Castletownbere Gaa AGM

The AGM of the Castletownbere Gaa Senior Board was held recently
Outgoing Chairperson Martin Hegarty welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked everyone for their support during his term as Chairman.

A comprehensive report on the clubs activities for the year was given on the night by Secretary Jimmy Murphy and the Club finances are in a healthy state and outgoing treasurers James O Neill and Anne Marie Harrington delivered a very detailed report.

Secretary Report of years activities

Cumann Luthchleas Gael
Baile Chaisleáin Bhéarra

2015 was a very busy year for the Castletownbere G.A.A. Club both on and off the field. Our adult teams made considerable progress in their respective competitions. There were also many improvements to the grounds in Droum.
Our activities kicked off with a very successful ‘social night’ held in the Bearhaven Lodge on February 28th. Medals were presented to all our winning teams by President Fr.Sean O Shea and Vice President Sean O Sullivan.
On the playing front the club fielded 3 adult teams in the Championship , namely Premier Intermediate, Junior A and Junior B. In excess of 55 players represented the club in these competitions – a commendable feat for a club of our size.
The ‘Town Intermediate team showed good form in the early league fixtures, drawing at home with St. Michaels and Cill na Martra. They had two very good wins over St. Nicks and Kinsale. The team came up against Carrigaline in the 1st round of the Premier Intermediate Championship. This game, played on Sat 2nd of May saw the ‘Town going under to Carrigaline, on a scoreline of 0-9 to 0-7. Carrigaline were the eventual winners of the championship. Though bloodied the team continued unbowed with a good win in round 2 of the ch.ship versus Ballinora. They followed this up with excellent victories in round 4 against Naomh Abán and in the quarter final versus Béal Atha an Ghaorthaigh. In both of these games Castletown showed lovely teamwork, a high level of maturity and executed some fantastic scores. Their semi-final opponents St. Michaels proved too strong on the day but the players and management can take great heart from the progress made and the enjoyment that the supporters garnered from the journey in 2015. They proved that they are serious contenders for ultimate honours in this grade.
Our juniors competed in the West Cork and Beara Leagues. We drew Glengarriff in the first round of the Beara Jun. A Championship. The team went down narrowly on a score line of Glengarriff 4-6; Castletownbere 1-11. Garnish got the better of the ‘Town in round 2, ending our ambitions in this competition for the year. The junior B’s were defeated by Urhan in the championship. They subsequently won the Noel Kelly cup defeating Bere Is. in the final.
A very vibrant Coiste na nÓg coordinates our underage structures and a brief report of their activities is as follows. The Coiste organise teams in the following grades: u8’s; u10’s; u12’s; u14’s; u16’s and minor. They also run a very successful Cúl Camp every August and this year’s one was no different. Great credit is due to the hard working committee, the mentors and trainers of the various teams. Their A.G.M. will be held on Sat 12th Dec @ 8:30 in the club’s meeting room in Droum and all are invited to attend.
Away from the playing field, considerable progress was made in improving the facilities and services in Droum. A modern gym, properly fitted out, has been put in place. The committee would like to acknowledge the generous contribution of Paul Harrington to this venture. An outdoor training facility adjacent to the new dressing rooms has been completed. We are also very grateful to Noel Donegan for his assistance in completing the training area. Both of these initiatives will be of great benefit the preparation of all our players in the future.
The club relaunched our website in June. This provides up to date reports on all our activities and details the progress of our teams. It has proven a great success. There were over 2000 ‘hits’ on one particular photo from a recent junior match. The website is a most important medium. Our supporters across the globe can log onto www. Castletownberegaa.ie .
The club operates a confined members’ draw. At present there are 73 members in the draw. The funds raised, help to finance all our activities. Monthly draws were held at different venues around the ‘town during the year.
The club wishes to congratulate Gary Murphy who again was a member of the Cork minor football team, unluckily defeated by Kerry in extra time in the Munster championship. Kerry went on to win the All Ireland. Cork proved to be Kerry’s toughest and worthiest opponents. Congratulations also to Donal O Sullivan who managed the Cork minor footballers for the past two years. They both put endless hours of travelling and training into their endeavours. The club wishes Peadar Healy and Morgan O Sullivan every success in their new roles with the Cork senior footballers and wish Andrew O Sullivan well on his selection on the Cork Panel.
Well done also to all our players who represented the club while playing for Beara in 2015. Though the Beara senior team were defeated by O Donovan Rossa, they had a very impressive win over U.C.C. in the previous round of the championship.

• At this time of year we fondly remember our deceased members and we wish sincerest sympathies to the families of members who died in 2015. A mass for deceased members was said in August and it is hoped to have this mass as an annual commemoration.
  I would like to thank our Field’s Committee headed by Mick Shea, our main sponsor Noel Donegan, the supporters of the members draw and businesses who sponsor signs at the perimeter of the football field.
  I would also like to thank the players ,mentors and all the volunteers who puts tireless hours into Castletownbere G.A.A. club.
  I take this opportunity to wish you and your family a Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year.
  Togha Slainte don Nollaig Shona agus Athbhliain faoi Mhaise daoibh uile.
  Jimmy Murphy

Full list of Club Officials for 2016
President: Fr.Seán O Shea.
Vice President: Seán O Sullivan.
Chairman: James O Neill.
Vice Chairman: John O Regan.
Secretary: Jimmy Murphy.
Assistant Sec. Mark Harrington.
Treasurer: Martin Hegarty.
Assistant Treasurers: Ann Marie Harrington; Denise Power.
Field’s Committee Chair: Mick O Shea.
Public Relations: Ann Marie Cronin; Sinead Whelan.
Registrar: Peadar Lowney.
Children’s Officer: Sinead Whelan.
Coaching Officer: Michael Murphy.
Beara Board Delegates: John O Regan; Seamus Spencer; Oliver O Sullivan; Rose Hegarty.