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You are > Home > GAA: Secretary reflects on ‘annus horribilis’
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Wednesday, December 07, 2005
GAA: Secretary reflects on ‘annus horribilis’
In what has been probably the most difficult year ever in the history of Roscommon GAA, County Board Secretary Frank Dennehy will deliver his report to next Saturday’s County Convention. Here the Roscommon Herald reproduces his report.
AFTER A year which can best be described as an annus horribilis, it is with some trepidation that I present my annual report to the 2006 convention.
There was much which was negative about 2005, but the year has ended on a positive note which should give Coisde Chondae Roscomáin, its clubs and its membership plenty of hope and optimism for the year ahead.
Firstly I must convey my sincere apologies to clubs, delegates and all units of the Association within the county for the inaccurate and misleading accounts which appeared in last year’s Clár.
Much has been written and said about the 2004 accounts and this cannot be ignored in this report. Alarm bells regarding the state of our finances began to ring at the start of the year and came to a head at the Connacht Convention in late February.
After a series of meetings involving Connacht Council, Croke Park, our auditors and Mazar’s, the Croke Parkappointed consultants, a root and branch examination of our finances, bank accounts and activities was put in place. For the first time a consolidated balance sheet incorporating all capital expenditure such as Hyde Park, the Kilbride training facilities and all our subsidiary boards was presented to delegates and clubs.
While the combined debt at September 1st, 2005 amounted to €1.38 million, two substantial capital projects accounted for a large part of the debt. However, while the debt was a major problem, the way our affairs were run and the lack of openness and accountability gave more serious cause for concern. Many undesirable practices were highlighted in the “no holes barred” report prepared by Mulhern Leonard.
While some of the criticism in the report was difficult to take, no stone was left unturned by officers of the county board and by the auditors to have everything put on the table.
After many hours, nights, days and meetings spent by a few toiling over the problem, a revised set of accounts was adopted at a five and a half hour long EGM held on October 13th, 2005.
The EGM also adopted a set of far reaching recommendations prepared by Mazar’s. The effect of the Mazar’s report is that there will be a proper governance policy in place for all committees and boards operating under the auspices of Roscommon County Board.
While the audit and investigation seemed to drag on all summer, events were not helped by the sudden and untimely death of Mr. Gerry Stewart of Mazar’s. This long drawn out saga left gloom and depression all over the county. However, an extraordinary generous gesture by Mr. John Murphy lifted the gathering clouds.
His offer of a €1 million interest free loan to help defray the board’s debt was greeted with appreciation and incredulity throughout the county. Details of how the €1 million was used are contained in the audit’s report.
While our finances attracted most attention during the summer, the performance of our county teams did little to inspire confidence. The year started off with defeats in the FBD League at the hands of Mayo and NUIG. A victory over Sligo IT was not enough to make the final.
The Allianz National League campaign turned out to be a nightmare. It opened with a fortuitous draw against Clare in Hyde Park. A late, late Carlow goal left us with another draw in Dr. Cullen Park. We had to wait for a visit from London to notch up a first league win.
After a three week break we travelled with high hopes to Brewster Park, Enniskillen.
However, we suffered one of our heaviest league defeats for some time by 4-13 to 1-12 at the hands of Fermanagh.
Matters went from bad to worse the following week with a 1-17 to 1-11 defeat at the hands of Mayo in the Connacht U-21 championship and a resounding defeat by Monaghan in the fifth league of the league on a 1-19 to 0-13 scoreline.
These defeats saw the reign of Tom Carr and his selectors, Gary Wynne and Jimmy Deane come to an unsavoury end. It was an unedifying experience to witness the manner of the management team’s departure. The great 2003 run by the team under this management was soon forgotten. A small group of players exercising a disproportionate amount of influence undermined three very decent and dedicated individuals. Alesson has to be learned by everyone from this sad episode.
Val Daly, assisted by Pat Doory and Seamus Killoran, took over the reins for the final two league games against Longford and Leitrim.
We had an encouraging victory over Longford but Cloone and Leitrim combined to end the league on a very low note. One of the immediate goals for our new management team must be promotion from Division Two of the Allianz League.
Ruislip was the venue for our debut in the Connacht championship. Warnings about a rejuvenated London side providing the opposition went unheeded. The fairest way to describe our victory was day light robbery and only some excellent goalkeeping by Shane Curran and the crossbar saved us from a humiliating defeat.
Three weeks later we faced defeated All-Ireland finalists Mayo in the Connacht semifinal at Dr. Hyde Park. After a good 20 minutes Mayo gradually got on top. A goal against the run of play on the stroke of half time put the final nail in our coffin. Mayo ran out easy winners by an eight point margin.
Louth were our opponents in the All-Ireland qualifiers.
On a dismal Saturday evening in July, a one-point defeat was our lot. This game saw Val Daly’s short reign as team manager come to an end and credit must go to himself, Pat and Seamus for taking on a thankless task in late March.
London were to be our first opponents in the Tommy Murphy Cup. This game saw our third management team of the year with Donie Shine, Seamus Maher and Acting County Chairman, Michael McGuire, taking charge.
London were easily accounted for. The main feature of this game was the performance of a number of younger players making their debut in senior ranks.
Thurles at 6.30 p.m. on a Tuesday evening was the strange setting for the semifinal of the competition against Tipperary. While a four-point defeat was the outcome, the most encouraging aspect of the game was the appearance of 500 of our loyal supporters in Thurles. It was a clear sign that the tide might be beginning to turn.
This trip to Tipp brought the curtain down on one of the most disappointing seasons for years. The county board appointed a four man committee consisting of Michael McGuire, Seamus Maher, John McGowan and Michael Fahy who were entrusted with the task of finding a new manager.
After many meetings, the name of John Maughan emerged as the name to be placed before the November County Board meeting. His appointment was greeted with huge enthusiasm throughout the county. Everyone wishes John and his two selectors Eamon McManus Snr. and Gerry Fitzmaurice every good wish during the year ahead. It is hoped that this team can restore pride and success to the county.
INTERCLUB
DESPITE OUR trials and tribulations elsewhere, the county experienced one of the best club championships in both codes for many years.
The year started on a positive note with Western Gaels winning the Connacht intermediate final. Tulsk emerged winners of the Connacht junior crown.
However, pride of place must go to Oran hurlers who won the Connacht final. They went on to record a memorable victory over Ballygarvan from Cork in the All-Ireland semi-final. A very credible performance was produced in the final against Galmoy of Kilkenny. This feat by Oran was the forerunner to a very positive year for hurling within the county.
The method for running the senior championship reverted to a league system which was met with general approval. St. Aidan’s and Roscommon Gaels emerged from Group A with Clann na nGael having to fight their way in the losers’ group to maintain their senior status.
Elphin set the early pace in Group B with a victory over St. Ciaran’s. However, it was the manner of their victories over St. Brigid’s and Kilbride that made people look up and take notice. St. Brigid’s regrouped and with wins over Kilbride and St. Ciaran’s slowly they began to reestablish their credentials as favourites to win out the championship.
Strokestown and Padraig Pearses emerged from Group C with Michael Glaveys having to face the relegation play-off. In Group D newly promoted intermediate champions, Western Gaels, found the going tough and had to face the relegation play-offs having lost to Castlerea and St. Faithleach’s.
This left the way clear for quarter-finals, all of which provided some excellent games. St. Brigid’s scraped past defending champions Roscommon Gaels. St. Aidan’s got the better of Strokestown while Elphin overcame Castlerea after a replay. In the remaining quarter-final, a rejuvenated Padraig Pearses side served notice of their intentions with a comprehensive victory over St. Faithleach’s.
Both semi-finals ended in draws but St. Brigid’s ran out comfortable winners over St. Aidan’s in the first semi final.
Padraig Pearses, with a late goal in the gathering gloom, gave the south Roscommon side a hard earned victory over Elphin and a place in the final for the first time since the late 1960s.
After one of the better finals for some time, two John Tiernan goals clinched an overdue final victory for St. Brigid’s. Padraig Pearses, to their credit, fought and many of their younger stars who shone during our championship will be heard of again. St. Brigid’s went onto reach the Connacht club final after defeating Leitrim champions, Kiltubrid in a replay. However, they had to give way to a powerful Salthill side in the Connacht final.
The intermediate championship was run on the old system of a knockout competition with a losers’ group. The main feature of the draw for the competition was the number of local derbies which emerged. This added spice and interest to the competition.
Shannon Gaels, Boyle, St. Ronan’s, Tulsk, St. Dominic’s and Eire Óg emerged victorious and contested the quarter-finals. Boyle established themselves as the replay specialists with victories over Shannon Gaels in the quarter-final and St. Ronan’s in the semi-final.
St. Dominic’s reached the semi-finals with a narrow win over Eire Óg. Kilmore got their act together and reached the semi-final via the losers’ group. They overcame St. Dominic’s in the semi final after a replay.
This left the stage set for a final between two youthful sides. However, Boyle waged the odds and, inspired by the O’Donohoe clan, they ran out comfortable and deserving winners. It is encouraging to see Boyle, the second town in the county, back in senior ranks.
Castlerea St. Kevin’s were surprising winners of the Junior A championship. They overcame Oran in the final while St. Brigid’s captured another title by defeating Boyle in the Junior B final.
It was encouraging to note that all games, for the most part, were played in a good spirit and free from indiscipline. It must also be stated that Four Roads and Athleague produced one of the most exciting hurling finals in years.
I would like to thank all referees, officials and clubs for their co-operation in making this year’s championships such a great success.
FINANCE
DEBATE ON finance has dominated the last 12 months.
It became abundantly clear in the earlier part of the year that the county board was living beyond its means. The county could not continue spending money it did not have.
Serious cutbacks in expenditure were implemented. John Murphy’s interest free loan enabled the county board to clear most of its debts. Ballymore Properties’ continued support was also a crucial factor during the year. Their generous support in relation to the Kilbride development is much appreciated.
I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to our other generous sponsors who support individual county teams and our various competitions. Our gates showed a considerable improvement. This improvement is due in no small way to the dedicated and hard working group of gate collectors who come out week in, week out in all kinds of weather to ensure this valuable source of income is maintained.
The income from our Supporters Lotto/Club Cáirde has fallen away during the year. One of the first priorities for the new finance committee is to review this potentially valuable source of income. The finance committee was resurrected on an interim basis in September and carried out some valuable work within a short space of time.
A special three man committee consisting of Michael Fahy, Larry Brennan and Michael Smith have been appointed to organise the county’s trip to New York next May. This is a new departure for the county and it is hoped that it will be the forerunner to similar ventures such as golf classics, days at the races and other one-off events which will provide badly needed resources for the county.
Dominic Connolly steps down at convention as County Treasurer. I would like to thank him for his hard work over the last three years.
Thanks also to his able assistant, Liam Bracken, for his continued presence at gates and games during the year.
DEVELOPMENT
MUCH HAS been said and written during the year about the Hyde Park and Kilbride facilities.
Hyde Park, under a dedicated committee, continues to rank as one of the top stadia in the country. The ground continues to be kept in first class condition by a small group of dedicated individuals. It is available to all and sundry for most months of the year.
Earlier this year the fiveyear seats were rearranged in an attempt to ease some of the confusion on match days caused mostly by unreasonable patrons refusing to occupy their allocated seats.
The past year also saw the formation of a committee to organise big match days. A comprehensive match day plan was put in place. The plan worked extremely smoothly for the two big games that were played during the year.
The Kilbride training facility attracted many column inches during the year. However, it has turned out to be an excellent training facility, which has been in use by the county since early November.
Many thanks must go to the Kilbride club for putting their pitch at the disposal of the county board. Credit must also go to our former chairman, Stephen Banahan, who was the driving force behind the project. It is hoped the facility on which the county board will have a 20 year licence will be the catalyst for an improvement in the fortunes of our county teams.
FIXTURES AND DISCIPLINE
THANKS TO the extraordinary effort put in by the GAC under the guidance of secretary Seamus Maher and his two chairmen, Michael McGuire and Joe Moore, a substantial fixtures programme has been completed. The new format of our senior championship worked extremely well and it is a great pity that the intermediate championship wasn’t run on the same basis.
There are many motions for debate before convention requesting reviews of our leagues and championships.
Many of these motions concern the non-availability of county panelists for some club games.
While this is a desirable objective we must not lose sight of the fact that a regular series of games for ordinary players is essential for the proper running of clubs. With dwindling populations in many parts of the county, serious consideration will have to be given to viability of some of our clubs in particular.
At underage level, some of our competitions will have to be reduced to nine-a-side or 11-a-side to allow all clubs to compete on a worthwhile basis.
Our referees continue to give to the county sterling service. Thanks to the dedicated work of a small referees’ committee down the years, there are now more referees available to officiate at our games than has been the case for years.
Discipline on the playing field has also improved considerably with very few serious incidents to deal with during the year. However, we must continue to be vigilant and ensure that “wrong doers” are dealt with fairly and firmly.
It was also a magnificent year for our ladies footballers.
The county team won the ladies intermediate championship with a great win over Down. The St. Brigid’s ladies achieved a similar feat in the club championship, also at intermediate level.
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
FOR THE first time in many years, nearly all of the positions on the committee are being contested at convention.
This is a most healthy development for the future running of the affairs of the county. To those members who are standing down or who will not be returning after convention, I would thank you for your commitment and loyalty over the years.
A number of motions before convention deal with the re-organisation of various committees within the county board. Many positions on those sub-committees will be filled by people from outside the management committee.
This is a welcome development as it will help freshen up the running of the various activities within the county committee.
During the year Michael McGuire took over as acting chairman and was immediately catapulted into what could best be described as a crisis. He had very little time to read himself into his position. I would like to thank him for his calmness and the professional and caring attitude he has brought to the position. He was always a help with sound and sensible advice. I would also like to extend good wishes to our former chairman, Stephen Banahan.
SCÓR
ITWAS a memorable year for our Scór committee.
Their year started off on a high note with Kilglass Gaels in Scór na nÓg and Clann na nGael in Scór Sinsear winning Connacht titles in the Tráth na gCeist competition.
St. Dominic’s were also successful at Connacht level in Scór Sinsear in the Rince Seit competition.
Kilglass Gaels and Clann na nGael went on to clinch a unique double with both winning All-Ireland titles in the Tráth na gCeist competition.
The committee rounded off their year with the production of a magnificent history of Scór within the county stretching back over 35 years.
The book was launched at a most enjoyable function at Hyde Centre in October and a memorable night of music, song and reminiscing was had by all.
GENERAL
LAST APRIL’S Congress saw the removal of Rule 42 from our rule book.
Full credit must go to both sides of the argument who conducted the debate in a responsible and rancour free atmosphere. The year also saw major changes in dealing with contentious disciplinary cases.
The Disputes Resolution Authority, which came into being during the year, has had its critics. Like all such innovations, the authority has to be given time to find its feet. It is a marked improvement on the old situation which prevailed prior to this year when players and units of the Association were bringing their grievances through the courts.
Next April sees Sean Kelly’s term as Uachtarán come to an end. His time as president has brought a badly needed breath of fresh air to our Association. He also took a keen interest in the problems the county endured during the year. Despite his busy schedule he was always on hand to give encouragement and advice.
Good luck to his successor Nicky Brennan who will have a difficult act to follow.
It has been a wonderful year at intercounty level with some marvellous games in both codes right throughout the year. In football a “gang of three” seems to be emerging. This was highlighted by the fact that only three counties were represented in the All-Stars.
While it is easy to criticise the All Stars, it is up to each county to take up the challenge.
A new innovation for the coming year will be the appointment of a full-time administrator to help with the running of the county board affairs. Interviews will take place shortly and it is hoped that this appointment will ease the burden on county board officers and committees.
Sadly the grim reaper took his toll during the year. We mourn the passing of Phelim Murray, one of the few survivors of our 1943/1944 side. The deaths of Enda Colleran, Sean Purcell and Jack Mahon, childhood heroes of many of us, put the difficulties our county has had into perspective.
After what has been a traumatic year, I wish to conclude my report by conveying my sincere thanks to a number of people who were an enormous help to us during the year.
Firstly to my colleagues of the County Management committee for their patience and support. To John Prenty, Tommy Moran, Larry Quinn and their colleagues on Comhairle Chonnacht, I thank you for standing by us in difficult times.
I thank Cathy Slattery and Jimmy Dunne from the Finance Management committee in Croke Park with whom we had almost daily contact during much of the year. I commend you for your professionalism and courtesy.
Thanks to Diane from the County Board Office who was always available.
My thanks to the invaluable assistance we have received from our solicitor, John Kelly and our auditors Sean Mulhern and Freda McGuire. Their professionalism was invaluable on a few very difficult days.
I would also like to thank my two work colleagues at Elphin Credit Union, Colette McLoughlin and Madeline Flanagan, who provided much-needed cover for me on many occasions during the year.
Finally to my wife and daughter both called Angela, for their understanding and advice and without whose support and loyalty the year would have been more difficult.
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