Annual General Meeting

Mullingar Shamrocks AGM was staged in the Clubhouse in Springfield on Saturday 24 November 2018.

In the course of the year greater emphasis was placed on strategic planning and the introduction of  sub-committee responsibility for various club activities. This was reflected in the AGM where the traditional model was adjusted to reflect the changed administrative responsibilities  of the year. As a result reports were presented from the various subcommittees including Marketing and Communications; Grounds Operation & Management; Membership and Registration; Healthy Club; Strategic Planning; Coaching and Games Development; Events & Fundraising; Adult Football; Ladies Gaelic Football; Social & Cultural, and  Child Protection.  

These reports highlighted the immense body of work carried out by the club officers, executive and committee members in 2018. Truly magnificent and to see it documented in booklet form was a real eye-opener to the casual observer.

After these reports were delivered, dissected and discussed the AGM returned to the more traditional format and  Maria Carroll delivered her forensically detailed Treasurer's Report, Pat Collins, the Underage Report and finally Seán Hynes summarised what has been a great year for the club when he delivered his first Chairman's address.

Chairman's Address

The winning of the senior championship took pride of place in Seán's address and special thanks was given to Ned Moore and his management team for 'their fantastic work in giving the Club one of its most glorious and momentous days'. For the chairman 'the second last Sunday in October was one of the greatest feelings I have had in football and crowned a great year for the Club'. The achievement of the LGF team in winning Division 4 of the league was also acknowledged.

The establishment of a Coaching and Games Development Sub-Committee early in the New Year to oversee all aspects of games development in the Club was identified by Seán as a priority. This committee's brief will include identifying new coaches, encouraging parents to become involved in coaching and insisting that  all Club coaches have GAA Coach Education and Child Welfare qualifications. The committee will also ensure that there is a balanced programme of games in place and that all players get an opportunity to play and participate. This committee will be responsible for drawing up a 5-year plan for games development.

Seán expressed some disappointment that our association with Scór has regressed in recent years. 'Shamrocks was once the powerhouse with regards to both Senior and Junior Scór and I feel we need to concentrate on getting us back to competing in a wide range of events like we once did'.

Sympathy was extended to those who suffered bereavement during the year and the contribution of Tommy Lennon was particularly acknowledged:  'Tommy  left us 3 days after winning the Flanagan Cup. It was very special that Ned, Eddie, Michael and Shane were able to bring the Cup to him on the Monday before he died.  Tommy’s dedication to Mullingar Shamrocks was second to none in his work with the underage, Seniors and in his later years as a fundraiser. Tommy was one of the Club’s outstanding characters and the attendance of Shamrocks people at his funeral was very special and particularly heartening to see', Seán stated.

The work of the various sub-committees was acknowledged and commended by Seán who noted in conclusion 'that the values of the GAA including  Community Identity, Amateur Status, Inclusiveness, Respect, Player Welfare and Teamwork were clearly  evident in our Club this year'.

News Headlines from the AGM ...

A number of merchandising days were held and the club's online shop was open for business on three separate occasions.

Membership numbers and income from membership was at record proportions.

Mullingar Shamrocks is one of only 150 of the GAA's 1,600 clubs to be included in the association's Healthy Club Project.

The On the Ball and Strictly Shamrocks were two of the most successful fundraising and social events staged by the club for some time.  The buzz at the 'After Strictly' party with Mugs as D.J. was unbelievable and epitomised the great feeling in the club at present.

Mullingar Shamrocks were beaten on only three occasions in 2018 and lost out on a place in the league final on score difference.

The senior championship campaign of our LGF senior team was compressed into an incredible twelve day period! And this after a summer of competitive inactivity.

100% compliance was achieved on adult players paying their club membership.

Katie McCarthy won the Scór Senior Solo Singing title and represented Westmeath in the Leinster final.

It will be essential to generate approximately  €119,000 'to satisfactorily maintain the club's many activities for 2019'.

In the region of 50-55 people are involved in underage coaching.

Organising the three blitzes in June, July and September 'was a serious logistical exercise, which ran like clockwork and the credit for this goes to all those involved'.

And the Award for Sound Bite of the AGM goes to ...

Micheál Burke: 'Membership is a requirement not an option for active members'.

Election of Officers

The meeting concluded with the election of officers for the 2019 season. Ritchie Daly stepped down from the secretary's post and was replaced by Aidan O'Donoghue in what was a managed transfer of responsibility as the change was planned prior to last year's AGM. Ritchie continues his involvement as assistant secretary. Paul Doolin also retired from his post as Cultural Officer and this post was not filled. The post of Coaching and Games Development Officer will be filled later in the year when the club's football committee is established.

The following officers were elected. President: Detty Cornally; Chairman: Seán Hynes; Vice-Chairman: Adrian Keaveney; Secretary: Aidan O'Donoghue; Assistant Secretary: Ritchie Daly; Treasurer: Maria Carroll; Assistant Treasurer: Micheál Burke; PRO: Tom Hunt; Registrar: Des Maguire, Karen Hegarty, Anthony Clinton; Cultural Officer: Vacant; Healthy Club  Officer: Joan Ormsby; Children's Officer: Lisa Burke; Players' Representative on Executive: Daragh Daly; LGF Players' Representative on Executive: Karen Hegarty;  Minor Committee Chairman: Barry Kelly; Minor Committee Secretary: Pat Collins; Delegates to County Board: Tom Hunt and Terry O’Dowd. 

Ritchie and Paul Retire

Ritchie Daly stepped down from the post of secretary at the AGM after a number of years of service during which managed to balance the  demands of family commitments, a career that involved the irregularities of shift work and at the same time carry out the administrative duties of Mullingar Shamrocks club secretary. Ritchie held the post in 2014, 2015, 2016 before stepping back to assistant secretary in 2017.

He returned as secretary in 2018 and retires having the satisfaction of being secretary during the year Mullingar Shamrocks regained the Flanagan Cup. There was no prouder man in Cusack Park on that October day. The year was one of the busiest for Ritchie as he was also at the centre of the organisation of On the Ball and Strictly Shamrocks. Ritchie will be able to  take it a bit easier now as assistant secretary.

Paul Doolin also stepped down as Cultural Officer after two years in the post. Paul one of the great participants and advocates of Scór in the club,  has served the club in many different capacities over the years and no doubt will continue to do so.  We thank both Ritchie and Paul for their dedicated service over the years and it's not over yet.

Ned Moore and team to continue ...

Mullingar Shamrocks are also delighted to announce that Ned Moore and his team of Enda Monaghan, Barry Maguire and Gerry Nohilly have agreed to continue in their managerial role for 2019 with the logistics remaining in the capable hands of Ross Brady.

Santa’s Party

The Clubhouse in Springfield was a hive of activity on Sunday evening as over 160 boys and girls availed of the opportunity to meet and greet the man of the moment, Santa Claus himself. Santa had obviously checked out the area before arriving under the cover of darkness as he tied his reindeers at the side of the river behind the dugouts where they could graze and drink some fresh water while their master distributed his goodies. Santa wasn’t taking any chances as he organised some of his helpers to set off fireworks to light his path as he crossed the pitch. Santa also got his wish and availed of the opportunity to be photographed with the Flanagan Cup and had a drink from the most coveted prize in Westmeath football.

The work of putting this party together required a huge team effort. The positive response and feedback made it all worthwhile and in particular the recognition of the family dimension associated with the occasion. This confirmed once again that Mullingar Shamrocks truly is the family friendly club.  Every team needs a commander-in-chief and on this occasion Maria Carroll filled the position with distinction. Gráinne Ryan, Sharon Foy and Helen Hassett looked after the kids with crisps and drinks. Robbie Boyle played a blinder keeping the adult-children  happy with a caffeine hit with a bit of help from  Murt Ryan. There was also some biscuits, cake, and tea as the Healthy Club eating guidelines were set aside for the evening.

Debbie Newman and Aileen Daly collected the money to pay for Santa's travelling expenses.

Sean Óg Hynes fresh from his stage debut in Back to the 80s took on the role of  DJ and proved to be an instant success.

Máiread Newman, Jodi Aherne and Alessia were Santa’s elves. Santa’s personal elf  was Holly - the elf with the perfect name for the occasion. Barry Kelly made sure Santa didn’t have a senior moment and forget anyone’s name!! Santa’s elf  Máiread made sure to write down all the boys and girls names and Santa brought  the scroll  back to the North Pole for double checking Christmas Eve. Pat Collins kept a close eye on everyone and everything and even managed to get Maria Carroll the hoover when it was all over so the commander-in-chief  could hoover the gym!!

The decorating was down to Róisin, Rosemary, Emma, Niamh, Debbie, Ritchie Daly, Matt Ledwith,  Murt Ryan and Barry Kelly. Their efforts turned the venue into a Christmas winter wonderland. This team made it possible to spread the happiness and make Santa’s party a superb community occasion. Only one person was busier than Santa Claus on Sunday evening in The Clubhouse ... the wonderful Andrina Finch who recruited Claire, Mary and Fola to act as her elves on this occasion to help out with the plate painting.  Well done and thanks, Andrina and gang ...

Barry Kelly, the chairman of our under-age committee was busy behind the scenes all week ensuring that every detail was in perfect running order for Santa and on Sunday evening was on stand-by to make certain that Santa never had a memory blank and failed to recognise any of the 160 children who called in to his Grotto. A big Thank You to all concerned for what was a wonderful conclusion to what has been a superb year for the club.

The late Mick Lynch

Mullingar Shamrocks club officials and members extend sincere sympathy to the family and friends of the late Mick Lynch, former principal of St Colman's National School,Gainstown and a former Mullingar Shamrocks player. In particular sympathy is extended to Mick's wife  Roe and his sons John, Paul and Alan and to his daughter Joan. Sympathy is also extended to Mick's grandchildren, sister Mary, brother John Joe, son-in-law, daughters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and wide circle of friends.

On 20 September 1964, Mullingar Shamrocks won their first senior county title beating St Mary's, Rochfortbridge 1-5 to 0-6 in the  final. Mick Lynch, a native of Kilkee, County Clare and a teacher in St Mary's CBS at the time, played full-forward on that team and kicked the point that put Shamrocks into the lead in the last minute of the match. He also scored a point in the first half.  

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Tweet

Most Read Stories