Meeting-Minutes Report

Annual General Meeting

Organisation : St. Clarets GFC

Date : 29th January 2017

Venue : Brook House, Kingshill Avenue, Hayes

Present Jacinta Buckley, Mick Buckley, Shane Buckley, Eamonn Colleran, Claire Delaney, Aidan Donaghy, Paddy Donaghy, Padraig Donegan, Liam Healy, Matthew Healy, Marie Hession, Martin Hession, Eammonn Hughes, Mick Keane, Luke Kelly, John Kelly, Sean Killeen, Tadhg Lee, Gerry Lynott, Colleen Lynott, Patrick Lynott, Kevin Lynott, Denis McCarthy, Tony Murphy, Michael Toohey, Keith O'Neill, Barry Wallace

Discussion, decisions, assignments

Prayer: lead by Denis McCarthy

 

 

Welcome and Apologies: Denis McCarthy

 

Chairman, Denis McCarthy welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked them for attending. Talked about 2016 being a good year and the fact that it was always going to be hard to live up to successes of 2016. Stated we should be always aiming for success so that it isn't so long between successful years. A lot of big events for 2017 with a few club weddings and a club holiday in March. Thanks to all including parents and supporters for support during the year. Thanked club committee for all hard work during the year and all the behind scenes work that goes into planning club events. Referenced all the events which made up a good year: Youth day, golf day, dinner dance. Offered thanks to all sponsors and informed that Paddy Donaghy would discuss this in more detail later.

 

Secretary's Report: Tadhg Lee

 

A pleasure to report on another good year for the club. Informed that Under 14s won the league, girls won first tournament (J Ffrench tournament) and seniors lost out in McArdle cup final to TCG and again to them in Championship semi-final replay so far from a bad year. Another good year on social scene, youth day now a permanent fixture on calendar after only 2 years.

 

Review of last year's targets:

Strides taken towards having underage teams at all age groups with under 8 and under 10 teams last year. Thanks to the many parents who have lent a helping hand to Liam and Tadhg.

No new Irish players in senior squad, a few early in the year but none long term, senior panel was the same and slightly smaller than previous year. Club stalwarts Ricky Daly and Tomas Gilmore returned to Ireland.

Development: Council requesting more clarification on two points before can grant lease. Need to see audited accounts, Paddy Donaghy and Darren Mallon investigating. Also seeking more information regarding how the club is constituted.

 

Continued reliance on home grown players, glad to have them and strengthens the importance of good underage structures. Thanked players for commitment in 2016 and Tony Murphy and Colm Lynott for their dedication and professionalism in running the team. Only 2 years since we finished bottom in the championship and in bottom half of league division 3 so things need to be put in perspective.

 

Thanked all officers, mentors and committee members who worked tirelessly to ensure the smooth running of the club. More volunteers will lighten load for everyone. Long term is important that for more members to get involved in club administration.

Special mention to Paddy Donaghy for all the sponsorship accrued during the year. Thanks to Matt Healy and Padraig Donegan for their work as PRO and Registrar. Informed that compulsory ID cards are no longer required at senior level. Thanked John Collins for his work with the website and Claire Delaney for all her design work for advertisements and various activities throughout the year.

Dinner dance another big success. General consensus was that Ealing Golf Club was a good venue and would be looking to have it their again this year.

Aidan Donaghy said the venue was good without being outstanding. Jacinta Buckley elaborated on the difficulties of finding a suitable and central venue.

Secretary urged the importance of all those who commit to a ticket actually purchasing it whether they attend or not as club has to fit the bill for unpaid meals. Want to encourage more underage parents to attend in the coming years.

 

Another successful golf day this year. Marie to discuss in more detail. 18 teams and 70 golfers were perfect numbers. Guests from other clubs very impressed with the day. Received a few complaints about the course meaning that we will not be using Stockley Pines for this year.

 

Youth day and evening very well attended. Advocated continued use of Slough Irish Club, a very good venue that looked after us well. Huge thanks to Martin, Marie, Denis, Liam, Jacinta and Paul Myers for their Trojan organisational work at the youth day.

 

Treasurer's Report: Marie Hession

 

Treasurer, Marie Hession, distributed a copy of club finances detailing income and expenditure for 2016 to all members present.

Thanked Jacinta Buckley for all her logistical help throughout the year, especially at fundraising events. Also offered special thanks to Claire Delaney for all of her quiet help in the background which goes unnoticed.

Read through the Club accounts which she had prepared and with the various in's and out's the club is in a healthy position with a bank balance of £12085.

Revealed that in fundraising terms we had had our best golf day ever and singled out Paddy Donaghy and John Kelly for their extraordinary work in bringing in the majority of the sponsorship.

Reiterated secretary's point about the importance of all members committing to a dinner dance ticket actually purchasing it, club has to fit the bill and impacts on finances.

Increased membership takings largely due to increased numbers playing at underage. Senior membership £30. Underage membership £25 per family.

Went through all headings on accounts documents in detail.

 

Informed that having sold more than the 20 compulsory tickets for the County draw last year we hadn't sold our full quota this year. Those who have taken in recent years will be contacted to see if they still want theirs and if not their number will be offered to other members.

Secretary informed that club had recently won £250 in club draw which will be added to account balance when received from County Secretary.

 

Sponsorship and fundraising Report: Paddy Donaghy

 

Paddy Donaghy informed that Kefo were happy to stay on as sponsors and that there was no need for a new kit because a kit should sustain for at least 2 seasons.

A deal done with Ealing Golf Club for golf day and dinner dance to be held their this year.

Also informed that we spent above our minimum quota on club shop through O'Neill's meaning we received a £140 rebate which club will be using to spend on gear for youth players before April.

Details of this year's membership which is £30 for adults and £25 for underage players and their families.

Secretary informed that Keith O'Neill had been in contact with proprietor of new Uxbridge bar 'Whelan's' who would be interested in sponsoring the team.

 

 

 

 

Election of New Committee

 

Secretary Tadhg Lee chaired the election. Prior to AGM, no nominations other than incumbents received by Secretary. In advance Aidan Donaghy confirmed he would be stepping down as Assistant Secretary due to returning to Ireland.

Secretary informed that although Bill O'Callaghan was not in attendance, he had confirmed that he was happy to remain in role.

 

 

Colleen Lynott proposed as youth delegate, proposal second and duly elected.

Keith O'Neill proposed as Assistant Secretary, proposal seconded and duly elected unopposed.

 

 

 

The committee was elected as follows:

 

Chairman - Denis McCarthy

Vice Chairman - Paddy Donaghy

Secretary - Tadhg Lee

Assistant Secretary - Keith O'Neill

Treasurer - Marie Hession

Assistant Treasurer - Jacinta Buckley

Registrar - Padraig Donegan

Child Protection Officer - Marie Hession

Youth Officer/delegate - Martin/Denis/Colleen

County Board Delegate - Bill Callaghan/Tadhg Lee (prox)

PRO - Matthew Healy

 

3 key targets

 

Read out by Tadhg Lee.

 

Underage

 

In the coming years to have underage teams competing in every age group and to grow the girls team. Anyone looking to be involved in underage teams needs to be DBS certified and have completed safeguarding and foundation coaching qualifications. Contact Tadhg for forms. Imperative that new coaches and mentors come forward to ensure teams at all age groups.

 

Senior team

 

To work hard to attract new players from Ireland as well as other London born players who might not have come through our underage ranks.

Secretary declared we offer an excellent product as a club and incumbent on all members to promote the club so as to grow our membership.

Posters designed by Claire Delaney and John Collins to this effect have been forwarded onto all players and have been put on all our social network areas recently. Players to use these as promotion.

 

 

 

Development

 

Securing our own 'home' with changing room facilities and our own pitch.

 

Following on from earlier update, Secretary insisted it vital for a separate dedicated committee to look into this and addressing the issues with the council. Very hard for the club committee to do alongside their own roles. Informed that he would be stepping down as Secretary this time next year to sit on a development committee if development was no further along this time next year. Didn't want the development to just be 'idle talk'.

Eamonn Colleran suggested getting support of local councillors. John Kelly informed that John McDonnell MP was supportive previously.

 

 

Team matters

 

We will play in Junior championship again this year. Will be less than 10 teams competing with Crawley and Brighton Gaels affiliating with Gloucestershire GAA and Fr Murphy's not affiliating for football this year. Heston Gaels rumoured departure is unconfirmed. Clubs may be jigged around to re-balance numbers in grades.

Club will play in division 2 of the league again this year. Competed very well, won 3 games, lost 3 by a single score and were in with a shout of making League final until late on.

Tadhg informed that Tony Murphy has agreed to manage the team again for 2017 and wished him the best of luck.

Secretary stated that although it is for Tony and his management to set targets for the upcoming year, endeavouring to win the Junior championship and preserve our status in division 2 would certainly be priorities.

Informed that the County Board have made known that there will be a big crackdown on gum shields this year and so imperative that all players wear them for the duration of games. No gum shield, no insurance.

Loss of earnings injury scheme pay-out going continues to be £300 a week after the first two weeks out of work.

Had a dedicated team physio last year and is something we are looking to continue with although a change in personnel may be necessary. Charges for use of any other physios to be incurred by players. Club policy remains that club will for the bill for any injuries sustained on the field of play be it in a game or at training.

 

 

Tadhg then asked Martin Hession to give an update on underage teams and matters for under 14s, 16s and under 17 girls.

 

Martin informed that there were many kids training each Wednesday night last year with under 14s, 16s and the girl's team. The under 14s won their division in the league. Girls won their first tournament.

Informed that the future is bright with some superbly talented footballers and asked members of the senior team to come out and see them play this year if they get the chance to see the quality of players we have coming through.

Girls' team are growing strongly and competing well.

Thanked the social committee for assistance with the youth day and youth presentation evening.

Martin welcomed Gerry and Colleen Lynott back into the underage ranks of the club

 

Tadhg Lee reported on progress of under 8s and 10s. Participated in 5 blitzes across all corners of London. Thanks to parents for all of their chauffeuring to blitzes.

Secretary referenced again the importance of underage coaches and the qualifications necessary and that safeguarding was going to be strongly policed by both County Board and Provincial Council.

Delighted to be welcoming Colleen and Gerry back as underage mentors. Thanked Colleen for ensuring Lily McNulty could participate in Feile as a St Clarets player, our first ever to make a Feile team. Colleen notified that Lily captained the side.

 

Any other business

 

Keith O'Neill informed of club holiday to Athlone organised for weekend of 4th/5th March coinciding with his 40th birthday. All club members welcome to attend. 40 euro per night for rooms. Secretary informed that permission had been granted by CCC to play a game while in Ireland but needed to be approved at next county board meeting.

 

London County Board Dinner Dance, Saturday 11th Feb at Clayton Crown Moran Hotel in Cricklewood. Tony and Caroline Murphy and Gerry and Colleen Lynott will be representing the club.

 

Secretary invited all board members to strongly consider supporting Ruislip development by sponsoring a seat for £125. Club and club members had purchased 5 to date.

 

Secretary revealed that entry to all club games in Ruislip would be free for members except for championship matches.

 

Anyone interested in becoming a referee to inform Secretary.

 

Secretary urged any dates when it would be difficult to field to be forwarded on so that he could notify the county board.

 

Denis McCarthy closed the AGM with a prayer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Action

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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