March 26th ‘13
Congress approves Affiliations motion
Congress 2013 Report
Annual Camogie Congress of 2013 in Westport, Co Mayo will go down as a memorable one for the Camogie Association. At Hotel Westport the passing of Motion 11- Individual Affiliation Fees per member was passed with a 72% majority which the Camogie Association hope will provide a solid footing for the future.
Over the past number of months all counties and clubs have viewed presentations on the proposed Affiliation scheme which will see each member pay an affiliation fee to the Camogie Association from 2014 and this was passed by more than the required two thirds majority. In line with this new scheme the registration dates for clubs, counties and provinces has been put back to allow this process to run more smoothly.
At present, each club pays a €300 affiliation fee to the Camogie Association that covers all its members. From next year, each adult member will pay €23, with €5 of that retained by the county board, €2 by the provincial council and the rest entering central coffers.
The fee for youth members will be €13. Again, the relevant county board will retain €5, with €2 going to the provincial council and the remainder belonging to the Camogie Association. The result will be that whereas membership is responsible for just 10% of the association’s income at present, that percentage will increase to 29% of a greater overall figure.
“This is a huge move away from where we are” said the Camogie Association’s acting director-general, Mary O’Connor. “We have time to plan what we want to do but a lot of the money will be earmarked for development. The certainty of knowing what the revenue will be will allow county boards and the provinces to plan year-on-year.”
“The focus on development will be on a broad level, not just games. Raising the profile of the games and investing in good governance will be important too. But certainly, we will be looking to support coaching courses and putting programmes in place so that the costs aren’t prohibiting people who want to play camogie.”
There was disappointment for Ulster Camogie when a motion aimed at reducing the number of half way venue games for our counties was defeated. Despite some passionate plea’s from Ulster Delegate Rosemary Hughes Merry, Jennifer Cultra of Down, Antrim Chairperson Una O’Halloran and Down Senior Player Fionnuala Carr the motion came only a couple of votes short of the two thirds required. All-Ireland Club Semi-Finals will remain on a home and away basis following a Wexford motion calling for them to move to half way venues was defeated (76% against).
A Wexford motion to bring the Club Championships into the calendar year was defeated as Croke Park would not be available to host games in December however their motion to reduce the mandatory purchase of All-Ireland Final tickets from three to two was passed. Hosting of the Gael Linn competition on an annual basis remains unchanged despite a motion to make it optional from Ard Chomhairle. Small sided games will remain at U12 level after a motion from Connacht Council to change to U11 failed.
Meanwhile, delegates were addressed by the chief executive of the Irish Sports Council John Treacy, who praised the association as an organisation based on volunteerism but run professionally. He congratulated members for the manner in which the association had evolved since ISC funding came on stream in 2005.
Congress 2014 will take place at an Ulster venue.
County Table Quiz
All the ”brain boxes” are busy brushing up on their general knowledge in preparation for the forthcoming County Table Quiz Final which is being held in Blackhill GAA Social Centre on Friday April 5th. Great prizes are up for grabs on the night. By now most clubs have organised their own table quiz’s of which 5 top tables go through to the final .
County Board Meeting
The April Meeting will take place in the Shirley Arms, Carrickmacross at 8pm.
Club Notes
Clontibret
Oh what a night!!! Probably the best way to describe Clontibret GAA’s ‘So You think You Can Dance’ in the Hotel Hillgrove last Friday evening. Packed to capacity, in excess of 800 patrons were amazed at the unbelievable talent local people unveiled as performance after performance oozed creativity, energy, fun and total professionalism. It really was a night to remember and everyone has their own special memories and tales to recall whether as performers, spectators or judges.
Congratulations to the girls who flew the camogie flag so proudly on the night.Chloe, Mary, Jennifer, Niamh, Emily,Hannah Melinda, and Rioghnach had the unenviable task of opening the evening’s entertainment and setting the tone for the rest of the event. And boy did they do this in style, ‘bringing the house down’ with their lovely Irish dancing using hurls to enhance it. Many thanks to Patricia, Thomas (McSkeane), Susan and Thomas (McGuigan) who have worked with the girls over the past 8 weeeks. Apparently they were so impressive that they have been asked to perform at a wedding later in the year!!
And who would have wanted to be the last competitive act of the evening? Well that was the lot of Marie, Tara, Fergal and John Paul. Did it faze them? Not in the slightest and they gave a highly-charged, energetic and colourful display that flabbergasted an audience who probably thought they had seen it all!
But what of Eleanor and Thomas (Greenan)? What an amazing interpretation of Emili Sande’s ‘Read all about it’ (Our version of things). Elegant, sensual and so poised it really blew the audience away and this was reflected in the subsequent voting pattern where, not only did they win the judges award for ‘Best Group Act’ but they scooped ‘Best Individual Female’ and ‘Best Individual Male’ awards as well!
Congratulations to everyone involved in staging such a slick, professional show which was something the entire community can be so proud of!
Training continues as per usual during the coming week: Seniors Wed at 7.30pm; Advanced Group Wed at 6pm; Beginners Thurs at 5pm; U-14 Sat at 4.30pm.
Our U-12 panel are excitedly preparing for their trip to Croke Park to partake in the ‘Caman to Croker’ development day. Final details regarding travel arrangements etc will be forwarded to parents during the week.
The Louth fixtures arrived today and, to put it mildly, a lot of synchronising of fixtures will have to take place in the coming weeks as there is a virtual glut of matches. But more of that anon.
Finally the club wishes everyone a very ‘Happy Easter!’
Inniskeen
Congratulations
Congratulations to Mairead and David Monahan and also Sinead and Trevor Hillard on their recent new arrivals.
Training
Grattan Pairc currently not open until after March 27th, Senior Players will be notified via Teamer when Training will be taking place. All new and past players are always welcome to join.
Juvenile Training
Will soon be recommencing for our Juveniles.
Castleblayney
Concra Wood golf club was the setting last Saturday night for Castleblayney Camogie Club’s dinner dance and 40 year celebrations. A total of 150 people sat down to an excellent meal to celebrate camogie in Castleblayney.
Photos from the past 40 years greeted everyone on arrival and a slideshow was playing throughout the night. These brought great enjoyment and laughter to all and were the topic of many conversations as past and present players reminisced.
In what was one of the best years for the club, a great array of silverware from both Senior and Juvenile teams was on display on the night. These included County League, Armagh League and County Championship trophies. Also an Ulster Junior Shield which was won by the senior team; Under 16 and Under 14 Armagh League trophies and an Under 15 Louth League trophy. Both senior and junior teams were presented with their medals. This was followed by Senior Player of the Year award which was presented to Orla McCarthy; with Amber Lam receiving the Junior Player of the Year. Most Improved Player went to Kelly Fisher. The ‘Eddie Murphy’ Club-Person of the year was awarded to chairperson Teresa Lam. Sr. Mary was recognised for all her involvement with Camogie in primary schools and Sr. Edel was also recognised for her involvement in secondary school Camogie. A presentation was also made to the 1988 team on winning a first ever primary school title for the club. Mary Murphy was presented with an award for all her dedicated years of service and commitment to the club.
The night was a brilliant success, mainly due to the excellent work by the committee in organising the function so efficiently. The celebrations continued long into what was a most memorable and enjoyable night for all who attended.
The Club would like to thank all the staff at Concra Wood for their service and hospitality on the night.
On Sunday morning past and present players gathered at the astro turf as some of the past players showed the current team how to play!! Paul has already signed a few up for the current season with Clare Mc Elroy first on the list!! Afterwards everyone went to the girls school where a bench was unveiled in memeory of the late Eddie Murphy, one of the founders of the club. The wonderful weekend of celebrations ended with refreshments in the girls school. The club would like to thank everyone who celebrated with us and also the Girls National School and Our Ladys Secondary School for the use of their facilities.
Training continues every Wednesday at 5 and Sunday at 1 in the hurling field.
Cake and Bric-a-brac this Friday at 4.15 in the Scout Hall: All support will be greatly appreciated.
Truagh
The club host their annual draw in St. Mellans Complex on Easter Sunday night at 9.30pm. Lines can still be purchased from any of the camogie girls to be in with a chance to win lots of goodies including numerous hampers, easter eggs etc.
Table Quiz
The Club wish to thank all those who supported our quiz on Monday 18th March and Congratulate the finalists who advance to the County Final in Blackhill on Friday 5th April. They are as follows:
1st. Team Gabriel Mc. Aree
2nd.Team Peader Mc. Cluskey
3rd Team Kieran Mc. Kenna
4th Team Lorraine Tierney
5th Team Brid Treanor
Draw Results 1ST Eilish Treanor, 2nd Peader Mc. Cluskey, 3rd. Kieran Mc. Kenna
By michael Wed 27th Mar
