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Annual General Meeting. The AGM will be held in The Welcome Inn Hotel, Castlebar on Thursday night Nov. 12th at 8pm sharp. All schools in Mayo are entitled to send one delegate.
LOCAL COMMITTEES. Due to the increase in activities and in the number of schools participating, local Cumann na mBunscol committees with full officers will be established in all areas of the County. They will be grant aided by Cumann na mBunscol Mhaigheo and as well as organising official competitions, they will be encouraged to develop new gaelic games ideas.
1992 ENTRY FORMS. The 1992 entry forms cum newsletter has been distributed to all schools in the county. If your school has not yet received it, you should contact your local Cumann na mBunscol organiser.
CONGRATULATIONS A recent meeting of Cumann na mBunscol Mhaigheo passed votes of congrats to Jackie Coyne N.T., (All -Ireland U-16 B Hurling Manager)- Christy Mc Cann N.T.-(Mayo Minor Selector) Westport Rounders All Community Games winners on their recent successes.
1992 MINI SEVENS. The new Scoilsport Mini-Sevens are included in the INTO National magazine " Tuarascail". Counties are this year given the freedom to run the Mini Games between October and May. An age limit exists for these games, and they offer Primary School children a once in a life time opportunity of playing in Croke Park.
WINTER COMPETITIONS. Once again, the selection of the All Star teams in both hurling and football will occupy the minds of Primary School Children in Mayo, as they enter the third year of winter competitions. Selections should be numbered from 1-15 and only one entry per child is allowed. All entries to Donal Carey, Gortjordan N.S., Kilmaine, Co Mayo, before Dec. 1st.
AIB SPONSORSHIP OF CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS Details of a new AIB Sponsorship of the All-Ireland club Championships in Hurling and Football were announced last week at the AIB Bankcentre, Dublin. This substantial sponsorship will be of significant benefit in giving further momentum to the provincial and All Ireland series. This is the first time that the championships will be sponsored and the agreement between AIB and CLG is for a three year period. It is intended that clubs benefitting will use the sponsorship primarliy for Youth Development.
ANYONE TO CHAMPION CAMOGIE AGAIN? Cumann na mBunscol Mhaigheo have done trojan work promoting the native games in the schools over the last few years. There has been huge interest and expansion in all area ... with the exception of Camogie. Dermot Keane, in his Secretary's Report, states that "Camogie has lost its way completely at Primary School level in this county". What a pity this should be the case. Back in the late 50's and into the early 60's, Camogie was blooming in Mayo. So strong in fact was the game in the County that Mayo reached the All-Ireland Senior Camogie final where they lost out to Dublin. The game was blooming in Mayo back then and the team even travelled to london to play in an All Ireland Semi-Final. Manulla was the real powerhouse of the game. The team captain was Josie Ruane and others from the Manulla and district that played in that golden era were Vera and Teresa Mc Donnell, Julia Loftus, Sarah Wade, Eileen and Margaret Clarke, Marcella and Margaret Mc Donnell, and Chris Fenwick from Claremorris. Kathleen Staunton from Islandeady, Kitty Craven from Achill and Mary Daly from Mulranny, were also among the top flight players. And Maureen Lally from Islandeady now Sr Maureen was like the top stars of today - the Mayo Camogie Board flew her home from London for the All Ireland final. P J Hennelly from Manulla and Gerry Bracken from Newport, retired Editor of the 'Mayo News' were very prominent in promoting the game at every level within Mayo in those years. perhaps some enterprising teachers will now decide to give this wonderful game a try in their schools for the 1992 Primary Schools competitions. Camogie is a beautiful game and one has only to admire the sheer artistry of players like Angela and Ann Downey and Breda Holmes from Kilkenny or Linda Mellerick and Sheila O Leary from Cork to appreciate that here is a game of enormous skill which is unquely Irish and worth preserving and promoting at every opportunity.
TWO STAND TICKETS ALLOCATION "AN INSULT" The Chairman of Cumann na mBunscol Mhaigheo has hit out at the meastly allocation of All-Ireland stand tickets to the Cumann. Jim Fogarty N.T., Kiltimagh, said that while it was refreshing to see a Mayo minor team back in Croke Park on All-Ireland final day, it was a matter of regret that the powers that be still do not appreciate the efforts of the teachers when it comes to allocating All-Ireland tickets. And said Jim: " This year's allocation of 2 stand tickets was nothing short of an insult. It begs the question " Does this reflect the value they place on the contribution of Primary Teachers to the promotion of gaelic games in their schools?. A fair question which surely demands a fair and considered answer.
WINNING ALL-IRELAND HONOURS WAS AN IMPORTANT BREAKTHROUGH. " The winning of the All Ireland special U-16 hurling title during the year was an important breakthrough", said Hurling Officer Jackie Coyne, at the Cumann na mBunscol Mhaigh Eo annual meeting. He understood there would be 2 new U-14 teams taking part in next year's County Championship and that it would be a great help to those being taught in the Primary schools. " I would appeal to teachers who may have an interest in Hurling to give it a go and I can assure them of my help and support". He was disappointed that no new schools took part in the Hurling competitions during the year.
ROUNDERS: BLITZ WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL. Padraig Mc keon, Rounders Officer, to the Cumann na mBunscol convention in Castlebar that the blitz which took place at Breaffy was a very successful event with teams from 24 schools taking part. St Colmcille's school, The Quay, Westport, were the eventual winners of the tournament, beating Holy Family, Newport. The high standard of play was proiven by the fact that the Westport school went on to become All-Ireland U-13 Champions at the Community Games in Mosney.
MINI-SEVENS:- 50 SCHOOLS COMPETED. Tony Fahy, Mini-Sevens co-ordinator, told the Mayo Cumann na mBunscol convention that up to 50 schools took part with 8 finalists emerging from the various areas. It proved an enjoyable competition which won by Louisburgh.
REFRESHING TO SEE MAYO MINOR TEAM BACK IN CROKE PARK.
" It was refreshing to see a Mayo Minor team back in Croke Park on All-IRELAND day and though they failed to win, I believe the tide has turned". So said Mr Jim Fogarty, Chairman, at the annual Cumann na mBunscol Mhaigh Eo convention at the Welcome Inn Hotel, Castlebar, last week.
He added that Cumann na mBunscol introduced a significant number of that panel to football. It was a development that liked to see happening and that it augured well for the future.
The chairman was critical of the fact that the powers that be didn't appreciate their efforts when it came to allocating All-Ireland tickets.
" This year our allocation was nothing short of an insult. Does this reflect the value placed on the contribution of Primary teachers to the promotion of Gaelic football in their schools?" he wondered.
Hurling history was also made this year when the Mayo U-16 team became the first Mayo team to bring an All-Ireland Hurling title to the County.
In congratulating the Hurling team manager Jackie Coyne, the Cumann na mBunscol Hurling Officer, the chairman added that the growth in the number of under-age hurling teams was a most encouraging development and Jackie Coyne's efforts in that field were to be highly commended.
He was happy to report that the past 12 month had seen the continued growth and development of Cumann na mBunscol throughout the county.
This year 129 schools participated in the boys Gaelic football competitions and he paid special thanks to the referees, officials and stewards who worked hard to make the county finals at Mac Hale Park a memorable occasion for all the young players.
Through the great promotional efforts of Pat Byrne, girls football was now firmly established within the county.
"Pat had laid the foundation and the fruits of his labour could be seen when the Cong girls football team won All-Ireland honours at the Community games finals at Mosney.
The game of Rounders, too, he went on , had been enthusiastically promoted within the County by the game's officer Padraig Mc Keon.
He congratulated the Westport team on their success at the Mosney finals and highly commended Padraig for having sewed the seeds for this achievement.
Incorporating a Mini Sevens exhibition with the staging of the Connacht senior and minor football finals in July captured the imagination of all G.A.A. followers at Mc Hale Park. He commended Tony Fahy for the effective organisation of that exhibition and for his efforts at promoting 'Mini Sevens' throughout the county.
He said that Board continued to seek new ways of improving the structures and operations which would have long term positive effects.
"One of the more significant developments in this area was the setting up of area committees who will be responsible for the organising of games within their areas and hopefully, ease the burden on the county Secretary, added the chairman.
Speaking on Sponsorship, the Chairman said that success in the future depended on support, financial and otherwise, and that it was important that the excellent work being done by the Teachers in the promotion of Gaelic games in the schools be recognised and supported by the revelent bodies at local, county and national level.
"All our activities form an integral part of school life and are a major factor in the all-round development of the children who take part in them", he stressed.
He acknowledged the goodwill and support of the Mayo GAA Board for their contribution of £1,000, also for the annual sponsorship from the Connacht Council, The V.E.C., the national Cumann na mBunscol and County Photos.
"We also thank the A.I.B., our major sponsors, for their continued support, and the contributions from the many INTO branches throughout the County", added the chairman.
In praising the local media and local radio for their continued coverage of their activities, the chairman said it was a most successful year and the teachers who gave unselfishly and unsparingly of their time in the promotion of Gaelic Games in schools deserved special praise.
He singled out Dermot Keane for his enormous contribution as Secretary over the past 4 years.
" He had been an inspirational leader of Cumann na mBunscol and has gained the respect and appreciation of his colleagues not just in Mayo but nationwide," concluded the chairman.
Success on the field begins with proper Coaching and Organisation. "Success on the field of play begins with proper Coaching and organisation at Primary School level and Cumann na mBunscol can justifiably point to the Hurling, footballer and rounders successes this year with pride", said outgoing Secretary, Dermot Keane, in his report to the Cumann na mBunscol Mhaigh Eo annual convention in Castlebar last week. The Secretary went on: " The year finally saw the fruits of the tremendous work being done by Primary Schools and Cumann na mBunscol for Sport in Mayo. Pride and place must go to our County U-16 Hurlers who captured the County's first ever All-Ireland title. The foundation of this success was laid back in 1988 when Jackie Coyne established the first ever inter-schools Hurling Championship. Over the following 4 years he guided those players through the U-14 grade and was manager of this year's All-Ireland winning side. "Initiatives by Cumann na mBunscol in the form of the Hurling skills awards, the provision of hurleys and helmets at subsidised prices and the expert Coaching by club trainers and Jackie Coyne, T.J.Tyrell and Gerry Lane were crucial to their historial win. "It was not only on the Hurling pitches that the success was achieved. Success also came the way of our minor football team who won the provincial title for the first time since 1985 and gave the All-Ireland title bid a good shot. "Christy Mc Cann, Cumann na mBunscol provincial council delegate, played his part in the backroom team behind this minor success and, indeed, many of the players who took part in the inaugural Cumann na mBunscol finals in 1988 are now making the grades at U-16 and minor levels. "Add these County successes to the achievements of Ballinrobe Community School's 2 All-Ireland titles in girls and boys senior football in 1991, Cong girls 2 All-Ireland Community games titles last year and this year, and The Quay, Westport, Rounders two All-Ireland Community Games achievements this year and last year. "The personnel behind these successes, Pat Byrne and Adrian Gavin, are Cumann na mBunscol membersand the victories came about through their participatuion in Primary School activities. "Girls football is booming and the standards achieved in such a short space of time are the envy of many other counties. Pat Byrne, our girls football officer, has had an unprecedented run of victories over the past number of years. This year alone he coached 2 All-Ireland winning teams-Ballinrobe Community School and Cong Community Games team, failing narrowly to add a third title when the Mayo U-14 girls lost the All-Ireland to Wicklow last October. "It is also significant that St Colman's College, Claremorris, also recently qualified for the Connacht Colleges Senior A Final. All the personnel mentioned are to be congratulated on the standards they have established with their teams, and the exceptional personal commitment thay have given to the promotion and development of Gaelic Games among our youth, male and female. "Cumann na mBunscol has always been conscious of proper presentation, but especially at County final stage at Mac Hale Park. This year, also, we had a much better quality finals programme and a special Cumann na mBunscol centre for all the medals. Other additions were the green and red banners and flags with our name on it. "A special word of thanks, of course, must go to our activities committee, Tom Maughan, Pat Dowling and Tom Finnerty, Mac Hale Park committee, referees and stewards, for their help on the finals day. "I feel, though, it is necessary to examine the feasibility of having two days for the county finals, with the hurling, camogie and girls football finals also being held at Mac Hale Park. "The decision to establish local committees in each of the 9 regions of the county will help local participation and initative, and will provide a training ground for potential county officers. "The move towards more Winter competitions, such as inter-schools quiz, will open up opportunities to children who may not be proficient at games, " said the Secretary.
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