Barryroe GAA

Report on Barryroe GAA Club AGM 2021

The Club AGM took place on Monday night the 13th December in Butlerstown Community Centre. The Chairperson, Eoin McCarthy, welcomed all present and thanked them for their attendance.

The minutes of the 2020 AGM were taken as read and this was followed by the Secretary’s report for 2021. Richard Murphy, our Secretary, was complimented by the Chairperson on presenting such a detailed report. The early year restrictions due to the Covid 19 pandemic resulted in another delayed start to the GAA playing season and activity on GAA grounds did not commence till May. The Secretary report comprehensively reviewed all playing action for the 2021 season and it was commented that an opportunity may have been lost in our narrow Junior football championship defeat to St. Mary's who subsequently reached the final. Overall, it was stated our performances restored pride to the code of football in the Club with two long awaited championship victories. Although our Intermediate hurlers failed to win a championship match, the team performed admirably and it is hoped the experience gained will stand the panel in good stead to kick on in 2022. It was noted and discussed that the structure of the 2022 football championship is yet to be confirmed by the Carbery board. Similarly, it was hoped that a competitive league structure with regular games will be provided by the Carbery board for the forthcoming season.

The Secretary Report also covered the ground maintenance and development over 2021. If there was one silver lining to the Covid 19 pandemic and early year lock down was that the pitch drainage works which occurred in late 2020 meant the new grass had a decent period to settle in. The surface has since gone from strength to strength and has been complimented by many a visiting team and only last week, in early December when normally our pitch would be closed due to its playing condition easily accommodated two games within 24 hours. Special mention and praise was reserved for our scheme workers, Kenneth Santry and Ali Al-Rubaye, along with volunteers who regularly maintain the wash facilities, and Vincent O'Donovan and his team of volunteers who undertook some much needed painting works. 2021 saw further Grounds Development with construction of the perimeter walkway to Pitch 2. It is hoped that lighting to this amenity will be completed in the coming year. The club reserved a special thanks to local councillor, John O'Sullivan for his advice and guidance on grant applications throughout the year and to the Development committee headed up by John Fleming with trojan work being undertaken by Norman Fleming and Vincent O'Donovan.

The PRO Report was briefly reviewed by John O'Leary where the main item of note was the performance [reach] of the website and social media channels over the 2021 season. It was again noted a Club Archive has now been setup and the ability to view thousands of Barryroe GAA records is available to all through a link on the Club website.

This was followed by the treasurer’s report which was presented by our treasurer, Michael Coleman. The report outlined the financial situation of the club for the year ending 2021. The impact of the Covid 19 pandemic on our club finances was discussed at length. The dramatic decline of club lotto sales has become quite apparent, and Michael encouraged all supporters of the Club to regularly purchase tickets. After a successful development fundraiser in late 2020, the timing of the maiden Rebel Bounty draw presented a challenge in early 2021 as we needed to sell 70 tickets before breaking even. Vincent O'Donovan who coordinated the selling efforts thanked all who purchased tickets and a major effort will be rolled out in early 2022 to increase our sales. Further fundraisers will also need to be planned for 2022 to improve the health of our club finances.

The final item on the financial agenda was the setting of membership fees for 2022 and they were confirmed as follows;

• Full member [playing] €100
• Full member [playing, student] €50
• Full member [non-playing] €50
• Social member €40
• Youth member €40

It was reconfirmed that the ability to renew membership is available on-line and all previous players should be encouraged to continue to support the club. It was noted that a membership / registration day will occur sometime in early spring once Covid restrictions have hopefully been scaled back.

The Chairperson then said a few words and thanked his fellow officers and committee members for all their efforts during the year. The Chairperson also thanked the various teams and their mentors for their efforts. He expressed the hope that our current crop of players at adult level will continue on the upward curve and hopefully bridge the fifteen-year gap since an adult team won championship silverware. Away from the playing fields Eoin remarked on the passing of many of our loyal supporters during 2021 but none more so than the tragic passing of Killian Lawton, son of Pat, who was taken from us in the prime of his life at the young age of 24. Deepest sympathies were again expressed to the Lawton family on the loss of Killian.

One of the final acts of the night was the election of officers whereby all outgoing officers were returned uncontested.

• Patron: Fr. Dave O'Connell
• President: Vincent Sexton
• Vice President: Fr. John Sexton
• Chairperson: Eoin McCarthy
• Vice Chairperson: Sean De Barra
• Treasurer: Michael Coleman
• Asst. Treasurer: Vincent O'Donovan
• Secretary: Richard Murphy
• Asst. Secretary: to be filled
• PRO: John O'Leary
• Registrar: Jerome O'Brien
• Irish Language & Culture Officer: Danny Buckley
• Development Chairman: John Fleming
• Delegates (Cork): Vincent O'Donovan & John Byrnes
• Delegates (Carbery): Eoin McCarthy

It was confirmed that John Harrington will assume the role of Children's Officer for 2022 from Mick Walsh who has now completed nine years in the position. The Club noted it's gratitude to Mick in fulfilling this role and wished John all the best for the year ahead.

In concluding proceedings, the Chairperson thanked everyone for their attendance and wished the club every success in 2022. Barra Rua abu!