More ups than downs in 2011

THE Annual General Meeting of Ballinrobe GAA club was held on Sunday, November 20 in the Parish Centre, Ballinrobe.

Chairman, Tom Carney, reflected on a year where great strides were made on the field at underage level and Adrian Flannery’s Mayoral campaign helped provide a welcome injection of funds into the GAA club’s finances.
Credit was paid to the club’s U-14s and U-16s for the way in which they captured county titles, and their coaches were acknowledged for their commitment, dedication and achievements.

Tom also admitted that the overall performances of the club’s senior team could have been better across the season, but cited their championship performance against Kiltane as being one of the main reasons to be optimistic about the future.
Secretary, Gerry O’Malley, stepped down from his position after three years and expressed his satisfaction that the club was now on a firm footing in terms of underage football development.

He also stated how important it was that the flagship senior team had maintained both its senior league and championship status for 2012.
The position of Secretary was not filled at the AGM but a replacement for Gerry is expected to be put in place in the near-future.
Treasurer, Alan Flannery, gave a detailed explanation of the club’s financial situation and confirmed that the success of the recent Mayoral campaign had been a huge factor in the healthy state of the balance sheet.

All three officers commended Adrian Flannery for his commitment, dedication and sheer hard work in making his Mayoral campaign such an unqualified success.

The meeting was also addressed by Ballinrobe senior manager, Norman O’Brien, who described the 2011 season as ‘frustrating’ for both the team management and players.

He asked the meeting for some time to work on putting together a backroom team for the 2012 season before any definite decision be made on the senior team management position.

It was agreed to postpone any decision on an appointment until next month.

An impassioned plea was also made by club officers, and a number of other speakers, about the need for more volunteers to become involved in coaching, especially at underage level.

Kevin Gilrane, Chairman of Ballinrobe GAA club’s Bord na nÓg, also called on more parents and former players to lend their support to the very successful underage ‘Coaching Academy’ which made great strides in 2011 under the direction of Liam Horan.
Liam was also elected as Vice-Chairman of the club.

Officers elected.
Patron: Canon Conal Eustace; President: Tony Walkin; Chairman: Tom Carney; Vice-Chairman: Liam Horan; Secretary: TBC; Assistant Secretary: Adrian Flannery; Treasurer: Alan Flannery; Assistant Treasurer: Ruairí Keane; PRO: Billy Horan; Mayo GAA Board delegate: Alan Flannery; South Mayo GAA Board delegates: Billy Horan and Johnny Buckley; Coaching Officer: Declan Corcoran; Oifigeach na Gaeilge: Billy Horan.