtures and I am very grateful that competition winners this year and I Secretary made my job much easier, for the most part, clubs engaged would like to commend the efforts a job I have been honoured to with each other and reached of senior teams from Burren, perform and I look forward to agreement between themselves Ballymartin and Glasdrumman plus continuing in my role with your regarding re-fixtures. Bredagh U16's who completed their support in 2016. respective regular season league Going forward, I would ask clubs to fixtures undefeated. In addition, the My thanks and gratitude to always have some consideration for very best wishes to Loughinisland Maureen and Paul whose terms of the their fellow clubs and the knock on their quest for All Ireland office have concluded and best on effect that postponed and un- Intermediate championship success, wishes to all those who seek played games has on the playing having already secured the Ulster election to serve in the incoming calendar. Having identified and title. year. agreed areas for improvement regarding fixture fulfilment with the Thank you to the ever reliable Is mise, CCC, I would expect the number of match day personnel, including Iarlaith Mac an tSionnaigh. un-played games to reduce referee's, linesmen, umpires,

DOWN COUNTY GAA ANNUAL CONVENTION 2015 34

2015 FOOTBALL AND HURLING RECORDS

All-County Football Championship Competition Winners Runner-up Senior Kilcoo Castlewellan Intermediate Loughinisland An Ríocht Junior Glasdrumman Ardglass Premier Reserve Burren Rostrevor Reserve Clonduff Ballyholland U20 A Not Complete at time of Print - Final: Clonduff v Mayobridge U20 B CPN Rostrevor Minor Rostrevor Shamrocks U16 Bredagh U14 Kilcoo Mayobridge

All-County Hurling Championships Competition Winners Runner-up Senior Ballycran Ballygalget Intermediate Portaferry Carryduff Junior Ballela Shamrocks MHC Ballygalget Shamrocks U16 Bredagh Portaferry U14 Ballygalget Bredagh

All-County Hurling Leagues Competition Winners Runner-up Division 1 Portaferry II Ballycran II Division 2 Ballycran III Betsy Gray Ballycran Ballygalget Minor Ballycran Minor Shield Carryduff CPN U16 Bredagh U16 Shield Carryduff Ballycran U14 Ballygalget Bredagh Feile na nGael Bredagh Ballygalget

All-County Football Leagues Competition Winners Runner-up Division 1 Bryansford Burren Division 2 Ballymartin Loughinisland Division 3 Glasdrumman Teconnaught A.C.P.R.L. Division 1 Mayobridge Bryansford A.C.P.R.L. Division 2 CPN Tullylish Minor Division Burren Clonduff U16 Burren Shamrocks Senior Feis 7s Kilcoo Ballyholland Junior Feis 7s Dundrum Glasdrumman Feile Peil "A" Ballyholland Bredagh Feile Peil "B" Longstone Newry Shamrocks Feile Peil "C" Tullylish Burren SCAIL RUNAI COISTE CHEANNAIS NA GCOMORTAISI 59

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An Coiste Pleanala Agus Forbartha Fisiciula / Planning & Physical Development Reflection What is Development? I have completed my five years in I had a wonderful committee, we Development in a club includes the this post and it has been most were a good team, all with expertise physical development of facilitates, rewarding and enjoyable, I got great which they brought to the table, no the development of club officers pleasure from visiting our Clubs, super heroes just people willing to and the club as a whole. As we look meeting with members, renewing work and willing to serve their around our County we have many old friendships and being a County. It was a privilege on my part great facilities and we should be supportive ear for the hopes and to work with each and every one of very proud of them. The challenge aspirations of our Clubs. In the GAA them over the five years, we had now is to have even better facilities you get to meet wonderful people laughs and we had fun, more in the years ahead; we cannot stand all giving off their time for others all importantly we got the job in hand still whilst our competitors play working to try and ensure that the done. catch up and then take over us. GAA is at the hub of their community. It is important in the world of We have many flagship development within the GAA that developments within our County As I come to the end of my term as we develop our people and on our and I encourage all Clubs to share County Development Officer I hope committee I would like to think that good practice if your club is thinking that I have ensured that where all the members got the chance to about a physical development think possible the GAA in Down is in a develop their own skills and all done first where else in Down might this stronger position in terms of its with a smile. We were indeed a have been done. Then go and see people and its facilities. We all want Team, we were not on the pitch but the work and learn of the pitfalls but to try to make a difference and if I we were very much a team off the also let your hosts glow in the have helped in some small way to pitch, it is necessary at this point to success of their project by being make a difference to our Clubs and mention my committee by name, able to showcase it. their members then it will have Michelle Pollock, Sheila Kelly, Anita been a worthwhile five years. Brannigan, Dermot Baxter, Seamus Our clubs continue to be Quinn, Gary Doherty, Brian Kennedy progressive in this area and I was As they say time flies when you are and Seán Óg. I will acknowledge delighted when Atticall was recently enjoying yourself and for me in this their individual work later in my awarded the best kept grounds in role time really has flown. report. the County by Comhairle Uladh. This

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was a great achievement by a small this night certainly left with a sometimes they may feel tired and rural Club. greater insight into their Insurance it we need to ensure we have a obligations and commitments. I strategy in place to invite more on I encourage our clubs to ensure that urge all Clubs to be Insurance Aware board. maintenance checks are carried out in 2016. and that health and safety is Recently, I attended a Volunteer paramount. Brian Kennedy this year Club Officers– the team off seminar in my work where there devised an inspection booklet which the Pitch Workshops were various presentations from should be a useful tool in our clubs voluntary groups. I observed that The development of our club to assist with health and safety one particular group asked for officers is essential. It is important checks. expertise to be identified among when a new officer takes up a post; their members and this was they receive the necessary support Each Club should appoint a health matched to an area in the to carry out their new role. and safety officer or identify a organisation which needed person in the clubs to address this assistance. People were asked to We in Down held two very area there is perhaps someone in carry out a role that they were successful nights in February and your Club who would be delighted interested in or had the skills to do again in June for new and existing to take on this role until you ask it. Perhaps this is something we Officers where we were able to them you will never know. Support could do in our clubs, put out an glean from them problems that they is available too from the Committee interest note to establish what skills foresaw and to be able to show in that Brian Kennedy is available to are available and they could be them that there was a support offer advice and expertise and for assigned to a particular role. Are we mechanism within the County that I thank him. Sean Og is also the doing enough to get people in our available to all Club Officers. We are County Health and Safety Officer communities involved in our a GAA family after all and I thank all and is always available to provide organisation? my fellow County Officers who guidance. So in relation to Health participated in the Workshops and and Safety in our Clubs and Grounds The club committee is just as an certainly it would be something I you are not alone we are there to important team as our teams on hope that the committee would help. the pitch. It must be well structured carry forward into 2016. and good governance is a necessary

ingredient for a successful club. We Insurance need to do things better and we This is one area within the GAA that Recently I attended training in Croke need to do them with a smile, it is we take for granted and yet it is an Park and the emphasis was on the still easy to say please and thank area with the biggest consequences team off the pitch. Our club officers you within our Clubs to our for us all. There is no doubt about it and committees must obtain members and those little words can that when it comes to Insurance we training and support to carry out often be the difference between a in the GAA family are negligent and their specific roles and duties. We volunteer staying or leaving. If we it is an area that needs to be need to ensure our volunteers are manage our people well then we addressed for our players on the happy in their roles and are will get the best results, they are field and also for our property and signposted to the resources they our greatest asset let us value them the safety of our members and need to carry out their role fully. visitors. effectively and that they are not left

to their own devices to struggle on! We have had Clubs who have just There must be a sense of enjoyment Club Development buried their heads in the sand with and satisfaction and they must feel I have referred to the development regard to Insurance matters but the as if they belong to a vibrant club. of club facilities and club officers fact is that these matters just don’t above which all contribute to the go away. To try and address this Our chairpersons play a vital role in overall development of a club. Often issue of Insurance we hosted a our clubs; their encouragement, throughout the year I encouraged workshop in the Burrendale Hotel organisational skills and clubs to participate in Club Maith which was attended by Sinead Leavy management ability provide solid and to progress with a Club (GAA Insurance Officer), Martin foundations for a successful club. Of Development plan. Several of our Casey (Willis GAA Claims Manager) course we need more volunteers to clubs have produced excellent and Seamus Howlin (Chairman of assist us in the managing of our ever Development Plans and have been the GAA Insurance Committee). We expanding clubs. We have very successful with Club Maith. hope that those Clubs who attended excellent volunteers in our clubs but

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This sends out a positive message in that clubs do not lose out on carried out because there is a need their communities. funding and it is vital that someone for it and not because there is a in the club is identified to take grant available. They have used these activities to responsibility for this area of work. examine club areas including Projects must be sustainable and we governance, finance, culture, When completing these must remember we are only coaching, duty of care etc. Club applications, necessary caretakers of our clubs and that we Development plans have been documentation is required and this will all move on and it will be left for produced as a result of involving all is where it is crucial that all trustees, someone else to take ownership. I those in their club and community accounts etc are in order. Dermot encourage all our clubs to make to help pave the way forward for Baxter willingly carried out an audit contact with their sports the future. The plan, a working of all our clubs trustees. The results Development officer in the local document will be their road map for have been good with only a few councils and to ensure they are on the future and it can be measured clubs still having to carry out any distribution lists for funding along the way and it will give people amendments. A spreadsheet will be updates. Again I can’t stress enough a sense of pride in their community issued shortly and a big thank you to the need for a club development and in themselves. It is also a Dermott for carrying out this plan for statutory funding! Sheila’s necessary requirement for statutory exercise. contribution to the County Planning funding. and Physical Development and Last year we received over Health and Safety committee has Participation in Club Maith allowed £100,000.00 in grants and hopefully been invaluable and our clubs are our clubs to bench mark themselves this year we will exceed that. Again better off because of her vast against best practice. Clubs have it is heartening to know that the knowledge. Many thanks Sheila you excelled in this area and they should gate receipts from the Ulster and have shared your expertise with have a great sense of pride in what Croke Park games are being put others in the true spirit of the GAA they have achieved. I would like to back into our clubs. This is your and as Anita would often remind us congratulate all those successful admission price paid in by you you have not put the arm around clubs and I appreciate the time and coming back to you tenfold or more the homework!! effort that was required to complete in the form of perhaps a new pitch this exercise. at your ground, or new changing Seamus Quinn also sat on my rooms. committee and brought with him a I appeal to club chairpersons, vast experience on club matters. leading their clubs into 2016, to Statutory Funding Regularly, in his advisory role, continue to address the whole area ensured, that we were going down Information on statutory funding is of club development. A big thank the right route. It is testimony too to emailed regularly to our clubs you to Anita Brannigan and Seamus the good work of Seamus that his thanks to the great efforts of Sheila O’Hanlon for taking the lead in Club own Club Atticall was awarded the Kelly. Sheila continuously Maith and to Gary Doherty and best Ground in Down in the recent researches avenues of funding to Jimmie Cousins for their support Ulster Presidents Awards. assist our clubs. Sheila in her role as with the club development plans. a club development officer You all have contributed in a We need men like Seamus Quinn identifies funding to support club positive way to the development of fully involved with the GAA, development no matter how small it our clubs, you have made a remember we can buy many things is. Information leaflets promoting difference. but we cannot buy experience! On best practice with regard to behalf of the committee I offer my identifying funding and a state of sincere sympathy to Seamus on the Ulster Council Grants readiness position, when the sudden death of his wife Rosemary. Each year I encourage clubs to window of opportunity arises have May she rest in peace. Seamus, submit a grant application for been emailed to the clubs. Gone are thank you for sharing your wisdom development work which has been the days where we can sit back and with us. carried out in their clubs. This year be spoon fed.

19 Verti-draining and 12 Throughout the five years, Michelle development grant applications We have to be assertive and ensure Pollock has been secretary of the have been forwarded to Ulster we are getting all we are entitled to County Planning and Physical Council. The applications have in regard to funding. However we Development and Health and Safety increased along with the awards can’t rely on funding, committee. A role Michelle carried from Ulster Council. It is important developments in a club must be

DOWN COUNTY GAA ANNUAL CONVENTION 2015 38

out diligently. Minutes were always Dan as a fellow Fontenoy! And a development in a club. Paul is very carefully completed on time and man whom I have the greatest reliable and he was so helpful to me emailed to the County secretary and respect for. in the earlier days when I was very agendas all agreed to prior to inexperienced. Paul provided a lot meetings. Action points were always To Sean Og, what can I say, I of important advice and he was very followed up and spread sheets tortured you quite often for advice supportive to our clubs when they completed for all grants furnished and you never once palmed me off. were applying for permission to to Ulster Council. All information You were so supportive to me and borrow. seminars were organised well due you acknowledged the work done to Michelle’s meticulously planning by our committee. Thank you so In conclusion, to all the committee, and organisation. Michelle was a much for your patience and for I say a sincere thank you, I enjoyed breath of fresh air with a great sharing your wealth of knowledge your company, the laughs we had personality which was admired by with our committee. and all our good times together. To all her committee. I am so much the clubs I say thank you for your indebted to Michelle for all her To all who shared journeys to visit courtesy in allowing me to visit you, support and it was a pleasure Clubs I thank you for giving of your I enjoyed meeting each and every working with her. time outside of committee to show one of you and I hope I contributed Clubs that we were prepared to in a small way to your club There is another person I would like help and that we were there to development. I also want to thank to thank for mentoring me over the practically support in whatever way my fellow officers on the County years and for being available at the we could. Executive. It was a pleasure working end of a telephone for advice - Dan with you all. McCartan. I have learned a lot from My role involved a lot of contact Dan especially with regard to good with the Ulster Council staff and I Good luck and best wishes to all in governance and also the need to thank them all for their support. I 2016 always try and improve the have to single out Paul Sanders. He structure of our Clubs. Indeed was my rock and he taught me a lot Is Mise though a Saval man I always regard with regard to the physical Maureen O’Higgins

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THEICNEOLAIOCHTA EOLAI RERORT FROM PUBLIC RELATIONS, COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE

This is my last year as PRO with the championship season when the correct use of these platforms can five year rule kicking in. Firstly I fixtures are coming thick and fast. be very beneficial to the clubs or would like to say that it is a job in county's using them. which i thoroughly enjoyed and The co-operation of competing took great pride and pleasure in clubs is therefore crucial to match Through social media, the doing. programme production and on committee provides regular updates behalf of the committee, I would on major fixtures within the county, I have at all times tried to represent therefore like to thank the clubs for proving to be increasingly popular our county in a positive manner playing their part at this stage and among Gaels, both within Down and during my term and hopefully you may I also take this opportunity to much farther afield. I thank all my will all agree with me. remind them to provide the County fellow committee members for their PRO with requested information as help in "tweeting" match updates. It has been a busy year for the early as possible, in order to allow Communications Committee and in for the programmes to be printed in However, this year we had some particular, Aidan Murphy (my right time and to high standard. new people at the Twitter helm, hand man), Fiona Murphy, Aishling proving to be hugely successful in Mc Givern, Thomas O Hare, and the I would additionally like to thank the reaching vast audiences with 20,081 rest of the Committee. local photographers, who have followers on twitter and 10,206 on supplied us with so many great FaceBook. It is an arduous task, that The County Committee agreed that images during my time as PRO, for we hope everyone enjoys. It seems we should revive the Down inclusion in the match programmes that the twitter feed is part and Yearbook in 2015, and we have and it would be a remiss of me not parcel of the game nowadays and in produced a new book this year, to mention a few men who without Down, we try to cover as much as which is in a different style to the their help, my job would have been humanly possible and we hope to books we have done in previous much more difficult. Louis McNally, expand the network even further in years. The theme we have chosen Pat O Hare, Brendan Monaghan and the season which lies ahead. for this book is the idea of a photo Phillip Walsh - I thank you. speaks a million words where we To the Down Supporters Club, who I would remind everyone that in this have placed particularly interesting sell these programmes on match age where digital technology has photos that can tell the story of our days and who provide advertising now become the norm, and more season, along with a few additional input to the productions- a big news is now obtained from digital articles which we hope you enjoy. thank you to you all. platforms than from the traditional sources, that usage of these I would like to mention the clubs in To Seamus Mc Clean who has been communications tools should be Co. Down, who I have also worked my Down GAA "encyclopaedia" for part and parcel of everyday life with over these past five years. I the past five years- I really within clubs. Young people in must admit, it has been a great appreciate everything you have particular see the likes of Facebook, pleasure to work with each and helped me with during my time in Snapchat and Twitter as their every one of you. the job . preferred method of messaging others. Clubs should use every The committee were very To the local written media, there are opportunity to avail their skills as a enthusiastic in producing high a few men here who also need a way of integrating them into their quality match programmes for all mention. Whose help has also been everyday affairs. Championship finals, quarter-finals much appreciated during my term; and semi-finals of the Senior Joseph Donnan, Colm Fitzpatrick, On behalf of the committee may I Championship and for Co. Down's Tony Bagnall, Steven Malone, thank all County Committee home National League games in Gareth Mc Cullough - I thank you all. members and clubs, especially the hurling and football. club PRO's, for their assistance During my period as PRO, social throughout the year. Your support This is a time consuming and time media has became one of the most made our work so much easier. I bound task, particularly at the important forms of communications also thank the GAA correspondents business end of the club and I would also add that the and photographers for their help

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and co-operation and wish you well I thank you and really appreciated his second year as County in your ongoing promotion of our all you have done for me to support Chairman. I thank him also for the games. I also wish to thank all my me in the role. support and assistance that he gave fellow committee members, and to me during my time at the helm. trust that will be forgiven for Finally I wish to thank County singling out Aidan for special praise. Secretary, Sean Og McAteer and A sincere thanks to everyone in the The work he does is truly Diarmuid Cahill who's help, support County for giving me the phenomenal and without his help, and advice during my term as PRO opportunity. my job as PRO within this county has been essential. They were would have been a lot harder. always on hand when I needed Paul Rooney, Co. Down PRO guidance. To my family for all of their support during my term as PRO, and to my I would wish good luck to my fellow county committee members, Brother Sean, who is now entering

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Coiste Oiliúna agus Fobairt na gCluichí An Duin / Down GAA Coaching and Games Committee Without doubt, 2015 and has been Caitriona Killoran from Trillick, to continue for many years to come. one of the most busy years I have bring our quota of coaches moving Like the KS1 coaching programme, experienced in my role as Coaching forward to 5. the Down GAA KS2 coaches make an and Games Development Manager impact which goes well beyond the with Down GAA. As ever the coaches have spent the Primary schools sector. The work year working diligently with the that our staff do on a daily basis It was clearly stated in my 2014 youngest members of our schools, promoting and delivering Gaelic report that the main objective of delivering a wonderful standard of Games, strengthens our clubs no the Coaching and Games Physical Education and most end, and open doors for clubs, Department for 2015 would be to importantly, up skilling hundreds of which we must take full advantage present ourselves more visible on Primary School teachers on a weekly of. the ground and to assist out club basis. physically in as many ways as I would like to thank Mark, Kyla, possible. The DENI “Sports in Schools Cormac, Karol, Ambrose, Benny and Programme” is a hugely valuable Liam for their ongoing efforts on a I feel that in 2015 we have done asset, not only within the Primary day to basis in the schools. Their this. School sector in this County, but ability to coach, run blitzes, referee, also within our clubs. The great act as role models, and be The following report encompasses work being done at KS1 level ambassadors for Down GAA is all Coaching and Games related through this programme has second to none. activity in the period 1st January enabled the 48 GAA clubs in County 2015 – 3rd December 2015 under Down to open their doors to Our full time staff have been joined the following national key areas: children who are not only of a much in 2015 by a number of placement younger age, but most importantly students who have strengthened  Primary Schools Coaching who have all the basic components our ability to deliver on the ground of Gaelic Games and physical and assist schools as much as  Coach Education literacy in place. possible. Rory McGrath from Carryduff has joined the coaching  Development Squads / Talent KS2 Coaching: Department on a 3 day per week Academies Across the calendar year of 2015, placement from UUJ, while Miceal Down GAA provided at least 20 McArdle (Drumgath) and Michael  The Mourne Academy weeks of coaching support to no Fitzpatrick (Mayobridge) have fewer than 74 Primary schools. This joined us for 2 days per week from  National GAA Kellogg’s Cúl quantity of support is simply SRC Newry. Camps unrivalled and unmatched ANYWHERE in the province of We are fortunate to have such high Ulster. quality people working with the children in this County on a daily Primary Schools Coaching 2014 brought about changes to the basis. I look forward to another and Support: schools programme, with schools great year with the schools in 2016. KS1 Coaching: being asked to financially contribute I was disappointed to find out that towards the cost of coaching, but Coach Education: in 2015 we would be losing 2 this has in no way deterred the 2015 has seen us deliver the most members of our KS1 coaching team. primary schools of Co. Down. comprehensive Coach Education Geraldine Christie left her post with Programme that the County has Ulster GAA, while Ciaran Murtagh The Primary Schools Coaching ever held. took up an administrative role Programme is one of Down GAA’s within the LGFA. most valuable assets and something The Coaching and Games which we take immense pride in. Department has strived to provide The remaining coaches, Pierce as many learning opportunities for Caherty, Gavin McGilly, Ryan We are delighted with the support Club coaches, schools coaches, McShane and Garreth Thornton this programme receives from our teachers, parents, referees, camp were joined at Halloween by schools and we hope that this will coaches etc.

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In the past 12 months we have In November 2015 we launched the Down GAA Development delivered: “Down Club Coach Development squads:  28 x GAA Child Protection Programme” which we believe is the Great progress has been made Courses single best Coach Education within the development squad  14 x Foundation Football Award initiative which the County has ever programmes in both Hurling and Courses hosted. In a bid to maximise Football in the past 12 months. We  6 x Foundation Hurling Award participation levels we have taken are finally now heading in the Courses the workshops to the clubs, by direction of producing elite levels  2 x Level 1 Adult Football Course hosting the programme at 3 players who will be equipped to hurl  1 x Level 1 Child Dual Code different locations around the and play Gaelic Football for our Course county, reducing the travel time and county with distinction for years to  4 x Online Foundation Coaching making it more convenient for all come. Courses attending. The u14 and u16 Hurling squads had  6 x Foundation Coaching Courses productive seasons culminating in in Grammar / Secondary Schools I would like to thank all those clubs the u16 squad winning the All  4 x Primary Schools Teachers who have supported this initiative Ireland U16 Shield Competition in Foundation Coaching Award to date. The feedback has been rd Westmeath in late August.  1 x 3 Level Foundation Coaching wonderful and numbers partaking

Award have proven that there is a vested Under the Guidance of Paul Coulter,  1 x Online Concussion Awareness interest in Coach Education within Mick Blair and John Napier the lads Workshops our clubs and coaches. flourished, playing an attacking  12 x Club Coaches CPD brand of hurling which brought Workshops / Training The programme continues into them their just rewards. opportunities 2016, where I have no doubt it will

 3 x Club Coaching Officers be equally as successful. The u14 squad were coached this Workshops year by Karol Keating, Danny  3 x Cúl Camp Coaches Training Hughes and Fergal Rogers. Like the Workshops u16’s, the younger group displayed  1 x GAA Tutors Training that there is undoubted hurling Workshops talent in this county. I believe that  1 x GAA Cúl Camp Club Co- we have good coaches involved who ordinators training Workshops will not only educate the players in  9 x Club Coaches Development terms of skill and ability, but more Workshops (u6-u8) importantly in terms of  9 x Club Coaches Development commitment, dedication and Workshop (u10-12) willingness to win.

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The introduction of the new “Celtic are fortunate to have such capable The Mourne Academy: Challenge” at u17 level in 2016 will volunteers. On 22nd October Down GAA provide young hurlers in Down and launched “The Mourne Academy”. Ulster with an opportunity to In my end of year report in 2014 I I fully believe that the Mourne partake in a 32 county competition, stressed that the county was making Academy will be catalyst for change which has been sorely missed in progress towards a coherent and within Down GAA. This academy will recent years. Down GAA’s joined up approach with provide the best young players in performances in National Hurling Development Squads, something the county with the very best levels competitions in the last numbers of which I can now say has been of preparation and expertise in a bid years would suggest that we have achieved. to make them the very best Gaelic the capabilities of performing well Footballers that they can be. For too on the national stage. With the introduction of the new long we have rested on our laurels Mourne Academy we have a clearly and our somewhat declining Football Development Squads: defined pathway for players to reputation as being a county who I believe that 2015 will be advance from u15 through to just seemed to produce top quality remembered as a landmark year Minor, u21 and senior level. players “naturally”. within the Football Development Squad set up in Co. Down. Likewise, we also now appear to We have been caught up and in have a coach development pathway some cases overtaken by other This past 12 months have brought being established, whereby coaches counties who may not have the about huge change in the Football who work closely with our natural players that we have, at our Squad structures which I have no Development Squad programme disposal, but who have players that doubt will leave the county in a have opportunities to progress into are willing to work harder and do much stronger position in years to positions of more responsibility. whatever it takes to become the come. very best. I am delighted to see that Sean There was a noticeable “buy-in” O’Hare and Ambrose Rogers have The Mourne Academy will address from players and clubs which in been included in James McCartan this. previous years has proven to be Minor Football management for the somewhat of a stumbling block coming year. Like-wise, seeing one In year one of the academy we have within the football programme. of our longest serving Development 18 players who have access to Thankfully that seems to be virtually Squad Coaches, Gerard Colgan expertise from the world’s of S&C, completely diminished. taking a position within Eamonn Sports Psychology, Physiotherapy, Burns’ new Senior Football set up Life Coaching, and specific skill The county is indebted to the proves that we have some of the development coaches. coaches who work tirelessly with very best people working “down the the Football squads on a weekly ranks”. These players are working on a basis for 10 or 11 months of the weekly basis within this programme year. These appointments have left which will run all year round. The considerable voids in our coaching single most important facet that the U15 Down GAA Football Squad staff, which we must fill in 2016. players must bring to the Coaches: Mark Poland, Liam Hardy, Thankfully however, with Paddy programme is commitment. Kyla Trainor, Conor Fitzpatrick O’Rourke now well accustomed to his role as Academy Director and The Mourne Academy – 1st Year U16 Down GAA Football Squad with the appointment of the new Group: Coaches: Ambrose Rogers, Frank Mourne Academy Steering Conor Cox – Burren McLeigh, Mark Donegan, Joe Committee, we have experts in Conor McAnulty – Liatroim Tunney, John McAteer place to source the very best people Brendan McKey – Dromara to work within the Development Thomas Travers – Burren U17 Down GAA Football Squad Squad programmes in 2016. Cormac O’Rawe – Bredagh Coaches: Gerard Colgan, Sean Callum Fitzsimmons – Saul O’Hare, Garreth Thornton Shaun Lyttle– Bredagh The quality and calibre of the Aaron Gribben – Mayobridge people working with the Conor Clarke – An Riocht Development squads in both Hurling Liam Kerr – Burren and Football is unquestionable. We Jamie Morgan – Saul

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John Boden – Clonduff I am determined that some year most important tasks I have is my Liam Rafferty– Shamrocks soon we will break the 4000 role as secretary to the County Peter Fegan – Burren children mark, and like last year I Coaching and Games Committee. Shea Fitzpatrick – Burren would ask our clubs to go all out to Mark Branniff– Liatroim try and bring just another 5 new This committee is chaired by Tom Oisin McConvey – Darragh Cross kids to their camp in 2016. Is this Potter who has just completed his Pierce Laverty – Saul possible? first year as Coaching Officer. Tom has brought breath of fresh air to I would like to thank these players We have a wonderful core of the coaching committee and I have for their efforts to date. They have a volunteers co-ordinators who I enjoyed the past 12 months under long and difficult journey ahead of believe are ably assisted by the his leadership. them, however they can rely coaches who we employ over the completely on the support of Down summer months. We make no Tom is a hands-on person who is GAA throughout. excuses about how selective we are not afraid to offer himself practically about the people we employ, on the ground to assist with 2015 National GAA because Down GAA are determined whatever jobs or tasks need carried Kellogg’s Cúl Camps: to only include the very best people out. I am grateful to him for all the in the Cúl Camp programme. It support and guidance he has To be honest, having seen the seems that on an annual basis we offered me this year and I look amount of work that went into are now unearthing new faces to forward to continuing to improve running the Cúl Camps in 2014, I work in the Cúl Camps, which not the coaching department and its truly believed that attendance only bodes well for the success of workings in 2016. The remainder of figures in the county had most likely the camps, but also for clubs. the committee is made up of reached saturation point last year, volunteers – which emphasizes the and I was somewhat concerned that It can be disappointing to be told by huge role that the volunteer still our numbers would start to decline club people that some of the staff plays in our organisation which now in 2015 and onwards. I could not we employ over the summer put has a huge number of full time have been more wrong! little or nothing back into their clubs employed staff. I personally worry

as coaches and in 2016 this is slightly about the burden of work I am delighted to say that 2015 something I will be looking at closely being placed upon a small number represented another milestone for when choosing staff. of volunteers within clubs. The Down GAA as we amassed the recent Club Coach Development largest ever attendance figure for I would like to thank everyone for programme has highlighted that in the camps in the county. This the contribution they make to the many, many clubs there are coaches summer we had 3940 children camps, be it as a volunteer, a coach, who are not only coaching one, but attending the camps, which was an a co-ordinator or our own senior often two or three different teams increase of 499 from our 2014 total. coaches who run the camps at the same time.

efficiently and effectively on a week I clearly recall asking all our clubs to to week basis. In a day and age where player try hard to get an extra 10 kids at burnout is so prevalent I would their camp this year, and clearly the 2015 Ulster Cúl Camp challenge our clubs to ask the same clubs did not let me down! questions of their club coaches– are Attendance Figures: you getting burned out? Is the It is a privilege to spend my summer Antrim – 1990 quality of what your delivering overseeing the Cúl Camps and Armagh – 1145 suffering as a result of the quantity getting to meet the many club Cavan – 1606 you are being asked to deliver? people who work tirelessly Derry – 808 I am pleased to say that many of the promoting and pushing the camps Donegal – 3018 juvenile sectors within our clubs at every available opportunity! Down – 3940 seem to be increasing in terms of Fermanagh – 1082 numbers, which generally means A huge plus in this year’s camps was Monaghan – 1495 there are more parents becoming undoubtedly the introduction of the Tyrone - 1515 involved in our clubs and schools. I half zip training top. It proved a real would strongly encourage our clubs hit with parents and children alike I consider myself to be very to tap into the “parental reservoir” and once we got over the initial fortunate to be in the position of as a means of recruiting additional weeks sizing issues, the summer Coaching and Games Development help with underage coaching. was fairly plain sailing! Manager for Down GAA. One of my

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Our games have evolved massively on a daily basis. I am sure that my over the last 20 years or so. In the endless emails and requests for I have had the pleasure over the 1990’s the sight or even the thought information can be somewhat past 12 months of working closely of 4 year old children being involved annoying at times, but the GAA is a on an almost daily basis with Paddy in structured “club activities” was volunteer driven organisation – and O’Rourke through his role with the unheard of, yet now a days the that is without doubt it’s most clear County Academy. I have found it nursery group children are a living, and obvious strength. extremely educational and breathing and much cherished facet enjoyable working with one of our of the large majority of GAA clubs I would like to place on record a County’s most well known and across the country. word of thanks to all the school respected people. Paddy has principals / teachers / PE co- brought leadership qualities to the While as an organisation and as a ordinators who make my job not organisation which I can only County we have done a huge only much easier, but also very assume helped make him the amount of work trying to ensure enjoyable. A special word of thanks wonderful player and captain that that these “future stars” are safe, must go to a local school principal we all remember him being. I am educated correctly and that they are and club secretary who had the looking forward to continuing to happy, we MUST ensure that our pleasure of helping me push my car work with Paddy in 2016. clubs do not simply become a drop for 20mins last week when I got it off point for parents seeking cheap stuck on muddy grounds at Saul Finally I would like to thank Sean Óg child care. GAC!! Thankfully their threats of for his ongoing support and posting the event on social media endeavour. The past 12 months FUNdamentals, ABC’s, Nursery Cúl have yet to be followed through! have been difficult at times, yet Camps, Gaelic Start – These are all Sean Óg has always conducted terms closely affiliated to the Our full time coaching staff are himself in a manner befitting of his development of young children wonderful ambassadors for the position and befitting of Down GAA, within our games – but what use is county and the work they do is at even when others have not. this fancy jargon if our clubs and our times greatly under-appreciated and county do not have the man power under-valued. They are great people He has a great love for the to implement all the good work that who carry out their duties with association in our County and has we preach? diligence and care at all times gone well above the call of duty in a throughout the school year, before bid to serve the county at all times. In 2016 I would challenge our clubs continuing their efforts for 8 weeks The staff employed by Down GAA to work hard at securing additional over the summer in the Cúl Camp could not ask for a better colleague coaches for their juvenile teams, programme. and appreciate all that he does – particularly in the youngest age both seen and unseen. brackets. Welcome new members The GAA is no different from any into your clubs, sell the wonderful other business or organisation I look forward to 2016 with product that we have to offer and where governance and renewed optimism and excitement most importantly, entice the accountability are so important. that we are very much a County parents of young children to get once again headed in the right involved – Down GAA will provide Data collection and paper work are direction. all the necessary training and a huge part of the Coaching and education that they require. Games department and I am Conchúr O’Tuathail / Conor O’Toole fortunate to have administrative Secretary Coaching and Games I wish to sincerely thank all the club assistance from Grainne Stacey in Committee / County Coaching & volunteers that I work closely with the County Office on that front. Games Development Manager.

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Coaching Officers Report

2015 was my first year in Office. I From January 2018 it will be Programme to be delivered over the would like to thank our Games and mandatory in football and hurling next few months. It is vital that our Coaching Manager, Conor O'Toole that: clubs meet the challenge of for his help and support throughout i. All Head Coaches at inter- ensuring all coaches meet the new the year. Thanks also to all the Full- county level ( from u-14 mandatory standards and we as a time and Part-time Staff for their upwards) to be Level 2 County employ a” best practise” work in ensuring the continued qualified, and philosophy to coaching within our success of our Primary, Post-Primary Clubs. Now is the time to contact schools programmes and the ii. All club head coaches ( all our Games and Coaching delivery of our Cul- Camps. I would age grades) to be Level 1 Department to find the course best also wish to thank my fellow qualified. suited to your needs. Dates and members of Coiste Banisti for their venues have been publicised on the guidance and encouragement. Down are in the fortunate position county web-site, or contact Conor in meeting our mandatory O'Toole if your club would wish to There are major changes taking obligation at all levels of our various organise a course. place within coaching. county squads. The majority of our club senior teams also meet this Thanks to all our Tutors who deliver From January 2016 it will be new standard. the various courses in Child mandatory in football and hurling Protection, Foundation Award and that: However, going forward to 2018 we Level 1 Award. i. All inter-county management do have large gaps in qualified teams (u-14 upwards) contain coaches at all juvenile levels. 2016 will see major changes to our a Level 2 qualified coach, and ALL head coaches at ALL age levels Development Squads. The new must be Level 1 qualified from Mourne Football Academy, ii. All club senior management January 2018. overseen by Paddy O'Rourke, has teams contain a Level 1 Our Games and Coaching Manager, given our juvenile players an qualified coach. Conor O'Toole has rolled out an aspirational goal to be the best of extensive Coach Education the best. I would wish to thank all

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the coaches for their input to the beyond our control resulted in some Schools were we have supplied a various squads during 2015. All our children not receiving their kits at member of our coaching staff to coaches are volunteers, all bring a the camps. work alongside the teaching staff in level of commitment and the preparation of teams at various professionalism to the task to Firstly, nationally the numbers age groups. As a follow up to both ensure that our squads are attending greatly exceed these programmes, the Games and prepared to meet the challenges of expectations. Kits are ordered in the Coaching Department will be inter-county football and hurling at previous November and the running a Club-Schools Link juvenile level. National Committee under workshop and I would greatly estimated the number of kits encourage all Clubs to attend. A Mourne Academy Steering required. Secondly, the playing kits Improving Club-Schools links will be Committee under the leadership of are supplied by two different one of our aims for 2016 and we will Paddy O'Rourke and made up with manufacturers who each make work with Clubs to help them forge Conor O'Toole, Tom Potter, James different elements of the kit and excellent working relations with McCartan, D J Kane, Prof. Niall they had not co-ordinated their both their local Primary and Post- Moyna, Dr Eddie Harney, Declan sizes. The kit bags are supplied by a Primary Schools. Mussen, and Joe Tunney will supply separate supplier. These mistakes the drive and direction to ensure have been corrected for 2016. May I also wish our newly the Academy's goal of producing appointed county management 2/3 county players every year. Thanks to Conor O'Toole who has teams all the best for the the unenviable task of ensuring the forthcoming season. The Minors, U- A prenominal amount of research smooth running of our Cul -Camps. 21s and Seniors in all codes deserve undertaken by Paddy O'Rourke has Thanks also to all our full-time and our full support, their efforts on the ensured that the first intake of part-time staff who ensure that the training field deserve to be players to the Academy will be programme is delivered in a fun supported by us all. supported in all areas of environment. The Cul-camps cannot preparation by the best coaches and work without the support of our Finally, may you and your extended professional staff available. This is a Clubs and the Club Co-ordinators, families have a very happy and long term project overseen by those thanks to each and every one of peaceful Christmas. who are driven by the desire and them for this continued growth in a passion to propel Down forward. significant programme of work. Good luck to all our Clubs for 2016. Good luck to everyone involved. The Primary Schools Coaching I look forward to seeing you at a 2015 was another record year for Programme continues to delivered a coaching course soon. our Cul Camps. An increase of over balanced programme of 400 children attended our summer Fundamental Movement and Is Mise, long camps. However problems Physical Literacy to KS1 and KS2 arose with the supply of kits to the pupils. More recently we have Tom Potter, children who attended. Two factors engaged with several Post-Primary Coaching Officer

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COISTE CHONTAE AN DÚIN TUARASCÁIL GAEILGE AGUS CULTÚR

HIGHLIGHTS OF 2015 Down Scór Musicians perform in Plunkett McConville who along with Scór Sinsir – one of the highest Croke Park. myself, attended a great workshop representations of any county in the It is the dream of every player and in Croke Park on PA announcing. country testimony to their hard GAA enthusiast to walk up the work and dedication of Scór tunnel in Páirc an Chrócaigh and Amhrán na bhFiann committees across club, divisional step out onto the hollowed turf in A special word of thanks to all of the and county levels. Maith sibh ar Croke Park. Some may wear football singers who enhanced our matches fad! boots or carry a hurl, but on this and functions over the past year by occasion it was fiddles, a guitar, singing our National Anthem. This Competitions yet again were run whistles and accordions and the year, for the first time, the cultural very effectively and efficiently, honour and privilege was just as committee organised a set of providing many nights of high class great. workshops for singers who wanted entertainment and fun. The the opportunity to sing the National standard of the competitions On April 26th 2015, Down Gaels Anthem. continues to rise year on year and I travelled to support our Senior congratulate all who competed or footballers in the Allianz Football This was to ensure that our singers prepared teams and groups this league final and were treated to fine were using the correct Irish year. Congratulations to all our music at half time by musicians pronunciation and timing and County winners and I hope to see Stephen, Sean and Mary Catherine musical guidelines outlined by the you go one step further next year. Murray and Paul Kelly, Clonduff and GAA. Bronagh Lennon from St Peter Magee Mayobridge. This was Mary's Aghagallon, a member of SCÓR VENUES a wonderful opportunity that was the current All Ireland winning Scór I would like to thank all the clubs, afforded to these musicians and one Sinsir Ballad Group, facilitated the parishes, communities and Schools that as former/current Down Scór workshops. Thank you to her for for the use of their facilities for Champions will be remembered for her fantastic expertise on both hosting Scór 2015. I would a long time. singing and our language. All those particularly like to mention St

present gained so much knowledge Colman’s College, Newry, who It is very important to remember and this will help immensely with hosted our Down Scór na nÓg final. that if it weren't for their performances in 2016. We hope Hosting such an event required a lot involvement in Scór for many years, that more of these workshops will of organisation and co-operation this memorable occasion would take place in 2016 and it is our aim and our committee received never have taken place. Taking part that all those who will perform the overwhelming support from the in Scór can lead to wonderful Anthem, will complete at least one Principal Mr Cormac McKinney, and opportunities, far beyond the stage of these workshops to ensure that various other members of staff. To in small GAA halls and this the singers in County Down are all who assisted in any way I would experience will be treasured forever performing to the highest standard. like to convey my thanks. for all those involved.

SCÓR NA NÓG AGUS SCÓR CHANGES TO SCÓR WORKSHOPS SINSIR COMPETITIONS PA Announcement Workshop, Like all other competitions within Some changes have been made at Croke Park the GAA, we enter Scór to showcase Ulster level to how the Ulster semi A big effort has been made to use the best talent that we have within finals and Ulster final competitions Language Officers from a variety of our clubs and County and I do are being run. Instead of having Clubs to enhance the Public believe clubs in this county have three Ulster semi finals and one Addresses at Championship and done this with great success. winner progressing to the Ulster Inter County games. The final, there are now only two semi announcements are bi-lingual as far As usual the Scór season (running finals where two winners from each as possible. I would like to thank from October 2014 to April 2015) semi final have the honour of taking those who have made this saw a total of 867 competitors from part in the Ulster final. possible. Congratulations to Down taking part in Scór na nÓg and DOWN COUNTY GAA ANNUAL CONVENTION 2015 50

SCÓR CELEBRATION NIGHT SCOLAIREACHTAÍ positives. Although there are so This Annual Easter Tuesday evening GAELTACHTA many positives and so much enthusiasm from many clubs, I feel event was hosted in Bryansford. It Fogróidh na scoláireachtaí was a superb night with young and that many clubs could support Scór Gaeltachta ag deireadh Mí Aibreáin more. All too often, when I or not so young from various clubs, (do Bhaill den CLG amháin a bhí ag plying their trades in a non- members of the Cultural Committee dul chun na Gaeltachta). Tugadh enquire about Scór entries in clubs, competitive setting. Let's hope more spriocdháta do na daltaí an iarratas clubs enjoy this experience in 2016. people say there is no interest in a bheith istigh, agus cuireadh na Scór and no one is willing to take

hiarratasóirí faoi agallamh i part, the reality however, is that this SCÓR FORUM, CROKE PARK gClubtheach Naomh is not entirely accurate. Mhaolmhadhmhóg i gCaisleán an In the summer of 2015, the National Mhuillin. Bhronnadh Scoláireachtaí Scór Committee along with There is no club in this County that de Luach £5,000 i mbliaina. Uachtarán CLG Aogán Ó Feargháil, would be unable to find four ran a forum for Scór delegates enthusiastic young people who throughout the country. The forum The Gaeltacht Scholarships were could take part in a quiz, with was attended by Cultural and Scór first advertised at the end of March questions on Irish History, officers from most counties in (for members of the GAA only who Geography and GAA; all topics that Ireland. were attending a Gaeltacht College). our young are all well familiar with. A deadline was given for receipt of

applications, and the applicants The aim of the forum was to give Our schools are bursting with talent were invited to The Burrendale people an opportunity to express and most will be on display over the Hotel in Newcastle for an Interview. their opinions on different aspects coming weeks and days at their of Scór with the main aim being Christmas plays and shows, yet how increased participation could A total of 121 students were there is no one to enter Scór from be encouraged throughout the interviewed and marks were these areas. awarded for their level of Irish country. I was invited, as a member of the National Committee to speak according to their age as well as I appeal to you all to go back, to all delegates about how counties their participation within their club. communicate with your local could increase participation in A total of £5,000 of Scholarships schools, Comhaltas groups in your Scór. This is due to the fact that Co. was awarded and part of the money areas, Parish youth groups, clubs Down Scór entries are so high and was raised through various raffles at and youth choirs, I feel you may find that we maintain these high entries Cultural events and the remainder a lot of talent that you didn’t realise every year. Our county was being funded by the County Board. was within your club and possibly a described as being one of the best good mentor who would be only in Ireland as far as participation was Amach anseo/ Looking Forward delighted to be asked to help. The concerned and many delegates When I reflect on the season that members of the County Cultural asked for advice on how they could has gone and in the case of Scór, the Committee would be willing to visit achieve this level of participation in one that has just begun - Scór na any club and offer you the much their own County. nÓg 2016, I can see so many needed support to get you 51 www.DownGAA.net

started. As I pointed out earlier in the defeated group wish to express thank you for the guidance and the report, the same honour that their good wishes to the newly advice and to all members of County was afforded to our musicians in crowned champions. Management I thank you for your Croke Park, could one day be continued support. afforded to someone from your I would encourage everyone to club. reflect at the end of the evening, To our local newspapers, local radio just as we do when the final whistle stations and all involved in the After 4 years as and blows at the end of our Down Website who continue to Cultural Officer, and 19 years games. Sometimes we get the provide Scór with excellent working for Scór within Down, I can result we want and sometimes we coverage, Míle buíochas. only express how proud I am of how don’t. As we leave the halls and successful Scór has been and how surroundings be proud of how well far our county has come in that you did for being involved, instead Le gach deá-ghuí don bhlian atá time. In 2009, in the 40th of being disappointed you didn’t romhainn, anniversary year of Scór, 1015 win. I am a firm believer that Póilin Bn Mhig Aoidh - Oifigeach talented young people and adults success in Scór is better measured Chultúrtha an Dúin took part in Scór across the with the friends you meet than the County. This was an amazing medals you win. I feel truly number of competitors and since honoured to have had the then numbers have continued to opportunity to promote the stay above 800 each year. In 2009, wonderful cultural competition that these competitors had the is Scór. opportunity to meet President Mary McAleese in Aras an Uachtaráin and COMHBHRÓN - Sympathy were praised for their efforts in I would like to express my sincere Scór. There have been many County sympathy to the Gaels of Down who titles won, various Ulster titles and lost loved ones, inside or outside All Ireland Scór titles for County the County during the past year. Ar Down, I have so many proud dheis lámh Dé go raibh a n- memories to reflect on. anamnacha uasal.

Congratulations to all of those who have had the honour of BUÍOCHAS- Thanks representing their County and Finally, I would like to take this Province at County, Ulster and All opportunity to thank all those who Ireland levels. The County Cultural work tirelessly within their clubs to Committee has been so supportive promote and develop Scór and our to me throughout those four years language . In Scór each year there and we have worked as a great are only sixteen titles to be won, so team. for most, the reward is the joy of taking part and presenting a little bit I have experienced the true spirit of of Irish culture for the glory of the what Scór is all about over the past club, the title, as I said previously, is 19 years. I have been with the bonus. competitors when they have remained side stage to show I would like to thank all those who support to their opposition even voluntarily give up their time to though they wanted that ultimate work so hard on Coiste Chultúrtha medal at the end of the evening, Contae An Dúin, especially this didn't stop them showing Cathaoirleach William Smith. support and creating lifelong Without these willing workers and friendships along the way. I have the assistance from the clubs, Scór seen the huddles when a group are would not exist. so overcome with joy, and also with disappointment, but also the To County Cathaoirleach Sean huddles have been interrupted as Rooney & Runaí Sean Óg McAteer

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2015/2016 NOMINATIONS

CATHAOIRLEACH  Seán Ó Ruanaidh Sean Rooney Droichead Mhaigh Eo

LEAS CATHAOIRLEACH  Seán Ó Duibheannaigh John Devaney Bredach

CISTEOIR  Breandán Mac Giolla Phádraig Brendan Fitzpatrick Ath Bhriain

LEAS CISTEOIR  Diarmuid Ó Cathail Diarmuid Cahill An Ríocht

LEAS RÚNAÍ  Iarlaith Mac an tSionnaigh Jarlath Tinnelly Caisleán Ruairi

OIFIGEACH FORBARTHA  Liam Ó Gribín Willie Gribben Clann na Banna

OIFIGEACH OILIUNA  Tomás Potar Tom Potter Droim an Easa

OIFIGEACH GAEILGE AGUS CULTUIR  Liam S Mac Gabhann William J Smith An Glas Dromainn

OIFIGEACH CHAIDREAMH POIBLI  Póilín Mag Aoidh Paula Magee Droichead Mhaigh Eo  Fióna Ó Murchú Fiona Murphy An Ghleann

TEACHTA COMHAIRLE ULADH (2 to be elected)  Mícheál Mac Ardail Michael McArdle Droim Gath  Liam S Mac Gabhann William J Smith An Glas Dromainn  Máirín Ó hUiginn Maureen O’Higgins Liatroim

TEACHTA ARD COMHAIRLE  Séamas Breatnach Seamus Walsh Dun Droma  Brian Mac Fhíobhuí Brian McAvoy Boireann

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TEACHTAI don CHOMHDHAIL ULADH (6 to be elected)  Diarmuid Ó Cathail Diarmuid Cahill An Ríocht  Seán Ó Duibheannaigh John Devaney Bredach  Seán Ó Ruanaidh Sean Rooney Droichead Mhaigh Eo  Seán Óg Mac an tSaoir Sean Og McAteer Mistelligh an Iuir  Breandán Mac Giolla Phádraig Brendan Fitzpatrick Ath Bhriain  Mícheál Mac Ardail Michael McArdle Droim Gath  Máirín Ó hUiginn Maureen O’Higgins Liatroim  Seán Mac Caisín Sean McCashin Baile Choinnleora  Séamas Breatnach Seamus Walsh Dun Droma  Pól Ó Ruanaidh Paul Rooney Droichead Mhaigh Eo  Póilín Mag Aoidh Paula Magee Droichead Mhaigh Eo

TEACHTAI don CHOMHDHAIL NAISIUNTA (3 to be Elected)  Diarmuid Ó Cathail Diarmuid Cahill An Ríocht  Seán Ó Duibheannaigh John Devaney Bredach  Breandán Mac Giolla Phádraig Brendan Fitzpatrick Ath Bhriain  Séamas Breatnach Seamus Walsh Dun Droma  Seán Mac Caisín Sean McCashin Baile Choinnleora  Mícheál Mac Ardail Michael McArdle Droim Gath  Máirín Ó hUiginn Maureen O’Higgins Liatroim  Póilín Mag Aoidh Paula Magee Droichead Mhaigh Eo

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**Recommendations and Competition Rule changes will be debated at the first meeting of the new County Committee in 2016**

Atticall 1. Where possible NO fixture to be put in place within 5 days of a championship game at senior level.

Burren 1. That a new competition rule be added as follows: That Clubs competing in Down Senior, Intermediate, Junior, Minor and U16 Championships in Hurling and Football shall be free from league competition for at least five days prior to all Championship fixtures.

Kilcoo 1. That clubs be given 6 clear days from league games in advance of championship games.

Bryansford 1. There should be a rise on admission from £3.00 to £4.00 for Division 1 and 2 League matches and Division 3 and 4 should remain at £3.00.

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Motions to GAA Congress

Mayobridge 1. That Rule 3.11(b)(2) be amended to include PRO, Development Officer, Cultural Officer, Coaching Officer and these Officers should not be subject to the five year rule.

Castlewellan 1. That Rule 3.2 be amended to include: Exceptions In Inter Club Senior Championship and Senior League games, the playing time shall consist of two periods of 35 minutes each.

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Motions for Ulster Convention

Mayobridge 1. That starting from this year’s draw if the teams are drawn against each other in a future preliminary or first round game then the team which was drawn away in this year’s championship shall have home advantage.

Coiste Chontae an Dúin 1. Proposal to introduce a home/away policy for Ulster Championship – in order to guarantee the prospect of home fixtures for Counties. We are considering the idea where if we were to be away to Tyrone in 2016 for example, we would have home advantage to them the next time we were drawn against them in a subsequent Ulster Championship.

2. That the ground rent for preliminary round and first round games in the Ulster Senior and Minor Football Championship should be pooled annually and divided equally amongst the nine Counties for the maintenance and upkeep of the County Ground.

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Competition Rule Changes

Burren 1. That a new competition rule be added as follows: That the admission price to any stand alone fixture at minor level or below within the County shall be no greater than the admission price for a senior league fixture within the County (currently £3). 2. That CCC review the timing of Premier Reserve League games.

Clonduff 1. Implement the deferred rule change re U21 Football asap – play U21 Football earlier in the season – ie on alternate weeks to PRFL/RFL.

2. Re examine rule re eligibility to play in Championship – rule as it exists denies many players getting opportunity to play Championship games because they played at higher level LAST YEAR! Suggestion: Play first round of higher level before next level eg, SFC before PRFC which should take place prior to RFC – if player hasn’t played in the higher first round he should be eligible to play in first round of next level. Obviously once player plays in higher competition this automatically eliminates him from next round.

3. Implement an All County League for Third Teams only. Thirds are outside the Top 23 in a Club and therefore unlikely to play at higher level, in fact, many Thirds do not train with Senior/Seconds. Under the current RFL setup it seems unfair that these men often play against players who have already played in SFL. Such teams only nominate a Top 10 meaning that one-third of the senior team is eligible to play for their reserves.

Dundrum Recommendations 1. That the Down Junior Football Championship be restructured so that it operates along the lines of a straight knockout or backdoor system thus doing away with the preliminary round robin format.

2. That a clubs Top 13/23 be used as the sole criteria for deciding eligibility for the PRFC and RFC competitions.

Kilcoo 1. That Premier Reserve Leagues be played on Sunday where possible.

2. That a referee’s assessor be appointed to all Senior Championship games.

Mayobridge 1. CCC when issuing fines against Clubs should in the first case of indiscipline which warrants a fine then that first fine should start at £200 which is the minimum set out in the official guide.

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Coiste Chontae an Dúin Proposal re All County Leagues 2016

Division 1 will have two options 1. That the top team wins the League 2. That the top team progresses to the League Final, team 2 v team 3 playoff for Final

Bottom two teams will be relegated.

Division 2 The top two teams will be promoted. The bottom two teams will be relegated.

Division 3 The top two teams will be promoted. The bottom two teams will be relegated.

Division 4 The top two teams will be promoted.

PRFL The top two teams will be promoted.

New/Additional Competition Regulations:

1. Postponements, Forfeitures and Withdrawals: i. Postponements of fixtures under the control of CCC will only be permitted in the event of agreement from both clubs involved in the fixture.

ii. In the event of a postponement in league competitions, the re-fixture must take place within ten days of the date of the original fixture. In the event of a postponement in championship competitions, the re-fixture must take place before the scheduled next round.

iii. The onus on ensuring the game is re-fixed will rest with the requesting club (ie, the club that requests the postponement).

iv. Penalty for forfeiture or failing to fulfil a fixture is £100 (£50 for underage games).

v. If a club/team forfeits (or fails to fulfil) 3 fixtures within a competition, they shall be deemed to be withdrawn from the competition. Penalty: £100 per game for each remaining game on the programme.

vi. Fines to be paid within one month of issue.

2. Completion of Competitions: All outstanding league-round games must be fulfilled before the last round of games in a competition.

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3. Top 13 Lists: i. Clubs will be required to choose their Top 13 from the list of players who played in two or more championship fixtures from the previous year’s championship. ii. Clubs to submit their list to CCC before the commencement of the leagues.

4. Abandonment of Games: i. A game may be abandoned and rescheduled where an ambulance is required for an injured player(s), unless continuation of the game is requested by BOTH club involved in the game.

5. Payment of Fines: i. Fines to be paid within one month of being issued by CCC.

6. Trophies and Cups: i. Clubs in possession of county league and championship cups/trophies shall return the cup/trophy in good condition to the County Office no later than 1 August. Penalty: £200 Fine per cup/trophy. ii. In the event of any damage being rendered to a cup or trophy, the Club responsible shall ensure its repair to original standard or the repair(s) may be authorized by CCC. Penalty: Fine, appropriate to the cost of repairs or replacement.

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County Bye Law Changes

Cumann Pheadair Naofa Motion County Convention That County Bye Law 2 be amended by the addition of the following: 2.5 The appointment of Management Teams for all County Teams be the preserve of An Coiste Bainisti.

Coiste Chontae an Dúin 24. Transfers

(1) Documentation

An applicant seeking to transfer from one Club to another may submit supporting documentation, together with his completed transfer application form. The CCC will assess the application based on all the information before them. Where required, the following documentation must be provided to support an application:

Current Electoral Registration Details

And

Current Driving Licence/Provisional Licence (both parts). Applicants who do not possess current driving licence/ provisional licence must provide alternative photographic identification.

Where the applicant is under eighteen years of age, a copy of his birth certificate must be submitted with the application.

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CUMANN LÚTHCHLEAS GAEL COISTE CHONTAE AN DÚIN

Tonight at the Convention we take a minute in prayer to pray for all the deceased within the last twelve months and pray for them and their families

Eamon McAnulty Pearse Cunningham Micheál Murphy Frank McElroy Thomas Donnelly Ailie Burns Stephen McElroy Richard Dooley Donald McCusker Eamon Doyle Eoin Farrell Johnny McCusker Mick McCartan Kitty Foley Joe McCusker Michelle Doyle Pat Harper Gerry McNally Gerard Rush Cathal Higgins Angela Kennedy Pat McKeating Brenda Knox Paddy Gallagher Phelim Shields Minnie McAlinden Bernadette Sloan Barney Laird Ann McKay Kathleen Sloan Michael Fisher Paddy McKay Gavin Sloan John Gilchrist Pat Morgan Rosemary Quinn Patrick O’Connor Terry Murnion Eugene Canavan Siobhan Bogues Damien Phillips Angela Murray Mary Hanna Maura Quinn Seamus Doherty Fr Gerry McArdle Rosemary Quinn Willie Maginn Mrs Monica McGivern Eamon Rodgers Dermot O’Hare Mr Michael McMahon Kathleen Sloan Lizzie Brannigan Seamus Falloon Packy Sloan Patsy O’Hanlon John Curran Willie John Sloan Sr Bonaventure Dalsey Mooney Mary Small Gerald Morgan John O’Hanlon Dympna Trainor Mary McCrickard Stephen Doherty Mary Uprichard Josephine McCourt Barney McPolin Cassie White Frances O’Hare Barry Andrews Christy White Greg McCartan Barbara Bradley Patsy White Mrs Maginn Jim Bradley Rita Tumelty Rosaleen Harbinson Eleanor Burden Donal McCusker Cass farrelly Terry Cole Arthur Crothers Theresa grant Annie Cousins Celine McAteer Pat king

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Notaí

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LAYOUT AND DESIGN Diarmuid Cahill

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