Comhairle Laighean C.L.G. Tionolfar

COMHDHÁIL CINN BLIANA 2007 - 2008

in Talbot Hotel, Loch Garman ar an Sathairn, 1ú Márta, 2008 10.30 am

2 Conor Egan, , Michael Dwane, Donal Franks, Brian Watkins, John Paul O'Meara, Brian Mullins, Simon Whelahan, Michael Verney, Sean Ryan, Bryan Lonergan, Sean Bryan Ryan, Lonergan, Verney, Michael Whelahan, Brian Simon Mullins, John O'Meara, Paul Watkins, Brian Mark Donal Michael Conor Egan, Quinlan, Franks, Dwane, and Michael Mulrooney. Cleary, Paul Niall Claffey, Whelahan, Barry Rory Hanniffy, O'Meara, Paul Gary Dylan Barry Stephen Hayden, Ryan, Hanniffy, Brown, Molloy, Paul Keith Hehir, Liam Power, Whelahan. Aaron Brian Barry Nolan, Harding, Mark Mulrooney, Whelahan, Brian

Front L-R: Front Birr Birr - Senior Club Champions 2007 Back L-R:

3 Clár

10.30 a.m. TEA / COFFEE 11.00 a.m. WORKSHOPS 1.00 p.m. LUNCH 2.25 p.m. REGISTRATION 2.30 p.m. (a) Convention Opens (b) Address by Mayor of (c) Address by Cathaoirleach Coisde Co. Loch Garman C.L.G. 2.45 p.m. (a) Minutes of 2007 Convention (b) Discussion of Report of Chief Executive (c) Discussion of Sub Committee Reports 3.15 p.m. REVIEW OF ACCOUNTS OF COMHAIRLE LAIGHEAN C.L.G. 3.30 p.m. ADDRESS BY AN CATHAOIRLEACH 3.45 p.m. ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN (First Ballot) 3.55 p.m. FORMAL ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN 4.00 p.m. ADDRESS BY AN CATHAOIRLEACH NUA 4.05 p.m. ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN OF ST. MARTIN'S GAA CLUB 4.20 p.m. ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN 4.30 p.m. FORMAL ELECTION OF TREASURER & P.R.O. 5.00 p.m. TEA / COFFEE - CONVENTION CLOSES

Each is entitled to the following Delegate representation at Convention, in addition to its two representatives on the Provincial Council:

Ceatharloch 5 Cill Mhantain 6 Iarmhi 5 An Mhí 6 An Lú 5 Longphort 5 Cill Dara 6 Uibh Fháilí 6 Cill Chainnigh 5 Laois 6 Áth Cliath 6 Loch Garman 6

A brief meeting of the incoming Leinster Council will be held immediately after Convention, at which only urgent business to hand will be considered.

NOTE 1. Slip on Admission Card to be handed to Hotel Management for lunch (1.00 pm) 2. Full Leinster Convention documentation has already been forwarded directly to each member of the outgoing Leinster Council. Micheál Ó Dubhshlaine (Rúnaí) Áras Laighean, Portlaoise, Co. Laois.

4 Ainmniúcháin

CATHAOIRLEACH Sheamus O hUilin (Loch Garman)

LEAS-CATHAOIRLEACH Padraig O Ceallaigh (An Mhi) Padraig O Tomhnair (Lu) Martin O Sceallai (Longphort) Sean O hOrain (Ath Cliath)

CISTEOIR: Sean Mac Carthaigh (Cill Dara)

OIFIGEACH CAIDREAMH POIBLI Tomas O Fearghail (Iarmhi)

5 Miontuairiscí Chruinniu de'n Chomhdháil Bhliantúil 03/03/2007

The Annual Convention of Leinster Council G.A.A. A. O Circ, B. Mac Aodha (Lu) was held in the Longford Arms Hotel, Longford on P. O Ceallaigh, P. O Duibhir (An Mhi) Saturday 3ú Marta 2007 with Liam Ó Neill S. de Roiste, S. Mac Coisdealbha (Ath Cliath) (Cathaoirleach) presiding. S. O Duinn, D. O Burtuin (Cill Mhantain) P. O Duill, P. Uaiceam (Loch Garman) Also in attendance were: S. Mac Carthaigh, S.S. Breathnach (Cill Dara) L.V. O Conbhui, S. O Caimpin (Ceatharloch) S. O hUilin (Leas-Cathaoirleach) S. O hEile, S. Breathnach (Cill Chainnigh) S. O Broin (Cisteoir) S. O Daltuin, A. Breathnach (Laois) P. O Tomhnair (Oifigeach Caidreamh Poibli) E. O Floinn, A. O Gallchoir (Uibh Fhaili) P. O Cinnseallaigh (Cumann na mBunscol) T. O Fearghail, A. Mac Roibin (Iarmhi) T. O Briain (Liathroid Laimhe) S. Mac an tSionnaigh, S. O Floinn (Longphort) M. O Dubhshlaine (Runai).

The following delegates represented the counties: CILL CHAINNIGH E. O Cuinn, P. O Donnchu, B. O hIci, LÚ P. Mac Aindriu, P. de Ghal. E. Ni Chiarain, B. O Braonain, P. Mac Mathuna, S. O Draighneain, P. Oileabhair, S. O Loinsigh LAOIS B. O hAluin, M. O Cearbhaill, T. Mac Seoin, AN MHÍ R. O Muilleoir, M. Ni Dhalaigh, E. Ui Loinsigh. B. O Diomasaigh, B. O hAilin, F. Mac Ghinneartai, S. O Craobhain, E. Mac Gabhann, UIBH FHÁILÍ S. O Raghallaigh. M.N. O Broin, M. O Sioradain, B. Mac A Bhaird, F. MacEoin, P. O Teachain, M. de Spainne. ÁTH CLIATH G. O hArrachtain, S. O Mathuna, S. Mac Nioclais, IARMHÍ D. O hIceadha, S. O Seanlaoch, S. O Fuarain. S. O Briain, M. Mac Aodha, A. O Leabhraigh, E. O Fearghail, A. Breathnach, CILL MHANTÁIN A. O Briain, M. O Murchu, F. de Paor, LONGPHORT M. O Colmain, P. Mac Eochaidh, S. Napier. E. O Cuaine, P. O Tuachair, P. O Cathail, M. O Scealai, S. O Cuinn. LOCH GARMAN M. O Cinnseallaigh, R. O Murchu, The following also attended Convention S. Mac Fhearghais, S. O Circ, D. O Nuallain, L. Mac Fhairligh IAR OIFIGIGH S. Aldridge, P. O Bogaigh, P. O Flannagain CILL DARA A. O Suilleabhain, B. Mac Cionnaith, SUB-COMMITTEE REPS M. O Fionnain, G. O Tiarnain, C. Ui Neill, S. O hOrain, P. de Freine, M. Mac A Bhaird S. O Mearain. GUEST CEATHARLOCH Longford County Lord Mayor, Paddy Belton P. O hAileagain, G. O Lionnain, P. O Diring, T. O Neill, ÁRAS LAIGHEAN STAFF S. Ni Chuinn, H. Ni hOrain, P. Ni Chleir, S. O Flannagain, S. Mac Coitir.

6 FAILTIU TUAIRISC AN RUNAI Proceedings were opened by Seamus O Cuinn, The C.E.O’s Annual Report was formally adopted Runai, Coisde Co. Longphort C.L.G. who on proposition of A. Mac Roibin, seconded by S. introduced Cathaoirleach Choisde Cho. de Roiste. It was then opened for discussion Longphoirt, Mairtin O Sceallaigh to address under its various headings. Convention. REPORTS OF SUB-COMMITTEES An tUas. O Sceallaigh warmly welcomed the The following Sub-Committee Reports were delegates to his county and, in particular, to adopted, and discussed, by the Convention:- Longford Arms Hotel which was closely linked for many years with the G.A.A. in Longford. He (a) Leinster Coaching and Games Development thanked Comhairle Laighean C.L.G. for allowing (b) Leinster Referees Administrator’s the Bank of S.F.C. game - Longford v (c) Leinster I.T., Marketing and P.R. - go ahead in , Longford in (d) Leinster Grounds & Facilities Health & Safety June 2006. Despite being defeated, Longford (e) Leinster Club and County Planning took great heart from their performance and (f) Coisde Scor Laighean went on to have an unprecedented five games in (g) Coisde Gaeilge Laighean the S.F.C. REVIEW OF ANNUAL ACCOUNTS He wished Convention well in their deliberations, Adopted, and discussed, on proposition of A. Mac saying that the morning workshops had been Roibin, seconded by A. Breathnach. very successful and should be considered for the S. O Broin (Cisteoir) dealt with a number of future. At this juncture he introduced the queries. Longford County Lord Mayor, Paddy Belton to address the Convention. COISDE SCOR ACCOUNTS Formally adopted by Convention. LORD MAYOR Paddy Belton extended a cead mile failte to the APPOINTMENT OF TELLERS delegates from all over Leinster, to Longford. He The following tellers were nominated to conduct recalled his own involvement of over fifty years the upcoming ballots: with the Association particularly in his native parish of Kenagh where one of his longtime (a) P. O Cinnseallaigh (Cumann na mBunscol) colleagues grew to be Ard Stiurthoir C.L.G., Liam Cathaoirleach O Maolmhichil. Having complimented Longford (b) B. O hAilin (Laois) County Board on their ongoing development of (c) M. Mac A Bhaird (Longphort) games and Pearse Park the Lord Mayor concluded (d) T. O Neill (Ceatharloch) by wishing the Association in Leinster the very best for the future. ELECTION OF CISTEOIR With the withdrawal of F. Ni Paor (Cill Mhantain) PRESENTATION this post was contested by two candidates and An tUas. O Sceallaigh then made a presentation the ballot resulted as follows:- of a memento of the occasion to An Cathaoirleach and delegates present. Sean Mac Carthaigh (Cill Dara) 50 Padraig O Tomhnair (Lu) 37 OSCAILT Following these preliminary procedures, An An tUas. Mac Carthaigh was declared elected as Cathaoirleach Liam O Neill then formally opened Cisteoir. Convention. ELECTION OF OIFIGEACH CAIDREAMH POIBLI MIONTUAIRISCI 2006 CONVENTION 27.2.06 (P.R.O.) Adopted and signed by An Cathaoirleach on Six candidates contested this vacancy and the proposition of B. O hAilin, seconded by S. O ballots resulted as follows: Circ.

7 FIRST BALLOT REPORTS ON WORKSHOPS P. O Teachain (Uibh Fhaili) 19 Convention was then given a brief report on the P. O Duill (Loch Garman) 18 morning workshops as follows: T. O Fearghail (Iarmhi) 17 S. Napier (Cill Mhantain) 15 A. FINANCE P. O Ceallaigh (An Mhi) 14 Sean O Broin S. de Roiste (Ath Cliath) 11 (Eliminated) B. COACHING AND GAMES DEVELOPMENT Sean O hOrain SECOND BALLOT C. COUNTY BOARD SURVEY P. O Teachain (Uibh Fhaili) 30 Seamus O hUilin P. O Duill (Loch Garman) 19 T. O Fearghail (Iarmhi) 19 NA RUIN S. Napier (Cill Mhantain) 15 A. The Convention was advised that Comhairle P. O Ceallaigh (An Mhi) 10 (Eliminated) Laighean had been requested to formally put forward a motion (in relation to All Ireland S.F.C. THIRD BALLOT proposals) to enable it to appear on Congress T. O Fearghail (Iarmhi) 32 Clar 2007. P. O Teachain (Uibh Fhaili) 27 Convention directed Comhairle Laighean to P. O Duill (Loch Garman) 20 present this Motion to Congress, as per attached S. Napier (Cill Mhantain) 15 (Eliminated) schedule.

FOURTH BALLOT B. 2008 P. O Duill (Loch Garman) 34 Coisde Co. Lu asks Leinster Council to arrange for T. O Fearghail (Iarmhi) 32 a Representative team from the four North P. O Teachain (Uibh Fhaili) 28 (Eliminated) Leinster Ring / Rackard Counties (Louth/Meath/ Longford/Westmeath) to compete in next years FIFTH BALLOT Walsh Cup. T. O Fearghail (Iarmhi) 52 This will benefit juvenile hurling in these counties P. O Duill (Loch Garman) 40 by giving our best senior players an opportunity to compete against the elite counties in the An tUas. O Fearghail was declared elected to the on an equal footing in the quiet early post of Oifigeach Caidreamh Poibli. season. The aim is to give young hurlers in the weaker BUIOCHAS counties an extra target to aim for and stay with The successful and unsuccessful candidates all the game under age grades. returned thanks to the Convention. (Nh. Moninne H.C., Co. Lu)

ELECTION OF OTHER OFFICERS DECISION: Coisde Co. Lu requested that this The convention then formally declared Liam O motion be referred to Comhairle Laighean C.L.G. Neill re-elected and Sheamus O hUilin re-elected for examination and consideration. as Leas-Cathaoirleach. BUIOCHAS CATHAOIRLEACH ADDRESS An Leas-Cathaoirleach paid tribute to Coisde Co. Liam O Neill then addressed Convention as per Longphort C.L.G., and in particular to Padraig O attached script. Flannagain and Sean Mac Coitir for their excellent arrangements for Convention. In thanking the LEAS-CATHAOIRLEACH delegates for their attention he then formally S. O hUilin returned thanks for his re-election. brought Convention to a conclusion. As an Cathaoirleach was representing C.L.G. at a function in London, that night, the remainder of Convention was chaired by an Leas- THE CONVENTION ENDED Cathaoirleach.

8 Oráid an Chathaoirligh Comhairle Laighean 90’s challenging for the top position.

At the moment it appears Kilkenny are ahead of the rest, and we can stand back and bemoan that, or we can seek to change it. We clearly cannot ask Kilkenny to halt their progress and we don’t want to.

I have always said that Kilkenny are the flagship Before you today you have a comprehensive of Leinster hurling. They fly our flag in the All- report on the state of Leinster GAA. Michael Ireland series and they fly it with pride. I’d like to Delaney in his Tuairisc an Rúnaí has, as usual congratulate especially for the given, a thought-provoking detailed and success of his team in national competitions, stimulating review of the state of play in particularly winning last years All-Ireland. Brian’s Leinster GAA. record is unbelievable really. And what is particularly notable about Brian is his modesty, The media has highlighted a number of points and his utter belief in the value of hurling and his from his report. They particularly honed in on total commitment to the future of hurling. Hurling and Football Championships. What people have failed to recognise in Leinster Our booklet also contains the report of our hurling is the amount of work, which is going on various sub-committees and while they don’t behind the scenes. Dublin hurling was probably get the attention they deserve I would hope that never as strong as it is at the moment; their everyone today will make themselves aware of under age programmes, their development the extent and range of the variety of activity squads, their minor teams their under 21 teams undertaken by the sub-committees in this the wonderful success that they had in winning province. last years All-Ireland colleges, points to a huge amount of work being done, and I would like to The Present State of congratulate everybody who was involved in that colleges success. It showed that an innovative Hurling in Leinster idea could pay off. When I took over from Nicky Brennan, as Carlow minors had a wonderful year last year. A chairman of this council two years ago, I stated huge amount of work has been undertaken in that hurling was going to be a priority during my Carlow in the last number of years: in their two term in the chair. Much has been said and main hurling schools, Bagnalstown and Borris, in written about the state of hurling in Leinster, those who were involved in their development and a lot of it appears to be negative. squads, in their minor team and their under 16 team which has been strong for a number of Its easy at times to see the obvious and in years. That was bound to reflect itself in results. focusing on the obvious we fail to see what is This year they put out a team which managed to going on below the surface. beat Offaly, Laois and Wexford. They qualified for their first minor final; It was a pity on the day Its true that Kilkenny dominate hurling in this that they ran into a Kilkenny team, which was on province but so it was always. At various times a rampant form. in the we have had Wexford,

Dublin, and most notably Offaly, in the 80’s and Westmeath seniors have also undergone a bit of

9 a revival. Coming on the back of the previous It’s not very often that Louth teams get to year’s Cup success they entered the Leinster finals in hurling. Leinster championship, surprised Dublin and had a wonderful night out against Kilkenny in the In recent weeks the details of a new 48 team Leinster Semi-final. Leinster Club Hurling League have been announced. This innovative idea will be overseen by our Laois County Board are to be commended for Hurling Development Administrators. their attempts to improve the performance of their senior Hurling team. They have decided to All clubs now have a competition at Leinster level, go with an under 23 squad and to work with them and they can have aspirations of winning a for a 3 year period. Leinster title. This has to be good for the state of club hurling in Leinster. I thank everyone who We are working also with the weaker counties in co-operated with this idea even though it took a hurling. We have a junior shield competition leap of faith for some people. I hope that that which is designed to prepare Longford and Louth co-operation will continue in the future and if it for the Rackard Cup. does I am quite sure that club hurling in Leinster will go from strength to strength. As part of our commitment to improve the state of hurling in Leinster and improve the competitive In reviewing the year gone by in hurling in Leinster nature of our game we under took this year to in is interesting to note that the province won the review our club championships. inter-provincial series, Our thanks go to all those who helped out with that particularly to our We decided that the top 6 counties, Dublin, management team John Conron, Richie Power Kilkenny, Wexford, Offaly, Laois and Carlow would and Brian Whelan. Incidentally we also won the contest the senior hurling championship. We Football Competition. Our thanks there is due to sought agreement from the council and from the Val Andrews and his selectors Sean Dempsey and counties for the champions of West Meath, Kildare, Pillar Caffrey. Meath and Wicklow to play in the Leinster intermediate championship along with the The Leinster Hurling Plan intermediate champions of Kilkenny and Wexford. We asked Longford and Louth for co-operation in When I spoke to you this time last year about the putting their champions into the junior state of hurling in Leinster, the Irish sports council championship. I have to admit we were a little bit had announced that they were giving the GAA a nervous of how this would work out, but the sizeable grant for the promotion of hurling. The manner in which our competitions were played GAA were putting in money out of our own was heartening. resources at national level into the project. Out of that a notional figure of e900,000 was allocated The Leinster senior championship had a series of to Leinster for the promotion of hurling. We did a very close games. Ironically as Michael said in his lot of soul searching on how this money would be report the only big win was in the final. It also spent. We could have gone with project based meant that we didn’t take as long to run our activities in various counties, but we felt that that senior championships which gave longer for money would just be whittled away and we counties to run their county championships. wouldn’t see any tangible benefit form that. We decided on a structure where we would employ The intermediate competition, which was key quality personnel to head up hurling projects expected to be dominated by Kilkenny and and to manage hurling development in our Wexford was a revelation. We had a novel final counties. We made a number of high profile where Ratharney of Westmeath hosted Ardclough appointments. We divided the province into 8 of Kildare in the final, Ardclough duly won that regions. We asked Lester Ryan of Kilkenny to be final. the hurling development administrator in Laois and Carlow; Noel Delaney to do the job for us in The Leinster junior hurling final was contested by Offaly and West Meath; Declan Power was put in Danesfort of Kilkenny and of Louth. charge of Meath and Kildare, Michael Neary in

10 Wicklow and North Wexford, and later we Council. Never was there a Leinster Council so appointed George O’Conner to look after the rest committed to Hurling. I want an end to the of Wexford. Kilkenny was left to its own devices pessimism. I want people to start working together and Longford and Louth were under the care of in the Province in the cause of hurling. our new coaching director Shane Flannagan. Each one of the double county hurling projects areas I want to thank our Chief Executive and Rúnaí, was allocated a budget of e175,000 each. Kilkenny Michael Delaney for his total commitment to this were allocated e50,000, Longford and Louth Hurling project. Michael has agreed to oversee the together were allocated e50,000 and e100,000 project to oversee our Hurling and Development was put into Dublin. The budgets for Laois, Carlow, Administrators and to take responsibility for the West Meath, Offaly, Kildare, Meath, Wicklow and day-to-day management of the Hurling Project. North Wexford were also to take into account the This has required a huge change in his work load salaries of the hurling administrator. Dublin and his work practice and I commend him for it. I already had a hurling administrator, Michael put it to you that with someone of Michael’s Connolly, so the e100,000 allocated to Dublin calibre taking responsibility for Hurling, surely was to go directly towards hurling projects because Hurling is going to be on a sound footing. they already had a structure in place. Leinster is already providing a quarter of a million euro a The Dublin Phenomenon year to the Dublin S.P.R.C. project where 40 coaches are employed in various clubs in Dublin. I In his report Michael Delaney touched on the mention that at this stage just to emphasise that Dublin phenomenon and its effect on gates in Dublin is a key part of the Leinster hurling plan Leinster. He mentioned that Leinster finances are that our vision for hurling in Leinster includes better when Dublin is successful. I would like to Dublin and we want to see Dublin successful in agree with him on that. We are lucky that the hurling. greatest population area is in our Province. We are well aware that we need to do well in Dublin and Each one of our project areas had a steering because the majority of the population live on committee appointed to oversee it. Because of the east coast we need the counties on the east changes forced on us by the new disciplinary code coast of Ireland doing well in . We we have to revamp those committees and that however have to face up to the fact in Leinster work will be completed in the next week. that we have a serious population imbalance in the Province. Next month we will review last year’s Hurling project. For the first time ever in the history of the Leinster Council we will have a Leinster Council Leinster Provincial meeting devoted entirely to review of Hurling in Demographic Survey Leinster. Work being done in Kildare on a review of their Our function now is to work for the future. While demographic structures led us to engage with we cannot change overnight what happens at Brendan Waters of Mazars and to discuss the senior we want you to know that there is a radical population trends within the province with him. overhaul of Hurling taking place in this province. Because we are aware of the importance of The fruits of it will not be seen for 5, 10 or 15 positioning ourselves well, both structurally and years. infrastructurally for the future we decided late last year to engage him to review the demographics I’ve listened, sometimes patiently and more in all of Leinster. often impatiently, to enough pessimism about the state of Hurling. Never have we so many Leinster has twelve counties officially, but there people playing Hurling in the Province. Never are fifteen administrative areas when you take have we so many Hurleys and Helmets sold on into account the four administrative areas in our schemes. Never had we as many trained Dublin. We have asked Brendan and his company coaches in the field working for Hurling. Never to examine al the development plans for all those was Hurling so high on the agenda of the Leinster administrative regions in our Province. We have

11 asked him to look into land banks to see who has and Intermediate Championships at County level control over land; to see what land is going to I welcome that review. I want people to engage come available in the province in the next 10 to with it openly and honestly. I want people to look 15 years for building and recreation. at the multiplicity of our games, to examine where games are of benefit to us and to be honest We have also asked him to look at who has enough to admit where they are not. If we support control over money for promotion of sport U-21 and if we want it to continue, we must whether that be through Sports Partnerships, agree that U-21 player is not caught in a situation County Councils, Government Agencies, Health where he is been torn by U-21 selectors, by third Boards or Department of Education. We anticipate level institutes and by senior county managements a report from him by the end of April and in time to play on the one particular day or on a given for our May meeting where we will be able to weekend. We have had a number of clashes in the present each one of our counties with the recent weeks surrounding this issue. I had to go to development plan for their county and the likely the Council and ask them for a decision on our trends in population growth and land use. priorities. I am delighted to be able say that we had total unanimity on it. We will examine the reports carefully and will then come back to the Council for permission to I wanted a situation where if there was a clash employ either a person, persons or an agency to between a third level institute looking for a young engage full time with all those agencies in charge player and a county that the third level institute of land and the allocation of money for sport and would be guaranteed the player. We were prepared recreation. We want to position ourselves with all to move fixtures if we had to accommodate this. these government bodies. We want to show them My logic is simple. We spend almost 2 million on what the GAA has to offer and how we can games development. The focus of that is at first to cooperate with them and how we can be of help increase interest in Gaelic games among young them through a sharing of resources with the people of the province but its narrower focus is to promotion of health, fitness, sport, community provide intercounty players for the future in this and the well being that all that brings. We hope province. All our activities are geared towards to form a partnership with Government Agencies finding and developing the best players. We are and with Local Agencies and we want to position spending over e300,000 per annum on third our organisation at the centre of what is going to level. On page 53 of the booklet you will see the happen for the future development of this names of those who work as third level officers. province. This project will require the investment We have full-time or part-time people in eleven of significant amount of money but I know that of our institutes. If we are spending that level of the financial and the infrastructural rewards that finance it makes sense to support it. Our council will come from it will repay our investment many agreed unanimously that where there was a clash many times. I hope that you as officers in your third level should get priority. counties will engage with us in this process and will give it your full support, your full cooperation These type of clashes are common also at minor and your total enthusiasm and if we do I am quiet level in relation to second level schools. We spend sure that we will position Leinster GAA in prime a considerable amount of money promoting position for development in the future. games in second level schools. We are happy to do that. It is our duty and our responsibility. If we do Fixture Clashes between however, we have a duty also to make sure that our fixtures at club level and our intercounty County and Third Level fixtures don’t interfere with those competitions. We need to be flexible and we need to think out I want now to touch briefly on the whole area of our strategy carefully. If we want gaelic games in Club, County and Educational Institutions and the second level schools and in third level institutes, whole interplay between the organisation of then we must give space for those games to be games at all levels in this province. I understand played Otherwise we have to honest enough to that there is a review taking place with regard to say we are pulling out of them with it obvious the U-21 Championship, Junior Championships consequences. If we want the club, county to have

12 priority over school and colleges then lets be Stadium, Murrayfield, or the Madjeski stadium for honest enough to say that and lets cede those a recent soccer game in England or Blackburn’s institutes to other sports. I don’t approve of that pitch for the recent game against Arsenal. view and as long as I am involved I will work my hardest to make sure our games are nurtured in I would hope that the finance accrued from the our schools, and our 3rd level institutes. I believe extra games in Croke Park will be used wisely by it is the future of our games. It is what made us the association. The popular thing to do would be strong as an organisation; it is what has held our to spread it out amongst the clubs and flitter it standards high and it is where the future lies and away. I would prefer to see that we would have I hope that the counties will back the unanimous some tangible evidence of the financial benefit view of the Leinster Council in relation to this. that has accrued as a result of renting out our stadium. We have a crying need in this association Rugby Internationals in Croke Park for regional all-weather venues, available for school games during the day, for higher education These are great times to be involved in the GAA. use in the early evening, and for club and county Never was the profile of our games as high. Never training at night. I hope that some of the money was our status in the community as high as it is will be diverted to projects such as these. The at the moment. reason the GAA is in such a strong position in this country at the moment is due to the foresight of The last couple of weekends in Croke Park have our predecessors, and their decision to buy and been marvellous for the organisation We have develop the land we now have. We need now to showcased our wonderful stadium. People around have the same vision for the future, and to make the world are better aware of our organisation sure that our young players have venues and and of what an amateur organisation can do for facilities available to them that will compare sport. We now have to build on that. Our priority favourably with the best in the world. however is the promotion of Gaelic games and we will continue to work hard for that. At Leinster level we are fortunate enough to have a large number of voluntary sub-committees I do however want congratulate all associated working for the promotion of Gaelic Games in the with Ard Chomhairle but most importantly with province. We have the Leinster council itself; we the stadium for the wonderful manner in which have our Coiste Bainisti, and our CCC committee they showcased our organisation over those two (formerly known as the GAC). weekends. Peter McKenna the stadium director has a marvellous team working with him and they We have our Club and county planning committee did a top class job in staging first of all the Dublin which runs development courses for club officers, v Tyrone game and then the Ireland v France and and helps with the process of preparing club and Ireland v England game. county plans. I want to commend Offaly and Meath, who have completed their county plans We are inclined at times to be very critical of our with spectacular results and I want to wish own organisation. We have been particularly Kilkenny, Wexford and the other counties who are critical of Croke Park and some elements of our planning to follow suit, the best of luck with their organisation have been very critical of the surface efforts. Albert Fallon chairs that committee and of Croke Park and how it is managed, but it was can count on a very active committee and a interesting to note that over the two weekends number of highly skilled facilitators to go out and international sports men, who had no agenda help people with their plans in a non-prescriptive other than to play their game and win on our manner. surface, found the Croke Park surface to be one of the best surfaces in the world. They were happy Our coaching and games development committee enough to say that. The pitch held up is our biggest spending and perhaps the hardest marvellously. working group in our organisation. On page 53 you can see the number of people now employed Croke Park stood up far better as a surface and in Games Development in our province; close on looked far better than either the Millennium 50 people. It’s a huge operation, and managed by

13 John Horan and John McCarthy. In the last year tasks in the GAA. They are promoting a product we employed Shane Flanagan to join that team. that is difficult to sell. Scór is strong in a few Shane has fitted in very well, settled into his work counties in our province, but much less so in the quickly and has made an enormous contribution remainder. We’re shortly going to have to make a in the short time he has been with us. decision either to back it fully or to drop it. The last thing we need is something that is not getting We have a Hurling expert group, under the the full backing of the organisation. I want it chairmanship of Paudie O’Neill, who has had a backed, and I want those who are working hard huge input into our hurling plans. for it to be assured of our continued support.

Sale of Club & Our Coiste na Gaeilge, which will now be merged with Scór, has done marvellous work over the last

County Board Property twelve months in putting together a website to help people to comply with rule 10, on the use of Our grounds, facilities and health and safety the in our the various strata of committee have taken on an enormous workload committees. When that website is shortly in the last 12 months. John Healy, Michael launched, it will provide a resource for people Reynolds and their committee members are who need help with terminology and we hope to working, flat-out, on county and club development. have a discussion forum on it to facilitate an open We have considerable challenges to overcome in dialogue on the uses of Irish at various levels in the development and re-development of county the organisation. grounds. Spectacular offers have been made for our facilities, and while I welcome the opportunity I want to thank Seamus Howlin for his chairmanship to develop and accept that some of the offers of the referees committee. He has done enormous made are of benefit to the organisation and allow work to develop refereeing in Leinster. I also want for improvement of facilities – I want to say that to take the opportunity to congratulate Pierce I am worried that some of the deals may not be Freeney for his appointment as Referee in our best interests. I am slow to approve of administrator in Croke Park. Pierce has done leaving prime positions in our towns and villages Trojan work for refereeing in Leinster, and we and moving further out simply for better facilities. would like to wish him the best in his new role in We may gain better facilities, but unless we are the organisation. located close to where people live, we won’t have children taking advantage of these new facilities. Today John Byrne steps down after three years as There was an old saying years ago, when fairs Treasurer. In thanking John for his work with us I were common, that if you wanted to sell your want to thank him for assembling a very successful goods you were to be ‘I lár an Aonaigh’ (in the Finance Advisory Committee. They conducted the middle of the fair), Where there is a concentration seminar on finance earlier today and are available of people was always considered the best place to to help and advise any club or county in need of showcase goods. So too with our facilities, and I financial advice. think that we should approach every sale with caution, and ensure that we make the right I want to wish the new Hearings Committee the choice. best of luck as they start out on their first year of work. We asked Brendan Ward of Offaly to chair Our public relations and IT committee are this very important Committee. I hope our currently working on website development, counties will give him and his committee total sharpening up on the use of email, and they are support. I hope we can reach a situation where we also working to make sure that counties have the will accept that those who wherewithal to comply with electronic registration. Pat Toner steps down today as PRO and I wish to The changes in the work load at office level have thank him for all his support and work over the necessitated a number of job changes in our years. I wish him well in his future GAA administrative staff. I have mentioned that involvements. Michael Delaney has taken on new work in Our Scór committee has one of the most difficult Hurling and the HR area. His deputy Michael

14 Reynolds takes over responsibility for Hearings support not only for me but also for my fellow Facilities and Match-day logistics. Hannah Horan officers. I have been fortunate to work with a has taken over from Michael Reynolds as Schools truly marvellous chief executive and a very development officer and Patricia Clear will do the supportive and hard working group of officers. administrative work arising out of Hearings. I want to thank all of these as well as Julie Quinn I want to thank you all for making the last year for their dedication and for the excellence of their such a wonderful experience for me and I want work. I want to welcome John Cotter to the staff you to know that I consider it a great honour to as a full-time member and I wish him well in his serve you as your cathaoirleach. endeavours on our behalf. Go raibh maith agaibh uilig. Finally I want to thank the council members and the officers of the counties in Leinster for your Liam Ó Néill work for the association and for your continued

Football Motion from Congress

That Motion 1 (b) – incorporating the changes All Ireland Preliminary Quarter-Finals - The made to Rule 120 A (ii) – as passed at the defeated Provincial Finalists shall compete on Special Congress on October14, 2006 – be a Knockout format – based on a Draw which amended to read as follows: reverses the rota system used to determine the Preliminary Semi–Final pairings. An additional All Ireland Championship Qualifier shall be organised as set out below: Round 4 - This Round shall involve the two winners from Round 3 and the Winners of the Round 1 - This Round shall include all of the Preliminary Quarter Finals. Teams to compete Counties which do not qualify for the Provincial on a Knockout format based on a draw. (The Finals – exclusive of the 8/9 lowest ranked teams Draw shall be structured to avoid repeat pairings, in the 2008 National Football League. Teams where feasible) shall compete on a Knockout format based on a Draw. (The Draw shall be structured to avoid All Ireland Quarter-Finals The losers of the repeat pairings, where feasible) Preliminary Semi Finals shall compete on a knockout format – based on a draw – against Round 2 - This Round shall involve the eight the two winners from Round 4 of the All Ireland winners from Round 1. Teams shall compete on Qualifier. (The Draw shall be structured to avoid a Knockout format based on a draw. (The Draw repeat pairings, where feasible) shall be structured to avoid repeat pairings, where feasible) All Ireland Football Semi-Finals – The two Winners of the Preliminary Semi- Finals shall Round 3 - This Round shall involve the four compete on a Knockout format – based on a winners from Round 2. Teams to compete on a Draw - against the two Quarter Final Winners. Knockout format based on a draw. (The Draw (The Draw shall be structured to avoid repeats shall be structured to avoid repeat pairings, of the Provincial Final or All Ireland Preliminary where feasible) Semi Final pairings, if needs be)

All Ireland Preliminary Semi-Finals - The Remainder of Rule 120 to remain the same. Provincial Championship winners in , Other Rules effected – or possibly effected – Rule Leinster, Munster and shall play off - on 71, 82, 85, 89,102, 103, 104, 114, 121,122, 123, the basis of a rota system - initially determined 10, 130, 131 and 133 by Central Council.

15 Kevin Golden, , Colm Hayes, Neal Billings, Alan Costelloe, Pat Kelly, Hugh Gill, John Calvert, Michael Savage, Tomas Doyle, Keith Connoly, Mark Eoin Loftus, Keith Connoly, Doyle, Tomas Michael John Hugh Gill, Calvert, Savage, Kelly, Pat Alan Neal Costelloe, Billings, Colm Hayes, Gilroy, Pat Golden, Kevin James Moloney Conor Brady, Fallon, Ronan Sommerville, Quinn Ger (C), Tomas Diarmuid Tiarnan Connolly, Diamond, Stephen Loughlin, Brian Moloney, Hugh Coughlan, Everard, Finian Traynor, Burke,Ruairi Colin Hayden,David Hansi Kirrane Brennan,

St. Vincent's Vincent's - Leinster Club Senior Champions St. Football 2007 Back L-R: L-R: Front

16 Comhairle Laighean Clár na gCluichí 2008

PEIL SINSIR LEINSTER UNDER 21 H.C. ‘A’ 1 Kildare v Wicklow 1 Westmeath v Wicklow 2 1 v Laois 2 1 v Kildare 3 Meath v Carlow 3 Carlow v Longford 4 3 v Wexford 4 3 v Meath 5 Longford v Westmeath 6 5 v Offaly 5 1 V 2 7 Louth v Dublin 6 3 V 4

8 2 V 4 CRAOBH 5 V 6 9 6 V 7

CRAOBH 8 V 9

LEINSTER UNDER 21 H.C. 1 ‘A’ Winners v Offaly 2 1 v Wexford IOMÁINT SINSIR 3 Laois v Dublin 1 Dublin v Westmeath 4 3 v Kilkenny 2 1 v Wexford 3 Offaly v Laois CRAOBH 2 V 4 4 3 v Kilkenny

CRAOBH 2 V 3

LEINSTER JUNIOR FOOTBALL 1 Kilkenny v Wicklow 2 Louth v Meath LEINSTER UNDER 21 F.C. 3 Wexford v Kildare 1 Laois v Louth 4 Dublin 2 1 v Wicklow 3 Kilkenny v Westmeath 5 1 V 2 4 3 v Wexford 6 3 V 4 5 Meath v Kildare 6 5 v Dublin CRAOBH 5 V 6 7 Carlow v Longford 8 7 v Offaly

9 4 V 2 10 8 V 6 LEINSTER INTERMEDIATE HURLING 1 Wexford V Kilkenny CRAOBH 9 V 10 CRAOBH 1 V Dublin

17 LEINSTER M.H.C. LEINSTER M.F.C.

GROUP I ROUND I 1 Meath v Westmeath 1 Kilkenny v Wexford 2 Wicklow v Kildare 2 Dublin v Kildare 3 Kildare v Meath 3 Carlow v Westmeath 4 Westmeath v Wicklow 4 Wicklow v Offaly 5 Meath v Wicklow 5 Meath v Louth 6 Westmeath v Kildare 6 Longford v Laois

GROUP 2 A 1 Carlow v Offaly QUALIFIER ROUND Dublin - bye (i) Loser 6 v Loser 5 2 Offaly v Dublin (ii) Winner (i) v Loser 2 Carlow - bye (iii) Loser 3 v Loser 4 3 Dublin v Carlow (iv) Winner (iii) v Loser 1 Offaly - bye

GROUP 2 B QUARTER-FINALS 1 Wexford v Kilkenny (1) ______V ______Laois - bye (2) ______V ______2 Kilkenny v Laois (3) ______V ______Wexford - bye (4) ______V ______3 Laois v Wexford Kilkenny - bye SEMI FINALS A ______V ______ROUND 4 B ______V ______3 Games

ROUND 5 CRAOBH A V B 2 Games

SEMI-FINALS N.B. •  Winners of (ii) & (iv) in Qualifier go into CRAOBH A V B Quarter-Finals with Round 1 Winners – Open Draw

• First named team has HOME VENUE in all games

18 Comhairle Laighean Clár na gCluichí 2008

Peil Sinsir DATE VENUE 1 Kildare v Wicklow 18.5.2008 Croke Park 2 1 v Laois 1.6.2008 Tullamore/Carlow 3 Meath v Carlow 18.5.2008 Croke Park 4 3 v Wexford 1.6.2008 Carlow /Kilkenny 5 Longford v Westmeath 11.5.2008 Longford 6 5 v Offaly 7.6.2008 Longford/Tullamore 7 Louth v Dublin 8.6.2008 Croke Park 8 2 v 4 22.6.2008 Croke Park 9 6 v 7 29.6.2008 Croke Park

CRAOBH 8 v 9 20.7.2008 Croke Park

IOMÁINT SINSIR DATE VENUE 1 Dublin v Westmeath 25.5.2008 Portlaoise 2 1 v Wexford 14.6.2008 Kilkenny/Mullingar 3 Offaly v Laois 25.5.2008 Portlaoise 4 3 v Kilkenny 15.6.2008 Portlaoise

CRAOBH 2 v 4 6.7.2008 Croke Park

FÉ 21 BLIAIN PEIL DATE VENUE 1 Laois v Louth 24.2.2008 Portlaoise 2. 1 v Wicklow 9/15. 3.2008 Portaoise/ 3. Kilkenny v Westmeath 24.2.2008 Kilkenny 4. 3 v Wexford 9/15.3.2008 Kilkenny/Mullingar 5. Meath v Kildare 24.2.2008 Navan 6. 5 v Dublin 9/15.3.2008 Navan/Newbridge 7. Carlow v Longford 24.2.2008 Carlow 8. 7 v Offaly 9/15.3.2008 Carlow/Longford

9. 2 v 4 23.3.2008 Home Venue 2 10. 6 v 8 23.3.2008 Home Venue 6

Craobh 9 v 10 6.4.2008 Home Venue 9

19 PEIL SOISIR DATE VENUE 1. Kilkenny v Wicklow 28.5.2008 Kilkenny 2. Louth v Meath 28.5.2008 Dundalk 3. Wexford v Kildare 28.5.2008 Wexford 4. Dublin v Cavan 28.5.2008 5. 1 v 2 11.6.2008 Kilkenny/Aughrim 6. 3 v 4 11.6.2008 Wexford/Newbridge

CRAOBH 5 v 6 25.6.2008 Home Venue 5

FÉ 21 ‘A’ IOMÁINT DATE VENUE 1. Westmeath v Wicklow 5.4.2008 Mullingar 2. 1 v Kildare 19.4.2008 Mullingar/Aughrim 3. Carlow v Longford 5.4.2008 Carlow 4. 3 v Meath 19.4.2008 Carlow/Longford

CRAOBH 2 v 4 7.5.2008 HOME VENUE 2

FÉ 21 IOMÁINT DATE VENUE 1. “A” Winners v Offaly 28.5.2008 Home Venue “A” Winners 2. 1 v Wexford 18.6.2008 “A” Winners/Birr 3. Laois v Dublin 28.5.2008 Portlaoise 4. 3 v Kilkenny 18.6.2008 Portlaoise/Parnell Pk

CRAOBH 2 v 4 16.7.2008 HOME VENUE 2

IOMÁINT IDIRMHEANACH DATE VENUE 1. Wexford v Kilkenny 25.6.2008 Wexford CRAOBH 1 v Dublin 9.7.2008 WX / KK

PEIL MÍONÚIR DATE VENUE 1. Kilkenny v Wexford 5.4.2008 Kilkenny 2. Dublin v Kildare 5.4.2008 Parnell Park 3. Carlow v Westmeath 5.4.2008 Carlow 4. Wicklow v Offaly 5.4.2008 Aughrim 5. Meath v Louth 5.4.2008 Navan 6. Longford v Laois 5.4.2008 Longford

20 PEIL MÍONÚIR - QUALIFIER ROUND DATE VENUE (i) Loser 6 v Loser 5 12.4.2008 Home - Loser 6 (ii) Winner (i) v Loser 2 26.4.2008 Home - Winner (i) (iii) Loser 3 v Loser 4 12.4.2008 Home - Loser 3 (iv) Winner (iii) v Loser 1 26.4.2008 Home - Winner (iii)

Quarter-Finals 10.5.2008 Semi-Finals 5/9.7.2008 Final 20.7.2008

IOMÁINT MÍONÚIR DATE VENUE Group One 1. Meath v Westmeath 6.4.08 Navan 2. Wicklow v Kildare 6.4.08 Aughrim 3. Kildare v Meath 13.4.08 Newbridge 4. Westmeath v Wicklow 13.4.08 Mullingar 5. Meath v Wicklow 20.4.08 Navan 6. Westmeath v Kildare 20.4.08 Mullingar

Group Two A 1. Carlow v Offaly 6.4.08 Carlow Dublin - bye 2. Offaly v Dublin 13.4.08 Birr Carlow - bye 3. Dublin v Carlow 20.4.08 Parnell Park Offaly - bye

Group Two B 1. Wexford v Kilkenny 6.4.08 Wexford Laois - bye 2. Kilkenny v Laois 13.4.08 Kilkenny Wexford - bye 3. Laois v Wexford 20.4.08 Portlaoise Kilkenny - bye

Round 4 3 Games 4.5.08 TBA

Round 5 2 Games 18.5.08 TBA

Semi-Finals 22.6.08 TBA

FINAL 6.7.2008 CROKE PARK

21 Ross O'Carroll, Richie Walker, Joseph Boland, Kevin O'Reilly, Peter Callaghan, Eoin Moran, Danny Webster, Dermot Connolly, Keith Dunne, Sam Lehane, Ronan Drumgoole, Sam Drumgoole, Keith Ronan Dunne, Lehane, Dermot Connolly, Webster, Danny Eoin Peter Callaghan, Moran, O'Reilly, Kevin Boland, Joseph Walker, Richie O'Carroll, Ross Alan McCrabbe. Stephen Eoin Declan Ciaran Lane, , Ryan, O'Dwyer, Ian Keith Eugene Nolan, Fleming, Farrell, Paddy Curtin, Jack Gilligan, Joseph Maher, BarryAird, GaryStephen Peadar Carton, Shane Bennett, Johnie Stephen McCaffrey Durkan, Michael (C), Kelly, Loughlin, McGarry, Davis. Kevin Brady, Thomas

Dublin – Leinster U-21 Hurling Champions 2007 Back L-R: L-R: Front

22 Cluichí Laighean 2007

O’BYRNE CUP S.F. 6/1 Cill Mhantain ...... 1-12 Ceatharloch ...... 2-06 Aughrim 7/1 Iarmhi ...... 2-14 Athlone IT ...... 0-06 Mullingar 7/1 Uibh Fhaili ...... 2-11 UCD ...... 2-06 Tullamore 7/1 Lu ...... 1-11 An Mhi ...... 0-13 7/1 Laois ...... 1-11 Cill Dara ...... 0-07 Portarlington 7/1 D.I.T...... 2-09 Longphort ...... 0-14 Ml. Fay Park 9/1 Ath Cliath ...... 3-14 DCU ...... 0-12 Clan na Gael 13/1 Cill Mhantain ...... 0-07 Loch Garman . . . . . 0-05 Aughrim 14/1 Uibh Fhaili ...... 2-13 D.I.T...... 1-08 Tullamore 14/1 Laois ...... 0-13 Lu ...... 0-12 Portarlington 14/1 Ath Cliath ...... 2-11 Iarmhi ...... 0-08 Mullingar 20/1 Ath Cliath ...... 0-15 Cill Mhantain . . . . . 1-05 Aughrim 21/1 Laois ...... 2-12 Uibh Fhaili ...... 3-08 Tullamore 28/1 Ath Cliath ...... 1-18 Laois ...... 2-13 Tullamore O’BYRNE SHIELD S.F. 14/1 Longphort ...... 2-15 U.C.D...... 0-10 Pearse Park 14/1 Cill Dara ...... 3-09 An Mhi ...... 1-11 Newbridge 14/1 Athlone I.T...... w/o D.C.U...... w/o Athlone 21/1 Longphort ...... 0-09 Cill Dara ...... 1-05 Longford 21/1 Athlone I.T...... 2-10 Ceatharloch ...... 0-13 Carlow 30/1 Longphort ...... 2-10 Athlone I.T...... 1-07 Longford Slashers WALSH CUP S.H. 21/1 Laois ...... 2-15 An Dun ...... 1-09 Rathdowney 27/1 Laois ...... 1-17 Ath Cliath ...... 1-16 Rathdowney 28/1 Loch Garman ...... 3-20 Aontroim ...... 1-14 Piercestown 28/1 Uibh Fhaili ...... 2-22 Iarmhi ...... 1-07 Mullingar 28/1 Cill Chainnigh . . . . . 3-18 UCD ...... 0-14 Thomastown 4/2 Loch Garman ...... 2-22 Laois ...... 1-14 Rathdowney 4/2 Cill Chainnigh . . . . . 2-13 Uibh Fhaili ...... 0-15 Birr 25/2 Cill Chainnigh . . . . . 1-13 Loch Garman . . . . . 0-10 Wexford

KEHOE CUP S.H. 21/1 Ceatharloch ...... 2-16 Longphort ...... 0-06 Carlow 21/1 An Mhi ...... 3-17 Ros Comain ...... 0-05 Navan 21/1 Mhuigh Eo ...... 1-08 Ceatharloch I.T...... 0-07 Carlow I.T. 21/1 Athlone I.T...... 2-18 Trinity ...... 2-11 Athlone I.T. 28/1 Cill Mhantain ...... 2-22 Lu ...... 0-05 28/1 DIT ...... 4-13 Cill Dara ...... 0-13 Newbridge 28/1 Ceatharloch ...... 2-17 Athlone I.T...... 1-12 Carlow 28/1 An Mhi ...... 0-22 Maigh Eo ...... 0-10 Navan 3/2 Ceatharloch ...... 2-18 Cill Mhantain . . . . . 2-07 Carlow 4/2 D.I.T...... 2-09 An Mhi ...... 1-11 Navan 10/2 D.I.T...... 1-10 Ceatharloch ...... 1-07 Carlow

23 CADBURYS LEINSTER UNDER 21 F.C. 17/2 An Mhi ...... 2-09 Ath Cliath ...... 1-08 Parnell Park 17/2 Iarmhi ...... 1-10 Loch Garman . . . . . 1-07 Wexford 18/2 Uibh Fhaili ...... 0-13 Ceatharloch ...... 0-09 Tullamore 18/2 Laois ...... 0-11 Cill Mhantain . . . . . 1-05 Aughrim 4/3 An Mhi ...... 3-13 Cill Dara ...... 1-15 Navan 4/3 Iarmhi ...... 5-18 Cill Chainnigh . . . . . 0-02 O'Loughlin Gaels 4/3 Uibh Fhaili ...... 1-08 Longphort ...... 0-06 Tullamore 10/3 Laois ...... 1-09 Lu ...... 0-11 Portlaoise 18/3 Laois ...... 1-10 Westmeath ...... 0-07 Mullingar 18/3 Offaly ...... 1-10 Meath ...... 0-10 Tullamore 14/4 Laois ...... 0-13 Uibh Fhaili ...... 1-07 Portlaoise

LEINSTER J.F. SHIELD 14/3 Cill Dara ...... 2-11 Laois ...... 0-07 Crettyard 21/3 Cill Dara ...... 1-12 Cill Mhantain . . . . . 3-06 Ellistown 28/3 Cill Mhantain ...... 2-17 Laois ...... 0-09 Baltinglass 11/4 Cill Mhantain ...... 1-13 Cill Dara ...... 2-11 Baltinglass

LEINSTER J.F.C. 30/5 Ath Cliath ...... 1-11 Lu ...... 0-12 Parnell Park 30/5 An Mhi ...... 2-12 Cill Dara ...... 1-14 Newbridge 6/6 Loch Garman ...... 3-18 Cill Chainnigh . . . . . 0-10 Wexford 13/6 Ath Cliath ...... 0-16 Cill Mhantain . . . . . 1-07 Parnell Park 13/6 Loch Garman ...... 2-14 An Mhi ...... 2-09 Navan 27/6 Loch Garman ...... 1-10 Ath Cliath ...... 1-08 Wexford

LEINSTER U-21 'A' H.C. 7/4 Iarmhi ...... 4-11 Cill Mhantain . . . . . 1-10 Bray 7/4 Cill Dara ...... 2-18 Longphort ...... 0-02 Clane 21/4 An Mhi ...... 0-16 Iarmhi ...... 0-12 Mullingar 21/4 Cill Dara ...... 1-12 Ceatharloch ...... 2-08 Carlow 2/5 Cill Dara ...... 2-12 An Mhi ...... 0-06 Leixlip (F) ESB LEINSTER M.F.C. 7/4 Longphort ...... 2-07 Ceatharloch ...... 2-04 Longford 7/4 Iarmhi ...... 1-16 Loch Garman . . . . . 1-05 Wexford 7/4 Lu ...... 1-12 Cill Dara ...... 0-13 Dundalk 7/4 Cill Mhantain ...... 2-14 Uibh Fhaili ...... 0-08 Arklow 7/4 Ath Cliath ...... 2-11 An Mhi ...... 1-07 Parnell Park 7/4 Laois ...... 4-20 Cill Chainnigh . . . . . 0-06 Ballyraggett 14/4 Ceatharloch ...... 2-12 An Mhi ...... 3-08 Carlow 14/4 Uibh Fhaili ...... 1-14 Cill Dara ...... 1-10 Newbridge 28/4 Ceatharloch ...... 2-09 Loch Garman . . . . . 1-07 Carlow 12/5 Ath Cliath ...... 1-13 Laois ...... 0-16 Parnell Pk 12/5 Lu ...... 1-12 Cill Mhantain . . . . . 1-03 Arklow 12/5 Ceatharloch ...... 2-13 Iarmhi ...... 0-13 Carlow 12/5 Uibh Fhaili ...... 2-08 Longphort ...... 0-12 Longford 16/5 Laois ...... 2-12 Ath Cliath ...... 1-03 Portlaoise 24/6 Ceatharloch ...... 1-10 Lu ...... 0-09 Croke Park 30/6 Laois ...... 2-16 Uibh Fhaili ...... 1-08 Portlaoise 15/7 Laois ...... 3-08 Ceatharloch ...... 1-12 Croke Park

24 ESB LEINSTER M.H.C. 21/4 Laois ...... 3-21 Cill Dara ...... 0-03 Clane 21/4 Uibh Fhaili ...... 5-29 Cill Mhantain . . . . . 0-08 Arklow 21/4 An Mhi ...... 2-19 Iarmhi ...... 0-12 Mullingar 24/4 Loch Garman ...... 1-12 Ceatharloch ...... 2-04 Wexford 5/5 Loch Garman ...... 10-23 Cill Mhantain . . . . . 0-03 Arklow 5/5 Ceatharloch ...... 2-15 An Mhi ...... 1-04 Kilmessan 5/5 Uibh Fhaili ...... 3-23 Cill Dara ...... 1-08 Clane 5/5 Laois ...... 3-13 Iarmhi ...... 3-04 Mullingar 19/5 Loch Garman ...... 0-17 Uibh Fhaili ...... 0-17 Wexford 19/5 Laois ...... 4-10 Ceatharloch ...... 3-11 Carlow 23/5 Loch Garman ...... 3-21 Uibh Fhaili ...... 4-07 Tullamore 23/6 Cill Chainnigh . . . . . 1-17 Laois ...... 0-16 Carlow 23/6 Ath Cliath ...... 1-13 Loch Garman . . . . . 0-06 Carlow 1/7 Ath Cliath ...... 2-14 Cill Chainnigh . . . . . 1-10 Croke Park LEINSTER CLUB HURLING LEAGUE 4/4 St. Oliver Plunketts . . .3-14 Longford ...... 0-08 Longford Sl. 4/4 Avondale ...... 1-08 Ballinateer/St. Johns . . 0-11 Avondale 5/4 Clonkill ...... 1-21 Ballinamere ...... 3-09 Ballinamere 6/4 Castletown G...... 0-17 St. Brigids ...... 2-09 Castletown 7/4 Loughlene Gaels . . . . 3-13 Lucan Sarsfields . . . . 1-07 Collinstown 8/4 Coolderry ...... 2-20 Raharney ...... 1-14 Coolderry 10/4 St. Mullins ...... 3-09 St. Patricks ...... 0-14 Camolin 11/4 Clough/Ballacolla . . . .5-15 St. Martins ...... 0-13 Ballacolla 11/4 Faythe Harriers . . . . .2-12 Carnew Emmets . . . . 1-12 Carnew 11/4 Coill Dubh ...... 0-17 Clonad ...... 0-08 Coill Dubh 11/4 Rathnure ...... 1-14 Naomh Eoin ...... 0-13 Myshall 11/4 Camross ...... 1-14 Tullaroan ...... 0-11 Tullaroan 11/4 Graig Ballycallan . . . . 3-17 The Harps ...... 2-09 Kilmanagh 11/4 Mountrath ...... 3-14 Killavilla ...... 1-07 Mountrath 11/4 Mooncoin ...... 2-11 Portlaoise ...... 2-10 Portlaoise 11/4 O'Loughlin Gaels . . . .1-16 Rathdowney/Errill . . . 3-10 O'Loughlin Gaels 11/4 Cuala ...... 2-09 Glenealy ...... 0-09 Glenealy 11/4 Black & Whites . . . . .2-12 Naas ...... 1-12 Naas 12/4 Thomas Davis . . . . . 4-10 Bray Emmetts . . . . . 2-06 Bray 14/4 Confey ...... 1-20 Knockbridge ...... 3-14 Confey 14/4 Eire Og (KE) ...... 1-12 Wolfe Tones ...... 0-08 Drogheda 15/4 Naas ...... 5-05 Ballinamere ...... 2-09 Durrow 18/4 Coolderry ...... 2-13 Tullaroan ...... 0-15 Tullaroan 18/4 St. Martins (KK) ...... 2-18 Loughlene Gaels . . . . 0-16 Coon 18/4 Rathdowney/Errill . . . .2-18 Nh. Eoin ...... 2-09 Rathdowney 18/4 Rathnure ...... 3-09 O’Loughlin Gaels . . . . 3-06 Rathnure 18/4 Graigue/Ballycallan . . .3-13 St. Martins (WX) . . . . 1-09 Kilmanagh 18/4 St. Oliver Plunketts . . .2-19 Mountrath ...... 4-12 Robinstown 18/4 Cuala ...... 2-17 St. Patricks (WX) . . . . 0-12 Cuala 18/4 Clough/Ballacolla . . . .3-12 Lucan Sarsfields . . . . 1-10 Lucan 18/4 Buffers Alley ...... 3-18 St. Brigids ...... 3-12 St. Brigids 18/4 Mooncoin ...... 1-18 Carnew Emmetts . . . . 0-04 Mooncoin 18/4 Camross ...... 2-19 Raharney ...... 1-11 Camross 18/4 Glenealy ...... 1-11 St. Mullins ...... 0-08 St. Mullins 18/4 Killavilla ...... 5-09 Longford ...... 2-05 Killavilla 18/4 Faythe Harriers . . . . .2-11 Portlaoise ...... 2-11 Pairc Charman 18/4 Eire Og ...... 2-12 Killeigh ...... 0-08 Eire Og 20/4 Confey ...... 3-10 Thomas Davis . . . . . 2-12 Thomas Davis 20/4 Coill Dubh ...... 4-16 Avondale ...... 0-16 Avondale

25 22/4 Black & Whites . . . . .1-12 Ballinamere ...... 0-08 Ballinamere 22/4 Bray Emmetts . . . . . 2-13 Knockbridge ...... 2-11 Knockbridge 22/4 St. Patricks (WW) . . . .3-10 Killeigh ...... 1-08 Killeigh 22/4 Young . . . . . 1-16 Castletown Geog. . . . . 1-06 Gowran 22/4 Clonkill ...... 1-14 Naas ...... 0-05 Clonkill 25/4 St. Martins (KK) ...... 3-17 Lucan Sarsfields . . . . 1-11 Coon 25/4 O'Loughlin Gaels . . . .1-11 Naomh Eoin ...... 1-11 St. John Pk, KK 25/4 Tullaroan ...... 1-12 Raharney ...... 0-14 Raharney 25/4 Oliver Plunketts . . . . 0-17 Killavilla ...... 1-13 Killavilla 25/4 Loughlene Gaels . . . . 2-12 Clough/Ballacolla . . . . 1-10 Ballacolla 25/4 Rathnure ...... 3-12 Rathdowney ...... 0-08 Rathdowney 25/4 O’Tooles ...... 2-11 Graigue Ballycallan . . . 2-11 O’Tooles 25/4 Confey ...... 4-16 Bray Emmetts . . . . . 2-08 Confey 25/4 Mountrath ...... w/o Longford ...... w/o Mountrath 25/4 Portlaoise ...... 1-09 Carnew Emmetts . . . . 0-07 Portlaoise 25/4 Knockbridge ...... 6-14 Thomas Davis . . . . . 1-12 Thomas Davis 25/4 Coolderry ...... 5-19 Camross ...... 3-13 Coolderry 28/4 Buffers Alley ...... 2-11 Young Irelands . . . . . 1-11 Monamolin 28/4 Black & Whites . . . . .0-17 Clonkill ...... 1-13 Skeoughvosteen 28/4 Killeigh ...... w/o Wolfe Tones ...... w/o Killeigh 2/5 St. Martins ...... 3-15 The Harps ...... 0-11 Piercestown 3/5 St. Mullins ...... 4-12 Cuala ...... 3-13 St. Mullins 3/5 St. Patricks (WX) . . . . 3-17 Glenealy ...... 0-04 Camolin 12/5 Coolderry ...... 1-18 Oliver Plunketts . . . . 3-10 Robinstown 13/5 Rathnure ...... 5-10 Clough Ballacolla . . . . 1-04 Rathnure 19/5 Cuala ...... 2-12 Graig Ballycallan . . . . 1-12 Cuala 27/5 Black & Whites . . . . .2-26 St. Patricks (WW) . . . . 0-05 Skeoughvosteen 28/5 Buffers Alley ...... 0-14 Mooncoin ...... 1-10 Monamolin 5/6 Coill Dubh ...... 1-19 Confey ...... 2-14 Clane 9/6 Blacks & Whites . . . . 3-20 Coill Dubh ...... 0-10 Kilkenny ‘B’ FINAL 5/7 Buffers Alley ...... 1-13 Cuala ...... 0-10 Gorey 31/7 Rathnure ...... 1-12 Coolderry ...... 0-13 Carlow 21/8 Rathnure ...... 4-14 Buffers Alley ...... 3-06 Bunclody ‘A’ FINAL LEINSTER JUNIOR HURLING SHIELD 21/4 Down ...... 3-17 Warwickshire . . . . . 1-04 Balella 22/4 Louth ...... 1-10 Leitrim ...... 1-10 Ballinamore 28/4 Louth ...... 1-16 Warwickshire . . . . . 0-06 Drogheda 29/4 Down ...... 5-14 Longford ...... 1-10 Balella 6/5 Longford ...... 1-11 Warwickshire . . . . . 0-08 irmingham 6/5 Down ...... 2-19 Leitrim ...... 0-09 Balella 11/5 Longford ...... 2-10 Leitrim ...... 0-10 Newtownforbes 12/5 Down ...... 4-11 Louth ...... 1-06 Dundalk 19/5 Longford ...... 3-11 Louth ...... 2-10 Longford 19/5 Warwickshire ...... 3-13 Leitrim ...... 1-10 Birmingham 2/6 Longford ...... 0-12 Down ...... 2-06 Tullamore 10/6 Down ...... 6-10 Longford ...... 4-12 Newry LEINSTER U-21 H.C. 30/5 Ath Cliath ...... 2-12 Cill Dara ...... 2-07 Clane 30/5 Cill Chainnigh . . . . . 1-18 Laois ...... 1-13 Kilkenny 20/6 Ath Cliath ...... 3-12 Loch Garman . . . . . 2-14 Parnell Park 20/6 Uibh Fhaili ...... 1-13 Cill Chainnigh . . . . . 0-13 Kilkenny 18/7 Ath Cliath ...... 2-18 Uibh Fhaili ...... 3-09 Parnell Park

26 BANK OF IRELAND LEINSTER S.F.C. 15/5 Longphort ...... 2-13 Iarmhi ...... 1-13 Longford 20/5 Lu ...... 1-11 Cill Mhantain . . . . . 0-14 Croke Park 20/5 An Mhi ...... 2-11 Cill Dara ...... 1-08 Croke Park 27/5 Lu ...... 1-09 Cill Mhantain . . . . . 0-12 Parnell Park 2/6 Laois ...... 0-14 Longphort ...... 0-09 Tullamore 3/6 Lu ...... 2-18 Cill Mhantain . . . . . 0-11 Croke Park 3/6 An Mhi ...... 0-14 Ath Cliath ...... 1-11 Croke Park 10/6 Uibh Fhaili ...... 2-19 Ceatharloch ...... 3-07 Portlaoise 17/6 Loch Garman ...... 0-16 Lu ...... 2-08 Croke Park 17/6 Ath Cliath ...... 0-16 An Mhi ...... 0-12 Croke Park 24/6 Ath Cliath ...... 1-12 Uibh Fhaili ...... 0-10 Croke Park 1/7 Laois ...... 1-13 Loch Garman . . . . . 0-13 Croke Park 15/7 Ath Cliath ...... 3-14 Laois ...... 1-14 Croke Park GUINNESS LEINSTER S.H.C. 27/5 Uibh Fhaili ...... 1-26 Laois ...... 0-10 Tullamore 9/6 Loch Garman ...... 2-14 Ath Cliath ...... 3-10 Kilkenny 10/6 Cill Chainnigh . . . . . 1-27 Uibh Fhaili ...... 1-13 Portlaoise 1/7 Cill Chainnigh . . . . . 2-24 Loch Garman . . . . . 1-12 Croke Park

LEINSTER I.H.C. 27/6 Cill Chainnigh . . . . . 0-14 Ath Cliath ...... 0-10 Parnell Park 11/7 Loch Garman ...... 2-11 Cill Chainnigh . . . . . 1-12 Kilkenny

A.I.B. LEINSTER CLUB F.C. 21/10 Moorefield ...... 0-15 longeen ...... 0-08 Clane 28/10 Eire Og ...... 3-09 Tullamore ...... 1-08 Carlow 11/11 St. Vincents ...... 0-11 Seneschalstown . . . . 1-08 Parnell Pk 11/11 Moorefield ...... 1-12 Dromard ...... 1-12 Newbridge 11/11 Tyrrellspass ...... 2-06 Eire Og ...... 0-11 Carlow 11/11 Portlaoise ...... 1-14 St. Patricks ...... 0-05 Dundalk 18/11 St. Vincents ...... 1-12 Seneschalstown . . . . 0-10 Navan 18/11 Dromard ...... 0-12 Moorefield ...... 0-12 Longford 25/11 Moorefield ...... 0-13 Dromard ...... 0-07 Newbridge 25/11 St. Vincents ...... 3-13) Portlaoise ...... 1-08 Parnell Park 9/12 Tyrrellspass ...... 1-07) Moorefield ...... 0-07 Mullingar 16/12 St. Vincents ...... 2-08) Tyrrellspass ...... 0-07 Mullingar

LEINSTER INTERMEDIATE CLUB F.C. 4/11 Graiguecullen . . . . . 2-10 Shelmaliers ...... 2-06 Graiguecullen 4/11 Ballinagore ...... 3-05 St. Columbas ...... 0-09 Derrycasson 4/11 Mullinavat ...... 0-10 Clonmore ...... 1-06 Carlow 4/11 Donaghmore/Ash. . . . .1-21 Dundalk Gaels . . . . . 2-10 Dundalk 11/11 Ravens ...... 0-11 Graiguecullen . . . . . 0-09 Graiguecullen 11/11 Suncroft ...... 1-08 Ballinagore ...... 0-10 Ballinagore 11/11 Edenderry ...... 3-14 Mullinavat ...... 2-03 Mullinavat 11/11 Donaghmore Ash . . . .6-09 Stratford ...... 1-05 Navan 25/11 Fingal Ravens ...... 2-09 Suncroft ...... 1-05 Rolestown 25/11 Donaghmore/Ash . . . .1-16 Edenderry ...... 1-10 Edenderry 9/12 Fingal Ravens ...... 1-09 Donaghmore/Ash . . . . 0-09 Parnell Park

27 AIB LEINSTER CLUB H.C. 4/11 Ballyhale ...... 1-14 Mt. Leinster Rngs . . . . 0-12 Carlow 11/11 Ballyboden St Endas . . . . . 1-17 Oulart the Ballagh . . . 0-15 Parnell Park 18/11 Ballyboden St.Endas . . .2-09 Camross ...... 1-11 Parnell Park 18/11 Birr ...... 1-13 Ballyhale Shamrocks . . 1-10 Kilkenny 2/12 Birr ...... 1-11 Ballyboden S. E...... 0-13 Tullamore

LEINSTER INTERMEDIATE CLUB H.C. 27/10 Clonkill ...... 2-12 Clara ...... 0-06 Clara 28/10 Ferns ...... 4-14 Confey ...... 3-08 Ferns 4/11 Ferns ...... 1-19 Glenealy ...... 1-12 Ferns 4/11 Clonkill ...... 2-15 Kiltale ...... 1-05 Clonkill 18/11 Clonkill ...... 1-15 Ferns ...... 3-07 Clonkill

LEINSTER JUNIOR CLUB H.C. 21/10 Abbeyleix ...... 3-11 Kildavin/Clonegal . . . . 1-02 Kildavin 21/10 Arklow ...... 1-13 Wolfe Tones (LD) . . . . 0-11 Arklow 21/10 Castlepollard ...... 5-17 Moorefield ...... 0-08 Clane 4/11 Ballinamere ...... 1-13 Abbeyleix ...... 0-12 Abbeyleix 4/11 Castlepollard ...... 2-13 D. / Courtnacuddy . . . 1-05 Castlepollard 4/11 Conahy Shamrocks . . . 4-24 Arklow R. P...... 0-08 Arklow 8/11 Raheny ...... 2-10 Knockbridge ...... 0-10 St. Vincents 17/11 Conahy Shamrocks . . . 1-10 Raheny ...... 0-04 St. Vincents 18/11 Castlepollard ...... 6-15 Ballinamere ...... 1-18 Ballinamere 1/12 Conahy Shamrocks . . . 3-10 Castlepollard ...... 1-04 Clonkill

LEINSTER JUNIOR CLUB F.C. 27/10 St. Patricks ...... 0-13 James Stephens . . . . 1-05 Camolin 28/10 Rosemount ...... 0-14 Dundalk Y.I...... 0-04 Rosemount 28/10 Scoil Ui Chonaill . . . . 1-11 Ballon ...... 2-05 Clontarf 11/11 Clanna Gael ...... 2-10 St. Patricks ...... 1-10 Camolin 11/11 Daingean ...... 2-08 Scoil Ui Chonaill . . . . 0-06 Clontarf 11/11 Ballinakill ...... 1-12 Kilbride ...... 1-09 Portlaoise 11/11 Rosemount ...... 0-08 Ballykelly ...... 0-07 Rosemount 25/11 Ballinakill ...... 0-15 Rosemount ...... 0-15 Abbeyleix 2/12 Clanna Gael ...... 1-06 Daingean ...... 1-05 Daingean 2/12 Rosemount ...... 3-11 Ballinakill ...... 2-05 Rosemount 15/12 Clanna Gael ...... 0-15 Rosemount ...... 1-06 Navan

LEINSTER SPECIAL CLUB J.H.C. 4/11 St. Pats Stamullen . . . 1-10 Mattock Rangers . . . . 2-06 Collon 4/11 Park Ratheniska . . . . 2-13 Sarsfields ...... 1-05 Sarsfields 4/11 Castleknock ...... 2-23 Barrindarrig ...... 1-02 Arklow 11/11 Park Ratheniska ...... 4-10 Stamullen ...... 1-06 Stamullen 11/11 Killurin ...... 2-07 Castleknock ...... 1-09 Castleknock 18/11 Killurin ...... 3-11 Park Ratheniska . . . . 0-11 P. Ratheniska

28 Conor O'Shea, Brian Seale, Kieran Farrell, Philip Mulpeter, , Zac Tuohy, Sean Ramsbottom, Michael Webster, Conor Meredith, Conor Boyle, Conor Boyle, Conor Meredith, Webster, Sean Michael Ramsbottom, Tuohy, Zac Conor Delaney, Philip Mulpeter, Brian Kieran Farrell, Conor O'Shea, Seale, Kieran Hyland. Kelly, Ed. Whelan, Ian Brian Glynn, Damien Lowry, John Donie O'Loughlin, Joe Kingston. Mulhare, Simon Miller, Joe Brian Kieran Lillis, O'Conor, Smith, James Doyle, Kehoe, Robbie

Front L-R: Front Laois– ESB Leinster Champions Minor 2007 Football Back L-R:

29 Tuairisc an Rúnaí

Leinster - we must face the consequences if the challenge is not met but also we must appreciate the opportunity for Leinster G.A.A. if it is met. We must now continue with our infrastructure and games development plans in tandem and it is here - more than ever before - that our province must work as a unit. There are exciting times ahead, on an off the field. What follows is my review of 2007 and A Cháirde, comment on the future. I’ll try to be fair and balanced but, at the same time, attempt to prod Táim ar ais chugaibh arís chun Tuairisc Bhliantúil people to challenge my ideas. Here goes. a chur os bhur gcomhair. Gan aon dabht bhí bliain thar bharr again arís i gCúige Laighean o thaobh na gCluichi agus ó thaobh forbairt de. ROLL OF HONOUR While it may not have been a sensational year in IOMAINT BUATHOIRI NEASOIRI terms of national titles won, yet we got our fair Sinsir Cill Chainnigh L. Garman share. Ironically these came in hurling, at a time Idirmheanach Loch Garman C.Chainnigh when doom and gloom still lies over the ancient Mionuir Ath Cliath C.Chainnigh game in the Eastern province. Kilkenny captured Fe 21 Bliain Ath Cliath Uibh Fhaili the Liam McCarthy Cup, Wexford took the Fe 21 Bliain Speis Cill Dara An Mhi Intermediate Hurling title while Danesfort flew Soisir (Sciath) An Dun Longphort the Leinster flag in the Club Championships by Club Sinsir (AIB) Birr Ballyboden winning the All Ireland Club Junior Hurling St. Endas Championship. Club Idirmheanach Clonkill St. Aidans, Ferns Gate receipts reached a new high, thanks again Club Soisir Conahy S'rocks Castlepollard - mainly - to the pulling power of the Dubs. Club Soisir (Speis) Killurin Park Naturally the replay of the S.F.C. between Meath Ratheniska and Dublin was primarily the cause of our big Corn Breathnach Cill Chainnigh L. Garman increase from the previous year. Corn Mac Eochaidh DIT Ceatharloch Off the field activities continued at a great rate. In last year’s report I drew attention to a report PEIL BUATHOIRI NEASOIRI we had commissioned on how the changing Sinsir Ath Cliath Laois demographics will impact on the twelve county Soisir Loch Garman Ath Cliath committees in Leinster and the clubs in the Mionuir Laois Ceatharloch fifteen Local Authority Regions in the province. Fe 21 Bliain Laois Uibh Fhaili This report was recently placed before the Club Sinsir (AIB) St. Vincents Tyrrellspass Officers of our twelve counties and its findings Club Idirmheanach Fingal Ravens Donaghmore are fascinating. One statistic alone stands out / Ashbourne - the population bulge in the 0 – 9 years age Club Soisir Clan na nGael Rosemount group. There are more than 312,000 in this Corn Ui Bhroin Ath Cliath Laois group in Leinster alone. It is everywhere, both Sciath Ui Bhroin Longphort Athlone IT urban and rural, but mostly concentrated in the Sciath Soisir Cill Dara C. Mhantain environs of the large provincial towns. This presents a unique challenge for the G.A.A. in

30 INTER COUNTY Unfortunately, for Wexford, little had changed in the interim but this time the Cats winning CHAMPIONSHIPS margin was reduced to ten points.

BANK OF IRELAND LEINSTER Kilkenny went on to defeat in the All Ireland Final. It was their fifth title this decade SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP and they are now just one behind in the The headline makers early on were Louth and overall leaderboard - as if they needed an Wicklow who indulged in their own mini series incentive as they go for three in a row later this before the wee county advanced after the third year. game. Visions of 1991 surfaced when Dublin and Meath drew in a quarter final but, the Dubs settled matters fairly comprehensively at the second time of asking, before qualifying for the CADBURY'S LEINSTER UNDER 21 Final at the expense of Offaly. FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP Despite a couple of scares along the way Laois stumbled through the other half of the (especially from Wicklow and Louth) the draw with less than convincing victories over defending champions Laois again qualified for Longford and Wexford. Another full house turned the Final. Waiting there for them were their up for the Final showdown but Dublin had two midland neighbours, Offaly, and the game was goals to spare as they comfortably retained the played before a fine attendance in Portlaoise. title and the Delaney Cup. Laois started well and, despite a typical Offaly Dublin went on to reach the All Ireland Semi fightback, they held on to take the trophy by Final while Meath careered through the Qualifiers three points. to qualify for the same stage but opposite half. Neither Leinster side managed to clear that Just as in the previous year the Leinster penultimate hurdle so our long wait for Sam to Champions saw their All Ireland hopes return to the province goes on for another year extinguished by a late Cork strike this time in at least. the Final.

GUINNESS LEINSTER SENIOR LEINSTER UNDER 21 HURLING HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP CHAMPIONSHIP If there was a highlight in this Championship it With narrow victories over Kildare and Wexford, came in Kilkenny on Saturday June 9th. There an Dublin qualified for their third successive Final in injury time point, by Barry Lambert, gave Wexford this grade but this time their opponents were a rather fortuitous win over a luckless Dublin Offaly who overcame Kilkenny in their Semi team in one Semi Final. Final.

Offaly gave Kilkenny a reasonable contest for This Final was played in Parnell Park before a half the second Semi Final but in the end the huge attendance and provided a feast of top Champions amassed a total of 1-27 to win class hurling. The home side had six points to comfortably. spare at the finish and so ended years of heartbreak at this level. In the Final, Kilkenny again ran up a tally of thirty points (2-24) and had fifteen to spare over their Unfortunately they encountered a truly great age old rivals. Galway side in the All Ireland Final and were comprehensively defeated in the end. Both counties eventually qualified for the All Ireland Semi Finals where, as luck would have it, they were pitched against each other.

31 ESB LEINSTER MINOR ESB LEINSTER MINOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP This Championship had some awful one-sided A new, and interesting, format created a buzz games in the preliminary stages with scorelines about this Championship before it started. That such as: (3-21) to (0-03); (5-29) to (0-08); was nothing, though, to the interest which was (10-23) to (0-03); and (3-23) to (1-08). No generated as the Competition unfolded. benefit derived to victor or vanquished so In a predictable first round game Longford saw thankfully that particular format has been off the challenge of Carlow and most pundits consigned to the bin. predicted that the Barrowsiders would depart the scene at the next (losers group) stage Nevertheless, despite the early mayhem, six because of a particularly tough draw. However competitive sides emerged to contest the final such was not to be as Carlow went on an stages. Very little separated any of these teams amazing run of victories over Meath, Wexford, before Dublin and Kilkenny qualified for the Final. Westmeath and Louth to reach their first ever Leinster Minor Football Final. The surprising thing about this Final was that it was no surprise then Dublin comfortably won the In the other half of the draw results followed the title. Unfortunately both sides failed in the All more predictable lines and Laois - despite a Ireland series. very close call from Dublin, which went to a replay - qualified to meet their near neighbours. As might be expected, Carlow began very

Dublin - Minor Hurling Back L-R: Daire O'Maoileidigh; Jonathan Cooper; Robert O'Loughlin; Peter Buckeridge; Emmet McCabe; Eanna Walsh; Peter Kelly; Michael Jordan; Paul Garbutt; Alan McMullan; Kevin O'Loughlin; James Ryan; Darren Kelly. Front L-R: Liam Corbett; Paul Schutte; Darren Mooney; Darren Whelan; Barry O'Rorke (C); Finn McGarry; Wayne Brogan; Oisin Gough; Niall McMorrow; ; Rory O'Carroll.

32 nervously and were soon well behind. Instead of hurling. With a skilful set of young players they rolling over, however, they got stuck in and at defeated Longford (comfortably) and Carlow the final whistle Laois were rather fortunate to (narrowly) before seeing off the challenge of have two points to spare. Meath in the Final.

Despite a Lazarus type recovery to force a replay Part of their prize was to qualify for the Under in the All Ireland Semi Final Laois eventually 21 Championship proper and here they performed succumbed to Derry in the second game. admirably, failing by just five points to the eventual champions, Dublin.

LEINSTER INTERMEDIATE Unfortunately they later went down rather tamely in the All Ireland Series of the Under 21 HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP ‘B’ Championship. Dublin joined Kilkenny and Wexford in this grade but lost out to the former in the Semi Final. Wexford had two points to spare over Kilkenny in the Final. LEINSTER JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP In a welcome boost for their county, Wexford Despite its relatively low profile this Championship went on to defeat Waterford in the All Ireland was keenly contested in 2007. Dublin and Final on this grade. Wexford qualified for the Final and the latter had two points to spare after an exciting contest.

LEINSTER UNDER 21 ‘A’ HURLING For the coming year Cavan have been included in the Leinster Junior Football Championship - this CHAMPIONSHIP will probably create its own little bit of history. Formerly known as a Special Championship, this grade provided a welcome boost to Kildare

Kildare - U-21 Hurling 'A' Champions 2007 Back L-R: Philip Quigley, Fichra Lynch, Aiden Ryan, John Houlihan, Sam White, Garry Delahunt, Mark Moloney (C), Brian Magee, Kevin Bracken, Harry Oliver, Cillian Mac Suibhne, Coman Doyle, Mark Cummins, Eoin Fitzpatrick, Eanna Lohan. Front L-R: Peter Coleman, Ken Boylan, Patrick Curtin, Paul Divilly, Stephan Maher, Patrick Ward, Conor Ryan, Donnie Heffernan, John Doran, Oisin Lynch, Tom Finnerty, Paul Fitzgerald, John Roche.

33 LEINSTER JUNIOR Longford and Down qualified for the Final and HURLING SHIELD this was played in Tullamore as curtain-raiser to the Laois/Longford Bank of Ireland Leinster S.F.C. Longford and Louth were this time joined by game. The sides finished level and so it was off to Down (Non Ards), Leitrim and Warwickshire in a Newry on the following Sunday where the game competition which ebbed and flowed through was replayed before the Down/Monaghan Ulster venues from Ballella to Birmingham and S.F.C. game. After a high-scoring encounter Down Newtownforbes to Newry. eventually had four points to spare over the Leinster county.

Down, winners of the Leinster Junior Hurling Shield, celebrate after their replay victory over Longford at Pairc Esler, Newry, Co. Down.

Wexford - Leinster Junior Football Champions 2007

Back L-R: Cathal Somers, Michael Kehoe, Rory Quinlivan, Paddy Byrne, Colin Molloy, Anthony Masterson, Peter Atkinson, Paudge Barden, Paddy Murphy, David Farrell, Tom Hughes, Greg Jacob, Michael Bernie.

Front L-R: Johnny Mernagh, Shane Cousins, David Walsh, Mark Gahan, Tom Wall, Paddy Sinnott, Jody O'Shaughnessy, Willie Hudson, Conor Murphy, Matthew Flynn-O'Connor, Seán Carmody.

34 Fingal Ravens (Dublin) who defeated Donaghmore/Ashbourne (Meath) in the Leinster Club SFC Final at Parnell Park, Dublin. Back L-R: Thomas McGrath, Kieran Kiely, Daragh Kavanagh, Ronan Norton, Jason Boland, Padraig Brennan, David Mitchell, Stephen Madigan, Kieran McGrath, Robert Arthurs, Damien Flanagan, Eoin Kettle, Keith Kavanagh (Capt), Gary Brennan, Ross McCarthy, Colin Prenderville. Front L-R: Alan Casey, Derek Keogh, Michael White, Ian Rooney, Caoimhene O"Scanaill, Ciaran Norton, Shane Maxwell, Ian Kavanagh, Niall Tormey, Nigel Duff, Darren Dalyn Joseph Morris.

Leinster Intermediate Hurling Club Champions 2007 - Clonikill Back L-R: Shane Owens, John Fitzsimons, John Curran, David O'Reilly, Alan Giblin, Alan Dowdall, Fergal Fagan, Stephen Cleary, Larry Donoghue, , Paul Kelleghan, Christopher Austin, Mark Healy, James Hallinan, Adam Price, John Fagan, Darragh Ayres. Front L-R: Mark Keegan, Alan Keogh, Colm Coffey, Conradh Reilly, Shane Power, , Luke Folan, Sean Loughlin, , (C), Jimmy Fitzsimons, , Eoghan Kevelehan, Enda McLoughlin.

35 CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS AIB LEINSTER CLUB S.H.C. This new slimmed down version now delivers AIB LEINSTER CLUB S.F.C. quality rather than quantity. The early story surrounded the march of first time Dublin Oops! For long our flagship championship but champions, Ballyboden St. Endas, to the Leinster the 2007 edition came wrapped with more spice Final. On the other side of the draw we had the than normal. Boardroom deliberations still familiar sight of Birr - written off by many - reverberate and will continue to do so. careering through to the Final. Reputations were damaged and justice was dispensed but will lessons have been learned? Played in O’Connor Park, Tullamore, on a day We must await the next series to find out. which was anything but conducive to good hurling, this Final was a cracker. At the long Incidentally - and lest it be forgotten in the whistle Birr had a solitary point to spare and so midst of the indiscipline - there was also some the O’Neill trophy rests on the Whelehan smashing football played in the Leinster Senior sideboard for another winter. Club Championship. Despite extra time at first time of asking Dromard and Moorefield took LEINSTER CLUB I.F.C. three games to find a winner while St. Vincents This championship featured some exciting and Seneschalstown also needed a second go to emerging new talents and the return of a number settle a quarter final tie. of former great clubs to scenes of greater days.

Eventually Tyrrellspass (Westmeath) qualified to In the end it was two of the emerging sides, play St. Vincents (Dublin) in the Final. Despite Fingal Ravens (Dublin) and Donaghmore the concession of home venue to their opponents Ashbourne (Meath) who reached the Final. After it was the Dublin representatives who comfortably a titanic struggle the Dublin side had a goal to regained the title after many years waiting. spare in this Final which was played in Parnell Park.

Clan na nGael - Leinster Junior Club Football Champions 2007 Back L-R: Darren Griffin, Damien Tuite, John Daly, Johnnie Sheehan, Fergus Fagan, Alan Browne, Gary Woods, Paul Flood, Jamie Shaw, Darren Kelly, Kieran Smith, Tom Hanley, Brian Quirke, Mick Priest, Joseph McDonnacha. Front L-R: Mike Timmons, Sean Fitzsimons, Brian McGovern, Anthony Farrell, Matthew Mullen, Anthony Farrell, Shane McAnarney (Capt), Benny Murray, Tomas Carrigy, , Mike Conneally. Mascots: Tom Hanley, Brendan Geraghty, Owen Griffin

36 LEINSTER CLUB I.H.C. LEINSTER CLUB J.F.C. Since the restructuring of this championship in All twelve counties compete in this grade and it recent years, it has become one of the best is a betting persons nightmare, such is the contested in the business. Six evenly matched unpredictability of the games. Some stormy clubs produced some heart warming tussles with encounters dotted the horizons of this the vast majority of games being equally championship also as club / parish / county pride matched. was defended a little over vigorously at times.

The Westmeath champions Clonkill had good When the dust settled, and bloods cooled, the wins over Clara (Kilkenny) and Kiltale (Meath) to Meath standard bearers Clan na nGael qualified secure their place in the Final. On the other side, to play Rosemount from nearby Westmeath in St. Aidans Ferns (Wexford) saw off the challenges the Final. The Final was played in Navan and of Confey (Kildare) and Glenealy (Wicklow). home advantage proved decisive as the Clan na nGael side had six points to spare at the finish. This set up a home final for the Westmeath champions and they prevailed by two points LEINSTER CLUB J.H.C. after an enthralling encounter. Despite a levelling off in standards this championship continues to be dominated by This good news story for Clonkill turned into whichever side emerges from the Kilkenny fairytale status when they then went on to take competition. This year it was Conahy Shamrocks the All Ireland title, at the expense of Thomas and they had comfortable wins over Arklow Rock Larkins (Galway) in a floodlit Final in Croke Park. Parnells and Raheny before qualifying to meet Well done to all concerned. Castlepollard of Westmeath in the Final. Again

Conahy Shamrocks - winners of the Leinster Club Junior Hurling Championship 2007 Back L-R: Paddy Mullen,Ciarain Muldowney,Peter Dollard,Paraic Harding,Paraic Conway,Eoin Byrne,David Healy,Damien Webster,Colm Healy,Michaek Lawlor,Declan Buggy,Ian Kavanagh,Alan Healy,Conor Brennan,Michael Bergin,Gary Kavanagh,Eoin Fitzpatrick. Front L-R: Tom O'Shea,Tomas Lawless,Peter Harding,Gavin Nolan,Brian Healy,Padraic Nolan,Dennis Kelly,Martin Fitzpatrick,Eoin Murphy(Capt),Paul Buggy,John Wallace,Kieran Mooney,Tom Nolan,Andy O'Keefe,Canice Brennan,Daire Connery.

37 the black and amber brigade had too much fire Castleknock (Dublin), Barndarrig (Wicklow) and power and won quite easily. Killurin (Offaly).

They went on to frank their Leinster form by Enthusiasm and interest was high as the Laois taking the All Ireland title at the expense of and Offaly representatives qualified for the Final. Moyle Rovers (Tipperary) - a great achievement Despite the handicap of conceding home venue for a small club. they thrilled a huge band of supporters with a three goal victory.

LEINSTER SPECIAL JUNIOR CLUB The added bonus to this competition was that the winners qualified to play a European selection HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP in The Hague in December. Here, again, Killurin This was a new competition, introduced in 2007 proved victorious and so become the unofficial to facilitate the Junior Hurling Champions of Junior Hurling Champions of Europe! counties who do not qualify for the Leinster Club J.H.C. proper. The participants were: St. Pats, Stamullen (Meath), Mattock Rangers (Louth), Park Ratheniska (Laois), Sarsfields (Kildare),

Killurin - Leinster Special Junior Hurling Champions 2007 Back L-R: Sean Kinnarney (selector), Brian Gleeson, Adrian Brazil, Darryl Kilroe, Shane Howell, Gary Brazil, Joseph Brady, Dwayne Dunne, Owen Dillon, Michael Monaghan, Padraic Kinnarney, Brendan Brady (mentor), Edward Casey (Captain), Thomas Brady, Eamon Dunne (mentor), Paddy Grennan, P.J. Kinnarney (selector and Club Chairman), Pius Casey (Club Secretary). Front L-R: Ollie Bryant (Trainer), Brian Keenahan, Alan Dunne, Christopher Keenahan, Nigel Casey, Kevin Keenahan, Jimmy Keenahan, David Brazil, Adrian Leonard, William Grennan, Andrew Brazil, Willie Casey (selector and club Treasurer).

38 Offaly Offaly at Casement Park. Antrim - Walsh Winners Cup - 2008 Walsh celebrate their over Antrim win -

39 ACCIDENT The participation of Third Level Colleges is attracting some negative comment so I presume TOURNAMENT we will have to address this in the coming year.

COMPETITIONS O'BYRNE CUP S.F. 2007 The winners of these Competitions in 2007: Floodlit games in Navan, Darver, Horeswood and Parnell Park illustrated the changing face of our O’ Byrne Cup S.F. Ath Cliath fixture scheduling whilst adding a new dimension Walsh Cup S.H. Cill Chainnigh to the marketing of our games. Obviously live S.H. D.I.T. T.V. has brought a whole new audience to the O’ O’ Byrne S.F. Shield Longphort Byrne Cup Competition (I know of one household in South London which eventually settled down to watch the Carlow v Dublin drawn game COMPETITIONS 2007 instead of the Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur Our successful relationship with Setanta Ireland Premiership game on a rival channel). continued with four live T.V. games in O’ Byrne Cup S.F. Competition. Despite losing a weekend Dublin with the luck of home draws all the way, to inclement weather, and a drawn Semi Final qualified for the Final despite one amazing fright after extra time, we managed to get the from Carlow. On the other hand Longford took competition concluded thanks to the co-operation to the road and overcame Meath and Kildare of the participating counties. before ousting the star studded DCU side in their semi final. Our efforts to have matters completed in some of the other competitions did not have the same In what can only be described as floodlight positive results. robbery the Dubs, with two late Jayo goals, snatched victory from a superb Longford side.

Dublin - Winners of the 2008 O'Byrne Cup Final over Longford at Parnell Park Back L-R: Ross McConnell, John Leonard, , Eoin B O'Gara, Paul Casey, Shane Ryan, Kevin Bonner, Philip McMahon, Eamon Fennel, , John O'Brien, Graham Cullen, Colin Moran, . Front L -R: , Niall O'Shea, , Derek Murray, Stephen O'Shaughnessy, , David Henry, Brendan McManamon, Barry Kennedy, .

40 Rathnure - Leinster Club Hurling League 'A' Winners 2007 Back L-R: Richard Murphy, Simon Moore, Nigel Higgins,Ritchie Flynn,Trevor Hogan, Stephen Somers (Capt), Robbie Codd, Francis Murphy, Shane Barron, Austin Codd, Shane Furlong, Chris Redmond, Colm Byrne, Michael Redmond, Michael O'Leary. Front L -R: Teddy O'Connor, Paul Codd, Anthony O' Connell, John O' Connor, Paddy Whitley, Sean O'Neill, Dermot Flynn, Jame Flynn, Ted O'Connor, EoinMurphy, MJ Murphy.

Black & Whites - Leinster Club Hurling League 'B' Winners 2007 Back L-R: Michael Moloney, , Michael Whelan, Thomas Phelan, James Kennedy, Aidan O'Dowd, Joseph Murphy, Pat Hayden, Brian Cleere. Centre L-R: John Whelan, Sean Kealy, Tommy Farrell, John Lawlor, Denis Brennan, James Brennan, Charlie Ryan, Michael Doyle, Front L-R: Michael Moloney, Michael Ryan, Niall Kennedy, Paul Whelan, John Murphy, Jason Foley, Tom Moloney, Anthony Barcoe and James Doran.

41 WALSH CUP S.H. M. DONNELLY This is certainly one for the historians and quiz buffs of the future. Rarely has a Walsh Cup INTERPROVINCIAL Competition generated such interest or media coverage. CHAMPIONSHIPS It began with Antrim’s visit to Freshford and In last year’s report we saluted a great double by their dramatic victory over Kilkenny. They then our hurlers and footballers in the Interprovincial defeated a strong UCD side in the Semi Final. Championships. This year is the very opposite On the other side we had a first floodlit game in - we failed to reach the Final of either the competition when Offaly overcame Down at Competition. the excellent Darver Complex in Co. Louth before overcoming Wexford in the Semi Final. IOMAINT In another first, the Final was played outside the Six of our first fifteen, in the Semi Final against province when Casement Park proved excellent Munster, had not made the first fifteen of their hosts for the visit of the Faithful County. Their county teams in the preceding intercounty generosity did not carry on to the field of play hurling championship. Consequently we were because they played excellent hurling on their always playing second fiddle and did well to be way to a conclusive victory. only eight points behind at the final whistle.

KEHOE CUP S.H. PEIL We lost a full round of games due to inclement Our footballers began their semi final - against weather so, at the time of writing, we have only a weakened Munster side - in great fashion and reached the final stage. Here, Carlow will have soon were comfortably ahead. However, the home advantage against Meath. wheels came off in spectacular fashion in the second half and we were comprehensively O’ BYRNE S.F. SHIELD defeated. Laois and Kildare qualified for the Final of this competition but, at the time of writing, the GENERAL status of the game is unclear. We hear a lot about how interested the players are in these competitions but that seems to apply, mainly, when an overseas trip is in question. We had no difficulty collecting up players for Rome, Paris and Boston - it was a much different story for Fermoy in October!

42 '72, '74 and '75 Along the way Pat added six Railway Cup medals to his collection, in 1967, '71, '73, '74 (as captain), '75 and '77. Pat's playing career with his club, the Fenians includes a County Junior Medal in '68 and five County Senior Medals, '70, '72, '73, '74 and '77. In '74 he helped the Fenians to Leinster Club honours. Also on the mantelpiece are two Oireachtas Medals, '67 and '69, keeping company with five All-Star awards and the Texaco Hurler of the Year Award for 1974. It doesn't stop there. He became the first hurling manager to achieve the 'double double' when in '82 and '83, under his management, Kilkenny added successive National League titles to successive All- HALL OF FAME Ireland titles. AWARDS 2007 Pat's contribution to gaelic games continues to impress. He is now the South Leinster Second Level Presented at the Hurling and Football Finals Schools Officer with Comhairle Laighean. Pat Henderson is a most worthy entrant to the IOMÁINT Leinster Hall of Fame. Pat Henderson (Kilkenny) PEIL Our Hall of Fame Award to Pat Henderson presented at the 2007 Leinster Hurling Final, is in recognition Eugene McGee (Longford) of Pat's lifelong, and continuing, outstanding On Leinster Football Final Day, 17 July 2007, service as a hurler, clubman, coach, captain, manager Eugene McGee, team manager, sports journalist, and administrator. editor, and coaching supremeo, was inducted into Pat's inter-county career took off in 1961 when he the Leinster Hall of Fame. played at centre-back on the Kilkenny team that Best known now for his sports writing, Eugene first beat Dublin in the Leinster Minor Hurling Final. came to public attention through his talented His Senior inter-county career includes fourteen management of the UCD team. Leinster final outings, all but two against Wexford, Under his direction the college team won six with nine Kilkenny wins out of the fourteen. He Sigersons in a row, 1973 - '78, in addition to Dublin, played in 10 All-Ireland finals, winning five, '67, '69, Leinster and All-Ireland titles.

Pat Henderson receives his memento from Eugene McGee with Cathaoirleach Co Laighean Liam Cathaoirleach Co Laighean Liam O'Neill on the O'Neill at the Leinster SFC Final to receive his occasion of his induction in the Leinster Hall of Fame Leinster Hall of Fame Award

43 His success with UCD brought Eugene to the attention of Offaly and, while still involved with the college, he applied his skills to building Offaly football into a force to be reckoned with. The first signs of success came in the form of an U-21 Leinster title in 1979. This was followed by three Leinster Senior titles in a row, 1980, '81 and '82. In '82 McGee and Offaly became the 'Giant-Killers' of Gaelic football, denying Kerry their five-in-a-row in an historic All- Ireland victory for the Faithful County. Over the years others have also benefited from Eugene's managerial and coaching skills, including his native Longford, Cavan, Leinster, Longford club, COMHAIRLE LAIGHEAN Cashel and the victorious Ireland test squad in AWARDS 2007 Australia. The 2007 Comhairle Laighean Award for best His contribution to coaching and coach education County Final Match Programme was awarded to over the years is significant and carries the authority Wexford PRO Mary Foley for her Hurling Final of one who has practiced what he preaches. production. All of us familiar with his journalistic career know In the opinion of the judging panel it was the top him as a fearless, critical, sometimes controversial, programme in either code across the province in 2007, but always fair commentator who pulls no punches under the headings of diversity, range of content, when he perceives an issue, event or circumstance layout, value for money and overall presentation. There to be deserving of his very individual, focused was a good balance between content and advertisements attention and comment. and the article created a successful link His contribution to Gaelic games throughout his between club and county. managerial and coaching years has very definitely The inaugural Comhairle Laighean Award for best been extended to the present day through his website went to GAA. The website is influence as a journalist, commentator and Radio impressive for its design and aesthetics, use of and TV pundit. graphics. The content is excellent as is the efficiency Comhairle Laighean is proud to have Eugene McGee and functionality of the site. It is easy to navigate, in the Leinster Hall of Fame. has an attractive layout and colour scheme, and most important of all, the content is updated regularly and is relevant. The interactive panoramic view of Pairc Tailteann is a bonus.

Tom Farrell, P.R.O. Leinster GAA presenting the Tom Farrell, P.R.O. Leinster GAA presenting the Comhairle Laighean Award for the Best County GAA Comhairle Laighean Award for the Best County Final Website 2007 to Jeff Sheridan and Tara Rowan, Meath. Programme 2007 to Mary Foley, Wexford.

44 HURLING That, however, still leaves a major problem of hurling standards. In reality this year’s Liam Down the years I have addressed the subject of McCarthy can be narrowed down to less than hurling, particularly Leinster hurling, in my eight realistic contenders. So it was last year and Annual Reports to Leinster Convention. I have for many years before. What evidence is there of made proposals - some simple, some radical a possible change for the future? I would suggest and indeed some controversial - but all with a that it is flimsy. genuine, honest interest of the game at heart. Truth to tell, very few of these suggestions (OK The solution appears to be that we must improve none of them!) were acted upon. Like many standards in the next eight counties to at least suggestions in secretaries reports they got a make them competitive. Current structures are little bit of air time at Convention, or in the leaving them further and further behind so I am media, and even drew compliments at the time. suggesting that we take some radical steps. However that was invariably the end of the In the Minor and Under 21 grades I would story. dispense with the provincial championships and Others too, including high-powered national play the competitions on an open draw basis. committees, have addressed the state of hurling Each county must be guaranteed at least four at every level in the country. Changes in games in each grade, two home and two away. Championship structures have been implemented, Some further lateral thinking is required in order changed again, reintroduced, discarded and to develop a promotion and relegation format, regurgitated again. We face into yet another co-ordination of the closing stages with other structure change for the All Ireland Senior Hurling major fixtures and a system of evaluation of the Championship in 2008 and, before it ever gets experiment. going, we are talking about changing it again. I’m I honestly believe that counties can only improve not surprised because, on paper at least, it looks at Minor and Under 21 if they are competing like a lame duck. So, you might say, stop whinging regularly against teams of traditionally higher and give us some practical suggestions. Easier standard. said than done! Hopefully these improvements will carry on to Many people would argue that any rational senior level and then we might see an expansion analysis of a structure for the Liam McCarthy of the horizon for the Senior All Ireland Hurling Championship would entail an examination, at Championship. least, of an open draw format. These thoughts obviously need to be teased out This argument is based on the disparity of a little more. The stronger hurling counties will standards between the Munster and Leinster oppose the suggestions but that does not Hurling Championships, the isolation of Galway necessarily make them bad. The improvement of and the lack of opportunity for Antrim and other hurling standards should be paramount - Ulster counties. Historically, and understandably, certainly far ahead of provincial underage medals such debate has never really developed because for the same chosen few counties. of the vested interests of the two larger provinces, the sacrosanct status of the Munster Hurling I can only ask delegates to our Convention to Championship and the relative lack of clout of take the time to examine the possibilities of my the hurling outposts. suggestions. Provincial officers steer well clear of the topic and as long as they do so, no national committee will dare even discuss the matter. I, obviously, understand this very well and would not even suggest that we entertain an examination of such a format for the McCarthy Cup.

45 FIXTURES - fixtures, particularly one whose aim is to facilitate more, and more regular, games for club players. GIVE CLUBS A CHANCE These, in no particular order, are: The recent Special Congress of the G.A.A. was • That the National Football League be overshadowed by the failure of the motions reduced by at least two Rounds. which proposed abolishing the Minor and Under 21 grades for a two year trial period. However a • That the Junior Football and Intermediate number of lesser profile motions, albeit with far Hurling inter-county championships be reaching effects, were carried and I’m not so sure abolished. that their import has yet set in with county or, • That the Under 21 Inter County Football indeed, provincial officers. Since many of these Championship be played, midweek, in the decisions come into operation immediately we Summer. have decided to devote a workshop to this area at our Convention. • That the Inter Provincial Competitions be abolished. For example, it has been decided that each county shall submit its championship programme • That the participation of Third Level to its provincial council by March 31st - Colleges in Provincial Inter County commencing this year. There is then a series of Competitions be seriously evaluated. follow-up actions which must be implemented • That the Association seriously examine by both county and provincial councils. the impact of live T.V. coverage of our This, obviously, will be one of the topics for games has on the timing of, and attendance discussion at our workshop as will the motions at, our club games. which decided: • That the influence of County Team (a) That senior provincial championships Managers on club fixture planning in each begin no earlier than the third weekend in county be examined. May. • That the unedifying spats between club (b) Senior Inter County panels confined to a and school mentors about fixture clashes, maximum of twenty four for National especially from September to November, Leagues and other non-championship be discussed. competitions. • That the place of the in our (c) Arrangements for All Ireland Quarter game be examined. Finals. • That serious consideration be given to (d) No replays in early rounds of provincial eleven and / or thirteen a-side official senior championships. competitions. (e) Drafting of a charter in each county • The serious examination of the influence relating to fixtures. on fixture programmes of the installation of floodlit, all-weather pitches in each (N.B. Incidentally this motion, passed at county. Special Congress, acknowledges, for the first time in the Official Guide, the I hope the foregoing is given some consideration existence of such a person as a County at our workshop and that counties will send Team Manager). delegates to it who have an interest in, and responsibility for, club fixtures programmes in (f) Provincial Club Leagues and a number of their counties. other issues. I would have a few views of my own which I feel should also be considered at a workshop on

46 CHANGING FACE OF THE GAMES DEVELOPMENT - COUNTY COMMITTEES VALUE FOR MONEY This last year saw a dramatic change in the I admitted (temporary moment of weakness) in personnel at the coalface of county administration last years report that I found the amount of in the province. This is primarily as a result of activity in games development mind boggling! the kicking in of the five year limit to terms of Games Development is at the core of our office. More than half the Leinster counties have organization and as can be seen from our had a change of County Chairman, County financial report it’s our biggest consumer of Secretary or both this year. Naturally there has funds. I am to report that we’ve begun the been a small bit of musical chairs in counties but, process of ensuring we get value for money from nevertheless, there are now an awful lot of new our investment. The decision to take O’Kelly officers in new posts in the province. This applies Sutton on board to examine (de-boggling to posts like, Treasurer, County Development process) our games development operations Officers, Youth Officers, Coaching Officers and with a view to maximizing our return for Irish Language and Culture Officers apart from investment has in my opinion been one of our the aforementioned Chairmen and Secretaries. better ones during my tenure. This changing of the guard presents huge To my mind this ongoing exercise has been a challenges to the Association and the time to success, attaining our objective to introduce a face these is now. We need more than a one structure to enable Comhairle Laighean, aligned night course for selected county officials to with our county boards, to set goals and track address this matter. County Officials will soon, our return on investment. or have already, come face to face with every I believe now is the correct time to re-examine day issues like fixtures, finance, players welfare, the ways Comhairle Laighean and our counties county team management, struggling clubs, support the promotion of hurling development players grants, insurance issues, disciplinary in the province. In this context we have structures, national policies, provincial initiatives, commissioned O Kelly Sutton to review this to new clubs, appeals, transfers, D.R.A., public ensure we’ll have an integrated games relations, county training facilities, ticketing . . . development structure going forward. the list goes on and on. At this juncture I feel it is appropriate to remind As an Association we have done very little to our incoming management committee to take prepare these new officers for the task ahead, cognizance of the recommendations set out by but it’s not too late. We have facilities, in the O’Kelly Sutton. As officers of Comhairle Laighean shape of national and provincial committees, they’re fortunate to be arriving at a stage when who can address this situation and I hope we can the roadmap for the future promotion of games activate these immediately. We also need to put development in the province has been set out. together - at national and provincial level - a The challenge for our new management team to type of information structure so that county ensure implementation is affected in accordance officers can easily access information, advice, with the proposed system and they give those rule clarification, policy etc. In these days of responsible for this at Leinster and County level litigation and a mindset of ‘to hell with the the support and guidance required to deliver establishment’ our county officers need every value for money. It is imperative the Council stay help they can be given. to the course, resist diverting and ensure the As a result of all these changes at county level work completed is the basis for all policy decision there now exists a coterie of former county over the next three years and beyond. officers whose expertise, experience, nous, know If we give them this backing I’ve no doubt we’ll –how etc. may be lost to the G.A.A. This must capture the hearts and minds of the “Popes not be allowed happen. Fair enough, some of Children’s Children” and ensure Gaelic games these people want to slip away into the sunset remain the sport of choice in a changing but I know that there are many still willing and Leinster. available for duty. It is up to us, at county and provincial council level, to avail of their services. On a personal note I wish to thank Peter Hanan in particular for his commitment to our project.

47 TO CHANGE IS TO sponsors secured at central level, much of the implementation of the sponsorship will be done PROGRESS IS TO GROW by the counties and the provinces. It is essential GAA people are living and operating in an era of therefore, in the interest of securing full support change and by and large it has to be said that at all levels within the GAA, that fair and adequate change has brought growth and progress to the and even generous compensation flows to the organisation, but not without a certain amount provinces and counties to recognise their input of short-term discomfort in some cases. and support. I'm confident that this will be the case and that the project will progress smoothly. Two fundamental changes are in progress at present. The second progressive change which is on the way is the re-enforcement of the national GAA We are now facing into a change in the sponsorship brand. GAA is without doubt one of the strongest structure around our Senior Championships. Up brands in this country and it also has a very high to now most of the preparatory work for this recognition factor internationally. In a complex new model has of necessity been carried out and multi-layered organisation like ours it is easy behind the scenes and, as I write this, much for the corporate brand to be under-used, second-guessing and some anxiety is evident misused and not applied universally and in a within our organisation and in the media. In the consistent manner. Hopefully this refreshing of absence of full information even progressive our GAA brand, linked with the tradition and people are wary of change. heritage contained in the image of the celtic We are all aware that this new sponsorship cross, will strengthen our image and identify model will have implications for counties, more clearly all aspects of our organisation, provincial councils and for the national body. involvements and activities, while at the same The obvious questions centre on revenue and time allowing the unique identities of our clubs, revenue flow at the various levels. Centrally it counties and provinces to shine through. means a significant increase in sponsorship revenue. In the provinces and counties certain local revenue sources will be compromised and ÁRAS LAIGHEAN in some cases will have to cease in order to implement the sponsorship and fulfil the We were recently granted planning permission contractual obligations. This local sacrifice will to extend the premises at Aras Laighean. This have to be recognised. extension will provide us with extra office space, meeting rooms and general emenities. When Many of these local and provincial arrangements finished, we hope to be in a position to provide a are of long standing and have developed into greater service to our counties, our own multi-support packages, backed up by strong, committees, our sister organisations of close relationships between the relevant GAA and Ladies Gaelic Football as well as the many bodies and the business people concerned. The national committees and sub-committees who local businessman who has pitch-side advertising already avail of our facilities. signs at the county grounds also places adverts in the county final match programmes, supports the Work should commence shortly and will continue club and county draws and lottos, puts a team for about nine months. During that time we will into the annual golf classic, buys a race at the vacate the premises entirely and move across annual race day, takes a table at GAA corporate the road to our old home. Meeting space will be events and he may even sponsor his local club. at a premium so it will probably give us a These are complex relationships which may be opportunity to do a Discover Leinster exercise sensitive to any change in any of their elements. with our various sub-committees and the council It is important that this valuable and complex itself. goodwill be protected during and after the process Obviously there will be major disruption to staff, of change and that it is still there to the benefit of county officers, general public (our customers) the GAA when the new sponsorship model is fully council members and others. We beg the in place. Otherwise the GAA will lose something indulgence of these people for this period. that will be difficult to regain or replace. Although the model has been developed and the

48 LIAM Ó MAOLMHICHÍL I, for one, agree with his proposals. There are already small signs in place of these changes and Tributes have we are confident that Pauric Ó Dufaigh and his poured in from all team will lead from the front in the quarters of our implementation of a great new strategy for the Association, and G.A.A. I can promise that Leinster will not fall beyond, since behind when called upon to deliver its Liam Ó contribution. M a o l m h i c h í l announced his decision to retire from the post of DANNY LYNCH Árd Stiúrthóir. Amongst the These are well many high profile deserved and it comings and would be difficult for me to add anything new to goings at national them. and provincial My own term as Provincial Secretary has level it almost overlapped Liam’s as Director General so perhaps escaped notice I have greater experience of the man’s that our contribution to the G.A.A. and Irish sport in A s s o c i a t i o n ’ s general, than most. This was, simply, phenomenal. P.R.O., Danny His vision, brain and work ethic was, and is, far Lynch, has beyond anything I have encountered in any indicated his other sports administrator. decision to retire this year. On On behalf of Comhairle Laighean C.L.G. I sincerely many occasions Danny was the public face thank Liam for his assistance to the Council at all (albeit unshaven) of the G.A.A. but it was times. Personally I thank him for his many probably in his work away from the media glare kindnesses, his astute counsel, his thoughtfulness that he had greatest impact. On behalf of and his many other considerations to myself Comhairle Laighean C.L.G. I thank him sincerely during his term of office. We wish him the very for all his work while, on a personal level I want best in his future endeavours. I want to thank Danny for his many advices, courtesy and general good company over the years. PAURIC Ó DUFAIGH C o m h a i r l e Laighean C.L.G. extends its best wishes to Pauric Ó Dufaigh on his elevation to the position of Árd Stiúrthóir C.L.G. It is becoming a more challenging position by the week and never was it so essential that we have a steady hand on the tiller. Our Uachtarán recently outlined a change of direction in the administration of the G.A.A. and

49 CATHAOIRLEACH AN CATHAOIRLEACH NUA

The three year term of office of our Cathaoirleach, At this Convention Sheamus Howlin becomes Liam Ó Néill, has flown by and it will be the 31st Chairman of Comhairle Laighean C.L.G. concluded with his address to this Convention. Comhairle Laighean C.L.G. has benefitted hugely He will be the fifth Wexford man to hold this from Liam’s direction and he leaves the provincial prestigious post, following the illustrious body in a very healthy state. footsteps of Patrick Breen, Michéal Kehoe, Jimmy Roche and Jim Berry. Liam O'Neill was not one for ‘quick fixes’ and so it is that many of his initiatives were / are long Sheamus brings with him a wealth of experience term. I think of things like hurling development, garnered at club, county, provincial, national and infrastructural development, development of international level. Áras Laighean, cultural development, officer training initiatives and many others - these will The staff and members of Comhairle Laighean only bear real fruit in the future. Nevertheless he look forward to his stewardship and we wish him also dealt fairly and efficiently with everyday well in this multi-faceted role. issues and represented the Council’s views and interests with great aplomb at national and indeed international level.

It is no great secret that Liam has ambitions to further serve the Association in a bigger and more challenging arena. We wish him well in pursuit of his dreams.

On behalf of the staff, members and officers of Comhairle Laighean C.L.G. I sincerely thank Liam for his courtesy, endeavour and humanity at all times. On a personal note I thank him for his generosity of spirit, concern and - most of all - his loyalty to me, and mine, during his term of office.

50 SYMPATHY Freaney, Tony Robinson and Sean Campion, for The past year, sadly, saw the death of a number their dedication to the task and their very fair of former council members, county board officers allocation of games to our referees. and outstanding players and match officials. Likewise our Referees Committee, under the Comhairle Laighean C.L.G. extends its sympathy baton of our vice-chairman had a very active to the families of the bereaved. A novena of year. An outline of their projects is contained in masses has been offered for their intentions. the Sub-Committee section of this report.

COUNTY COMMITTEES ...... Primarily here I want to sincerely thank the many County Committee Officers whose term of office came to an end in December last. Quite a number of senior, experienced officers now find themselves on the sidelines - not by choice BUÍOCHAS but by dint of the five year rule. Many of these It is standard practice at this stage of a report to were staunch supporters of the provincial council thank those individuals and units who have and we will miss their support and their words of helped Leinster Council during the year. wisdom, not to mention their company and Nevertheless I would hope that this section is good humour. not read as a list of pious platitudes. The fact that the G.A.A. in Leinster has had a good year in Generally speaking I want to compliment each terms of games, development, publicity, of our twelve counties, in particular the twelve administration and many other sectors is very apostles (county secretaries), for another year’s much down to an overall package of hard work, fine work. co-operation, fair play and goodwill.

LEINSTER FINANCE ADVISORY GROUP PLAYERS This is a sub-committee which was established I begin with the raw material which every G.A.A. less than two years ago. Under the Chairmanship unit needs in order to function viz., the players. of our former Treasurer, John Byrne,, it is made Here I include the thousands of club players as up of people whose everyday job is in the world well as the high profile inter-county stars. The of finance under one guise or another. It’s fact that they choose our games as their hobby members are Eamonn O’Keeffe (Wicklow), and exercise is a compliment to the outstanding (Wexford), Dave Kavanagh organisation and coaching at club level initially. (Offaly and Kildare), Andy Egan (Longford), I salute those involved at club level for their Aodán Mac Suibhne (Dublin) and the Council outstanding dedication also. Treasurer, John McCarthy. This body facilitated a workshop on Finance at last year’s Convention and County Officers found REFEREES AND MATCH OFFICIALS it extremely helpful. They also initiated a couple Match Officials in the form of referees, linesmen, of other projects as well as making themselves umpires, fourth officials and assessors are available as individuals, or as a group, to assist essential to the success of any programme of any unit of the Association in the province who fixtures. In Leinster we have a loyal and talented needed financial guidance or advice. bunch of people who help us see through a huge I sincerely thank John Byrne and his committee programme of games from schools to Leinster for their generous contribution of time and Senior Final level. Comhairle Laighean C.L.G. is advice to the Leinster G.A.A. constituency. especially grateful to them. I want to pay a special tribute to our appointments committee, made up of Sheamus Howlin, Pierce

51 LEINSTER SUB-COMMITTEES VOLUNTARY OFFICIALS / WORKERS The reports in the second half of this booklet People say that the day of the volunteer in the outline the range of activities undertaken by our G.A.A. in gone. Forget it. Never was there such various sub-committees. The workings of these an input from men and women into our clubs, groupings are vital to the smooth operation of schools, nurseries and counties - in a voluntary Leinster Council. We thank the members and capacity - as there is at present. Sometimes individual officers of these committees for their they feel taken for granted but that does not contributions. seem to deter them. Long may they continue.

PCT AND ÁRD CHOMHAIRLE MEMBERS / OFFICERS OF Increasingly our big match days are intertwined COMHAIRLE LAIGHEAN with the PCT operation in Croke Park. Their team, While not always reading off the same page of led by Peter McKenna, runs a smooth exercise the book, the Officers of Comhairle Laighean and it is a pleasure to work with them. We thank C.L.G. individually, and as a group, did a fine job Peter and, in particular, the Event Controller for the council during 2007. Likewise, the council Seamus Meade and the finance guru Allen Duffy members upheld the previous high standards of for their attention and courtesy at all times. council and I thank them all sincerely for that. As mentioned earlier in the report we have come to the end of an era in our dealings with Árd Chomhairle with the retirement of Liam Ó STAFF Maolmhichíl. I want to thank all the other heads Finally I come to my own team. From the office of Departments, and their staff, in Pairc an staff to those in the field, including our temporary Chrocaigh for their continued assistance to us in and partime people, there was a solid year’s Comhairle Laighean C.L.G. input. Comhairle Laighean C.L.G. treated us extremely well and I like to think that we reciprocated with loyalty, efficiency and good MEDIA manners. This two way street between ourselves and the Rath Dé Oraibh go Léir various media strands worked well in 2007. I thank again the national, provincial and local TV, Micheál Ó Dubhshláine radio and newspaper journalists for their balanced coverage of our games in Leinster in the last twelve months.

GAMES DEVELOPMENT TEAM One only has to glance at their reports to see the range of activities, involving gaelic games, currently undertaken in the province. From the Provincial Hurling Administrators to the County G.P.O’s there is huge workload. Co-ordinating on our behalf is Shane Flanagan and I compliment him on his input. Our Coaching and Games Development Committee under John Horan and John McCarthy keeps a hands on watching brief on behalf o the Council and their work is excellent.

52

Sub-Committee Reports 2007

LEINSTER COACHING AND GAMES DEVELOPMENT REPORT

a Chairman’s and Secretary’s Report b Coaching and Games Manager’s Report c Hurling Development Administrators’ Report c Leinster Tutor Group Report d Cumann na mBunscoil Laighean Laighean e Comhairle Iarbhunscoileanna Laighean Report f Leinster Third Level Colleges Report g Leinster Handball Report

LEINSTER REFEREES ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT

LEINSTER I.T., MARKETING AND P.R. COMMITTEE REPORT

LEINSTER GROUNDS & FACILITIES, HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE REPORT

LEINSTER CLUB & COUNTY PLANNING COMMITTEE REPORT

COISTE SCÓR LAIGHEAN

HEARINGS COMMITTEE REPORT

55 Coaching & Games Development Committee Report

Coaching & Games Development Committee John Horan (Cathaoirleach) John McCarthy (Rúnaí) Paul Kinsella (Cumann na mBunscol) Michael Reynolds (Secondary Schools) Michael Farrell (Vocational Schools) Martin Maher (Third Level Colleges) Cyril Kevlihan (Tutors Group) Tom Walsh (Handball) (Hurling) Michael McHugh (Football) Tomás Mac Con Midhe (Lú) Brian Carberry (An Mhí) Brendan Harpur (Áth Cliath) Jimmy Dunne (Cill Mhantáin) Justin Browne (Loch Garman) Pat Dunney (Cill Dara) Ger Lennon (Ceatharloch) Val Malone (Cill Chainnigh) Johnny Dalton (Laois) Padraig de Scala (Uibh Fháilí) Pat Casserly (Iar Mhí) Michael Casey (Longford)

The area of coaching and games continues to the end of the summer with very positive play an important role in GAA activities within feedback from both on the ground and from the the province. The continued focus remains the Council. Westmeath, Kildare and Wexford have efficient implementation of GNP and to this end also been successful in their dealings with their we are constantly reviewing our efforts and the respective councils and are each promised two results thereof. positions. Games Manager Shane has forged positive links with Eamonn Shane Flanagan has delivered great service to us O’Cuiv the Minster of the Gaelteacht, Community within the last twelve months. In last years and Rural affairs. This should prove fruitful into report we alluded to the forthcoming engagement the future. with local councils in the area of funding Acknowledgement must also be given to Ger personnel and projects. To this end it is very O’Connor and Kevin O’Shaughnessy in Dublin pleasing to report a large amount of success due for their continued support in running the mainly to Shane’s work. In Louth we got support Coaching and Games department for one position which has been in place since

56 Summer Camps three years. Further details are given later in this In planning for the National VHI Summer Camps report. of 2007 consideration was given to the difficulties that were encountered on the ground in its GO-Games initial year. The arrival of Jimmy Dwyer and John This initiative is making progress throughout the Cotter onto the organisation team (both Leinster province. It allows for flexibility within the recommendations) had a major positive effect numbers per side and the rules applied once the on the improved running of the camps. underlining principle of everybody gets a game is implemented, the rules don’t allow the game to The revenue accruing to the Province rose from be dominated by a few strong players and € € 40k to 100k. I feel this goes to prove that different skills are being developed. teething problems aside it has been a positive benefit for us as a province to have supported this national initiative. This initiative and the development of the FUN- DO package have been major Croke Park Some counties did take on board the idea floated initiatives for which they have to be complimented. last year of employing an individual to act as The quality of the FUN-DO package has been coordinator of the camps outside the GPO/GDA recognised by its winning a national media structure and were happy with the success of award. this move. GDA’s/GPO’s Coach Education A large amount of ground has been covered in This is one area where we promised progress in this area. The introduction of the new MIS 2007 and I feel we matched those promises. The system should help cut down the time spent on training of eighteen new tutors from throughout administration. the province has been a major achievement. One should not underestimate the time and effort The engagement of Peter Hannon to review our our master tutor group put into drawing up the staffing structures has led to the introduction of tutor training course prior to delivering it. the Service Level Agreement ideal. This should allow us to monitor, motivate and reward our In recognising the great work of the group as a staff a responsibility we have, but often lose whole we must give mention to Brendan Harper sight of. and Ger O’Connor. The benefits of this should be seen into the future in our ability to deliver Hurling and Football Squads courses. We engaged with the counties in reviewing the functioning of this area. Whilst it was felt we In an attempt to enhance our work further in were doing a good job some changes will be this area we have organised the province into introduced in 2008 to enhance the work. The three regions, each with its own coordinator. recent motions passed at the special congress Dudley Farrell (North-East), John Leahy will impact on the type of competitions we run. (Midlands) and Brian Ryan (South-East). I would like to thank all persons involved in the The most important ideal people involved with tutor group for their continued hard work most squads should remember is that they are of which is given during the dark evenings and development in nature and not an end in involves a lot of travel and preparatory work. themselves. Hurling Development Other Areas Covered Handball, Primary Schools, Second Level Schools, Administrators Third Level, Hurling Development and Tutor We have now reached the end of year two of this Group all have reported independently on their project and a lot of progress has been made. Year activities and deserve to be congratulated on the three may be an opportune time to review the work they continue to do on our behalf. work to date and lay down a plan for the next

56 Conclusion It takes the efforts of a large number of people We would like to thank Liam O’Neill and the to keep the provincial flag flying at the forefront Council for all their support and encouragement of games development within the organisation. during the year. The quality of support given by On a personal level I would like to thank Shane Michael Delaney, Michael Reynolds, Patricia, Julie, Flanagan for all his work during the year. His Hannah and Aidan makes life easier and tasks enthusiasm is infectious and we are very lucky to more achievable. have someone of his talent available to us. We would also like to acknowledge the work of John Cotter in making the running of numerous functions so successful. Thanks must also be expressed to the Coaching and Games committees in each of the counties for the leadership shown by them in implementing our various programmes. We are grateful to Pat Daly and his staff for their support throughout the year.

Coaches recently travelled to headquarters to receive their Level 2 Football Certificates. Back L-R: John Smith, Tom Reehill, Laz Molloy, John Horan, Caithoirleach Leinster Coaching & Games Deveopment, Frank Mescall, Paul McLaughlin, John Ryan. Front L-R: Paul Dempsey, Emmet McDonnell, Eddie Bouabbse, Pat Ivory, , Kieran Maguire,Gerry McConnell.

57 Coaching & Games Development Committee Report Coaching & Games Manager’s Report

His recommendation included the introduction of a contract (Service Level Agreement) between Leinster Council and Co. Committees. The process is outlined in the chart below. Basically it was recognized Leinster cannot manage games Organisational Review development team from a distance so from now on the Leinster will be managing the contract and Last October we commissioned O'KellySutton to not the people as such leaving the management of (1) examine our games development operations, personnel on a daily basis to counties. (2) identify current issues within system and (3) propose a new system for implementing our The process underway of developing plans fro each games development strategy with priority on county is underway. At this juncture I would like to getting better value for money. thank our Co. Officers and Leinster Council Delegates for approving the implementation of The process was cross consultative – Peter Hanan this system. spent time with Officers and Games Development Staff. His findings identified that we’re lucky to Vhi Cúl Camps have some excellent people on the ground but in order to get the most from them we needed to I reported last year that the re-branding of the streamline reporting structures and set objectives Summer Camps contributed to fall off in for personnel and counties to ensure we can participation numbers. In fairness 2007 was a measure what is happening. much different story with a total of 27,000 children participating. This increase is a reflection of the work put in by our County Organisational Coordinator(s) and games Review development team on the ground - greater marketing thanks in most part to John Year end review between each Croke Park and Comhairle Cotter who worked at a county and Comhairle Laighean on national level in conjunction progress of SLA and outcome of Laighean agree goals and team performance reviews Annual KPI's with VHI and Jimmy O'Dwyer National Coordinator in Croke Park. The early planning as opposed to the previous year certainly gave the scheme a fresh impetus. Whilst 27,000 is a huge figure I wonder are we still only scratching the surface in the more urbansied parts of the County Board agree 5 goals Comhairle Laighean agree for each Development Team goals with each County province. I think the member Board and develop a participation rate at Cul Service Level Agreement Camps is a good barometer to gauge our level of

58 Distribution of 2007 Vhi Cul Camps Dividend County Participants Co. Div. Provincial Div. Total Carlow 1118 3074.50 1000 4,074.50 Dublin 6790 18672.50 1000 19,672.50 Kildare 2677 7361.75 1000 8,361.75 Kilkenny 1600 4400.00 1000 5,400.00 Laois 1069 2939.75 1000 3,939.75 Longford 1241 3412.75 1000 4,412.75 Louth 1360 3740.00 1000 4,740.00 Meath 2227 6124.25 1000 7,124.25 Offaly 2300 6325.00 1000 7,325.00 Westmeath 1680 4620.00 1000 5,620.00 Wexford 2379 6542.25 1000 7,542.25 Wicklow 2010 5527.50 1000 6,527.50 Total 84,740.00

penetration. Considering there is a population of A special word of thanks to Jackie Tyrell and Brian the 8-13 age cohort perhaps with the proper Kavanagh who acted as VHI Cul Camp mobilization and capacity we can increase this Ambassadors. number considerably and use it as a vehicle to introduce more children into our clubs. Above: Enthusiastic participants at a Vhi Cúl Camp in Portlaoise last summer

59 Super 7’s during the programme. Leinster GAA wishes to thank St. Patricks College Maynooth for use of their As a province we’ve lead the way in providing facilities. additional games and the benefits thereof to second level school students in first and second Local Authority Support year classes. This year was no different with blitz days and tournaments being organsied by our The demographic changes in the province of GDA’s and GPO’s across the province. I reported Leinster have created enormous challenges for the last year that I felt we could take this initiative to GAA especially in high growth areas. To create another level with the support of the second level capacity and give support to GAA communities schools bodies. I’m glad to report we’ve made within these areas Leinster GAA has embarked on progress in some counties especially in hurling a process increasing participation in Gaelic games thanks to the support of the Hurling Development by appointing Club Support Officers in partnership Administrators. with Local Authorities. In terms of football the weaker juvenile schools The Club Support Officer (s) will be responsible for were provided with a meaningful games programme developing our games in clubs, schools, and run on a blitz format. The feedback from schools communities by supporting the existing volunteer was positive in this area. Indeed feedback arising backbone. The Local Authorities support is in my out of the Second Level Schools workshop only view recognition for our games development reinforced this approach. In the future by having strategy and approach to increasing participation the County Coaching and Games Committee and in sport. the County Post-Primary Committee working The Local Authorities see the GAA as vehicle to complimenting each other I can envisage this implement their sport and recreational strategies approach being extended. utilizing our experiences in building communities Foundation Diploma in Training and in a rapidly changing society. Education (G.A.A. Coach Tutors) Having engaged initially with Louth Co. Council, Leinster GAA in conjunction with Louth GAA As a province we’ve led the way on many fronts appointed our first Club Support Officer, Donal over the years. I’m delighted to report we’ve broke McNally to work in the urban areas of Drogheda new ground once again this year. With the imminent and Dundalk. Donal, impact has exceeded all introduction of the new GAA Coach Education expectations and his success has affirmed our model Leinster recognized we had a tutor deficit – policy of targeting specific areas where we need to especially outside of the Dublin region where increase our penetration. we’ve found it difficult to deliver Level 1 Football and Hurling courses. Since our work in Louth, Leinster GAA has engaged successfully with Westmeath, Kildare and Wexford To plan for the inevitable demand for courses Co. County Councils. We recently advertised to Leinster GAA through our Master Tutor Group pots in Westmeath, Wexford Co. Council has agreed engaged with NUI Galway to develop a 12 week to begin our partnership in January 2009 and we’re HETAC approved diploma in training through waiting signing of Heads of Agreement with Kildare Gaelic Games. Co. Council. The course will equip participants with the key Bursary Awards competencies necessary to function effectively in a modern training environment. Successful course The Leinster Council scheme which existed participants will receive a recognised qualification successfully over the past number of years was in training and education. The course has been a subsumed under the National Student Bursaries great success with 18 tutors set to graduate this Scheme. However Leinster retained the role of month. administering the system in the province. Huge credit goes to Ger O'Connor and our Master Prior to its inception Leinster GAA worked in Tutor Group who put in long hours before and conjunction with the other provincial councils and

61 Ard Stiurthoir, Pauric Duffy, in his previous capacity be rule so its important counties respect the as Player Welfare Manager.The outcome of rationale behind the decisions and plan accordingly discussions saw a number of changes to the to reflect the changes. To assist counties I believe scheme which included a bursary to the value of the time is right to put in place a structure to €500 per recipient with an emphasis placed on support both mentors and players. As an operation encouraging those working in administration/ Leinster GAA will assist counties who want to use coaching in college clubs to apply and to avoid this change as an opportunity to develop a system dropout we targeted second year students and for developing players in their counties. above to ensure we got a calibre of student who had already made a contribution to the college For talent identification purposes counties should club. consider entering at least two or more teams if possible in tournaments designed for Schools of The selection process was carried out in conjunction Excellence squads U-14/15 thereby broadening with Comhairle Ard-Oideachais culminating in their base and exposing more players to an nineteen new bursaries being awarded in Leinster. environment where they’ll train and play at a higher level. I would like to thank Aidan Fennelly, Martin Meagher and Ger Tully for their time and efforts I would like to acknowledge Michael and Paddy, during this process. HDA/GDA’s/GPO’s, referees, host clubs/venues, Co. Officers, Emergency Services and team mentors for Leinster Underage Football & Hurling their work and cooperation throughout the year. Tournaments Club School Coaching Link To enhance the process of talent identification and player development Leinster GAA provided a The growth in this area over the past year has been programmme of appropriate games for Co. Schools truly phenomenal. We now have in excess of 500 of Excellence and Development Squads. The ordinary club people actively coaching in new administration of the programme was coordinated schools ensuring the link between local primary from Leinster Council with the support of Michael schools and club is maintained. This expansion is McHugh (Football) and the Hurling Development down to the work of our full-time team who have Administrators. The tournaments were also an really bought into this area and without their ideal outlet for the Leinster Academy Referees to support complimenting the volunteers role one get some invaluable refereeing experience. wonders if we’d be as successful. In the region of 200 games were played over the Where counties have the capacity in terms of year with approximately 2500 aspiring young voluntary support the goal should be to have an players participating. established programme of two eight week periods of coaching in schools – one block during autumn/ In addition to the above tournaments Leinster GAA winter and the other in spring/summer. through our Hurling Development Administrators, Noel Delaney organized the All-Ireland U-16 ‘B’ What this work highlights is the necessity for clubs Blitz in Westmeath while in Louth Tom O Donnell to have a strong link with the local schools and not was responsible for the successful All-Ireland Minor have a situation where activity in the schools is ‘C’ Blitz. happening in isolation of that in the club. In counties where it has proven difficult to get To plan our tournaments for 2008 Leinster GAA volunteers perhaps an alternative framework could hosted a workshop of county development squad be used to foster links between the club and mentors last November. The basis for this years school. plan was borne out of discussions that evening. We found this consultation very worthwhile. In my I recently discussed this matter with a school view its all the more relevant now considering the teacher. The teacher suggested that it would be recommendations passed at the Special Congress very beneficial if a club unable to provide a coach on Burnout. simply had a liaison officer who from time to time promoted and increased the pupil’s awareness of The new regulations affecting academy squads will club activities.

62 Another solution successfully working elsewhere Going forward there will also be a need to provide involves the establishment of a steering committee additional training for these coaches especially made up of club representatives and supported by with the arrival of the U-Can Skill Awards which the Co. Board. The committee agrees on the will enable us to measure player development as a appointment of a suitable voluntary person to result of skill development programmes in schools. coach in the schools associated with all the clubs. Acknowledgments What this scheme does highlight above all is our dependency on volunteers to compliment games I would like to thank Games Development development operations. We’re incredibly lucky Administrators, Games Promotions Officers, Third people take time out of their own busy lives to Level Officers, Co. Coaching Officers all of whom advance Gaelic games in their local schools. Without were integral to implementation and delivery of these people we would not have the capacity to programmes throughout the year. In particular I’d deliver that is why we should support them as best like to pay special thanks to John Horan and John we can on the ground and ensure they feel McCarthy and team in Aras Laighean for their appreciated. support. Finally, children want to play games – so why not Shane Flanagan organize more games internally within the schools for them. It is surely not beyond the realms of possibility for a club in conjunction with the teachers to plan a blitz in the school once a month or whatever is appropriate.

63 COUNTY COACHING & GAMES PROMOTION OFFICERS Louth John Byrne, Donal McNally Meath Dudley Farrell, Maria Kealy Wicklow Colm Gaskin Wexford Joe Kearns, Luke O’Hanlon Kildare David Murphy Carlow John Nevin Kilkenny James Meagher Laois Ciaran Muldowney Offaly Carina Carroll Longford Noel Boyce, Paddy O'Connor

THIRD LEVEL COLLEGES Dundalk I.T. Michael Heeney Athlone I.T. Garry Sammon Carlow I.T. Valerie Crean U.C.D. Dave Billings D.C.U. Declan Brennan D.I.T. Dara Biddlecombe Trinity College Gavin Kerr St. Pat’s College Tom Fitzpatrick Blanchardstown I.T. Ronan Keaskin Tallaght I.T. Gerry Anderson Maynooth Tom Maher

COACHING ADMINISTRATORS GAMES & STRUCTURAL MANAGER Shane Flanagan COACHING DIRECTOR (DUBLIN) Ger O’Connor

HURLING DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATORS LAOIS / CARLOW Lester Ryan OFFALY/ WESTMEATH/LONGFORD Noel Delaney KILDARE/ MEATH Declan Power WICKLOW Michael Neary LOUTH Tom O’Donnell WEXFORD George O’Connor

COUNTY GAMES DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATORS KILKENNY Brian Ryan CARLOW Brendan Hayden WEXFORD Jimmy Furlong WICKLOW Hugh Kenny LAOIS Colm Clear KILDARE Noel Mooney OFFALY John Leahy LONGFORD Noel Boyce WESTMEATH Michael McHugh MEATH Christine O'Brien LOUTH Mairead McGahon

SECOND LEVEL SCHOOLS LEINSTER Hannah Horan DUBLIN Tom O’Donnell, Jim Donovan SOUTH LEINSTER Pat Henderson NORTH LEINSTER Fergal Giles

64 Coaching & Games Development Committee Report Hurling Development Administrators’ Report

seventeen players per county to twenty five per county which enabled Counties to bring a full squad. The School of Hurling was officially opened by Liam O'Neill (Chairman Leinster Council) and was visited throughout the two weeks by many Comhairle Laighean Officers. During the School of Hurling the young players The position of Hurling Development were involved in blitz games, inter-county Administrator was created by the Leinster challenges as well as taking on local club Council in February 2006. Since that date there opposition. In addition to daily visits from D.J. has been a number of structural changes, to the Carey (visits which were eagerly anticipated) positions. Five HDA’s now operate in regions other special guests included Paudie Butler within Leinster - Lester Ryan (Carlow/Laois), (National Hurling Coordinator), Brian Cody Noel Delaney (Offaly/ Westmeath/ Longford), (Kilkenny Senior hurling Manager), Martin Michael Neary (Wicklow), Tom O'Donnell (Louth) Fogarty (Kilkenny Senior Hurling selector), and George O'Connor (Wexford). The job purpose George O'Connor and Rory McCarthy (Wexford of the HDA continues to be to provide the Senior Hurlers). Additional activities included direction and leadership required to maximise workshops covering such areas as diet and participation and maintain the highest possible nutrition, hurling rules and maintenance. playing standards in hurling. The following list The young players also visited to gives a brief account of the initiatives which watch the Kilkenny Senior hurlers training, after were carried out by the HDAs, both at Provincial which , Tommy Walsh and and County level. shared their thoughts and ideas and signed a multitude of autographs. DJ Carey School of Hurling During the week each player was presented with This year saw the staging attractive gear such as polo tops, bags, D.J Carey of the fifth D.J. Carey School jersey, togs and socks. of Hurling. As in previous The D.J. Carey School of Hurling has grown from years it took place in St. strength to strength and planning for the 2008 is Kieran’s College, Kilkenny already at an advanced stage. and once again it was a resounding success. A special word of thanks must go to D.J. Carey for the tremendous effort he has put into the Over a two week period School of Hurling, ensuring that it continues to during July, twelve U-14 panels, representing all be one of the highlights of the Leinster GAA the counties of Leinster participated in the calendar each year. School of Hurling. Panels were extended from

A selection of Mentors Coaches and organizers from week two of the School of Hurling

65 Pictured at this year’s Croke Hurling Exhibition Laois’ Padraig Lalor in a tussle for possession were Declan Power, Tom O’Donnell, Declan Coyle with Westmeath’s Paul Fennell at the Croke and Damian Fitzhenry. Front Row – , Park U-14 Hurling Exhibition Paudie Butler and Eddie Brennan. Croke Park U-14 place in Fortwilliam on 13/14 October. Following Hurling Exhibition 2007 a series of get-togethers/trials panels were formed for the Senior and U-21 teams from players who Monday, June 4th, was an important day for participated in the Christy Ring and the Nicky young aspiring Inter County Hurlers from across Rackard Cups. Leinster was well represented on Leinster as each of the twelve Counties visited both teams with eight players on the senior team Croke Park and had the opportunity to play and five on the U-21 team. three games on the pitch. With the excellent Leinster senior players were Des Shaw and Mark facility that is Croke Park this was a great Brennan (Carlow), Don Hyland, Jonathan O’Neill opportunity for these young players to play in and Michael Anthony O’Neill (Wicklow), Brian one of the finest Stadiums in the World. Combined Connaughton (Westmeath), Eoin Donnellan with playing, there was also a Tour of the (Longford) and David Crimmins (Meath). The Stadium and contributions from guest speakers honour of captaining the senior team went to a who guided them in best practice and in terms Leinster man, Michael Anthony O’Neill of Wicklow. maximising their potential within the team and Leinster U-21 players were Rory Dunbar and John also as an individual. This was complemented by Rogers (Carlow), Eanna Lohan (Kildare), Niall Inter County Players Eddie Brennan, Jackie Tyrrell Kilcoyne (Westmeath) and Ronan Keddy and Damian Fitzhenry who offered their (Wicklow). Following their selection some players, experiences to the groups. due to their involvement in county semi-finals Proceedings got underway at 11.00am with the and finals, were unable to travel. Martin Comerford Official Opening by Leinster Council Chairman (Kilkenny) travelled as a guest player with the Liam O’Neill. Liam welcomed all to the Stadium senior panel and his presence and profile added and thanked Mentors in particular for their significantly to the team. The senior management dedication to the promotion of hurling in their consisted of Sean Silke (Galway), Lester Ryan respective Counties. Once the formalities were (Kilkenny), Frankie Quinn (Antrim) and Michael over it was down to the business of the day with Neary (Wicklow). The U-21 management consisted Counties grouped into four leading to three large of Paudie Butler (National Hurling Director) and groups working through the three rotations over Damien Coleman (Galway). the course of the day. Both games were very competitive with a high All involved thoroughly enjoyed their trip to level of skill on display with Scotland winners in Croke Park and before leaving the Stadium there the Senior game and Ireland winning the U21 was a souvenir presentation to all players and game. Overall the whole International mentors courtesy of Leinster Council GAA. experience proved very successful and above all Shinty International 2007 was thoroughly enjoyed by all the players who participated. For many players it was their first The Leinster HDAs were invited to assist in the experience of representing their country on a preparation of the Ireland Shinty teams for the GAA trip. Many friendships and bonds were 2007 Competition against Scotland which took formed by the traveling party. 66 Michael Walsh, John Horan (Chairman Coaching & Games), Shane O’Connor (OY), Liam O’Neill (Leinster GAA Chairman), Pat Mullaney, (LS), Declan Power Hurling DA, Col. John Courtney. MDonnelly / Leinster GAA Poc Fada Finals 2007 The summer of 2007 will probably be remembered by most as the wettest summer ever on record and the introduction of a new sport ‘Aqua Hurling!’ A damp June 21st saw 46 competitors from across the province competing on the longest day of the year for the longest pucks at Annual MDonnelly/Leinster GAA Poc Fada finals at the Curragh, Co. Kildare, with this programme now Conor Cox (Ww) U-14 Poc Fada Winner, with John Horan, Colm Gaskin & Michael Neary extended to four competitions at U 14 Hurling & Camogie and Senior Hurling & Camogie. This competition has become one of the MDonnelly/Leinster GAA highlights of the Leinster Hurling calendar and Poc Fada Finals 2007 though based on individual skill level it gives every county in the province an opportunity to U-14 CAMOGIE compete on a level playing field whether from a County Name Club Result traditional Hurling County or not. Kilkenny Ciara Holden Mullinavatt Winner This year Comhairle Laighean CLG took the W'meath Grace Mulvanney Brownstown Runner Up decision to name the Senior Poc Fada winner’s trophy after Kilkenny Hurling great Ollie Walsh. SENIOR CAMOGIE The inaugural Ollie Walsh Senior Poc Fada Trophy County Name Club Result was presented on the evening by Ollie’s son Carlow Lyndsey Condell Naomh Brid Winner Michael to eventual winner Shane O’Connor Wexford Mags Darcy St Martins Runner Up from Co. Offaly. Comhairle Laighean CLG would like to U-14 HURLING acknowledge the Hurling Development County Name Club Result Administrators for organizing the event, Colonel Wicklow Conor Cox St. Patrick’s Winner John Courtney and his team at Curragh Army Meath James Kelly Kiltale Runner Up Camp and the Department of Defence for allowing us to continue to stage this annual SENIOR HURLING event on the Curragh plains. County Name Club Result Offaly Shane O’ Connor Coolderry Winner We would also like to acknowledge and thank Laois Pat Mulaney Castletown Runner Up sponsor Martin Donnelly for his continued association with the Leinster Poc Fada finals.

67 Louth U-16 team that participated with mentors Tony Corcoran (left) and Paddy Murphy (right)

Leinster U-16 Hurling League 2007 There were eight graded venues throughout Wicklow on the day (Bray Emmets, Eire Og An U-16 inter county hurling league was Greystones, Kilcoole, Glenealy, Ashford, Carnew, organised in 2007 with the aims of: Hollywood and Dunlavin) with each club hosting • Providing a series of games for Leinster between 4 and 6 teams. county U-16 development squads Each team played a minimum of four games. • Raising the profile of hurling for these Teams from counties such as Dublin, Kilkenny, development squads Wexford, Laois, Carlow, Kildare, Armagh and Wicklow participated. • Enhancing hurling skill development through conditioned games. It was a fantastic opportunity for teams to play games against clubs from other counties of a This league replaced the one-day blitz days and similar standard. provided squads with a series of games over a period of time. The initial stages of the Every participating club and its mentors received competition were run off in a round robin series /polo shirts as a memento of their visit to of fixtures over three rounds on March 31st, April Wicklow. 14th and April 28th. The groups were as follows: Sincere thanks to the host clubs in Wicklow for the use of their facilities and for their tremendous Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Group 4 hospitality to the visiting clubs. Dublin A Laois Meath Louth Leinster U-15 Hurling League 2007 Wexford Carlow Kildare Longford This year’s League was divided into four sections Offaly Dublin B W'meath Rosc'mn with each team guaranteed four games – some Wicklow Counties entered two/three teams. The primary Additional games were organised in May based focus was on development – with this U-15 on performance in the league stages. In July, activity creating a significant between U-14 and squads from Kilkenny entered the league and U-16 grades as Counties work towards their participated in games against Dublin. Each Minor County Teams. The games were played participating team received a set of polo shirts. during July and August and on completion there was a souvenir presentation to all players and Leinster Mini Hurling Feile 2007 Mentors. The Leinster Mini Hurling Feile was a new hurling Group A: Meath, Kildare, Wicklow & Dublin initiative which took place in Wicklow on North. Group B: Kilkenny South 2, Carlow, Laois Saturday, 29 September 2007. & Westmeath. Group C: Wexford, Dublin South, This Mini Feile was organized for club U-13 & Kilkenny South 1. Group D: Offaly, Kilkenny teams in preparation for the All-Ireland Feile in North & Dublin West. 2008.

68 In the Camogie section, Aoifa Bannon from Longford got the better of Shauna Carroll from Offaly in yet another final thriller. The Hurling Wall-Ball initiative sponsored by Banagher Concrete (whose hurling wall and generous funding was central to its overall success).

Banagher Concrete/Leinster GAA Wall Ball Competition Leinster Final The Leinster Finals of the Banagher Concrete/ Leinster GAA Wall Ball Competition was run in Kilcormac GAA Club. This competition was open Kevin Connor (Kildare) and Aoifa Bannon to 1st year students from Second Level Schools (Longford) receive their winning trophies from (hurling and camogie) who had won through the Wall Ball sponsor Kieran Keenihan their own county competitions. Competitors (Managing Director Banagher Concrete). from all over Leinster participated in the event The initiative proved very successful, with the young players displaying extremely high levels of skill. There was no shortage of competitiveness, but each game was played in a very sporting fashion. It was to be Kildare’s day to take the hurling honours as Kevin Connor, displayed his power and talent to defeat Ethan Mannion from Offaly in a very tense and exciting final.

Participants, organisers, mentors and sponsors at the Banagher Concrete/Leinster GAA Wall Ball Finals in Kilcormac GAA Club.

69 Leinster Minor All Weather over Coill Dubh (KE), in the Shield Final which Hurling Games Programme was played as a curtain raiser to the Dublin v Wexford Senior Hurling Championship tie. In 2007 a new Leinster Hurling initiative - Leinster Minor Hurling All Weather Games In the second section Buffers Alley (WX) played Programme was established. This programme against Rathnure (WX) in the final with the complimented and assisted Counties in their Rathnure boys proving the stronger on the day. preparation as they planned their route for a The planning for the Leinster Club League 2008 successful year on the playing pitch. is at an advanced stage. The uptake from Clubs With these games taken place during winter within the Province has been tremendous with a conditions the objective was to provide a total of 112 team entered in the competition. meaningful games programme on playing surfaces that would be ‘high standard and the Additional Initiatives equivalent to summer pitch conditions.’ To In addition to Provincial initiatives the HDAs achieve these results all our games took place on have also been very resourceful and innovative full sized all weather synthetic pitches with with projects they have organised and run within some played under floodlights that enhanced their counties. the ‘novelty’ of the programme. Venues included, Thomas Davis, Ballymun Kickhams, St. Brigids, The following initiatives begun in 2006 are still UCD, Dungann and Darver. being organised and run by the HDAs. The feedback was excellent from Leinster • U-14 / U-16 Cross County Club League. Counties who participated in this programme. • Post Primary Amalgamations: Forming of Leinster Minor Hurling All Weather Game County and Regional teams with a view to Conditions exposing players to a higher level of hurling All matches were played using skill conditions – working closely with Teachers and being with four quarters of 20 minutes. It was felt that mindful of existing competition so as to this would give players a chance to perform and ensure one complements the other. an opportunity for team management to assess and monitor team progression. • Numerous Coaching Clinics/Workshops have been organised within Leinster by the HDAs 2007 Competing Teams - Meath, Kildare, Wicklow, to target specific areas of development for Laois, Westmeath. Club, Developmental squad and County Second Level Schools Coaches. The HDAs took on the organising of the Second • Under 15 under lights Tournament involving Level Schools Senior D, Intermediate D and Clubs from two Counties Junior D, hurling competitions in their respective • Club Coaches meal – in appreciation of the counties. These competitions were run both on work carried out at Club level throughout a blitz and a league format. the year Leinster Club Hurling League 2007 • County Coaching Forum – Number of guest This year the Leinster Council re-introduced the coaches meeting with Club Coaches and Leinster Club Hurling League in which a total of Mentors, to share ideas and opinions. forty eight teams from all over Leinster • Schools of Excellence, Developmental Squads participated. The initiative has been hugely – The HDA’s very closely involved in all successful with a total of 154 games being aspects of the organising, running, monitoring provided to Leinster clubs. In addition each and training of the various County game was refereed by top inter-County Developmental Squads within their own referees. Counties. The competition was run in two sections. Kilkenny representatives Blacks and Whites were victorious

70 • STEPS (Sport Through Education Programme) • Club Coaches Scheme A Hurling Education programme for 13 & 14 40 coaches coaching within 30 clubs from year old players. Emphasis based on skill April to August, a total of 300 sessions. The development and player welfare objective being to up-skill club coaches by • Juvenile club winter games programme. All providing practical coaching sessions within weather/Flood lit/Indoor their own clubs. • Primary school/club coaching and games • 'Hurling on the Quays’ development programme. Programme Street leagues organised for 250 children all inclusive of coach identification, coach U-10 years, with a view to raising the profile training, Club/school launch, Session of hurling in a large urban area. programme, coach package of gear and equipment, programme monitoring. • North East Minor Hurling Blitz • ASH (After School Hurling) programme to be Held in August this Blitz involved teams from piloted in 2 areas. Hurling coaching & games, Louth, Longford, Monahan, Cavan and South Homework club, Nutritional packs, community Down. education. • U-14 Mini Feile • Hurling Coach Education Programme, Run in September, featuring clubs from Louth Foundation and Level One courses. Meath and Dublin. • Post Primary Coaching Initiative Further initiatives which were added to the above Urban Area. Delivering ‘Hurling Coaching list in the last year were; Block’ as part of First Year’s PE timetable • Club Coaching – Guest Coaches • Hurling For Fitness Programmes Fifteen high profile guest coaches were invited Second Level to coach within the county. Squads from • Skills Challenges U-14 to Minor were coached over a total of 32 sessions. At each session the squad mentors U-10/12 as an aid to skill development were invited to observe and also to participate. • Volunteer Recruitment Initiative After the practical session there was an opportunity for questions and answers. Including production of promotional DVD • Feile na nGael 2008 Feile na nGael 2008 takes place in Laois/ Buíochas Offaly this year. The respective HDAs are The Leinster Hurling Development Administrators involved in the organising of this event at wish to thank all who have assisted them in their Executive and Sub- Committee level work throughout the year.

71 Coaching & Games Development Committee Report Leinster Tutor Group

Level 1 courses scheduled for 2008 include: Dublin (H+F) Offaly/Laois (H) Louth (F) Kilkenny (H) Meath (F) Westmeath (F) Carlow (F)

The tutor group were busy preparing and All available tutors have been assigned to these presenting the Strategic Tutor Training Level One courses and have been partnered with Programme during the autumn. Due to the newly trained tutors. Counties are encouraged to significant increase in the need for qualified GAA link with neighbouring counties who are hosting coaches (Foundation / Level 1 / Level 2) there is these courses. urgent need to develop panels of Coach Tutors for the Leinster province. Leinster Coaching and Level Two Westmeath: course complete with Games Committee, under the chairmanship of observation and visitation to be finalised in the John Horan, supports and encourages the tutor Spring. Many thanks to Eunan Mc Cormack and group as they focus on developing new groups his team for leading this project. of Level 1 tutors. The N.U.I.G. Foundation Diploma in Training and Education for GAA coach tutors Level Two Residential course is planned for the took place during 2007 with twenty coaches autumn 2008. signing up for the programme. NCTC Tutor Training: E.Barry, R.Smith, E. Mc This is an open/distance learning course for Level Cormack and S.O’Toole are attending this 1 Coach tutors that is formally recognised, and programme on behalf of the Leinster Tutor provides GAA coaches with a professional Group. qualification which can be used to advance to higher qualifications and improve job prospects. Annual presentation of certificates to new tutors The conferring for all new coaches will take place will take place on Fri 8th February at 7.30pm in in NUI Galway on 8th March. Many thanks to the Ash suite. Brendan Harpur (Project leader), Gerard O’Connor(Games Manager Dublin) and the core Many thanks to John Horan for his continuous group of tutors for their loyalty and commitment support and encouragement throughout the to the tutor training programme. year. All our work is made that bit easier with the help of the full time staff at Comhairle Laighean, Regionalisation is now in operation with the Leinster Games Managers and Games Promotion appointment of three serving officers to three Officers. geographical areas in the provincee. Best wishes to Dudley Farrell (Louth, Meath, Kildare), Brian As we progress into the new year it is important Ryan (Kilkenny, Carlow, Wexford, Wicklow) and to continually ensure that coaches have the John Leahy (Laois, Offaly, Westmeath, Longford). competencies necessary to train effectively and to equip them to meet future challenges.

Declan Smyth Cathaoirleach

72 Coaching & Games Development Committee Report Cumann na mBunscol Laighean

Publicity /P.R. Coverage of our Games Programme was extensive. We featured in Scoilsport, Lár Páirce, The Star, Leinster Match Programmes, and many Provincial Newspapers. Coverage was also available on Website of Cumann na mBunscol Náisiúnta and Leinter G.A.A. website. Great work by Ciarán Byrne P.R.O. Coiste Náisiúnta Administration 10 communications with counties by post. County Units Preparations for Coiste Láir meetings. Reports for The co-operation with all county units is the key Coiste Náisiúnta / C.L.G. Laighin. On line to success for Cumann na mBunscol Laighean. I Newsletter available on Leinster G.A.A. website thank the secretaries in each county for their Details of ‘Games Programme’ prepared/posted work. to counties. Committee meetings on November 24th and May 13th. Young Whistler Scheme: Cumann na mBunscol Laighean utilized the A.G.M. young referees of this scheme during the mini Held in Portlaoise on April 19th. New committee games. Thanks to Jerry Grogan And Coiste Áth elected with Edward O’ Riordan (Dublin) as Cliath for their support. New pack for young Cathaoirleach replacing David Finnegan (Laois) referees excellent who stepped down after four years. Liam O’ Neill (Cathaoirleach C.L.G. Laighean ) attended and Inter Provincial Finals addressed the delegates. Met with Martin Donnelly in Croke Park on May 10th to discuss children’s involvement during

Scoilsport Games Programme 2007 Date Programme Venue Counties February28th Indoor Hurling Tallaght All 12 counties May 20th Go Games CrokePark Louth / Wicklow May 27th Go Games Tullamore Laois / Offaly May 31st Ground Hurling Celbridge Dublin / Kildare / Offaly / Louth June 2nd Go Games Tullamore Laois / Westmeath June 3rd GoGames Cúl Camps Croke Park Dublin / Kildare June 9th Go Games Kilkenny Dublin / Wexford June 10th Go Games Portlaoise Carlow / Offaly June 15th Lift & Strike Carlow Carlow / Kilkenny/ Wexford / Laois / Dublin / Wicklow June 17th Go Games Croke Park replay Wexford v Dublin June 24th Go Games Croke Park Offaly v Dublin July 1st Go Games Croke Park Kilkenny v Wexford July 15th Warwickshire Visit Croke Park Warwickshire Schools

73 2007 series of games. Referred onto Coiste C.L.G.Laighean Naisiúnta. The support from Comhairle Laighean this year was again excellent Our mini games on five Gaelic Telecom Awards 2007 Sundays were very successful. A word of thanks Submission in process of being prepared for this to the officers and staff in Áras Laighean. Games scheme were also played at Nowlan Park Kilkenny and Portlaoise. Coiste Náisiúnta The rúnaí and cathaoirleach represented Leinster Croke Park Feb. 3rd 2007 at National A.G.M. in Westport on weekend of 9 The turning on of the new floodlight system was / 10th February. indeed an historic occasion. Cumann na mBunscol Meeting with National P.R.O. in Croke Park on played a huge role in making the night very 28th April to discuss ideas for promotion of special. The games for ‘newcomer children’ and Cumann na mBunscol within the province the parade of National flags was the highlight for many who attended. Jerry Grogan and Coiste Mini Sevens Áth Cliath deserve great praise for al their hard Attended the Mini Sevens again this year for 4 work. Sundays. The 4 Sundays to date in Croke Park were very successful. A word of thanks to Jim O’ Martin Donnelly Interprovincial Reilly for all his hard work. Series - Oct 27th We hosted over 80 children from Leister counties Strategic Plan on the Saturday night of the Provincial Finals in On July 17th 2007 attended meeting of CLG Croke Park. Football (boys/girls), hurling and Laighean in Portlaoise where Mark Conway and camogie. All players received playing gear and Ciarán Byrne addressed the members. Excellent were also given food. Thanks to Dublin teachers presentationsThe Coiste Náisiúnta has worked who helped out on the night diligently to produce a fine document for the future of Cumann na mBunscol. Coiste Laighean Sympathy was very involved in the consultation stages – Seán O’Sullivan (Wicklow) died last year. Seán attending three meetings during the year. The was a founding member of Cumann na mBunscol plan identifies 48 priorities with Provincial Laighean and was Uachtarán for many years. He Councils having direct input to 11 of these. was always willing to help and advise our coiste. Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam uasal. I.N.T.O. Congress Visited the Cumann na mBunscol stand in Cork Buíochas manned by Ciarán Byrne and Margaret 1. Runaí gach contae & múinteoirí uilig. Cunningham. Excellent display of all that is best 2. Comhairle Laighean C.L.G. in G.A.A. and Cumann na mBunscol. Well done. 3. Celbridge G.A.A. 4. Carlow Hurling Club County Colours Quiz 5. Nowlan Park Leinster Counties were represented on The Den 6. “Young Whistlers” Quiz on Friday evenings. The quiz has a general 7. Micléinn Coláiste Pádraig knowledge and G.A.A. componenet. Thanks to all 8. Coiste Náisiúnta the counties for their enthusiastic responses 9. Fellow Officers. when contacted.

V.H.I. Cúl Camps. Gerry O’Meara 3 Meetings with National Director of Camps, Runaí Jimmy O’ Dwyer in Croke Park. Facilitated the January 2008 launch of camps with two days in Croke Park (June 3rd and July1st) *0 children involved.

74 Coaching & Games Development Committee Report Comhairle Iarbhunscoileanna Laighean

Tom Quinlan Cup St. Fintan’s H.S Skerries C.C. Tom Quinlan Shield Oatlands Col. Coolmine C.S. Tom Quinlan Plate Larkin C.C. Col. Dhulaigh

Jun. H. “A” St. Declan’s C.B.S. Colaiste Eoin Jun. H. “B” Coolmine C.S. St. Mac Dara’s C.C. Jun. H. “C” H.F.C.S., Rathcoole Oatlands College Jun. H. “D” Scoil Chaitriona James St. C.B.S.

Sen. H. “A” St. David’s C.B.S. St. Declan’s C.B.S. ROLL OF HONOUR Sen. H. “A” Shield Colaiste Eoin Colaiste Eanna BUATHOIRI AGUS NEASOIRI 2006/07 Sen. H. “B” Scoil Aodhain St. Colmcille’s C.S. COMORTAS BUATHOIRI NEASOIRI Sen. H. “C” Oatlands College Drimnagh Castle CBS PEIL Juv. F. “A” Colaiste Eoin Ardscoil Ris Colleges S.F. “A” St Pat’s Cl Sch, Navan Knockbeg College Juv. F. “B” Colaiste Eanna Maynooth P.P. Voc. Sch. S.F. “A” St Olivers CC, Drogheda Tullow C.S. Juv. F. “C” Oatlands College Old Bawn C.S. Colleges S.F. “B” St. Mary’s,Edenderry Old Bawn C.S. Juv. F. “D” Scoil Chaitriona Colaiste Chillian Voc. Sch. S.F. “B” St Oliver PP, Oldcastle Borris V.S. Juv. F. “E” St. Paul’s College Colaiste Dhulaigh Voc. Sch. S.F. “B” Shd Sc. Aireagail, Ballyhale St Kevins, Dunlavin

Schools S.F. “C” Lucan C.C. Killina Pres Sec Sch Jun. F. “A” St. Declan’s C.B.S. St. Benildus College Schools S.F. “D” St Vincents CBS, Glasnevin Avondale C.C. Jun. F. “B” Portmarnock C.S. Maynooth P.P. Jun. F. “C” H.F.C.S., Rathcoole Blackrock College Jun. F. “A” Good Counsel College St. Mel’s, Longford Jun. F. “D” Sc. Chaitriona St. Finian’s C.C. Jun. F. “B” Naas C.B.S. Moate C.S. Jun. F. “E” Fingal C.C. Col. Dhulaigh Jun. F. “C” Col. Ris, Dundalk H.F.C.S., Rathcoole

Jun. F. “D” Sc. Chaitriona Ballymahon V.S. Sen. F. “A” Colaiste Eoin St. Benildus College

Sen. F. “B” Old Bawn C.S. Drimnagh Castle CBS Voc. Sch. Jun. F. “A” Bridgetown V.C. St Olivers CC, Drogheda Sen. F. “C” Lucan C.C. Confey College Voc. Sch. Jun. F. “B” Cnoc Mhuire, Granard St. Kevin’s, Dunlavin Sen. F. “D” St. Vincent’s C.B.S. Col. Cois Life Juv. F. “A” Patrician, Newbridge St Pats Cl Sch, Navan Juv. F. “B” Sc. Mhuire, Clane St Kierans, Kilkenny LAIGHEAN THEAS Juv. F. “C” Banagher College Heywood C.S. PEIL Juv. F. “D” Sc. Chaitriona Ballymahon Sec Sch Col. S.F. “B” Col Iosagain, P'arlington Naas C.B.S. Sch. S.F. “C” Wicklow D.L.S. Pres DLS, Bagenalstown Inter County “A” An Mhi An Lú Sch. S.F. “D” Avondale C.C. Blessington C.C. Inter County “B” An Lú Laois Sch. S.F. League Knockbeg College Carlow CBS/Pres Carlow

IOMÁINT Jun. F. “A” Good Counsel College Knockbeg College Colleges S.H. “A” Castlecomer C.S. Kilkenny C.B.S. Jun. F. “B” Naas C.B.S. Col Iosagain, P'lington Colleges S.H. “A” Lge St. Kieran’s, Kilkenny Good Counsel Col Jun. F. “C” Bridgetown V.C. St Josephs, Kildare Colleges S.H. “B” F.C.J., Bunclody Heywood C.S. Jun. F. “D1” Blessington C.C. Col Abbain, Adamstown Jun. F. “D2” St Farnan’s, Prosperous Sc Aireagail, Ballyhale Voc. Sch. S.H. “A” Banagher College Col Mhuire, Johnstown Voc. Sch. S.H. “B” Borris V.S. St Aengus PP, M'trath Juv. F. “A” Patrician Sec Sch, N'bridge Carlow CBS Juv. F. “B” St. Kieran’s, Kilkenny Col Iosagain, P'lington Schools S.H. “C” St Josephs, R'fortbridge Scoil Aodhain Juv. F. “C” Heywood C.S. Wexford C.B.S. Juv. F. “D1” Col. Craobh Abbain Bunclody V.C. Jun. H. “A” Good Counsel College St. Kieran’s, Kk Juv. F. “D2” St Fergal’s, Rathdowney Abbey CC, Ferrybank Jun. H. “A” Shield St. Peter’s, Wexford Colaiste Eoin Jun. H. “B” St Declans CBS, Cabra Banagher College IOMÁINT Sch. Sen. H. “C” Knockbeg College Wexford C.B.S. Voc. Sch. Jun. H. “A” Col Mhuire, Johnstown Borris V.S. Sch. Sen. H. “C1” Pres Carlow/Gaelcholaiste St Davids, Greystones Voc. Sch. Jun. H. “B” Ramsgrange C.S. Killina Pres Sec Sch Sch. Sen. H. “C2” Col Cois Siuire, Mooncoin Grennan Col/Duiske Col

Juv. H. “A” St. Kieran’s, Kilkenny Dublin South Jun. H. “B” F.C.J., Bunclody Bridgetown V.C. Juv. H. “A” Shield St. Peter’s, Wexford Castlecomer C.S. Jun. H. “C1” Ramsgrange C.S. Col Cois Siuire, Mooncoin Juv. H. “B” Banagher College Colaiste Eanna Jun. H. “C2” Pres DLS, Bagenalstown Naas C.B.S. Jun. H. “D1” Col Abbain, Adamstown New Ross V.C. ÁTH CLIATH Jun. H. “D2” Col. Bhride, Carnew Col Eoin, Hacketstown Juv. H. “A” Colaiste Eanna Colaiste Eoin Juv. H. “B” Salesian, Celbridge St. Benildus College Juv. H. “B” St Mary’s, F.C.J., Bunclody Juv. H. “C” Templeogue Col. Colaiste Chillian Juv. H. “B1” Naas C.B.S. Wicklow Schools Juv. H. “D” Sc. Chaitriona Old Bawn C.S. Juv. H. “C” Abbey C.C., Ferrybank Ramsgrange C.S. Juv. H. “E” Col. Mhuire James St. C.B.S.

75 LAIGHEAN THUAIDH COLLEGES – 40 X 20 PEIL U-19 Singles St Marys Sec Sch, N.Ross Bridgetown V.C. Colleges S.F. “B” St. Mary’s, Edenderry Col Choilm, Tullamore U-19 Doubles NO COMPETITION Schools S.F. “C” Killina Pres Sec Sch Ardee C.S. U-16 Singles Col. Bhride, Carnew St Marys Sec Sch, N.Ross Schools S.F. “D” Lanesboro C.C. Athboy C.S. U-16 Doubles St Marys Sec Sch, N.Ross Kilkenny College First Year Singles Castlecomer C.S. Pres Col, Rochford Hse Sch. S.F. League “A” Franciscan Col, Gorm. St. Mel’s, Longford First Year Doubles NO COMPETITION Sch. S.F. League “B” St. Peter’s, Dunboyne Col Choilm, Tullamore ALL-IRELAND SERIES - LEINSTER WINNERS Jun. F. “A” St. Mel’s, Longford St Pat’s Cl Sch, Navan Col. S.F. “B” St. Mary's Sec. Sch., Edenderry Jun. F. “B” Moate C.S. St. Mary’s, Dundalk Col. S.H. “B” F.C.J., Bunclody Jun. F. “C” Col. Ris, Dundalk Cnoc Mhuire, Granard Voc. Sch. S.H. “B” Borris V.S. Jun. F. “D” Ballymahon V.S. Mercy, Kilbeggan Voc. Sch. S.F. “B” St. Oliver’s P.P., Oldcastle

Juv. F. “A” St Pat’s Cl Sch, Navan St. Mel’s, Longford ALL IRELAND SERIES – RUNNERS UP Juv. F. “B” Sc. Mhuire, Clane Moyne C.S. Col. S.H. “A” Kilkenny C.B.S. Juv. F. “C” Banagher College Col. Ris, Dundalk Voc. Sch. Inter County S.F. “A” Meath Juv. F. “D1” Ardsc. Ch., Clara Columba Col/Castlepollard CC Voc. Sch. Inter County S.F. “B” Louth Juv. F. “D2” Ballymahon Sec Sch St Oliver’s, Oldcastle Voc. Sch. Jun. F. Bridgetown V.C. Voc. Sch. S.F. (Inter Sch.) St Oliver’s C.C., Drogheda IOMÁINT Voc. Sch. S.H. “A” (Inter Sch.) Col. Mhuire, Johnstown Sch. Sen. H. “C” Killina Pres. Sec. Sch. Col Choilm, Tullamore Sch. Sen. H. “C1” St Joseph’s, R'fortbridge Castlepollard C.C. Sch. Sen. H. “C2” Boyne C.S. Dunshaughlin C.C. Tuairisc an Rúnaí Jun. H. “B” Banagher College Cistercian, Roscrea In Autumn 2007 with the assistance of Mazars a Jun. H. “B1” Col. Naomh Cormac Killina Pres Sec Sch Second Level Schools Workshop was held. Invited Jun. H. “C” St Peter’s, Dunboyne Col Choilm, Tullamore Jun. H. “D1” Boyne C.S. Col. Ris, Dundalk to the Workshop from each County was the Jun. H. “D2” Moate C.S. Athlone C.C. Coaching Officer; Officers of County Post Primary Committee; G.D.A.s; and H.D.A.s All Counties were Juv. H. “B” Banagher College Cistercian, Roscrea Juv. H. “B1” Col. Mhuire, Mullingar Col. Naomh Cormac represented. The session was facilitated by Michael Juv. H. “C” St Joseph’s, R'fortbridge Mercy, Kilbeggan Connolly (Mazars).

HANDBALL - BOYS Subsequently a report was issued to the participants. COLLEGES - 60 X 30 The principal theme of the report is a closer working U-19 Singles Kilkenny C.B.S. Sc. Chaitriona relationship between the respective County Coaching U-19 Doubles St. Kieran’s, Kilkenny Bridgetown V.C. Committee and Post Primary Committee with U-17 Singles Sc. Aireagail, Ballyhale Scoil Aodhain U-17 Doubles Sc. Aireagail, Ballyhale St Marys, Enniscorthy particular emphasis on participation. The findings of U-15 Singles St. Kieran’s, Kilkenny St Marys, Enniscorthy the report tie in with the overall Coaching & Games U-15 Doubles Kilkenny C.B.S. Bridgetown V.C. plan of the Province. First Yr. Singles Kilkenny C.B.S. Wexford V.C. First Yr. Doubles St. Peter’s, Wexford Kilkenny C.B.S. On the administrative side the present format of Comhairle Iarbhunscoileanna Laighean is coming COLLEGES – 40 X 20 to an end. The “5 year rule” is effective from U-19 Singles Carlow C.B.S. St. Peter’s, Wexford U-19 Doubles St. Kieran’s, Kilkenny St. Peters’, Wexford Schools Convention 2009. U-17 Singles Cistercian, Roscrea Col. Bhride, Carnew Also in line with national policy the Provincial U-17 Doubles Sc. Aireagail, Ballyhale Borris V.S. U-15 Singles St. Kieran’s, Kilkenny Confey College Schools Councils are to have a similar format as U-15 Doubles Castlecomer C.S. St. Peter’s, Wexford the parent Provincial Council i.e. representatives First Yr. Singles St. Peter’s, Wexford Clonkeen College from each County. First Yr. Doubles Kilkenny C.B.S. Wexford V.C. Comhairle Laighean continues to support our VOC. SCHOOLS – 40 X 20 Schools in a practical manner. On behalf of all our Sen. Singles Sc. Aireagail, Ballyhale Schools I extend continued appreciation to the Sen. Doubles Col. Bhride, Carnew Jun. Singles Sc. Aireagail, Ballyhale Comhairle. Our long and fruitful association with Jun. Doubles Col. Bhride, Carnew Coca-Cola is now at an end. To both John Coffey and Jim Whelan we relay our thanks and appreciation HANDBALL - GIRLS for their support and encouragement over the past COLLEGES – 60 X 30 15 years. U-19 Singles St Marys Sec Sch, N.Ross Bridgetown V.C. U-19 Doubles NO COMPETITION In conclusion, I say thank you to everyone who U-16 Singles Bridgetown V.C. Col. Bhride, Carnew U-16 Doubles Kilkenny College St Marys Sec Sch, N.Ross played their part in a successful 2006/2007 First Yr. Singles Pres. Col., Rockford Bridgetown V.C. programme. First Yr. Doubles NO COMPETITION Micheál Mac Raghnaill

76 Coaching & Games Development Committee Report Leinster Third Level Colleges Report

Intermediate Football UCD Fresher Division 1 Football Shield NUIM Fresher Division 2 Football DKIT Fresher Division 2 Football Shield IT Tallaght Fresher Division 2 Hurling Shield DCU St Pats Corn na Mac Léinn Marino Col IT Tallaght

Comhairle Ard Oideachais Laighean has responsibility In Ladies Gaelic Football, Dundalk IT hosted a for the development of Gaelic games in twenty four successful championship weekend in March. UCD 3rd Level institutions in Leinster. The support of captured the Division 1 championship , the O Connor Comhairle Laighean is invaluable and has enabled a Cup by beating UL in the final. DCU won the Division number of initiatives to be devised and 2 Lynch Cup by overcoming British champions, John implemented. Moore’s University.

Funding received from Comhairle Laighean was In Camogie’s premier competition, the Ashbourne distributed to colleges in the form of vouchers from Cup, UL captured its third successive title when O’Neill’s. These vouchers could be exchanged for beating UCD in the final, while UUJ edged out Athlone playing gear, footballs and/or sliothars IT in the Div 2 championship final which was The total cost of this scheme was €19,800 successfully hosted by Trinity College.

The following expenditure was incurred during the Accident Tournaments year: Once again, Third Level Colleges (UCD, DIT, Athlone IT 1 Medals €1,234.04 € and DCU ) participated in the O Byrne Cup and Shield 2 Meeting Expenses 37.50 football competitions. 3 Referee Expenses €330.00 € 4 Pitch Expenses 60.00 In hurling, UCD participated again in the Walsh Cup, while Athlone IT, DIT (eventual winners) and Carlow Competition Review IT played in the Kehoe Cup. Trinity College competed, The two premier competitions in the third level for the first time, in this competition. sector are the football championship and the championship in hurling. Comhairle Laighean rightly expressed its dissatisfaction to CA Laighean that two colleges withdrew from the Carlow IT hosted a very successful Fitzgibbon Cup O'Byrne Cup/Shield at late notice after fixtures had weekend. DIT was participating in the last four of this been put in place. It is important that all colleges that competition for the first time and was unfortunate to enter these Leinster competitions do compete as per lose the semi-final. LIT was the eventual winner. Tallaght the fixture schedule laid down by the Council. IT gained a measure of revenge when overcoming Kings Inns in the final of the Fergal Maher Cup. Athlone IT Playing in the Accident Tournaments exposes a reached the semi final of the . broader range of players to this level of competition. It reduces the risk of player burnout to elite players. QUB hosted the Sigerson Cup competition. There Participation in theses competitions are very good for were no Leinster representatives in the last four. the profile of students and it gives GAA in our However, St Pat’s won the Trench Cup and Marino colleges very positive media coverage. College won Corn na Mac Léinn. Bursaries Leinster colleges achieved the following All-Ireland The Comhairle Laighean Third Level Bursary Scheme successes over the past year: has grown in strength and profile over the past six Division 2 Hurling League St Pat’s College years. The scheme also helps to raise the profile of Division 2 Football League IT Tallaght Gaelic games in third level colleges throughout the Division 3 Football League UCD 3 province and is further evidence of Comhairle

77 Laighean’s commitment to this sector. Chairman, Buíochas Liam O'Neill, presented the awards to recipients from The help and co-operation of the following greatly around the province at a reception in Croke Park in facilitated the organisation of Gaelic games activities December. The bursary scheme has been reviewed at during the past year: national level and has resulted in changes in the (i) GAA Officers in the various colleges without criteria on which the awards are made. whose support the organisation of the various competitions would not be possible. The Past Year (ii) Leinster Coaching and Games Development A number of challenges faced CA Laighean during the Committee and in particular its chairman, past year. The restructuring of competitions at John Horan. national level had an impact on how the Comhairle (iii) Michael Delaney, Michael Reynolds, Shane organised its competitions. A proposal was put to CA Flanagan, Liam O Neill and the staff in Áras during the summer 2006 that stressed the importance Laighean. of “provincialising” the major competitions, especially in the case of Leinster. Such a structure would: (iv) The new CA Laighean Committee including secretary Ray O’Brien and our three student • Reduce costs of running the clubs. members Treasurer Craig Curtis Tallaght IT, • Reduce the time lost to college by students PRO James McAnaw St Pats and Assistant arising out of travelling long distances to games. Secretary Tommy Flynn NUIM. (v) Leinster rep on the CA, Mike McMahon. This proposal was not taken on board by CA and as a result: • Stand alone Leinster intermediate football and Retirements hurling competitions were put in place –in the At our AGM in September three of our long serving second semester. officers stepped down from their positions. CA Laighean would like to express its gratitude to • Leinster freshers football and hurling competitions Treasurer Tom Maher and Secretary Dave Billings for were also completed during the second their dedicated work over many years. CA Laighean semester. would like to thank in particular its previous Chairman • A number of third level colleges in the province Tom O’Donnell for the marvellous contribution he have floodlit pitches and these were made has made to the Third Level sector over the past available to enable Leinster allow these number of years and for representing CA Laighean at competitions to be completed. We wish to record Comhairle Laighean. our thanks for these facilities. In conclusion, I would like to acknowledge the support The winners of these Leinster competitions 2006/7 of Comhairle Laighean and the Leinster Coaching and are as follows: Games Development Committee, for the third level Freshers Football Div 1 DCU sector in Leinster. During my short time as Freshers Football Div 2 St Pats Cathaoirleach, I have been made to feel welcome by Freshers Hurling Div 1 St Pats outgoing Chairman Liam O’Neill and all the members Freshers Hurling Div 2 NUIM of Comhairle Laighean The support has been Intermediate Hurling DIT tremendous and I have no doubt that this will Intermediate Football DCU continue into the future. I wish the incoming officers and Coiste every success in the years ahead. The Future Other issues that might be considered by CA Gearóid Ó Maolthuile Laighean into the future are: Cathaoirleach, • Circulation of a newsletter to highlight CAO Laighean. achievements/developments etc in the various clubs in Leinster third level colleges. • Seeking commercial sponsorship for CA Laighean and its competitions (would probably need the approval of CA / Comhairle Laighean). • Re-structuring of the GAA bursary scheme to acknowledge the increased costs and pressures on students.

78 Coaching & Games Development Committee Report Leinster Handball Report

Secretarial duties. There is no doubt that the formation of our Juvenile Section was the best decision made in the 57 years our Council is in being. The Championships are well run and this is one area I hear no complaints about. The Leinster Colleges championships were once more expertly organised by Michael Reynolds and Comhairle Liathróid Láimhe Laighean We organised our championships to our usual appreciates his help and the time and effort he standards in 2007 with most of them contested puts into our fixtures. with vigour and enthusiasm. Tremendous credit The gratitude of Leinster Council is due to all is due to those who were in charge at venues and who gave of their time—Seán, Billy and Liam refereed games, sometimes late into the night. mentioned above; Richard Willoughby, Tom CLEAN SWEEP Rossiter and Joe Masterson as officers of the Leinster Handball Council. Once more, Leinster Handball Council organised the plethora of Championships from Under 11 Tom Walsh served us once more as our to Over 60 with all 12 counties involved to a representative on the Leinster GAA Development greater or lesser degree. Committee and he has been an outstanding Uachtarán showing resolve as well being utterly We once more organised 4 championships in courteous. He was a brilliant choice as leader of each grade - singles and doubles in both sized our association courts. Only the fittest manage to make a clean sweep of all 4 titles - once again only one player Thanks also to Lorcán Ó Ruairc for his help and managed that difficult feat. Once more it was co-operation at all times. His time was at a the peerless Michael Ducksie Walsh who premium, especially as he has to overcome a dominated the Masters Grade. His fundraising serious operation. extended to the late Eamon Law (Kk) who died The sympathy of the Council goes to everyone tragically while playing handball. bereaved during the year. A full resume of the winners from underage girls Finally, thanks to all the voluntary officials who to men over 70 follows this report. opened and prepared courts, refereed games and BY THE WAY ensured I got results from our huge programme of games. All units of the GAA have phased out notification by post and have replaced it by Email. We managed this to a large degree this year. Tomás Ó Briain Handball promoters are pleased to note the Rúnaí huge rise in interest shown in the participation of players who took part in the 2007 Nationals and we look forward to 2008 where hopeful there will be a further rise in interest and participation in our game. COISTÍ Seán Ryan (Ceatharlach) completed his third term as Juvenile Chairman with Billy Love and Liam Mahon (Cill Chainnigh) sharing the

79 MBD John Leahy Chris Dunne ALL IRELAND CHAMPIONS Jimmy Reilly (Mh) Richard Falsey (Kk) The following Leinster players won All-Irelands in 2007 60x30 SMAS Robert McCarthy (Wh) Martin Lalor (Kk) U21S Wexford (Michael Berry) SMAD John Downey Philly Parsons U21D Wexford (Michael Berry, Jim Berry) Seamus Ahern (D) Johnny Brennan (Kk) JBS Offaly (David Hope) JBD Offaly (Micheál O’Brien, David Hope) SMBS Eamonn Holohan (Kk) Kevin McKenna (D) JS Dublin (Ian Griffin) w/o Clare (Declan Frawley) Scr Inj SS Eoin Kennedy (Dublin) SMBD Frank Semple Frank Kearns SS Eoin Kennedy, Egin Jensen (Dublin) Séamas O’Mahony (D) Kevin McKenna (D) MAS Kilkenny (Michael Walsh) MAD Kilkenny (Michael Walsh, Pat Maher) GMAS Tony Breen (Wx) Sean Ryan (Cw) MBD Meath (John Leahy, Jimmy Reilly) GMAD Sean Ryan Ollie Deegan SMAD Dublin (John Downey, Seamus Ahern) Andy Ryan (Cw) Eamonn Deegan (Ke) SMBD Dublin (Frank Semple, Seamus O’Mahony) GMBD Wicklow (Gerry McGrath, Tom O’Malley) GMBS Gerry McGrath (Ww) Paddy Kelly (Ww) EMBD Dublin (Peter McTiernan, Joe McCahill) DMAD Kilkenny (Paddy Reilly, Seamus Reade) GMBD Gerry McGrath John Kelly HARDBALL Tom O’Malley (Ww) Charlie Kelly (Lh) JHD Ian Griffin, Christy Donnelly (Dublin) SHS Eoin Kennedy (Dublin) EMAS Eugene Kennedy (D) Richard Willoughby (Ww) SHD Eoin Kennedy, Egin Jensen (Dublin) EMAD Eugene Kennedy Richard Willoughby 40x20 Paddy Murray (D) Pat Doyle (Ww) JD Wicklow (Michael Lennon, Pat Quaile) IS Meath (Brian Carroll) dft Tipp. (Ger Coonan) EMBS Paddy Clerkin (D) Peter McTiernan (D) 18-21, 21-11, 21-10 MAS Kilkenny (Michael Walsh) EMBD Peter McTiernan ––––––––––––––– MAD Kilkenny (Michael Walsh, Pat Maher) Joe Cahill (D) ––––––––––––––– SMBD Wexford (Nicky Curran,Tadhg Foran) GMAD Kilkenny (Johnny Brennan, Joe Hennessy) DMAS Paddy Reilly (Kk) Pat Lacey (Wx) EMAS Dublin (Eugene Kennedy) DMAD Paddy Reilly EMBS Dublin (Paddy Murray) Seamus Reade (Kk) John Molloy (D) DMBD Wexford (Tom Rossiter, Tom O’Donoghue) LADIES 40x20 RMS Mick O’Brien (D) Sean Curran (Kk) LJD Carlow (Ciara Mullins, Miriam Ryan) RMD Sylvie Dowd ––––––––––––––– Seán Moore (D) ––––––––––––––– Leinster 60x30 Champions 2007 LMinS Niamh Murphy (Wx) Fiona Holohan (Wx) Winner Runner-Up LMinD Niamh Murphy ––––––––––––––– MinS Ciaran Neary (Kk) Gary McConnell (Mh) Fiona Holohan (Wx) ––––––––––––––– MinD Ciaran Neary Martin O’Neill LJunBS Aisling Behan (Ls) Ciara Dowling (Ls) Eamonn Foley (Kk) John Rogers (Ww) LJunBD Aisling Behan Tanya O’Toole U21S Michael Berry (Wx) Paddy Berry (Wx) Ciara Dowling (Ls) Ptr (Wx) U21D Michael Berry Paddy Berry LJunS Ann Boland (Wx) ––––––––––––––– Jim Berry (Wx) Jimmy Goggins (Wx) LJunD Martina Walsh ––––––––––––––– JunBS David Hope (Oy) Stephen Barcoe (Kk) Una Byrne (Wx) –––––––––––––––

JunBD Micheál O’Brien Darren O’Toole Junior B team of 4 David Hope (Oy) Jimmy O’Rourke (Wx) Coolgreaney Portobello (Darren O’Toole, Jimmy JunS Ian Griffin (D) Sean Maher (Kk) O’Rourke, Ned Connors, Damien Kelly, Brian Shortall) JunD Michael Lennon Canice Quigley Pat O’Donnell (Ww) David Clifford (Kk) Junior team of 4 IntS Cormac Smyth (Wx) Kerry Hennessy (D) Crinkle Kells (Kevin Cooke, Conor, IntD Eddie Burke Cormac Smyth Micheál and Noel Michael Clifford (Kk) Eugene Kelly (Wx) O’Brien, Stephen Kane)

MAS Michael Walsh (Kk) Egin Jensen (D) 23 Open team of 4 Coolboy Na Fianna MAD Michael Walsh Egin Jensen (Egin Jensen, Ian Griffin, Pat Maher (Kk) Frank Daly (D) Christy Donnelly, Kerry MBS John Leahy (Mh) Stephen Murphy (Wx) Hennessy, Frank Daly)

80 Leinster 40x20 Champions 2007 DMAS John Molloy (D) Ned Flynn (D)

Winner Runner-Up DMAD Paddy Reilly Ned Flynn Seamus Reade (Kk) John Molloy (D)

MinS Ciarán Neary (Kk) Martin O’Neill (Ww) DMBS Tom Rossiter (Wx) Ger McWilliams (Wx)

MinD Niall Smyth Martin O’Neill DMBD Tom Rossiter Ger McWilliams Ger McGrath (Kk) John Rogers (Ww) Tom O’Donoghue (Wx) Henry Hayes (Wx)

U21S Jerome Willoughby (Ww) Richard Hogan (Kk) RMS William Doran (Ke) Christy Lynagh (Mh)

U21D Richard Hogan Christopher Doyle RMD William Doran Sean Moore (Kk) Jerome Willoughby (Ww) Declan Quigley (Ke) Mick O'Brien (D)

JunBS Michael O’Brien (Oy) Noel Holohan (Wx) LMinS Aileen Quinn (Ke) Niamh Murphy (Wx)

JunBD Michael O’Brien Justin Heffernan LMinD Fiona Holohan ––––––––––––––– David Hope (Oy) Dinny Lyndon (Wx) Niamh Murphy (Wx) –––––––––––––––

JunS Paul Moran (Ke) Pat O’Donnell (Ww) LJunBS Áine Gorman (D) Ciara Dowling (Ls)

JunD Michael Lennon Anthony Sheridan LJBD Martina Walsh Tanya O’Toole Pat Quail (Ww) James Gregan (Ww) Una Byrne (Wx) Katie O’Rafferty (Wx)

IntS Brian Carroll (Mh) Gavin Buggy (Wx) LJunS Claire Love (Kk) Ciara Mullins (Cw)

IntD Eddie Burke Brian Carroll LJunD Miriam Ryan Claire Love Eamonn Law (Kk) Carl Browne (Mh) Ciara Mullins (Cw) Marie T O’Neill (Kk)

MAS Michael Walsh (Kk) Paddy Donovan (Ls) Boys Finals MAD Pat Maher ––––––––––––––– Michael Walsh ––––––––––––––– U12S Joseph Varley (D) v Martin Mullins (Cw) U12D Brendan Hyland v Jim O’Leary MBS Fergal Ó Riain (D) Donal Dunne (Wx) Sean Tierney (Kk) Adam Nolan (Cw)

MBD John Leahy Donal Doyle U13S Stephen O’Dwyer (Kk) v Kevin Byrne (Wx) Jimmy Reilly (Mh) Frank Maddock (Wx) U13D Pierce Caulfield v Richard Martin SMAS Philly Parsons (Kk) Benny Doyle (Wx) Cian O’Dalaigh (D) Eoin O’Leary (Wx)

SMAD Martin Lalor Benny Doyle U14S Wexford (Dean Corrigan) Kildare (Niall O’Connor) Philly Parsons (Kk) Johnny Goggins (Wx) U14D Mason Clifford Cory Murphy SMBS Pechelli English (Wx) Nicky Curran (Wx) Peter Funchion (Kk) Walter Lawlor (Wx)

SMBD Nicky Curran Fintan Doyle U15S Graham Clifford (Kk) Aaron Kenny (Wx) Tadhg Foran (Wx) Richie Culleton (Wx) U15D Pauric Maher David Byrne GMAS Billy Mullins (Oy) Johnny Brennan (Kk) Paul Holden (Kk) Matthew Fanning (Wx)

GMAD Johnny Brennan John Ward U16S Eoghan Hennessy (Kk) Adam Kenny (Cw) Joe Hennessy (Kk) Seamus Ahern (D) U16D Michael O’Brien Mark Maher GMBS John Kelly (Lh) Gerry McGrath (Ww) Patrick Funchion (Kk) Peter Hughes (Wx)

GMBD John Kelly Gerry Murphy U17S Christopher Dawson (Kk) Michael Donavan (Ls) Seán Devlin (Lh) Jimmy Neary (Kk) U17D Dylan Clifford Thomas White EMAS Eugene Kennedy (D) Andy Ryan (Cw) Gerard McGrath (Kk) Garry Jordan (Wx)

EMAD Richard Willoughby Billy Molloy Girls Finals Pat Doyle (Ww) Garret Somers (Wx) U12S Catherine Foley (Kk) v Jackie Quigley (Wx) EMBS Paddy Murray (D) Peter McTiernan (D) U12D Kirsty Maher v Edel Murphy EMBD John Barton Peter McTiernan Serena Doyle (Kk) Eimear Nolan (Wx) Paddy Murray (D) Paddy Clerkin (D) U13S Demi Donovan (Kk) v Nan Connors (Kk)

81 U13D Marie Walsh v Eleanor Buggy U17 S Julie Walsh (Kilkenny) ______Cait Broderick (Kk) Siobhan Cahill (D) U17 D Claire Moore ______U14S Elaine Egan (Ke) Dianaimh Greene (D) Claire Comerford (Kk) ______

U14D Ciara Mahon Roseanne Boland 60 x 30 - BOYS Mary Phelan (Kk) Katie Flynn (Wx) U11 D Jim O’Leary Brian Mahon Adam Nolan (Carlow) Conor Duggan (Kk) U15S Denise Doyle (Kk) Naomi Mordaunt (Wx) U12 S Martin Mullins (Carlow) Joseph Varelly (Dublin) U15D Nicola Moore Carly O’Neill Claire Moore (Kk) Jane Griffin (D) U12 D Sean Tierney Jim O’Leary Brendan Hyland (Kk) Adam Nolan (Carlow) U16S Shauna Hilley (Ww) Louise Walsh (Ke) U13 S Stephen O’Dwyer (Kk) Kevin Byrne (Wexford) U16D Rebecca Mulholland Sandra Kelly Claire Mulholland (Kk) Michelle Boland (Wx) U13 D Cory Faye Richard Martin Cian O’Dalaigh (Dublin) ______(Wx) U17S Julie Walsh (Kk) ––––––––––––––– U14 S Dean Corrigan (Wx) Niall O’Connor (Ke) U17D Claire Moore ______Claire Comerford (Kk) ______U14 D Peter Funchion Cory Murphy Mason Clifford (Kk) Walter Lawlor (Wx) Open Team of 4 Coolboy Kells U15 S Graham Clifford (Kk) Martin Deane (Carlow) (Michael Gregan Pat (Brian Carroll, Jimmy Quaile, Richard Reilly, Gary Connell, U15 D Pauric Maher David Byrne Walshe, Johnny Tom Sheridan) Paul Holden (Kk) Matthew Fanning (Wx) Willoughby) U16 S Eoghan Hennessy (Kk) Adam Kenny (Carlow) Junior Team of 4 Coolboy Arklow U16 D Patrick Funchion Mark Maher (Michael Lennon, James (Eamonn Rice, Michael O’Brien (Kk) Peter Hughes (Wx) Gregan, Christopher Pat O’Donnell, Ned Doyle, Pat Doyle, Kealy, John Quinn, U17 S Chris Dawson (Kk) Michael Donovan (Ls) Jerome Willoughby) Drew Keogh) U17 D Gerard McGrath Thomas White Junior B Dylan Clifford (Kk) Gary Jordan (Wexford) St Canice’s Coolgreaney (David, Paul Clifford, (Darren O’Toole, Joe Maxwell (A) League Séamas Clifford, Jimmy O’Rourke, Ned Carlow: Jim O’Leary, Adam Nolan, Martin Mullins, Cian Tony Bolger) Connors, Damien Kelly, Lawlor, Daniel O’Leary. Ross Smithers Brian Shortall) Kilkenny: John Walsh, Sean Morrissey, Dylan Walsh, Enda Morrissey, Eoghan Hennessy, Pauric Maher 60 x 30 - GIRLS U12 S Catherine Foley (Kk) Jackie Quigley (Wx) Joe Maxwell (B) League Laois: David Mulhall, Aran Murphy, Evan Carroll, Cormac U12 D Kirsty Maher Edel Murphy Murphy, Michael Mulhall, Keith Nolan, Ger Serena Doyle (Kk) Eimear Nolan (Wx) Malone, Vincent Ryan, Kilkenny: Conor Duggan, Liam Fennelly, Niall Mulhearne, U13 S Demi Donavan (Kk) Nan Connors (Dublin) Brendan Phelan, Pat Mulhearne, Gary Law

U13 D Maria Walsh Eleanor Buggy U12 /13 Team 6 Cait Broderick (Kk) Siobhan Cahill (Dublin) Carlow: Daniel O’Leary, Adam Nolan, Martin Mullins, Cian Lawlor, Andrew Beaton, Jim O’Leary U14 S Elaine Egan (Kildare) Dianiamh Greene (D) Kilkenny: Brendan Hyland, Stephen O’Dwyer, Dylan Walsh, Sean Tierney, Enda Morrissey, John Walsh U14 D Mary Phelan Roseanne Boland Ciara Mahon (Kilkenny) Katie Flynn (Wexford) U14 /15 Team 6 Kilkenny: Michael Conville, Breanainn Buggy, Cian Ryan, U15 S Denise Doyle (Kk) Naomi Mordaunt (Wx) Sean Foley, Keith Walsh, Dublin: John Walsh, Brian Treanor, Dianiamh Greene, U15 D Nicola Moore Carly O’Neill Naoise Greene, Michael Flanagan, Andrew Nicola Moore (Kk) Jane Griffin (Dublin) Fitzgearld

U16 S Shauna Hilley (Ww) Louise Walsh (Kildare) U16 / 17 Team 4 Wexford: Mark Maher, Jason Murphy, Peter Hughes, U16 D Claire Mulholland Michelle Boland Matthew O’Toole Rebecca Mulholland (Kk) Sandra Kelly (Wx) Kilkenny: P J Woods, Liam Wallace, Eoghan Wallace, Jason Delaney

82 (B) Championships U15 D Keith Clifford David Townsend U13 S Richard Martin (Wx) Eugene Mahon (Ke) Graham Clifford (Kk) James Murphy (Cw)

U13 D Kieran Cahill Jalen O’Riordan U16 S Gary McConnell (Mh) Thomas Dunne (Wx) Niall McKenna (D) Luke Whitty (Wexford) U16 D Gary Donohoe Patrick Funchion U15 S Paul Brennan (Wx) Brian Treanor (Dublin) Eric Davitt (Ww) Michael O’Brien (Kk)

U15 D James Barry Emmett O’Keeffe U17 S Mark O’Dwyer (Kk) Michael Donovan (Ls) James Waters (Wx) Ciaran Nolan (Kildare) U17 D Chris Dawson Anthony Rohio U17 S Dermot Kelly (Wx) ______Dylan Clifford (Kk) Craig Walsh (Ww)

U17 D Garry Jordan ______U12 /13Team 6 Steven Cousins (Wx) ______Kilkenny: Dylan Walsh, William Phelan, Padraig Walsh, Stephen & Conor O’Dwyer, Sean Tierney, Johnny Mullholand, David Burke. 40 x 20 Champions Carlow: Jim O’Leary, Martin Mullins, Adam Nolan, Andrew GIRLS Beaton, Michael Calvey, , U12 S Catherine Foley (Kk) Kate Moran (Carlow) U14/15 Team 6 U12 D Lauren Barcoe Laura Brennan Kilkenny: Pauric Maher, Padraig Walsh, Mason Clifford, Cait Broderick (Kk) Jackie Quigley (Wx) Keith Walsh, Sean Foley, Michael O’Keeffe, Paul Buggy, Paul Holden U13 S Maria Walsh (Kilkenny) Nikita Corby (Offaly) Wexford: Cory Murphy, Dean Corrigan, Walter Lawlor, Aaron Kenny, Kyle Byrne, Declan Foley U13 D Suzanne Power Bronagh Tully Eimear Fennelly (Kk) Vivienne Maher (Oy) U16/17 Team 4 Kilkenny: Aidan Martin, Dan Breen, David Cummins, Peter U14 S Elaine Egan (Kildare) Melaine Byrne (Cw) Landy, Gary Delaney. Dublin: Fergal Walsh, Robert Rutledge, Patrick Collins, U14 D Laura Moore Shauna Carroll Sean Fitzgerald Claire Grace (Kk) Emily Quinn (Offaly) (B) Championships U15 S Claire Mulholland (Kk) Mairead Elmes (Wx) U13 S Jalen O’Riordan (Wx) Pierce Caulfield (D)

U15 D Nicola Moore Joanna Mahon U13 D Cian O’Dalaigh Niall Mulhearne Hazel Cuddihy (Kk) Aisling Wall (Kildare) Cory Faye (Dublin) John Walsh (Kilkenny)

U16 S Louise Walsh (Kildare) Shauna Hilley (Ww) U15 S Aaron Kenny (Wx) Owen Toaland (Kildare)

U15 D Naoise Greene Gary Law U16 D Alison Walsh Michelle Boland John Walsh (Dublin) Ger Malone (Kilkenny) Rebecca Mulholland (Kk) Sandra Kelly (Wexford) U17 S Michael Donavan (Ls) Barry Thornton (Louth) U17 S Amanda Kelly (Wx) Julie Walsh (Kilkenny) U17 D Eoin Murphy Glen Browne U17 D Claire Moore ______Michael Sinnott (Wx) Michael Coleman (Ke) Claire Comerford (Kk) ______

BOYS U11 D Jim O’Leary Brian Mahon Adam Nolan (Carlow) Shane Walsh (Kilkenny)

U12 S Martin Mullins (Cw) Sean Tierney (Kilkenny)

U12 D Sean Stafford Niall McKenna Dale Flynn (Wexford) Conor Timoney (D)

U13 S Richard Martin (Wx) Eugene Mahon (Ke)

U13 D Conor O'Dwyer Kevin Byrne Stephen O’Dwyer (Kk) Eoin O’Leary (Wx)

U14 S Niall O’Connor (Ke) Keith Kavanagh (Ww)

U14 D Cian Ryan Dan O’Leary Andrew O’Dwyer (Kk) Cian Lawlor (Carlow)

U15 S John Power (Kilkenny) Martin Deane (Carlow)

83 Leinster Referees Administrator’s Report and Leinster Recruitment & Training Officers Report

When we look back on 2007 I think we can say that it was another very successful year with regard to our games and I would like to acknowledge that our Referees played a major part in that achievement. There was a significant increase in the number of games played again this year with great interest in the Christy Ring, Nickey Rackard and the Tommy Murphy Cups. The championships for the Junior and Intermediate clubs in hurling and football again proved a great success. The interest in our O’Byrne cup seems to grow each year and most of our counties now treat this tournament as a very serious competition. We also launched our Leinster Club Hurling league and I am glad to report that it was a great success and we received a very positive feedback from the clubs of Leinster who took part. The extra games put a lot of pressure on our referees but I must record special thanks for the effort they all made to ensure the competition was a success. Leinster Referees Administration Committee The committee met on five occasions during the year and the meetings were very well attended and Chairman Séamus Howlin (Wexford) constructive. The role of the County Referee Secretary Aidan Shiels (Dublin) Administrator continues to be a difficult one, as I Recruitment Pierce Freaney (Kildare) believe at County level we all just expect to have & Training Officer referees available without thinking of how this is Committee Liam O Neill (Louth) achievable. Joe Harlin (Meath) Aodhan Mac Suibhne (Dublin) In each County we need a strong and active Tom Byrne (Wicklow) Referees Administration Committee working hard Tom Rowe (Wexford) to recruit new referees and ensure that our existing Michael Fennin (Kildare) referees get the support and training that is Ger Lennon (Carlow) required on an ongoing basis. There is an need to Tommy Duggan (Kilkenny) raise the standard of club referees in all our Maurice Deegan (Laoise) Counties and I know that some good work is being Timmy Grogan (Offaly) done in this area but I feel we must do a lot more Liam Mc Daniel (Westmeath) to ensure the standard is moved to a higher level. Eamonn Higgins (Longford) There is also a need to accept that our games must be controlled according to the rules, this means all Referees Match Officials the rules particularly those in respect of rough and Appointments Committee dangerous play. It is very important that all referees strictly apply the rules at our underage games Cathaoirleach Séamus Howlin (Wexford) because it is here that good and bad habits are Runai Pierce Freaney (Kildare) formed. To promote our games in a correct manner Committee Tony Robinson (Westmeath) to our youth we must at all times ensure that the Sean Campion (Carlow) people charged with this task understand the

84 responsibility that is placed in their hands. However Structures again I think we have made some progress in this area and the quality and fitness of our young It is vital that the proper structures i.e. County referees is very encouraging for all who are working Referee Administration Committees are in place in so hard to improve the standard of refereeing. each county to look after all aspects of refereeing. Without dedicated people specifically charged to do this work both the standard and numbers will fall away making it more difficult to fulfil the Academy increasing games programme. The recruitment of new referees is becoming more difficult and most of our counties are in trouble with numbers. With that in mind we set up a Referee Night of Honour Leinster Referee Academy during the summer of 2005 and continued with the Academy in 2006 and Portlaoise 2007. We pitched the age for 2006/07 at 30 years Comhairle Laighean organised a Leinster Referee and had 18 participants from 8 counties. The night and honoured our Finalist Referees and their calibre of the referees was excellent and the course, partners, which I know, was very much appreciated. judging by the feedback was both informative and This event was held in Portlaoise recently and all enjoyable. I would like to thank sincerely Tom concerned had a very enjoyable night. On the Fitzpatrick who was course director, tutors Aidan referees behalf and on my own I would like to Shiels, Noel O Donoghue and Shane Flanagan thank our Chairman, Liam O’Neill for hosting the Leinster Council, Referees Ray Holohan and James night and all my fellow officers of Comhairle Mc Grath and players Brian Kavanagh and Ronan Laighean who supported it. A special word of Maher for their contributions. thanks to John Cotter, Paddy Flanagan and PRO Tommy Farrell for the efficient way the event was organised. Recruitment and Training The past year has been very busy particularly on the Recruitment and Training front. Pierce Freeney Thanks has done great work at Coiste Na Reiteoiri with a Our new Referees Match Officials Appointments special brief of Recruitment and Training. He and Committee played a major roll in helping to the committee launched a National Recruitment progress our referees careers during 2007. We met programme and counties need to follow up on this on 15 occasions and I wish to thank Pierce, Tony initiative in the coming year otherwise the launch and Sean for the effort they all made to attend the will not achieve it’s goal. The National Launch was meetings even though some were called at very a success and the outcome to date is that we now short notice. have approximately 150 new referees in the My thanks to all the County Administrators for province. I would like to acknowledge our course their help and support during the past three years. coordinator Noel O Donoghue who organised the tutors for all the county training courses. I thank I would like to sincerely thank all the provincial our Chairman and Comhairle Laighean for its assessors who play an important part in the continued support to all our training and fitness development of young referees. They go to all kind programmes. of venues, low profile games on our behalf and their work is much appreciated. My thanks to our national tutors, Tom Fitzpatrick, Tony Jordan, Aidan Development Referees Shiels, Pat Casserly and Noel O’Donoghue who play a major role in spreading the referee cause The Leinster Development referees played their throughout the provinces. Special thanks to Aidan part in officiating at our early season competitions. Shiels who is a long serving secretary to the Their performances resulted in some promotions Leinster Referee Administrators Committee and to the national panel. A training night was held in who does a tremendous amount of work on several January 2008 to keep them up to speed with fronts. recent directives and instructions. They also completed their fitness and rules tests in April I sincerely thank Pierce Freaney for his help, advice 2007. and guidance over the past three years. Pierce has a tremendous interest and knowledge with regard

85 to all refereeing matters and I want to acknowledge This job would be impossible without the day-to- the support he has given me over the last three day back up of Aras Laighean. Their support is years. I wish Pierce continued success for many excellent and I thank Hannah, Patricia and especially years to come as our National Match Official Julie who deals so efficiently with all of the Coordinator in Croke Park. refereeing correspondences on an ongoing basis. My thanks also to Michael Delaney, Michael Reynolds, Shane Flanagan and John Cotter for their Comhairle Laighean support and guidance during the past year. The support for refereeing and referees at Leinster Our referees play a hugh part in the running of all Council is second to none and this, I know is very competitions from School and underage right up to much appreciated by all the referees, I thank our senior level. I thank them all most sincerely for Chairman Liam O’Neill for giving me the position what I feel was another excellent year. and then allowing me the space to get on with the job. Since Liam took up the position he has always Sheamus O hUilin been most supportive, interested and kept himself Cathaoirleach Leinster Referee Committee well briefed on all matters affecting referees and refereeing at provincial and national level. I wish Pierce Freaney him well in his quest to become our next Uachtaran Recruitment & Training Officer and I call on all our Counties in Leinster to support Liam to achieve his aim.

National Referee Panelists - Laighean (Iomáint)

Contae 3.2 3.1 Provincial

Louth

Meath Fergus Smith Martin Bartley

Dublin Eamonn Morris David O’Donovan Danny Harrington Eadhmon Mac Suibhne

Wicklow

Wexford Sean Whelan Joe Kelly

Kildare Ray Houlihan Alan Lagrue Fergus Devereux

Carlow

Kilkenny Dominic Connolly Sean Cleere

Laoise Anthony Stapleton

Offaly Tony Carroll Tom Anderson

Ciaran Groome

Westmeath Rob Cornally James McGrath

Longford

Total 9 8 11

86 Dickie Murphy (Representing Sean Whelan), Ciaran Groome, Tony Carroll, Paul Kneel, Cormac Reilly, Sean Carroll, Peter Daly, Pierce Freany, National Match Official Pierce Freany, Peter Daly, Sean Carroll, Reilly, Cormac Kneel, Paul Carroll, Tony Ciaran Groome, Whelan), Sean Dickie (Representing Murphy Co-Ordinator. Fergus Smyth, Anthony Stapleton, Seamus Howlin, Leas-Cathaoirleach Leinster GAA, Liam O'Neill, Cathaoirleach, Leinster GAA, P.J. McGrath, Cathaoirleach, National Cathaoirleach, McGrath, Leas-Cathaoirleach Anthony Seamus Stapleton, Howlin, Leinster Leinster Liam P.J. Cathaoirleach, GAA, GAA, O'Neill, Smyth, Fergus Leinster GAA. P.R.O. Farrell, Eddie Kinsella Tom and Fox, Pat Committee, Referees

Leinster GAA Presentation Night who received their – medals Referees on the night Back L-R: L-R: Front

87 National Referee Panelists - Laighean (Peile)

Contae 3.2 3.1 Provincial

Louth Paul Finnegan Alan McKenna Gabriel McKenny Paul Kneel

Meath Seamus McCormack Joe Curley David Coldrick Cormac Reilly

Dublin Tom Quigley Garry Mc Cormack Joe Murray Brian O'Shea Eoin O Ceallachain Noel Cocoman Paul Faughnan

Wicklow Eddie Craul Declan Greene

Wexford Syl Doyle

Kildare Niall Cronin

Carlow Pat Kehoe

Kilkenny

Laoise Maurice Deegan Eddie Kinsella

Offaly Con Costelloe Damien Brazil

Westmeath Patrick Fox Peter Daly Michael Mannion Sean Carroll

Longford John Bannon Eugene Murtagh Derek Fahy

Total 10 10 11

88 Information Technology, Marketing & Public Relations Committee Report

Online Membership Registration The whole issue of Membership continues to cause some confusion within the association and we await the findings from the National Membership Task Force.

Members Results Service Pat Toner (Cathaoirleach) Pat Teehan (Runai), Disappointment was expressed at the lack of Tom Farrell (PRO Comhairle Laighean), P.J. progression of the GAA Official Fixtures Geraghty, Jimmy Walsh, Seamus O’Leary, Paul Management system and many counties were Hourican, Paddy Flanagan, Alan Milton, Jim now opting to take on the results and fixture Thornton, John Cotter. service provided by eSports Management Software.

Leinster Website As was reported last year the Leinster GAA Marketing Issues website needed to be revamped and take on a The area of marketing and the production of the new direction. After seeking proposals from a Croke Park programmes falls on the shoulders number of software companies the design and our Marketing and Commercial Manager John build of the site was awarded to Maura McDonnell. Cotter who as ever provides an excellent service An agreement, including, time frames was then to Comhairle Laighean. The whole area of drawn up. The site was redesigned and built over Marketing and Sponsorship is always open for the summer months and launched in the Autumn. the exploration of new initiatives. Much credit is due to Patricia Clear for her work A number of initiatives were undertaken in the in ensuring the site was developed in accordance past year. The practice of having a photo shoot with the required specification and also for in each county prior to each county’s first taking responsibility for keeping it updated. championship game which proved a very Now that the provincial site is now revamped worthwhile venture. The promotion, which hopefully counties will follow suit invited school children to the Offaly v Laois Senior Hurling Championship game proved a big success and should be expanded on in the County PRO’s coming season. / Website Administrators A seminar for county P.R.O.’s and Website Administrators took place in April at which Awards / Functions presentations were made by Mick O’Keeffe This year’s Comhairle Laighean Award for the (Pembroke Communications), Seamus Kyne best County Final Programme went to Mary (eSports Management Software) and Alan Milton Foley for her production of the Wexford Senior (Journalist). Hurling Final. The avoidance of a programme Eight of the 12 counties were represented on the that was top heavy with advertisements, value night. for money and overall presentation were the main features of the Wexford Programme. The

89 standard of County Final programmes in the Summary province continues to improve - all credit to our county PRO’s. I was privileged and honoured to serve as Cathaoirleach of this committee for the past It was decided this year to expand our awards three years and I hope we have made some system to include an award for the Best County contribution towards the running of Comhairle Website. This year’s award went to Meath. The Laighean over that period. site, which was designed by Jeff Sheridan and looked after by Tara Rowan and Brendan Cummins I would like to record thanks to came out tops for aesthetics / use of graphics, • Pat Teehan who acted as Runai and all the content and regularity of updates and the overall other members of the committee for all their efficiency and functionality of the site. work, assistance and contributions. Congratulations also to Alan Bell (Kildare) on • Officers and Members of the Council for all winning a Mc Namee award for best County their help and support. Final Programme. • The staff of Aras Laighean - Michael Delaney, We were again associated with a number of Michael Reynolds, Shane Flanagan, Julie, Hanna functions, presentations and launches. Paddy and Patrica for their assistance and guidance Flanagan and John Cotter were as ever involved at all times. with organising these events and their attention Finally I would like to thank Cathaoirleach Liam to detail was a credit. Their brief also included O'Neill and wish him all the best for the future today’s arrangements in conjunction with and also best wishes to the incoming Wexford County Board. Cathaoirleach Seamus Ó hUilin.

Mile Buiochas E-Mails / IT Committee’s / Training All correspondence between Clubs, Counties and Padraig Ó Tomhnair Comhairle Laighean in line with policy is now all but exclusively conducted electronically. With the increasing turn over of county officers every assistance and training should be available to ensure continuation of standards

Games Presentation / Press & Media Facilities / Match Programmes We have improved immensely in this whole area in recent times and the emphasis should be now on maintaining and improving standards. The ongoing emphasis on health and safety leaves those involved in the presentation and hosting of our games with extra pressures. Match Programmes for our Senior Championships and most other fixtures were again of the usual high standards that our patrons have come to expect. The features on Clubs and Club Websites from participating counties by Alan Milton were a welcome addition to our Croke Park programmes.

90 Grounds, Facilities, Health & Safety Committee Report

is awaited on the proposal to build a Floodlit 3G pitch with spectator accommodation.

WICKLOW – BALLINAKILL (Rathdrum) Wicklow’s search for a site to develop their Centre of Excellence came to fruition. After much hard work and searching an excellent site was acquired. With the expectation that the planning process will be favourable progress in the development of the site should be rapid.

Committee DUBLIN John Healy (Chairman), John Byrne, Andy Gallagher, The options for the development of facilities is P.J. Murphy, Kieran Keeneghan, Martin Murray, Michael varied. There are a number of projects in discussion Delaney and Michael Reynolds. – positive conclusions to at least some of them is The year under review witnessed considerable eagerly awaited. activity. The other six Counties are at varying stages of progress in their efforts to secure adequate facilities. Grants It is of the upmost importance that all Counties face €1.6m was shared between 99 Clubs the future planning stragetically. similarly Clubs must €127,000.00 was shared between 10 Schools spend wisely. Ard Chomhairle contributed €1.125m to the Fund. Our Centres of Excellence can double up as Regional Annual County Grants were increased from €6,350.00 Counties to facilitate Cross County Inter Club activity to €15,000.00. County Grounds and Centres of particularly in the Winter period and both Second and Excellence Grants of €675,000.00 was paid. The Third Level Schools activity including Blitzes etc. County Grants are funded by Comhairle Laighean in Additional regional type centres will be St. Loman’s, full. Mullingar and St. Mary’s, Leixlip. The former is ideally located both from a Provincial and National County Activity perspective while the lather with its newly acquired acquisition of just over 20 acres on a long term lease LOUTH - DARVER from the Local Authority in a very large population This is an excellent facility. The continued development density area with excellent infrastructure is also a of the complex is a credit to everyone involved. In plus. January, 2007 Darver hosted games in both the Kehoe Cup and O’Byrne Cup. At the time of writing tenders had been submitted for the next phase namely the 3G Pitches The quality of 3G pitches is improving. Presently in development of the Dressing Room Complex. Leinster there are a number of such pitches established. MEATH – DUNGANNY Over the next few years many more will be built. A Pitches are operational including the 3G pitch. Their word of caution! All units should ensure that the location is very fortunate for Second Level Schools in specification used is suitable for our games and particular. Hopefully this coming year will see advise sought. The relevant specification is available progress with regard to the building of dressing as is professional advice. rooms. Safety Guidelines For Grounds WEXFORD – FERNS The Committee through P.J. Murphy and Michael Wexford have re-located their proposed Centre of Reynolds up-dated Safety Guidelines for Grounds. Excellence to Ferns. 2008 should see further The charts were issued to the Counties for distribution developments at the venue. to all the Clubs at the respective Conventions. The benefit of the chart is in their use. KILDARE – HAWKFIELD Kildare have impressive plans to up-grade their facilities at Hawkfield. Presently planning permission

91 Risk Assessment Audit Priority Status It is important that a risk assessment audit is carried It continues to be both Provincial and National Policy out on the County Grounds in the Province. Equally to give priority status to Louth and Wicklow in both important is that any risks unearthed are rectified. Counties endeavours to develop County Grounds. Hopefully the endeavours of all concerned will be Floodlighting Costs successful sooner rather than later. Comhairle Laighean has made a further submission to the Energy Regulator seeking further relief for G.A.A. Club Borrowings Clubs with floodlights particularly the smaller Clubs. Physical developments / improvements were considerable in the past year and the indications for Event Controllers Course 2008 suggest a similar trend. Clubs in the Province Seamus Reade (Kilkenny); Pat Cahill (Longford); Tom borrowed just over €17m in 2007, while the Sports Jones (Laois); and Michael Reynolds (Comhairle Capital Programme allocated €43m to Leinster Clubs. Laighean) participated in a 6 day Event Controllers The most difficult hurdle for many Clubs to cross is Course held in Croke Park in October/November. the purchasing of additional lands. Sports Stewards Training Course Clubs have to examine Pre Summer 2008 – 3 Sports Stewards Training - Building of 3G pitches rather than buying additional Course are in: land Ballyhaunis Westmeath and - Leasing from Local Authorities and others Longford steward attended - Partnerships with new Second Level Schools Carlow South & Mid Leinster - Tenant at the County Centre of Excellence. Killester College North Leinster A note of caution to all concerned – think first! With present day Safety Legislation it is a must that each County has a number of trained stewards – Buíochas National Infrastructure & Safety Committee The Committee’s 3 year term is coming to a conclusion. recommends that each County should have at least My thanks to: 20 trained stewards • Liam O’Neill (Cathaoirleach, Comhairle Laighean) Synthetic Goalmouths for his support and leadership in the past three St. Rynagh’s, Banagher years. During the year synthetic goal mouths (small • Officers of Comhairle Laighean. parallelograms) were completed at St. Rynagh’s on • The Committee Members for their assistance. behalf of the Committee. To date reports are positive. If successful, the concept may be an option for both • Officers of the 12 County Boards for their courtesy, County & Club Grounds – particularly Clubs that host assistance and advice. a large number of games and that Comhairle Laighean • The many Clubs that Committee Members met would grand aid. personally during the three years for their courtesy Strategic Planning and hospitality. It is vital that resources available are used wisely. • Our experts both on and off the Committee who Development in the future must have a purpose in gave of their time. achieving maximum use. For County Grounds comfort • Michael Reynolds for his work for the Committee rather than size, quality rather than quantity and realism should dictate the size of developments from • The Staff of Aras Laighean who were always here on. efficient, courteous and professional. Metering In conclusion I would like to wish the New Committee The National Finance Committee are encouraging all the best in the years ahead and again my thanks Counties to install a new metering system at County to everyone who aided me during my term. Grounds. The new system will assist in accountability. Seán Ó hÉile The installation of the system is grant aided at National Level.

92 Leinster Club and County Planning Committee

sanctions (financial and others) for non- participation. Clubs that don’t examine their current position and attempt to plan for the future can’t expect funding and other assistance from GAA or other sources. We appeal again this year to all County Board Officers (not just the County Development Officer) that they show leadership and fully support the drive to ensure that the clubs in their county are aware Committee Members for 2007 of and understand the benefits of the Comhairle Programme. Albert Fallon Cathaoirleach - Longport Noel Tierney Runai - Iarmhi The Comhairle programme for the latter half of 2007 and early 2008 concentrated on delivering An Lú Padraig O Conchubhair training to Club Officers – and by the end of An Mhí Enda Smyth March 2008, all counties in Leinster will have Áth Cliath Susan Naughton completed the programme. The programme Cill Mhantáin Buach O Seachnasaigh was delivered initially in the 1990’s so a new Loch Garman Donnchadh Ceannt push was long overdue. The National Committee spent considerable time in 2007 revising and Cill Dara Christy Morrison updating the programme content. A briefing Ceatharlach Liam Barry workshop in September in Maynooth marked Cill Chainnigh Johnny Comerford the launch of the revised programme. Kieran Laois Tom O'Loughlin Leddy (Croke Park), and Pat Fitzgerald (National Committee) gave an overview of the programme Uibh Fháili Michael Noel Byrne and how it could be best delivered. Additional Iar Mhí Billy Flanagan workshops organised by the Facilitator Longfort Frank Kiernan co-ordinators in December 2007 and January 2008 ensured that all the key stakeholders were well briefed in advance of the programme During 2007, the level Comhairle activity varied delivery. widely throughout the province. In the early months of 2007, the Club Planning Course was Given the encouragement for officers not to still the main focus of attention. Those counties hold a position for more than five years, and that embraced the Comhairle concept at the the consequent election of new officers to outset targeted the few remaining clubs that replace them, the re-launch of the Club Officer hadn’t taken a Club Planning Course to do so – programme came at an opportune time. and one or two counties have now succeeded in completing workshops for every club. In other The programme kicked off in Longford in mid counties, the value and potential rewards of January. The revised programme covers the key participating in Comhairle still hadn’t filtered roles of Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and down to club level, and few if any clubs sought PRO. Each club attending received a manual courses. Ironically, the clubs that are most containing the presentations delivered at the resistant to such initiatives are those that workshops as well as hardcopies of other more might benefit most from the process. Up to detailed background information about the now, participation has been voluntary, but officer roles. All of the workshop material is maybe its time to either give clubs additional also available on www.gaa.ie. In addition to “encouragement” to participate, or introduce workshops on the four key roles, most counties

93 have used the sessions to include a forum on workshops and supporting materials – and insurance, fixtures, fundraising, or some other revise and update them regularly topic of particular interest. Guest speakers with expertise in the area delivered very informative • County Development Officers who promote talks to participants. Attendance at the sessions the Comhairle message at county level and held so far (up to Mid February) in Leinster has arrange the workshops for clubs and other been excellent, and participation in the units undertaking the programmes workshops has been encouraging. • Facilitator co-ordinators who ensure that the In previous years, we noted that active pool of facilitators are comfortable delivering facilitators aren’t very well distributed the programmes and arrange appropriate throughout the province, and some of the training when new programmes are drawn up busiest counties were drawing from a small or existing programmes undergo a major pool of personnel. In October 2007, a group of revision. new facilitators (mainly from Louth) were trained and they have been working hard over • Facilitator trainers at national and provincial the past few months. Hopefully, the new level who design and deliver the workshops facilitators will continue to promote and deliver for new facilitators the programmes for many years, and their • The team of facilitators in the province who commitment has been greatly appreciated by give their time to clubs (often outside their those who have soldiered for the past few own county base) running Comhairle years. workshops, encouraging and supporting clubs A most valuable member of the committee, in completing their club plans. Michael Noel Byrne who has served his county • The staff at Comhairle Laighean who provide (Offaly) and the committee with great backup and support in all of the above distinction for several years vacated his position areas. in December 2007. Michael Noel has been always very diligent in all his duties - one of his We want to extend our appreciation to all of most noteworthy contributions has been his the above for their dedication to the programme grooming of Maureen Kincaid, who now serves and for the countless hours spent planning, as County Development Officer for Offaly. organizing and delivering the workshops over the past three years. In conclusion, a lot of work has been done throughout the province under the Comhairle Mile Buiochas programme over the past three years. A huge Albert Fallon (Cathaoirleach) amount of work had already been carried out Noel Tierney (Runai) by previous committees in this area, and this made our job relatively easy in some counties, but in others we still didn’t achieve a meaningful breakthrough. The successes include Pre-Agm Courses, Club Planning Workshops, Club Officer training, and Facilitator training. During the lifetime of the committee, some of the courses underwent major revisions to try to improve the outcomes for participating clubs. Upwards of one hundred people, all playing key roles have contributed a lot of their time and energy to these initiatives. This group included the following:

• Course designers at national and provincial level who draw up the course content,

94 Coiste Scór Laighean Report

our clubs. Can we say that Scór is organised in our clubs throughout our Province?

Within each county, can we say that we have an active Scór committee which has the support and good will of the County Officers and County Board?

To the Officers of the Leinster Council I would like to thank Liam Ó Néill and Michéal Ó Tá sé de phribhléid agam an tuaráscail gearr seo Dubhshláine for their support and help during a chur faoi bhráid na ndaoine atá bailithe anseo the year. Special thanks to Liam Ó Néill for his ó Cúige Laighean. leadership of Comhairle Laighean and his keen interest in Scór and An Gaeilge during his three Ag deireadh na seascaidhí agus tús na seachtóidí year term of office. bhí an cosúlacht ann go raibh easpa muinin as an Chumann Lúthchleas Gael toisc gur cuireadh ina Sincere thanks to all County Scór Committees, leith nach raibh ann ach Cumann i gcóir spóirt adjudicators and all who helped in promoting amháin ar nós gach aon dream eile spóirt sa tír. Scór throughout the province.

We can feel happy that Scór na nÓg is holding Finally, I would like to thank the members of the its own after so many years and is proving an Leinster Scór Committee, particularly our excellent outlet for young people. Congratulations Cathaoirleach, Michéal Ó Mairtín and our Leas- to Coiste Scór na hIarmhí for the holding of the Rúnaí for their work over the past All-Ireland Scór na nÓg Final in the A.R.T.C. year. Athlone once again this year with great success. Tá sé de phribhléid agam mo bhuíochas a Senior Scór is in some difficulty and has been ghabháil le gach éinne a chabhraigh liom. slipping for some years now. The Leinster Scór Committee are willing and anxious to visit any Mise le Mor-Mheas county to advise and assist in the rejuvenation of Scór. The real success of Scór should be the Dómhnaill Ó hIcéadha internal competition which takes place within Rúnaí

95 Leinster Scór na nÓg Winners 2007 Leinster Senior Scór Winners 2006

RINCE FÓIRNE (Ceili Dancing) RINCE FÓIRNE (Ceili Dancing) Loch Garman Naomh Éanna Loch Garman Oylegate Glenbrien AMHRÁNAIOCHT AONAIR (Solo Song) AMHRÁNAIOCHT AONAIR (Solo Song) Iarmhí Cáit Nic Charthaigh Áth Cliath Shauna Nic Fheargail CEOL UIRLISE (Instrumental Music) CEOL UIRLISE (Instrumental Music) Loch Garman Naomh Éanna Áth Cliath Dochas Éireann AITHRISEOIREACHT / SCEALAIOCHT AITHRISEOIREACHT / SCEALAIOCHT (Recitation / Storytelling) (Recitation / Storytelling) Cill Dara Aoibhín Ní Néill Iarmhí Máire Ní hAodha BAILÉAD GHRUPA (Ballad Groups) BAILÉAD GHRUPA (Ballad Groups) Uibh Fháilí Na Shamrógaí Iarmhí Móta Uile Bán TRÁTH NA gCEIST (Question Time) TRÁTH NA gCEIST (Question Time) Cill Mhantáin Baile Mhainis Longphort Liagan NUACHLEAS (Novelty Act) NUACHLEAS (Novelty Act) Cill Mhantáin Eiméad Corn an Bua Iarmhí Na Shamrógaí RINCE SEIT (Set Dancing) RINCE SEIT (Set Dancing) Longfort Naomh Uinsionn Iarmhí Bunbrosna

96 Hearings Committee Report

The new Disciplinary System took effect in 2007. The Committee met on 19 occasions dealing with Appeals and Hearings.

The system has the intention of simplifying matters but in its first year this was not so. In an environment where decisions are challenged regularly the rules must be changed to be more effective i.e. an infraction is an infraction!!

More and more it is the Disciplinary Committees who are under scrutiny rather than those who breach the rules.

To my colleagues I say thank you for giving of your time and experience. I hope that in the years ahead that the Committee’s work load will be reduced and that players, officials and spectators will act in a responsible manner.

Brendan Ward

Cathaoirleach

97 www.leinstergaa.ie

98