Hertfordshire GAA Convention in Herts augurs well for next season The Hertfordshire Convention was held on Sunday and in his inaugural address Chairman, Shane Ó Neill spoke of the progress being made at juvenile level. He was upbeat about further progress being made in the coming year. Numbers playing under-age football in our clubs continue to rise and are being matched by children playing in participating schools. Willie Joyce , Runaí, in his address to Convention spoke glowingly of the achievements of county champions, Cambridge Parnells in only the club's second year in competition. He expressed disappointment that once again the county footballers failed to show their potential in the All Britain Championship. He stressed the importance of ensuring the county retains minor and under-21 players so that a future is retained for our clubs at adult level. Pointing out that we appeared to be no different to other counties in that games occasionally fail to take place, he said we should take comfort that all competitions were completed. He added that the fixtures committee deserve wholesome praise for their hard work through the season. Willie Joyce announced that Herts' new website is hosted by the GAA and the county's existing site will shortly closing down. He was lavish in his praise for Maurice Fallon setting up the new site. Speaking of The Strategy for Britain and the role of the new Development Officers, he said huge opportunities were opening up for Herts and stressed that we fully avail of them. He told delegates that the County must fund the Development Officer role to an annual sum of £5,000 by providing office accommodation and equipment. Finally, he spoke of three milestones in Herts that offer much cause for celebration. He congratulated St Dympnas on their 40th anniversary while in 2010, both Herts and St Vincents will celebrate their Golden Jubilee. Some motions brought interesting debate: A motion from St Dympnas that any club failing to supply a referee for a least three games in a season would lose a part allocation of all Ireland tickets was passed. A dearth of referees in 2007 season brought this motion to Convention. A Glen Rovers' motion that the first two competitions of each season be played on blitz basis with each tournament being played over two weeks was passed convincingly. Finding unanimous favour were motions proposing two bye-laws that had the season starting in the first week in March and the first round of the Championship starting on the first Sunday in June. It was agreed that the Fixtures Committee would be the decision makers. The motion from Cambridge Parnells that a club failing to field would forfeit home/neutral advantage in the next game between the same two clubs except where that game is the county final was passed. Voting for officers saw leading St Vincents' player Dermott McCabe elected Vice-Chairman. He is son of outgoing Registrar, Andy McCabe. Willie Joyce defeated his assistant, Aaron Ó Byrne for Runaí. Joyce was allowed to stand as deviation was granted by Croke Park to counties in Britain until 2009 to help implementation of The Strategy for Britain. The vote for Registrar ended in a tie between Joe Russell (Glen Rovers) and Adrian Slavin (St Colmcilles). The casting vote by the Chairman was to the Colmcilles' man who he said had given great service in the past year on the fixtures committee and with the county team management. County Youth Officer saw outgoing, Diarmuid Walsh (Glen Rovers) comfortably see off Paul Bignold (St Colmcilles). Under Other Business, Development Officer, Marty McManamon, outlined the progress being made to develop football in the county. He said in addition to the participating primary schools a further seven in the Waltham Cross area and four in the Sth. Watford have expressed their willingness to commence playing football. To support this, he has arranged Referees, Coaching and 1st aid courses for early 2008. Treasurer, Jerry Brennan asked delegates to consider how best the £5,000 might be raised to finance accommodation for the Games Development Administrator. He asked delegates to consult with their clubs and come to the next county board meeting with ideas. Officers for 2008: President, Fr Ó Hanlon; Uachtarán Onórach, Boib Canty; Chairman, Shane Ó Neill; Vice Chairman, Dermott McCabe; Runaí, Willie Joyce; Leas Runaí, Aaron Ó Byrne; Treasurer, Jerry Brennan; Development officer, Marty McManamon; Youth Officer, Diarmuid Walsh; PRO, Boib Canty; Ass. PRO, Damien Moloney; Provincial Council delegates, Shane Ó Neill and Willie Joyce; Proxies, Aaron Ó Byrne, Marty McManamon, Boib Canty. Crioch. Tweet

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