Firstly, let me say that I have enjoyed my first year as Secretary. I was very fortunate that my predecessor, Fearghal provided me with some very useful guidance and continues to do so. I would also like to thank Michael Monaghan for his help over the year. These two former officers may have stepped down but they haven t gone away with both still doing a lot of work in the background. Thanks to the committee, coaches and all members for their patience in allowing me settle into the role. It has been a busy year within the club. There is a lot happening behind the scenes and hopefully you are happy with my input to the committee during the year. The goal of my report is to outline the events both on and off the field and to share the future vision and aspirations of the club. Firstly I would like to start with the off the field achievements. These include the continued workload taken on by the committee and our plans to generate income which will be used for development projects and not just to cover our costs. Fundraising 200 + Club Lotto Our longest running fundraiser which generates a useful income to the club and thanks to Vincent Jamison for his hard work in managing this and the club accounts in general insuring all members are paid up on a monthly basis prior to the draw taking place. Down Club Draw Thanks to Donal Graham for managing this vital source of income which is generally supported very well as we are one of the top clubs in the county for sales which is very good for a small club. Donal is also very active in keeping the club flag flying as county rep in attending regular county meeting in Newcastle. Golf Day Thanks to Declan Murphy for running a very successful golf day which generated good funds for the club.
Night at the Races We ran a night at the races event this year in the Imperial Bar Bangor thanks to George McCann. Thanks to all sponsors and horse owners for your support and special thanks to main sponsor Heffrons Bar Randalstown. The attendance on the night wasn t great but we still raised a useful amount overall. Membership Membership is another main fundraising source and is a vital requirement to cover the costs for affiliations and Insurance costs to Croke Park. We currently have 320 members which are made up of 82 full members, 105 social and 132 juvenile. The costs of affiliations and insurance are due to rise annually so I would strongly encourage you to actively promote and support club membership. We introduced an online payment method (klubfunder) this year which was very helpful not only for registrations but for other fund raising events. Last Man Standing We ran a couple of Last Man Standing events which were poorly supported in general with one still running as I write but thanks to all who did give their support. Please refer to Treasurers report for funds raised at these events. Up Coming Events With our 40 years anniversary in 2018 Thomas McMullan and his entertainment team have exciting plans in place for running a major event either a Riverdance or Lord of the Dance at the Titanic Quarter in Belfast. If the last two strictly events are anything to go by this should be another fantastic event and I ask all members to give their support. Developments We are always looking to improve and upkeep our facilities with the new ball stop one of our major developments over the past few years. We have been approved for a grant to provide new 3G surface to both goalmouths and this work will be carried out prior to the new 2018 season. The goals, posts will also be refurbished with the corroded crossbar already replaced this year at the Belfast end. We also intend to provide a new permanent net system which will also be in place prior to the new 2018 season.
While writing this report we await decision on another grant application to provide disabled access to the pitch on the Belfast side of the clubhouse. Thanks to Michael Monaghan and Orla Stewart for all their work with the grant applications. This is an area where the club really could do with someone permanently to apply for grants. There are talks on going with Holywood Sports Forum with the possibility of a shared sports facility with Holywood Rugby Club. Michael Monaghan and Fearghal Eastwood have attended several meetings on this subject which is managed and co-ordinated by Trevor Ringland. The forum has now put a project manager in place for this potential facility which sounds promising. Club Maith The Club Maith accreditation scheme allows us as a club to benchmark ourselves against best practice. In doing so it encourages us to aim for excellence in the core are of GAA club activity, namely: Governance; Duty of Care; Community Enhancement; Culture & Heritage; Coaching & Games Development. Clubs are given a level of accreditation which acts as a quality standard mark for them. Accreditation which range from Platinum, Gold, Silver & Bronze. Thanks to Fearghal who is looking after this application process we are currently going for the Bronze level. On a social media front we have introduced a club facebook page which currently has over 500 followers and allows members far and wide to keep in touch with the goings on within the club and allow members to upload articles, photos fixtures and results. We still have the club website which is something we may look to improve in the future. The Management of the Stokers Halt in Holywood are keen to provide a hub for club members to socialise and maybe even show GAA championship matches in 2018. We have already held an event for the primary schools kids and parents with the coaches and officers planning to have their Christmas meal there on 9 th December.
Scor Na Nog Good wishes to St Paul s Scor Na nog Instrumental Group, winners of the East Down competition, who now compete in the Down County final on Sunday next, 3 December 2017. The group members are Eireann Gaffney, Caitlin Mitchell, Willow Wolsey, Pearse Farren and Shane McLaughlin. Thanks to Niall and Bronagh McClean for tutoring and mentoring the group and to a group of very supportive parents. Summary As you can see there is a lot of work going on behind the scenes and this does not include the week to week running of the club and facilities. On this note I would like to thank Eugene Donnelly for the upkeep of the pitch and to all the club members who helped out on clean up days throughout the year. In order for this club to survive we really need more help and volunteers either as officers or committee members. The majority of our officers are not getting any younger and we currently have no replacements for these men who have kept the club running for 40 years. On The Field Events Primary Schools The numbers at primary school training on Sunday morning are going from strength to strength with up to 100 children now attending each week. Declan Murphy has attended 9 different primary schools to spread the gospel this year and his work is paying off with a number of new schools represented within the club. We have attended a number of P4-P6 blitzes this year with all the children getting plenty of football. We also arranged a very successful trip for the children to Pairc Elster to watch the county senior footballers in action. Thanks again to Declan and his coaches Paddy Hunt, Richard Doyle, Paul Murphy, Martin Monaghan, Sean Quinn to name a few.
U12s Thanks to Brian McElroy for looking after these lads this year with Brian also taking an u13 team in the new East Down Championship. Also to Eamon O Connor for his help with this group and also looking after the new East Down u11 league team. U14s Managed by Michael Kelly with coaches Eoin Kelly & Patrick Eastwood. A good year for these young lads starting off with a small squad which increased throughout the year. Michael was happy with the commitment from the entire panel that were very unlucky to exit the championship and were also league runners up to a good Castlewellan team. U16s Managed by Brian Shannon with coaches Ryan Loughran & Johnny Parsons. Again Brian was satisfied with the commitment of the entire panel for training and matches finished mid table in the East Down A league and lost out in championship to a tough Loughinisland side. Minors A frustrating year for John Monaghan with a small panel of players to choose from and with exams/holidays thrown into the equation we did not have to numbers to fulfil most of league fixtures. We did not enter championship. Well done and thanks to all coaches for giving up their time to look after teams it s a huge commitment and we wouldn t field without them. It s also great to see the younger lads getting involved in coaching. Trip to Croke Park Thanks to Michael Kelly for organising a trip to Croker for the Dubs v Tyrone All Ireland semi-final a great day was had by all apart from Michael!!!.
Development Squads SECRETARY S REPORT FOR AGM 2017 We had 5 club representatives on the new Mourne Academy this year. U15 Shea Haughey, Josh Gray & Cian Gantley U14 Finn Collins & Fearghal Eastwood Well done to all and best of luck in the future development. Senior Reserves We fielded a team in the East Down reserve league this year which brought a few older and young players back into senior football. Well done and thanks to Peadar Heffron and Damien Murray for taking control of this team. Senior Team This year the seniors were promoted to division 3 and it was a tough year for us. Thanks to Kevin Blaney who finished his 3 year term at the helm and to Peadar & Damien who stepped in towards the end of the season. Looking forward with this team I am a firm believer that a club is judged by its senior team. Since the introduction of the underage training in 2002 there are now a lot of good players moving up the ranks. Most of these lads have played against and beat the top clubs in East Down at various stages throughout their playing career. Why then at senior level can they not fulfil their potential? I have been involved in the club for nearly 14 years and know we should be competing at a better level. In writing this report we have no senior management in place but are currently looking for a team who will provide the necessary discipline, organisation, coaching and game management for these players. The Recruitment process to appoint a new Senior Manager is currently under way.
Summary St Paul s is a good club with a lot of genuine people involved I have taken on this role as I want to continue to see the club progress and grow..i would also like to wish good luck to all teams for 2018 season it would be great to get some silver wear for our 40 th anniversary. In 2018 I hope to keep up the standard of work provided by my predecessors and am looking forward to the new season already. Is mise Pól Ó Coileáin Rúnaí Naomh Pól