Embedded in the club
November 27, 2011High on adrenalin but low on cash, Monaghan supporters still managed to keep the faith in 2011, making light of the twin ravages of an economy in decline and the Oriel's travails on the Gaelic games front.
Local gaels could have been forgiven for having a blanched look during the past year as the vagaries of financial meltdown and on-field disappointments conspired to take the rouge from their cheeks.
However, per capita, few counties can boast as stoic, loyal and passionate GAA following as Monaghan. Predictably, they held the fort in '11.
The past year was a carbon copy of 2010 when we marvelled at how the fans rallied to the cause. Then, sales of merchandise by the Monaghan GAA Supporters Club were up nearly 150% on '09.
Also, last year, the launch of the new 'Investec' embellished county jersey, proved a mite too tempting for the faithful with demand exceeding supply at times.
Sales of the new Investec-backed 'geansai' performed extraordinarily well considering the financial strait-jacket worn by so many for so long.
The incentive scheme for the purchase of Investec sponsored jerseys was operated by the Monaghan Supporters Club and saw old jerseys that were returned as part of the scheme being sent to a third world charity.
It goes without saying that it hasn't been for the lack of back-up and support from a variety of interests that Monaghan's flagship GAA teams of late have fallen short of realising their goals.
In 2011, Club Monaghan generously continued the tradition of the Monaghan GAA Supporters Club in raising considerable funds for the training of all county teams.
On taking up office as County Chairman in December 2009, Paul Curran prioritised the Monaghan GAA Strategic Plan 2010 - 2013 which was finalised in early 2010 and launched on November 8th in preparation for the year ahead. The Plan covers the way forward in every aspect of GAA in Monaghan.
In June 2010, the Monaghan County Board produced the final draft of its Strategic Plan.
Under the Plan, the new Club Monaghan was to amalgamate with the Supporters Club in 2011 with the aim of establishing a more streamlined approach to fund raising.
Among the Plan's recommendations were:
1.Establish "Club Monaghan" which will take on the role as the designated group to undertake, and co-ordinate, fundraising activity on behalf of Monaghan County Committee.
2.Establish a sub-group of the County Committee to manage the day to day operations and brand of Club Monaghan
3.Ensure that Club Monaghan will organise at least one major fundraising event every two years.
4.Ensure that Club Monaghan will operate under the control and direction of the County Management Committee
5.Review the operation and remit of the current direct debt scheme
6.Investigate possibility of running a corporate fund-raising event at least once every two years.
7.Investigate and organise other fund-raising activities within the county or elsewhere, if possible.
Club Monaghan duly came into being in 2011 with a lot of members from the erstwhile Supporters Club billeted at the core of the new body.
Cremartin clubman Declan Flanagan was installed as Club Monaghan's inaugural Chairman while John Kieran assumed the role of first Secretary.
The inaugural committee consisted of: Marion Donnelly; Seamus McMeel; Mark Kellett; Gabriel Reilly; Seamus McCarville; Nudie Hughes; Mary Kerr-Conlon; Seamus Reilly.
In simple terms, Club Monaghan was established to help fund Monaghan GAA's continued growth and development.
It is envisaged that it will be a conduit for gaels in Monaghan to show their support and demonstrate that their commitment to the Monaghan GAA family.
The idea for a Club Monaghan came from County Board Chairman Paul Curran and was one which sought to ape the success of a similar venture in Tyrone.
The first meeting of the new Club Monaghan committee took place in the first week of February.
The committee was made up of Chairman Declan Flanagan; Secretary John Kieran; PRO Seamus McMeel; and committee members Paul Curran, Mary Kerr-Conlon, Seamus McCarville, Nudie Hughes, Mark Kellett, Gabriel Reilly, Seamus Reilly.
Members of the Club would be asked to adopt a sleeves-rolled-up mentality to aid the cause of all Gaelic games in the county.
The GAA's hierarchy hoped that the Club would, in spite of the difficult economic times, helped ensure that the county not only continued to hold its own among its peers but also consolidate its position over the coming years.
The call was clear and loud. Contributions from members (all of whom would receive a Club Monaghan jacket) would help fund the GAA in Monaghan from ground roots to senior level.
In specfic terms, the solid rooting of Club Monaghan would be intended to help Monaghan GAA continue to provide coaching staff to work in the clubs and schools of county Monaghan.
Club Monaghan's backing would also help prepare and field teams at county level from U14 and upwards as well as help plan further development of the county training grounds at Cloghan and much more besides.
The belief among those at the coalface of administrative affairs at Monaghan GAA is that Club Monaghan will help the Association locally to continue to be progressive in it's approach both on and off the field of play.
One of Club Monaghan's first fundraising ventures was the staging of a Golf Challenge during the past summer.
In early April, the Golf Challenge was launched at Rossmore Golf Club with Nudie Hughes and his Club Monaghan colleagues acting as the perfect hosts.
The Golf Challenge was the brainchild of Monaghan town native Michael Cullen, Chief Executive of sponsors Investec Ireland, and was organised by a sub-committee comprising of Nudie Hughes, Paddy Smyth and Seamus McCarville, all well-known Monaghan gaels.
Legendary golfer Paul McGinley acted as the perfect guest on the day and there were others too who made the day just perfect.
The winner of the 2010 Irish Close Championship, Dara Lernihan, sprinkled his own stardust on proceedings and Irish rugby international Tommy Bowe also made quite an impression too on the assembled gathering which included the men and lady captains representing Rossmore, Clones and Concra Wood Golf Clubs.
Praise was the operative word after the launch on the greens at the newly refurbished Rossmore course, on the fairways, in the bunkers and on the 19th.
The aforementioned Cullen came in for some special praise but it was clear Investec Ireland viewed its sponsorship as a means by which it could give something back to the community in which it is rooted.
Certainly, it is inconceivable that the passionate Monaghan man would steer Investec Ireland towards taking a punt on an organisation or project of amateurish proportions.
It is known that he spoke to current players and ex-players and got their thoughts on the way Monaghan GAA was looking after them before coming to the conclusion that it would be a positive thing for Investec to be associated with the county.
Putting it simply, in Michael Cullen's eyes, Monaghan GAA represents a brand name that he is happy for Investec to be associated with because he and his company colleagues were able to see just how professional an operation it is at present.
No wonder then that Investec had, prior to the Rossmore project, taken the decision also to put in place a three year extension to its sponsorship arrangement with Monaghan GAA.
The sequel to the April launch of the Investec Ireland/Monaghan GAA Golf Challenge took place on Wednesday, June 1st when the first of the three events making up the series was staged.
Between June 1st and August, the challenges brought together gaels and non-gaels alike to Rossmore and thereafter to Clones G.C. and Concra Wood.
The beneficiaries of the event included include the golf clubs who bought into the project, Failte Ireland and, not least, Monaghan GAA.
Following on from the Golf Challenge launch in April, Club Monaghan proceeded with a highly enjoyable and financially beneficial 'Take Me Out' night (based on the tv programme) of entertainment.
The night was co-ordinated by Nudie Hughes as a joint venture with the county senior footballers, the ladies football and camogie camogie county boards and it complemented the Club's direct-debit scheme.
At the end of its first year, it is easy to conclude that Club Monaghan is a new, burgeoning group that crackles and sparkles with possibilities.
The gaels involved in the new set-up have designs on being the marrow of the bone that is Monaghan GAA with the full support of County Board Chairman Paul Curran and co.
We wish all associated with Club Monaghan the very best of luck in the future. Tweet
