Ferbane GAA AGM Report
Chairman’s Address
Outgoing chairman Liam Flaherty, who was re-elected later in the meeting, took the opportunity to congratulate several local teams and clubs for their success, and also to thank a lot of people for their efforts in keeping the club going during a year that presented challenges and opportunities in equal measure. He congratulated Gallen Vocational school for their incredible achievement in winning the All Ireland Vocational schools title in Croke Park, and also gave special praise to the Minor and Ladies Clubs, both of whom had a wonderful year with a string of championship and Féile successes. He congratulated club members who enjoyed a successful year competing in Scór competitions, and also thanked the adult footballers and their management for their efforts in a year when all three adult teams playing during the summer reached the knockout stages of their respective championships.
He thanked several of the club stalwarts who continued to do the club great service in 2011, including Martin Dolan and Tom Molloy for helping out with teams, Gerry Carroll and George Digan for their work in the upkeep of the field, John Mollen as players rep and instigator of so much of the social and fundraising activity, Joe Mannion in the gym and several others who all played their part in ensuring that the GAA club remains a central part of life in the town.
Many local businesses and individuals were also thanked for their sponsorship and donations, while tribute was also paid to Flaherty Fuels for their ongoing support in what remains the longest ongoing relationship between a club and a local enterprise in Offaly GAA.
Secretary’s Report
Outgoing secretary Aidan Doyle, who stepped down from his position, also thanked those volunteers who kept the club going, as well as other sporting clubs in the area for their continued co-operation and support. He also paid a special tribute to Life President Kieran Feeney, who sadly passed away earlier this year and who was at the heart of everything good in Ferbane GAA throughout his life.
Treasurer’s Report
Club Treasurer Kathleen Foley presented the full financial position of the club and illustrated that while costs are in general being kept to a minimum and that the local community have been hugely supportive when fundraisers were taking place, that a community effort would be required to ensure that the club’s position did not deteriorate any further. The issue of club membership was raised and both former and current players were urged to be sure to submit membership fees, set at €20 for an individual and €25 for a family, as soon as possible. The club has a very small non-playing membership and it was suggested that a membership drive amongst past players would be worthwhile, while club member and county board vice chairman Padraig Boland spoke of how clubs all across Ireland were falling into difficulty by either fielding players who had not got their membership paid or paying membership on behalf of those players.
It was agreed that all those who wished to play for Ferbane in the coming year had to have their membership dues paid, either to Ferbane, Belmont or Ferbane/Belmont minor club, by the registration date of the 31st of March or else they could not take part this year.
Election of Officers
The following committee was put in place for the coming year:
Chairman: Liam Flaherty
Vice Chairman: Kevin Gavin
Secretary: Unfilled – TBC
Assistant Secretary: Lisa Doyle
Treasurer: Kathleen Foley
Assistant Treasurer: Pat Browne
Safety Officer: George Digan
Registrar: Lisa Doyle
County Board Delegate: Unfilled – TBC
Players’ Representative: John Mollen
Irish Officer: Aidan Keenaghan
PRO: Kevin Egan
Additional Committee Members: Ronan Daly, Fergal Spollen, Kieran Coughlan, Martin Dolan, Niall Fitzgerald.
Team Management:
The following managers were ratified at the AGM:
Senior: Ollie Daly manager with George Digan as trainer
Junior A: Damien Phibbs, assisted by Brian Keenaghan
Junior B: James Dolan
Under-21: Brian Lowry
The senior management asked that players be notified that there will be outdoor training at the following times over the Christmas Period:
December 17th, 3pm
December 27th, 2pm
December 30th, Noon
