DOWN COUNTY 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 NEWRY WEDNESDAY 16th DECEMBER 2015 Follow us Online: 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 3 www.DownGAA.net 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. 5 www.DownGAA.net 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 Ulster Club there had been no finances. Championships and wished them acknowledgement of the success of well in their All Ireland 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 DOWN COUNTY GAA ANNUAL CONVENTION 2015 6 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. Bryansford Brendan Fitzpatrick 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 Hurling 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. 7 www.DownGAA.net 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 Athletic Grounds. 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.