AN SRATH BÁN CUMANN MHIC SIOGHAIR C.L.G. Teamtalk/O'Neill's Tyrone All Star Awards: Best wishes are extended to club players Kieran O'Kane, Warner Mullen and Martin McNulty who have been nominated for the Teamtalk/O'Neill's 2008 Tyrone All Star Football Team. The All Stars Banquet will be held in the Great Northern Hotel Bundoran on Saturday 20th December and the club will be well represented at the function. Members and supporters can register their votes for the three players by sending an email to [email protected] before Monday 15th December. It is great to see some of our club players being recognised after a fine season that saw the team won the Tyrone Division Three League title. Annual General Meeting: Warmest thanks are extended to all those who attended the recent Annual General Meeting of the club and every best wish to the new committee for 2009. All club members and supporters are encouraged to play their part in ensuring the future success and development of the club on all fronts. If you were unable to attend the A.G.M. or aren't interested in serving on a committee, well there is still some part you can play in the club whether it's coaching, fund raising, promoting the culture or even on the club grounds, there is a part for everyone to play and your help and support would be greatly appreciated. Contact any committee member if you feel you have something to offer in the coming year. Social Club Annual General Meeting: The Sigersons Social Club Annual General Meeting will take place next Monday night 15th December @ 8:15pm in the clubrooms. All those interested in the future development of the Social Club are invited to attend. Club Mass: The Annual Club Mass for deceased club members and their relatives was held in Sigersons Social Club last Wednesday night and many thanks are extended to all those who were in attendance especially Fr Declan Boland P.P. who as always carried out the role excellently in his own particular manner. Thanks also to Ignatius Maguire for reading, John Conwell (Eucharistic Minister) and to Tom Brown, John McCrory Senior and Clare O'Kane for bringing up the offertory gifts. 2009 Club Membership Fees: Everyone should note that club membership fees for 2009 are now due for renewal. The following are the Club Membership Fees for 2009. Football: Individuals: £20.00. Couples: £30.00. Students Over 18: £10.00. Pensioners & Under 18's: £5.00. Social: Individuals: £15.00. Couples: £20.00. Pensioners: £5.00. Fees should be paid to Club Registrar Aidan McGrath, Charlie Stewart or left at the Social Club. The closing date for payment of club fees is 1st March 2009. Adult Football: The Strength & Power training sessions are continuing for the adult footballers, contact Dermot Corry, Dessie O'Connor, Brendan McLaughlin or Ciarán McLaughlin if you are interested in attending. All players will be introduced to the training programme. The plan is to continue the development of functional strength & power in preparation for Intermediate Football in 2009. Information on training routines, nutrition, targets and expectations will be given out to all participants. This is a chance for new players and returning players to build a solid foundation. A warm welcome is extended to everyone intending to play adult football next season. Fáilte Mór. The club have taken delivery of the new club shorts and socks and are appealing to all adult players to ensure that they purchase such. Anyone interested in buying the shorts and socks at a reduced club cost of £10:00 should contact Paddy Jack. Youth Football: A Pre season ten-week Boxercise course for the clubs Minor footballers is continuing at Lisnafin Community Centre and will continue every Wednesday night from 6-7pm. The course will run until next Wednesday night 17th December and for a further six weeks commencing again on Wednesday 7th January. All players interested in playing with the club at Minor level in 2009 are very welcome to attend. 400 Club Draw: The 400 Club draw for November plus the Final Grand Bonus Draw were held last Friday night in Sigersons Social Club and the winners were as follows: November Winners: 1st Prize - £300:00. Ticket No: 461 Pauline McGrath, Melmount Road Victoria Bridge. Seller: Paddy McGrath. 2nd Prize - £100:00. Ticket No: 312 Liam Donnelly, Trillick. Seller: Liam Sweeney. 3rd Prize - £100:00. Ticket No: 120 Davy McNally, Ballycolman Estate. Seller: Tom Brown. 4th Prize - £100:00. Ticket No: 328 Bridget Langan, Clady. Seller: Fergal Stewart. 5th Prize - £100:00. Ticket No: 130 Tommy O'Doherty, C/o Sports Centre. Seller: James O'Reilly Bonus Draw Winners: 1st Prize - £2,000 Ticket No: 397 Aileen McNamee C/o Ulster Bank, Omagh. Promoter: Aidan McGrath. 2nd Prize - £1,000 Ticket No: 278 Jimmy Houston Ballycolman Estate Strabane. Promoter: James O'Reilly. 3rd Prize - £500 Ticket No: 175 The Friel Girls Sperrin View, Glebe Promoter: Mickey-Joe Friel. 4th Prize - £500 Ticket No: 230 Fianche McCallion c/o Paddy Murphy. Promoter: Paddy Murphy. 5. £500 Ticket No: 200 Chris McDaid Five Acres, Strabane. Promoter: Chris McDaid. 6th Prize - £200 Ticket No: 321 Patsy Logue Urney Court, Clady. Promoter: Fergal Stewart. 7th Prize - £200 Ticket No: 108 Kevin Melaugh Camus Park, Strabane. Promoter: Aodhán Harkin. 8th Prize - £200 Ticket No: 115 Caroline Browne c/o Holy Cross College. Promoter: Roisin McGillian. 9th Prize - £200 Ticket No: 282 Adrian Patton Croaghan View, Strabane. Promoter: Mary Patton. 10th Prize - £200 Ticket No: 196 Rosaleen & Jessica Ballycolman Avenue, Strabane. Promoter: Alex Curry. 15 Prizes x £100: Ticket No: 435 Marcus McHugh c/o Johnny McHugh. Promoter: Johnny McHugh. Ticket No: 427 John McCrory Senior Chestnut Park, Strabane. Promoter: John McCrory Senior. Ticket No: 126 Aideen McElhinney Curleyhill, Strabane. Promoter: Tom Brown. Ticket No: 466 Tony & Doreen Diver C/o Marty Deans. Promoter: Paddy Jack. Ticket No: 106 Susan McGillan Ardnalee, Strabane. Promoter: Aodhán Harkin. Ticket No: 244 Seamus McAteer Laurel Drive, Strabane. Promoter: Ignatius Maguire. Ticket No: 332 E McGovern Ferndale, Strabane. Promoter: Philip McGovern. Ticket No: 334 Amanda McGovern Ferndale, Strabane. Promoter: Philip McGovern. Ticket No: 468 Sharon Maxwell c/o Marty Deans. Promoter: Paddy Jack. Ticket No: 492 Sharon Whoriskey C/o Teresa McElroy. Promoter: Teresa McElroy. Ticket No: 405 Tony Gallagher Carricklynn Avenue, Strabane. Promoter: Myles Donnelly. Ticket No: 440 Roisin McGavigan Oakland Park, Strabane. Promoter: Niall McGavigan. Ticket No: 243 Grace Burke Melvin View, Strabane. Promoter: Ignatius Maguire. Ticket No: 193 Barry McDermott Lisnafin Park, Strabane. Promoter: Alex Curry. Ticket No: 142 Daniel Cairns Ashgrove Park, Strabane. Promoter: Isaac Hassan Many thanks are extended to all the members of Strabane Sigersons and Shamrock's Hurling Clubs that helped to promote the draw and indeed to all those who purchased tickets. Your help and support is as always greatly appreciated. We hope that you will all continue to support this fund raising initiative in 2009. Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir. Alphalot: The Club Alphalot letters drawn for Monday 8th December: B - H - J - S. No Jackpot Winner. Four Match Three Winners Each Received £25:00. Bridget Harper, Sion Mills. Grace Lynch, Sion Mills. Hugh Doherty, Casement Place. Jimmy O'Neill, Curleyhill Road. Next Weeks Jackpot: £7,550:00. All club members are urged to play their part in promoting the Alphalot that is a major source of revenue for the club. All Alphalot promoters are asked to ensure that they have their envelopes in the clubrooms by 8:00pm on a Monday night. Late entries will be entered into the following weeks draw. Club Alphalot Boxes are now sited in the following premises: McCauley's Shop, Fountain Street. Sheerin's Shop, Urney Road. Haughey's Shop, Ballycolman Lane, Christy's Bar, Lower Main Street, Sweeno-McGinty's Bar, Railway Road, Doherty's Spar Shop, Sion Mills, Supervalu, Main Street and the Fir Trees Hotel, Melmount Road. Arrangements for the Sigersons Alphalot over the Christmas and New Year period are as follows: The final draw of the year will take place on Monday 22nd December and there will also be a Special Christmas Bonus Draw that night for all entrants with ten prizes of £20.00. There will be no draw on Monday 29th December and the draw will resume as normal on Monday 5th January. Good Luck: Everyone at the club extends good luck and best wishes to club players Alex Curry and Laura Coyle who are off trekking across the world for a few months. We wish them well and a safe return in 2009. Best Wishes: Best wishes and a speedy recovery are extended to club member Isaac Hassan following his recent operation. Club Website: The clubs website can be accessed at www.strabanegaa.org the club email address is; [email protected] you wish to receive the club notes or regular updates on what is happening then please send on your email address. For up to date information on all club activities, please check the website which is updated regularly. Boxing Day Charity Game: There will be a Charity Football Gaelic match at the club grounds on Boxing Day with the Annual Married Men v Single Men challenge @ 12 noon with all the proceeds this year going to Marie Curie Cancer Care. John McCrory Senior will mange the Married team and Johnny McHugh will manage the Singles. Everyone welcome to come along and join in the craic and in doing so will be helping a very worthy cause. Children's Christmas Party: The annual Children's Christmas Party will be held in the Social Club this Sunday 14th December from 3-5pm with Santa Claus and his reindeers in attendance. There will also be face painting for the children. Your support is very welcome. We also wish to thank several individuals who have kindly made donations towards the Children's Party. Sigersons Punters Club: All members of the Sigersons Punters Club should note that the draw for the Punters Club Members is due to take place on Sunday evening following the Children's Party in the Social Club. Social Activities: Entertainment in the Social Club continues as normal this weekend. Friday night: Karaoke. The Social Club is available to book for Parties, Charity Functions, Christenings, etc, contact James O'Reilly or Johnny McHugh at 02871885039. Aodhán Harkin - P.R.O. Strabane Sigersons G.A.A. - A.G.M. 2008-09 An Srath Bán, Cumann Mhic Sioghair, C.L.G. (Strabane Sigersons G.A.A.) held their Annual General Meeting last Tuesday night in the Sigersons Social Club with a relatively small attendance present to review the events of 2008 and look forward to the 2009 season. The outgoing Chairperson, Ciarán McLaughlin began by welcoming everyone along and thanking them for their time, work and effort over the course of what was a very successful year for both Strabane and Tyrone. The meeting commenced with the minutes of the 2007 A.G.M. being read out and with no matters arising they were adopted on the proposal of Tom Brown and seconded by Eddie Curran. The outgoing secretary Aodhán Harkin then read out a very lengthy and detailed report that covered all aspects of the events and happenings of the past year. He commenced by stressing that everyone has a part to play within the club and with the current credit crunch now in operation, it was a time for all club members to rally round and ensure that the community ethos of being a G.A.A. club is maintained and that the health and well being of all our members and the wider Strabane community was vitally important. On Adult Football, he said that 2008 was an excellent season on the Adult Football playing scene for Strabane Sigersons with both the Senior and Reserve teams winning their respective leagues. The clubs Senior team suffered the heartache of relegation at the end of the 2007 season and vowed to reclaim their place in the Intermediate grade and thankfully they done it at the first time of asking with only defeat recorded during what was a very enjoyable and successful league campaign. The Senior team claimed the league title a week prior to the All Ireland final with an away win at Clogher to spark jubilant celebrations throughout the club. The team also finished runners up to Aghaloo in the Joe McGarrity League Cup final and were bitterly disappointed at losing out to eventual Junior Champions Augher in the Tyrone Junior Championship after a replay. Special tribute was paid to the Senior team mentors Dermot Corry and Dessie O'Connor for their hard work, voluntary effort, expertise and dedication over the course of the year and they were wished every success at Intermediate level in 2009. The clubs Reserve footballers also had a great season winning their League and finishing runners up in both the Championship and Reserve League Cup deciders to Errigal Ciarán Thirds and Fintona respectively. Many thanks were extended to the Reserve management team of Johnny McHugh, Paddy Jack, Jimmy Bonnar and Martin "L" O'Kane for their time, effort and again voluntary commitment during the past season. To all the Adult players Senior and Reserve, a warm word of thanks were extended, each and every player gave great commitment and loyalty to the club over the past season and a call was made to redouble their effort in the coming season and hopefully Sigersons will regain our place in Senior football in the not too distant future. Thanks were also extended to all those who assisted with the Adult Football teams over the course of the past season and in particular thanks to Tom Brown, Terence Conwell, John McCrory, Niall Doherty, Pearse McGranaghan, Declan Houston and indeed anyone else who played any part especially those who officiated as umpires and linesmen throughout the season. On Youth Football, 2008 saw the club field at Minor, Juvenile, Under 15 (Óg Sport), Under 14, Under 13, Under 12, Under 10 and Under 8 levels and everyone associated with the club can be extremely proud of not alone the effort and commitment of the teams but also their manners and discipline which as always was excellent throughout the season. Many thanks were extended to all the management teams and the coaches for their hard work and also to all the players and their parents for their contribution to the overall work on behalf of the club. Well done to the Under 13 team who again travelled to Birmingham to play in the International Féile hosted by the Warwickshire Youth Board and finished runners up to Carlow side Éire Óg. The boys and their mentors done the club very proud and we will hopefully be competing once again in 2009. The ongoing Primary Schools Coaching in the local schools is going very well and tribute was paid to Richard O'Neill for all his time and effort in this area of work. Kieran O'Kane the outgoing Youth Officer was warmly applauded and thanked for the excellent role which he has carried out over the past year, he again proved to be an excellent organiser and coach and also played a very important role within the club and the schools for which we are all deeply appreciative of. Many thanks were extended to Kieran and indeed to everyone else who assisted him throughout the season. A warm tribute was then paid to the outgoing Youth officer Kieran O'Kane for all his excellent work over the previous few years. The continued promotion of Ladies football within the club continued in 2008 with the club fielding teams at Junior, Minor, Juvenile, Under 14 and Under 12 levels. All the teams put in a massive effort throughout the season with the highlight being the Ladies Minor squad winning the Tyrone Grade 4 Championship with a fine win over Edendork and finishing runners-up in the league after losing out in the decider to Badoney. The Juvenile girls also finished runners-up in the Grade 3 Championship decider unlucky to lose out to An Charraig in the decider. A big word of thanks was given to all the girls on winning the Minor title and a special word of praise to the management team of both the Minor and Juvenile squads, Isaac Hassan, Mickey-Joe Friel, Marty Conway, Darren Conwell, Raymond Hoynes and Diane Diver. Brendan McLaughlin and Alex Curry were also applauded for their work at Adult level over the past season, they carried out excellent work while a lot of other personnel got involved with youth teams and the future on the promotion of Ladies Football within the club looks extremely promising. Joe Bonner was also commended for managing the Tyrone Under 14 squad that won the Ulster Championship and not forgetting the inclusion of club players Tori McLaughlin, Niamh Harley, Bronagh Ní hEoghain, Lauren McKelvey and Cliodhna Duddy on the Tyrone Under 14 Development squads. Joe and Teressina Bonner as always continued to play very pivotal roles in the promotion of the Ladies game and were warmly thanked for their contributions as were all those who assisted them. Thanks also to all the managers and coaches at Senior, Minor, Juvenile, Under 14 and Under 12 levels for all their help and assistance. Thanks were then extended to the clubs three referees, Brendan Gallagher, Sean McIntyre and Michael McGlinchey for their help and assistance and best wishes extended to Brendan on his retirement. The development of the club grounds continued over the past year with a new walk created along the floodlit pitch and benches and litter bins installed and new temporary changing facilities for the ladies also constructed along with several other pieces of minor works within the club grounds. It is planned to return to the main pitch for the 2009 playing season with the pitch now maturing well and hopefully we can make it a fortress for all our teams. We are deeply grateful to many funding bodies for their help and assistance towards many of the projects undertaken on the club grounds, the purchase of equipment and the hosting of coaching courses etc. Warm thanks were then extended to the following funding bodies and groups for their help and assistance over the course of the past year which was greatly appreciated; DSD Neighbourhood Renewal Unit who fund the post of Project Co-ordinator, DSD Local Community Fund in conjunction with Lisnafin/Ardnalee/Trust C.C.D.A. via Strabane Local Strategy Partnership, Strabane District Council, Ulster and Central Councils G.A.A., North West Volunteer Centre, Strabane & District Sports Forum and Melmount East Bank Estates Community Associations Forum. Without the help and assistance of many of the aforementioned named bodies, we would have been unable to carry out a lot of the work and activities which we have done in the past year and are extremely grateful to them all for their help and assistance. Thanks were extended to the Grounds Chairperson Johnny McHugh and Development Officer Roisin McGillian for their work and effort in this area of the club. On Irish Language/Culture, a warm go raibh maith agat was paid to the outgoing officer Seán Ó Daimhín for his excellent work over the past year. Tribute was also paid to the Strabane and Sion Mills branches of Conradh na Gaeilge for their work in promoting the language locally and to the continued work and development of Gaelscoil Uí Dhochartaigh agus Naíscoil an tSratha Báin. On financial matters, there were warm words of appreciation extended to the Club Treasurer Ignatius Maguire for another year of outstanding effort and for his diligent work on an ongoing basis which ensures that the clubs finances are being well looked after and the club facilities invested in. a special word of thanks was given to all those who promote and support the weekly club Alphalot and the 400 Club members Draw. The clubs sponsors big and small were all thanked for their ongoing commitment and generosity with particular mention paid to the Fir Trees Hotel and Johnny Kelly, to McHugh's Oil and John McHugh and to O'Neill's Sportswear and Kieran Kennedy for their ongoing support and assistance in many areas of the club. On publicity there were warm thanks paid to the local papers, Strabane Chronicle and Strabane Weekly for their coverage of our club affairs and to several other publications including the local Parishes of Melmount and Camus for their promotion of the club via the Parish Bulletins. 2008 will always remembered by all the Gaels of Tyrone as the year that the county won both the Senior and Minor Al Ireland titles, the first time ever that the county has achieved such and also the first Ulster County to have completed the amazing feat. It was a great feeling to be part and parcel of the occasion and we must pay tribute to the Senior and Minor Tyrone squads, their management teams and all associated with this wonderful achievement. We must not forget also that our own club Chairperson Ciarán McLaughlin was the County Board liaison officer with the Tyrone Minors and applaud him for his involvement in this truly historic occasion and also the fact that he was elevated to the position of Vice-Chairperson of the Tyrone County Board since our last A.G.M. in 2007. The double win for Tyrone brought great joy and delight to so many and it was great to see Sam and Tom sit side by side here in our own clubrooms just a few short weeks ago. The new Holy Cross College was officially opened recently with the College operating from its magnificent new building since the start of September. The thirty million pound development is an investment for all our futures and hopefully we as a G.A.A. club servicing this College can see Gaelic games blossom at both male and female levels and all associated with the College were wished every success both on a sporting and academic front. In conclusion thanks were extended to everyone who worked on behalf of the club in 2008, to the Committee, Players, Managers, Coaches, Referees, Supporters, Sponsors and indeed anyone who contributed in any way to the continued success and promotion of the club, your help and support is vital to the continued existence and future of Strabane Sigersons G.A.A. and it is something which each and everyone of us should be very proud of and delighted to be associated with as it gives us our own identity and the realisation that we are contributing to the community spirit of Strabane. There then followed the various sub committee reports on Adult Football (Paddy Jack), Youth (Kieran O'Kane), Grounds/Development (Johnny McHugh and Roisin McGillian), Social (James O'Reilly) and Ladies Football (Joe Bonner). The outgoing Treasurer, Ignatius Maguire then presented a very thorough and detailed Finance report which showed that the clubs finances were very well managed in 2008 and that the development of the clubs facilities continued over the past year. The adoption of the Treasurers report was proposed by Aiden Dunne and seconded by Kevin Tourish. The outgoing Chairperson Ciarán McLaughlin then delivered his address to the meting and he highlighted many of the points that were already touched upon by several of the outgoing officers. He concluded by expressing his hopes and aspirations for 2009 both on and off the field and called on everyone present and indeed the entire membership of the club to work diligently to promote the aims of the club in the coming year and again stressed that everyone had a part to play. All the positions on the committee were then declared vacant and for the election of a new committee, Ciarán McLaughlin acted as Chairperson while Aodhán Harkin assumed the role of Secretary, as both were unopposed in their current positions. The committee to lead the club in 2009 was then elected as follows: Honorary President: Hughie Kelly. Honorary Vice-Presidents: Susie McGillan, Eddie Curran, John McCrory (Senior), Tom Brown, Aiden Dunne, Fr Michael Doherty P.P., and Fr Declan Boland P.P. Executive Committee: Chairperson: Ciarán McLaughlin Vice-Chairperson: Charlie Stewart Secretary/P.R.O.: Aodhán Harkin Assistant Secretary: Andrea McElwee Adult Football Chairperson: Paddy Jack Football Club Treasurer: Ignatius Maguire Social Club Treasurer: James O'Reilly Youth Officer: Richard O'Neill Children's Officer: Bernie Conwell & Teresina Bonner Grounds Chairperson: Johnny McHugh Development Chairperson: Róisín McGillian Registrar: Aidan McGrath Ladies Chairperson: Joe Bonner Irish Language/Cultural Officer: Seán Ó Daimhín General Committee: Terence Conwell, Darren Conwell, Tom Brown, John McCrory (Senior), Tommy Doherty, John McCrory (Junior), Teressina Bonner, Michael Conaghan, Annie McElwee, Sean McLaughlin, Myles Donnelly, Clare O'Kane and Ciara O'Kane. The Chairperson, Ciarán McLaughlin closed the meeting by thanking everyone for their attendance and stated that a lot of work lay ahead for the coming year and everyone's help and support would be greatly appreciated. He went on to say that there was a role for everyone within the club no mater how big or small. Strabane Sigersons wish to sincerely thank all those who were in attendance at the A.G.M. for their help, support and assistance over the past year and for their ongoing commitment in the promotion of the G.A.A. in the town. Best wishes are extended to the incoming committee and every success for 2009 on all fronts. Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir. Aodhán Harkin - Rúnaí. Tweet

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