ROCKCORRY G.A.A.
CLUB NOTES
17th January 2012
Annual General Meeting
Our Annual General Meeting was successfully held last Thursday 12th January in the clubrooms. There was a good turnout and I would like to thank all who braved the elements and attended the meeting. Our club secretary Martina McKeown presented her wide-ranging annual report which was divided into the following sections:- senior team, reserve team and minor team achievements, county minors, underage structures, details of our ASAP policy, financial affairs, property development, administration, club membership, Scor competitions, public relations, sponsorship, referees, outgoing officers, bereavements, get well wishes and looking to the future.
Youth Officer’s Report
With regards to our juvenile teams Pascal Smyth gave a detailed account of all the events and achievements of our underage teams during 2011 and presented his report under the following headings:- Go Games, under 12 team, under 14 team, under 16 team, under 18 team, juvenile coaching, code of best practice & volunteerism, Bosco Carroll memorial cup. He paid tribute to all the underage coaches for their efforts in coaching and looking after our young players over the course of a fun-filled year of activities and he also thanked referees who officiated at blitz sessions. He stressed the importance of building up a strong coaching culture in the club and urged more club members, including parents, current players, retired players to show a willingness to gain coaching qualifications in order to sustain a vibrant youth section and ensure the long-term viability of the club into the future.
Treasurer’s Report
Tina Rooney presented her financial report which again was very comprehensive and gave an item by item account of our income and expenditure over the past year. She highlighted the revenue generated from our Top 4 lotto sales accounts for 50% with the balance being produced by other fund raising events such as the vintage hay festival, treasurer hunt, Rock country night, Come Dine for Rock night, membership, soccer tournament etc. Regarding our expenditure it was very evident from the spreadsheets that insurance & affiliation’s along with injuries and physiotherapy treatment costs remains a significant constraint on the club. She emphasized the importance of administering the GAA injury scheme properly to ensure the club can reclaim medical & operation costs.
Chairman’s Address
During the course of the chairman’s address Jimmy McGeough reflected on the teams achievements throughout the year. He said the club owed a huge debt of gratitude to the senior team management of Cormac McFadden, Michael Conlon and David McGregor for the endless hours they put in to prepare the team during 2011. On the reserve team he pointed out that they found the going tough after gaining promotion last year. He stated the standard of football in division 3 was much higher than division 4 but they gave a good account of themselves on the field of play. He thanked Anthony Tate and Garry Calvert for their enthusiasm they brought to the management of the reserve team. On the minor front he stated that the club amalgamated with Killeevan to form Rock-Sarsfields and highlighted that this group of lads blended well and had a very successful year winning the division 2 league cup. He said the standard of football in division 2 was a very high standard and the experienced gained will be a great benefit to both sets of players in years to come. Regarding the championship he made reference to the never-to-be-forgotten trilogy of matches against Magheracloone where they were eventually beaten by a last minute goal. He paid tribute to the team mentors Pascal Smyth, Enda Kilpatrick, Jim Graham, Adrian Thompson for their commitment during the year. He then moved onto the juvenile section of the club and expressed that this was a very important part of the club. Many people give endlessly of their time to instill the basic skills of the game. He thanked all underage mentors in recognition of the immense voluntary commitment of time and effort they devoted to promote and nurture our games at the grass root level. He thanked Pascal Smyth and his sub-committee for administering the juvenile affairs of the club and he also thanked the Carroll family for donating a lovely cup in memory of Bosco Carroll who was a great servant of the club. Regarding the financial affairs he thanked the members who sell the Top 4 lotto and appealed to club members for a greater need to participant and help out with the raising funds. He thanked Bridie & Aidan Sheridan, Noreen Calvert and Mickey Friary who continue to make an invaluable contribution towards the club with their efforts. He thanked the local community and beyond for supporting the lotto and stated it was very much appreciated during these difficult and challenging times. He thanked club secretary Martina McKeown for her work and assistance during the year and he also thanked club treasurer Tina Rooney who took care of the clubs finances with great care and attention. He thanked Ann Carroll for taking care of the team jerseys and he knows the lads appreciate putting on spanking clean, fresh jerseys. He acknowledged the great work of Anthony Clerkin and Seamus Tate for looking after the pitch and lining out the field before matches and he thanked our gate man Mickey Friary for his unselfish work in carrying out a demanding job. He extended his deepest sympathy to all club members who suffered bereavements during the year in particular to the families of Francie Joe McPhillips, James Keely, Joe Patterson and Caoimhe McCormick. Finally, he wished the players involved at county level the very best of luck in their endeavors to nail down a place on the various county teams and wished the club all the best in 2012. He expressed that this was a very important year for the club. We have the players to make a challenging effort to win a trophy. He said it was up to the committee, management and players to put their shoulder to the wheel and do something special.
Election of Officers
The election of officers was as follows; President Canon G. Ferguson, Chairman Jimmy McGeough, Vice Chairman Ollie McQuillan Secretary Martina McKeown, Assistant Secretary Siobhan McQuillan, Treasurer Tina Rooney, Assistant Treasurer Ann Carroll, PRO Michael Carroll, Players Representative Mark Daly, Youth Officer Pascal Smyth, Registrar Pat Brannigan, Irish & Cultural Officer Martina McKeown, Committee Members Sean Rooney, Tom Daly, Hugh McGuirk, Anthony Clerkin, Sean McCormill. The following positions were not filled Under 21 delegate and the ASAP Officer and will be appointed in due course.
“Green Pride, It’s In Our Blood”
This year’s annual yearbook entitled “Green Pride, It’s In Our Blood” was officially launched at the AGM last Thursday night and is now available to buy. All proceeds will be donated towards the Irish Heart Foundation so you’re not only getting a wonderful album of memories you are also supporting a very worthy cause. If you are interested in buying a copy of the yearbook please get in touch with me or send a text message to 086-1041165 or an email to rockcorrygaa@live.ie.
Team Management
It’s been a few months now since the completion of last year’s season but the committee has been working behind the scenes on the selection of a new team manager and hope to make a big announcement very soon. A players meeting will take place tomorrow evening Friday 20th January at 6.45pm. ALL players (senior, reserve, under 21 and minor players) will be requested to attend.
Club Membership
Club membership is now due once again and can be paid to our club Registrar Pat Brannigan. The annual subscription for adults is €20 with all juveniles under the age of 18 costing €5 and any student that can provide a valid student card the membership fee is €5. With the new football season approaching it is important that ALL players pay their membership as soon as possible otherwise you will not be covered under the GAA insurance scheme. Please note that club membership will close on Thursday 31st March.
Scór Sinsear
Please note the following dates for the upcoming Scór Sinsear. Friday 17th February (Semi Final 1), Saturday 18th February (Semi Final 2) and Saturday 25th February (County Final). If anybody is interested in representing the club in any of the following events please contact our cultural officer Martina McKeown (Figure Dancing, Recitation, Solo Singing, Instrumental Music, Ballad Group, Novelty Act, Question time and Set Dancing)
Social Night
The committee is currently finalising plans for the annual social and presentation night. Tickets will be on sale shortly and it is hoped that people within the community will turn out in large numbers to support the club as we get ready for the 2012 season. Watch this space for more details.
Monaghan GAA Awards Night
Monaghan GAA is holding their Annual Awards Night in the Hillgrove Hotel on Friday 27th January 2012.
Dinner will be served at 8.00pm sharp and tickets cost €30 each and can be obtained from Anita Finnegan (Rúnaí Cunta).
TOP 4 LOTTO Jackpot €10,700
The numbers drawn last Monday night were 3, 7, 13 and 27. There was no jackpot winner of €10,600.00. The following won €15 each :- Kieran, John & Anthony c/o. Maple Bar, Annie McGinn Newbliss, Keelan Clerkin Rockcorry, Paddy McKeown Dartrey, Eugene Cleary Rockcorry, Sean Greenan Rockcorry, Noel Corley Newbliss, Sean Gavan Aghabog. Congratulations to all the winners. Next week’s jackpot will be €10,700.00 and the draw will take place in the Stag Inn, Newbliss.
Annual Top 4 Lotto Ticket
Just a reminder that you can support the club’s Top 4 lotto by entering for either a 12 month, 6 month or a 3 month period. To play simply select your four numbers between 1 and 28 complete the form and you need never miss a draw again! Tickets cost €90 for the 12 month option, so there is a great incentive to play. The annual ticket holders had a great run during last year’s lotto draws and we encourage all of our ex members and community to play and support the club’s Top 4 lotto. Your continued support is always much appreciated and we wish you good luck in future draws.
By michael Tue 17th Jan
