LOUGHMORE/CASTLEINEY G.A.A. CLUB Weekly Notes 17th December 2019




AGM: The AGM of the club was held in our club rooms on Saturday 30th November with a good sized attendance present.
With the secretary’s report held over to the adjourned convention treasurer Willie Butler produced, in great detail, the club finances for 2019, with the weekly GAA club lotto and County Board draw keeping our heads above water. Unfortunately due to work commitments Willie stepped down from the job and glowing tributes were paid to his work over the past couple of years.
Chairman, Eugene Stapleton in a wide ranging address stated that while it may not be the best year on the playing fields for the club at club level it certainly was a great one for the club on the County scene with the McGrath brothers Noel, John and Brian collecting All Ireland senior hurling medals, with Noel receiving Man of the Match awards in both the semi and All Ireland hurling final. He later collected his third All Star Award. Also Ciaran Connolly played at midfield on the U/20 All Ireland hurling winning side. He congratulated other players from the club who played on County minor hurling and football teams and senior football also.
He had special mention for Jim Nolan, Chairman of the lotto and John O’ Connell on the Golf Classic. He also thanked Michael Lowry TD and John Treacy for their work on gaining the Sports Capital Grant. He stated that our fundraiser The Chaser was a phenomenal success and thanked Mary Newman for her professional assistance and the club’s hardworking committee and exhibitors and sponsors for their support.
He went on the thank Dick Egan who looks after the team jerseys and always has them in impeccable shape for our wide range of games. He thanked Paddy and Jimmy Hennessy & Gerry Stapleton for their work around the club house etc.

Also the local schools of Castleiney and Loughmore, the juvenile club and those who organise the Annual Late Eddie Connolly Tournament. Also his fellow club officers and Mid Chairman & Secretary during the year.
The following officers for 2020 were then elected:
President: Fr. Paudie Corbett
V/Presidents: Fr. O’ Rourke, Pat Cullen and Mons. Dooley
Chairman: Eugene Stapleton
V/Chairman: Brendan Meagher
Secretary: Held Over
Asst. Secretaries: Pat Healy/Yvonne Doyle
Treasurer: Eamon Connolly
PRO: Pat Healy
Mid and Co. Board Rep.: John Treacy
Football Board Rep.: Pat Healy
IT Officer: Diarmuid O Braonain
Children Officer: Siobhan Meade
Juvenile Liaison Officer: Tomas McGrath

All team management was held over to the adjourned convention.

Adjourned Convention:
This meeting was held on Friday 13th December last in the club rooms. Secretary Tom McGrath produced in great detail all the club’s activities of 2019 with all games and fundraisers detailed in which we were pipped in a few games that could have our senior teams in particular reach great heights.

The following team managers were put in place:

Minor Hurling and Football: Shane Hennessy
U/21 Hurling and Football: James Connolly
Senior Hurling and Football: Frankie McGrath
Management of junior hurling and intermediate football: Held Over

Juvenile Club: Please note that help is required for bag packing this weekend Friday 20th and Saturday 21st in Dunnes Stores, Thurles. (urgent request). Contact Yvonne 086 831 5922 to volunteer 2 hours.

Membership: Much discussion took place on the membership issue and it was clearly outlined that if any player was unlucky to be injured and not a paid up club member he will not be covered by the GAA injury scheme.
Membership was fixed at 100 euro for players.
Non players and students at 50euro to be paid before the first training of 2020.

Sympathy: On behalf of the club we offer our sympathy to the wife and Connolly family, Barronstown on the passing of former player of the fifties Tom Connolly whose remains were flanked by a Club guard of honour to Loughmore Church on Sunday evening last with burial on Monday in Loughmore.
May Tom Rest in Peace.