08 December 2009
Despite the potential for 3 elections at tonight’s Antrim County Convention, in the end just one vote took place to decide the make-up of officers for next year’s Management Committee.
St Mary’s Ahoghill had a motion on the Clar which if passed would have allowed outgoing treasurer Gerald McGarry to continue to serve beyond 5 years. However the motion failed to get the required two-thirds majority and consequently the five-year rule applied. Out-going vice-treasurer Tyrone Eastwood was then elected unopposed as treasurer. His position was taken by Brendan Wilson who was also unopposed after the other candidates also withdrew. Several delegates expressed their appreciation to Gerald McGarry who has served as treasurer and vice-treasurer for a total of 13 years.
An election for delegates to Ulster council was also not required as one candidate withdrew leaving incumbents Jim Murray and Frank Smyth unopposed.
Several motions and recommendations were on the Clar. Ruairi Og’s proposal that panels for inter-provincial and national club competitions be raised to 30 was passed by a strong majority. St Gall’s motion that the square-ball rule in both hurling and football be deleted was defeated by a similar margin. Several recommendations pertaining to financial arrangements prior to entry to league competitions for 2010 were deferred to County Committee.
A further recommendation from Oisin’s that a greater number of club games should be fixed for the summer months was passed almost unanimously. The subject of club activity attracted lively debate with a general consensus that clubs should have more games scheduled for the months of May, June and July. This came with a warning from officials that this would probably entail some fixtures having to be played when county players would not be available
A recommendation from Davitt’s that alternative arrangements be permitted to provide for players wishing to play another code for another club where their home club could not provide that code was also passed.
Chairman’s Address 2009
For the fourth and final time as your incoming chairman, it is my privilege to address you at our Annual Convention. The fact that we are now in our second successive year with a midweek slot for this meeting could mean a few things. Is it that everything is running so smoothly and to everybody’s satisfaction that there is little that requires any debate? Or, could it be that many delegates just want to get this annual event over and done with and back to matters of more concern to them within their own clubs. It is probably a combination of both.
County Teams
While it probably is just coincidence, but when a year ends with the digit 9, Antrim does seem to have better fortunes. The return of our senior footballers to an Ulster final after a 3 decade absence was certainly unexpected, but more than welcome. Many might consider that it all started in the sunshine and showers at Ballybofey when we turned over Donegal in their own back yard. That was certainly the technical starting point for a good championship run but surely gaining promotion from Division 4 was an indication that this was a team with unlimited ambition.
It would be churlish too to ignore the signs that things might be improving, particularly after winning the Tommy Murphy Cup in 2008. Nonetheless, after defeating Donegal, it would have been all in vain had we not then defeated Cavan in the semi-final. That we did and but for a poor start, we certainly were not out of our depth against Tyrone in the Ulster final. That was reinforced by the performance against the eventual All Ireland champions in Tullamore.
I only hope that it will not be another 30 years before we see such fantastic support for an Antrim team. All credit must go to the players and particularly to Liam Bradley and his mentors. Very often the simple, no nonsense approach is the best way forward and “The Baker” proved that this year.
While 5 players winning an Irish News Ulster All Star award was welcome, I think it was disappointing that Michael McCann was the only National All Star nominee. Even worse, he was the token Antrim representative on the Ulster Inter-provincial squad and the only player not given a run-out at any stage. The bottom line is that until we win something, we will never get the respect we might deserve. That should serve as enough impetus for the players and management in 2010.
The season began on a relatively high note for the senior hurlers when they turned a nine point deficit at one stage, into an unexpected victory over Wexford at Casement. That should have set us up nicely for a potential promotion spot and National league title. Whatever went wrong from there is anybody’s guess, but drawing with Westmeath and losing to Carlow put an end to those hopes.
It is my belief that far too much emphasis was placed on the history-making Leinster championship match with Dublin. The writing was on the wall. Dublin secured their Division 1 league status relatively easily and over the past few years they have been making steady progress. We were doing anything but the same. The consequence of “putting all the eggs in one basket” was then evidenced by a shambolic performance against Laois in the play-offs.
I take no pleasure in the reality that our efforts in the committee rooms secured our McCarthy Cup status. It is highly likely that subsequent boardroom diplomacy will see that relegation threat removed for the next 3 years. So, the pressure is off. A new management team is in place and (I say this with caution,) a relatively good draw in the championship awaits us in 2010. This year we need to start doing the talking on the pitch. Our thanks must go to Sambo and Woody who have been great servants to our county for the best part of 30 years. No one will be more disappointed that their 3 year tenure did not achieve more than these 2 men. Hopefully their well recognised coaching abilities will not be lost to this county over the next few years.
Unfortunately we didn’t “break much delph” at Minor or Under 21, although we must be relatively satisfied that we recaptured the Ulster Under 21 hurling title after a 2 year hiatus. There are a number of factors that are relevant to this lack of success, but I don’t believe it has anything to do with a lack of talent. Primarily our development squad structures and organisation are far from satisfactory. We continue to be unable to encourage coaches with proven track records to become involved at various levels. I do believe though, that with new full and part-time coaching staff now appointed, that this situation will improve. It is vital that we nurture our young, talented players and foster a sense of identity with our county. We need to develop an attitude where we will maximise the potential to achieve at the highest level.
Coaching & Games Development, Competition Structures
I have just referred to appointment of a full and part-time coaching staff. Ciara Ferry takes on the role of Coaching & Games Development Manager and Kieran Megraw has been reappointed as Hurling Development manager. Both these posts are funded by Central and Ulster Council. In addition our successful negotiations with the now defunct HDC have allowed us to appoint part-time coaching staff for hurling. P.J. O’Hare continues as G.P.O. These appointments combined with pending coaching positions funded in partnership with local district councils, should ensure that we can address our needs in both hurling and football. While much of the funding for these positions is resourced through external bodies and Ulster/Central councils, there is still a considerable financial burden on the county and clubs.
Coaching is the single greatest challenge that faces our clubs and our county. It is clear that there is a dearth of talented coaches throughout the county but possibly the greater challenge is the apparent reluctance of parents, supporters and club members to become actively involved in coaching. Work has already been done in assessing the problems facing us in an audit of clubs and schools and measures are being taken to address this.
I want to acknowledge that considerable work already done by the North Antrim divisional committee through their Munster Plan initiative. I also understand that there is deep frustration that progress on this plan is not as expeditious as they would want it to be. While it is to their credit that they have got on as far as they have, this progress has not been replicated in the other divisional boards.
That is regrettable but it is also a reality and contrary to some opinion, it is not possible to simply allocate funding to a project that does not encompass all of the county’s needs. That is why responsibility for these matters must rest with the County Coaching & Games Development Committee.
My responsibility in this regard is not to one divisional board. I was elected to chair this county, not one part of it. I am also aware of disingenuous efforts to promulgate misinformation which amount to nothing more than an attempt to apportion blame for lack of progress on myself and other county officials. However, these are the facts. Funding for initiatives has been obtained for this county and not for one part of this county. Any attempt to do otherwise threatens the continuation of this funding and it would be prudent for those who are trying to promote division, to take cognisance of this reality. Nowadays funding organisations do not hand over a cheque and just let you get on with it. Quality control, audit, reporting and value for money assessments are all mandatory, whether we like it or not. The consequences of non-compliance are obvious.
Games promotion and development is the other partner in this vital area that is now also subject to increasing scrutiny. Already we are duty-bound to report the type of games that are organised, the frequency of these and numbers participating. Those who would advocate that such statistics could or should be embellished need to understand that clubs and coaches are also asked to provide such information and discrepancies will be challenged.
This has significant implications for our county. Activity such as Go Games is not optional any longer, nor is the provision of regular meaningful competition for all players. This applies not just at senior level, but particular emphasis is being focused on juvenile activity. At one time the measures to ensure delivery on these requirements were more along the lines of the “carrot” philosophy. However, patience has worn out and it is clear, with the introduction of financial penalties that the “stick” approach is becoming the preferred option. This time last year I strongly advocated the need to ensure that all our clubs and their players were afforded the opportunity to participate in regular meaningful competition.
Specifically, there was a recommendation to reorganise leagues at Under 16 and Minor level. It didn’t happen. I accept and acknowledge that there were organisational difficulties as well as a degree of ambivalence that contributed to this failure. What were more disturbing though, were the deliberate and pre-meditated measures taken to prevent the organisation of such activity. Given the implications of significant funding withdrawal for failure to implement recommendations, any similar attempts to obstruct such measures will not be tolerated.
It is also clear that the practice of dividing all juvenile activity along divisional board lines is neither effective, nor acceptable. A number of clubs currently do not participate in juvenile activity within their traditional divisional board area. Effectively this negates the spurious arguments used by those opposed to change. If we are to develop and promote our games, then change we must. That in no way dictates that all activity must be organised on an all county basis. It does not mean any such thing and those who promote this theory are only doing so to raise suspicion and suggestion that there is a secret agenda to dissolve the divisional boards. No such agenda exists and I would say to those that are promoting such disharmony and division, that they ought to consider more constructive ways which might enhance and improve our games for everyone.
The timetable and scheduling of adult competitions will also be subject to review in every county. The lack of club activity on a regular basis and particularly during the summer months is something that Uachtarain Christy Cooney and Ard Stiúrthóir Paraic Duffy are intent on addressing. While the organisation and control of our games in this county is vastly improved, the refusal to play any games without all county players being available is not acceptable to the vast majority of club players, supporters and members. We simply cannot allow the situation to be repeated where virtually no club games were played from mid May until mid-July. Tough decisions will have to be made and the first of these is for club officials to stop being dictated to by club managers.
Centre of Excellence
I am delighted to report that finally construction has commenced on the first pitch at the Centre of Excellence. The protracted process to obtain Planning permission concluded in the early summer. Unfortunately we then had the misfortune to unearth a rath and other features that are apparently of such archaeological value, that a complete evaluation and excavation was required. Estimated cost for this originally ranged from £200k to £1 million and should anything else of interest appear, then those figures could soar astronomically. This would have been our responsibility.
Thankfully, we brought in a couple of experts sympathetic to what we are trying to achieve and we agreed a maximum figure of £150k for this. Even if Cuchullain’s grave was found during this process we had a guarantee that our liability ended there.
The lesson in all of this is that now the interests of those who are long gone and the current wildlife (particularly bats), seem to be of greater priority than the aspirations of those currently trying to provide for future generations. Is it not time to start living in the present to secure the future for our children and our culture? Society has gone mad when we prioritise the preservation of the past at the expense of securing the future. When the bats, birds and bones are allowed to derail development, ambition and aspiration then we really are in trouble.
We are also indebted to our own assistant secretary Danny McLernon, who negotiated a very favourable contract with NIE to remove and bury electricity cables. Current estimates to complete the first phase of this project are approx £3.5million. This would provide us with a further 2 grass pitches, two third generation pitches, dressing rooms, meeting room and catering facilities.
An application for funding is currently being considered by the National Infrastructure Committee at Croke Park. We had also hoped to apply for funding from Sport NI that was to be made available for projects specifically such as this, but unfortunately the release of this funding has been delayed or parked by the Department if Culture, Arts and Leisure.
Tonight I am calling on us to agree to provide £1 million to achieve this ambition. Many might balk at this figure but we should recall that approx £250k had been generated through a couple of Race Days, the Saffron Sweep and contributions from Club Aontroma. Nonetheless, this is a considerable commitment. Unfortunately this is not optional.
No money will be forthcoming from either the National Infrastructure or Sport NI unless we are prepared to support this with our own contribution. We will have to demonstrate that the process of raising this has begun and that achieving this is realistic. Tyrone has committed to support their project with £3 million. Clubs have already agreed to a levy of £5000 each over the next 5 years and they now have 80 individuals from a target of 100 signed up to commit to £5000 each.
Clubs in Kildare and Donegal have gone even further and have agreed to raise £1 million for their projects. The National Infrastructure committee could match this but they will not entertain any attempt to bluff our way through this process. So the challenge to Antrim Gaels is this. Can we compete and can we match what other counties are doing? I believe we must and I believe we can. I intend to put this top of our agenda in 2010.
Finance
Tonight’s financial report might indicate to some that we are in a relatively healthy financial position. While we must welcome the reduction in expenditure in certain areas, we ought to be concerned about the figures with respect to debtors and creditors. Our creditors will and must be paid, but a substantial part of the debtor figure continues to be the outstanding debts owed to us by some clubs.
Repeated efforts to resolve this have produced only minimal results and consequently a motion to deal more effectively with this is before you tonight. This situation is simply unacceptable and cannot go on any longer. It is unfortunate that such draconian measures may have to be implemented. Nonetheless, we cannot see any other way of resolving this and we would urge you to support this motion.
Given the current economic difficulties a decision was taken to concentrate any fund-raising efforts solely in conjunction with the 125th Celebration Dinner. To those clubs and table sponsors that supported this event, we thank you for that and we know that those present had a thoroughly enjoyable evening. I want to applaud the efforts of the organising committee lead by our vice chairman Jim Murray and congratulate you for a job well done.
Despite the economic difficulties particularly in the building trade, Creagh Concrete continued as our major sponsors and will do so for 2010. Our gratitude to them is not expressed often or regularly enough. MacElhatton Solicitors continued as minor football sponsors and for the first time Contract Services sponsored our Minor hurlers. I want to express our appreciation to them and all our sponsors for their vital support and contribution.
Strategic Plans
This year in conjunction with the Ulster Council and Down County Board, we launched Ardu Bheal Feirste a strategic plan for Ireland’s second city. I want to commend those involved in drafting this and also those who are now charged with implementing the measures and targets outlined. As with the County’s plan, progress will be monitored and the results of this monitoring process will be published. There are many stakeholders and the challenge is for them to engage in an organised, coherent way to maximise opportunities for Gaelic Games in Belfast.
National issues – GPA
The recently announced proposals to end a 10 year impasse between the Association and the GPA have grabbed most of the headlines in the media over the past week. Opposition to any deal with the GPA is traditionally strong in this county. I recognise that and I certainly can empathise with what many feel. The proposal to award up to €1.6 million annually to the GPA is anathema to all that many believe in. We are told that in the comparative terms, this figure is insubstantial and that it will not be tapped from resources normally used to support club and county development projects. I think trying to sell that to volunteers raising funds for their own club might just be akin to trying to sell snow to Eskimos.
Nonetheless, I would ask Antrim Gaels to look at other relevant factors:
• Primarily, we have more in common with the players and their representatives, than we have differences.
• The amateur status of the Association will be preserved and safe-guarded. Pay-for-play is off the table
• The assimilation of the GPA officially into the GAA will inevitably allow the GAA have to have a greater influence on the GPA to ensure that they act with integrity and responsibility.
• €1.1 million is to be invested in player welfare projects which will require prior approval before any money is handed over for these.
• None of this money will be used to support the Players grants scheme.
• These welfare projects are not just for the benefit of the elite county player
• The suggestion that a percentage of total revenue generated by the GAA should be given to the GPA has been removed.
• The likelihood of a national players strike that could have serious implications for the Association has been averted
• Monies generated by all sponsorship deals will only be invested in the Association
• The Association will now be able to generate revenue through initiatives such as computer-generated games popular with children. This will involve using images of high profile players.
One of the arguments frequently used to berate the GPA is that they exist only to serve an elite 5% of all the players. They argue that all players should be treated equally. Yes, most of the GPA members are prominent inter-county players. The time, effort and commitment required from “the elite 5%” does have a significant impact on other aspects of their lives and more so, compared to the majority of club players.
Insisting that everybody is equal in the GAA though, is nonsense. Volunteers do put a lot of time and effort into the GAA. That is our choice and we don’t want anything in return for that. I am also wise enough to know, that the GAA could not function as efficiently without full-time, paid employees.
That’s simply the way things have evolved and is what most people consider to be “progress”. Of course some people might not like this. I respect that, but I am certain the vast majority of our membership is pleased with what has been achieved by the Association over the past few decades for our members and our communities. Our facilities are unrivalled compared to other sporting organisations at club and county level. None of this could have been achieved without the volunteer, nor could it have been achieved without the full time personnel either. The GAA of the 21st century is not a bunch of communist clones. We are a disparate organisation of multi-talented people sharing similar aims and ethos. Most were, are and always will be volunteers, a minority are not. That’s what makes us successful. That is the Gaelic Athletic Association in 2009.
We should not fear the prophets of doom predicting apocalypse for the GAA if we assimilate the GPA officially into the Association. Most of our membership are ambivalent to this issue and won’t therefore express any opinion. Those that are opposed are well organised and vociferous in their condemnation. To a casual observer it might seem that there is widespread opposition to recognising the GPA, but I believe the silent majority are not swayed by predictions of disaster.
Shouting the loudest doesn’t necessarily make the message right. Personal attacks on individuals charged with resolving such issues are not acceptable. Their efforts to resolve this impasse were genuine. No other solutions are being offered. These proposals are “the only show in town”. They aren’t perfect but they do protect our amateur ethos and provide a basis to move on. Let us not stand accused of being part of another “Ulster Says No” campaign.
King Whitney Junior once said: “Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better”. We should grasp this opportunity to end division and disharmony. Let us move forward accepting our diversity but working together for our common goal.
Conclusion
I have probably now kept you longer than I intended and almost certainly longer than you wanted. Tonight I have thrown down a number of challenges to Antrim Gaels. Some may consider these to be far beyond the realms of possibility. Many would have said the same at the beginning of last year if we had stated that it was our aim of reaching an Ulster football final. Yes, challenge is a dragon with a gift in its mouth. Tame the dragon and the gift is ours. Only by seeking challenges can we hope to find the best in ourselves.
