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Cumann na mBunscol Reviews huge rise in games interest. Cumann na mBunscol Mhaigheo had plenty to enthuse about when the Annual General Meeting was held in Castlebar last week. The fruits of the great work over the last few years are beginning to show at various levels and there is a continued growth both in participation and interest among schools throughout the County. Chairman, Jim Fogarty, said 129 schools had taken part in the Boys Football competitions. Due to the great promotional efforts of Pat Byrne, Girls Football has really taken off in a big way. The game of Rounders had been enthusiastically promoted by Padraic Mc keon. And Tony Fahy did a great job in promoting the Mini-Sevens. The Chairman had a special word of congratulations for Jackie Coyne, the Cumann na mBunscol Hurling Officer, who also managed the Mayo U-16 Team to an historic win in the ALL-Ireland 'Special Final'. Thanks was extended to AIB who were the major sponsors again of the various competitions. TRIBUTES:- "I would like to pay particular tribute to our outgoing Secretary, Dermot Keane, for the enormous contribution he has made over the last 4 years. He has been an inspirational leader for Cumann na mBunscol and has gained the respect and appreciation of his colleagues not just in Mayo but nationwide", said Jim Fogarty. REVIEW:- Dermot Keane, Secretary, told the members that pride of place must go to the Mayo U-16 hurlers on their achievement during the year. The foundation for their success was laid back in 1988 when Jackie Coyne from Knock established the first ever inter-schools hurling championship. Initiatives by Cumann na mBunscol in the form of the hurling skills awards, the provision of hurleys and helmets at subsidised prices, and expert coaching by the club trainers and Jackie Coyne, T J Tyrell, and Gerry lane, were crucial to this historic success. He paid tribute also to Christy Mc Cann (Tavrane N.S.) who played his part in bringing Mayo minors to Croke Park in September. Tributes were also paid to Pat Byrne, Neale who has had an unprecedented run of victories over the last few years... including the Coaching of Ballinrobe Community School and the Cong Community Games girls teams to All Ireland successes and to Adrian Gavin for some outstanding achievements with his teams. Special thanks was also tendered to Tony Fahy for his great work in organising the Mini-Sevens. 49 teams took part in the girls football championships the highest in the country. Victory went to the Quay N.S., Ballina. CAMOGIE PROBLEMS:- Mayo would need the arrival of Angela Downey to put some life into the almost non-existent Camogie scene in the county. According to Dermot, the game has lost its way completely in Mayo despite a considerable amount of equipment being available to schools. Dermot commended the Activities Committee of Tom Maughan, Pat Dowling, and Tom Finnerty for their devoted work and also the Mc Hale Park Committee, and all the referees and stewards who helped along the way. He thanked AIB for their sponsorship and also County Photos in Roscommon, Connaught GAA Council, Mayo VEC and the Mayo County Baord.
FAS COACHING SCHEME SUCCESS:- And Dermot was highly complimentary of the success of the special FAS Social Employment Coaching Scheme operated mainly in the South Mayo area. The Coaches employed gave magnificent service to Cumann na mBunscol. "We should request the Mayo County Board/Connaught GAA Council to immediately set the wheels in motion for a new scheme of this nature," added Dermot.
ROUNDERS:- Padraic Mc Keon reported on the Rounders blitz at Breaffy which attracted teams from 24 schools. The winners were St Colmcille's N.S. from the Quay, Westport who defeated Holy Faith N.S., Newport, in the final. The Westport school went on to win the All-Ireland U-13 Title at the Community Games final in Mosney. HURLING:- Hurling managed to hold its own in Mayo schools during 1991 but Jackie Coyne expressed disappointment that no new schools had entered the competition. He said the winning of the U-16 All Ireland 'B' title was an important breakthrough which had its roots in the schools championships. He thanked Dermot Keane for his trojan work during his term of office. DEVELOPMENT:- Donal Carey, Gortjordan, the Development Officer, referred to special difficulties which militate against small schools. He referred to the special competition for these schools which attracted 7 entries with Leitir N.S., Islandeady, emerging as the winners of the Tayto Cup. The divergence of the Cumann into other fields was another noteworthy feature and an inter-schools quiz this winter could prove another exciting development. GIRLS FOOTBALL:- Pat Byrne had every reason to enthuse about the girls football which now has the most teams in any county in the country. He was delighted to see so many schools taking up the sport and part of the success was certainly the fact that many took part just for the fun and enjoyment of the game. It helps the girls to become involved in team work and is a very healthy pastime. ROLL OF HONOUR:- Here's the full run down on the various Rolls Of Honour for the games and Divisions during 1991:- Division 1. County Winners-Crossmolina. Area Winners-Ballinrobe, St.Pat's Castlebar, Swinford, Crossmolina. Division 2. County Winners-Louisburgh. Area Winners-Breaffy, Ballina, Currabaggan and Knock. Division 3. County Winners-Bohola N.S.. Area Winners-Killeen, Gortjordan, Geesala, Monasteraden, Roundfort, Bohola and Derrywash. Division 4. County Winners-Culmore. Area Winners-Cloonliffen, Carn, Meelickmore, Culmore, Fahy, Dookinella, and Glenamoy. Hurling-Knock. Girls Football-County Winners-The Quay N.S., Ballina. Area Winners-Carrowholly, Ballyglass, The Neale, Gortskehy, and Swinford N.S. Rounders-The Quay, Westport. Mini-Sevens:-Boys-Louisburgh. Girls-The Quay, Ballina. Camogie-Carn N.S. Hurling-Knock. Special small schools blitz:- Leitir N.S.
Mayo Cumann na mBunscol Officers. The following were elected at the Mayo Cumann na mBunscol convention last week in Castlebar: Chairman-Jim Fogarty-Kiltimagh, Vice-chairman-Padraic Cunnane-Balla, Secretary-Tony Fahy-Foxford, Treasurer/P.R.O. Dermot Keane-Neale, Development Officer-Donal Carey-Gortjordan, Hurling Officer-Jackie Coyne-Knock, Girls Football Officer-Pat Byrne-Neale, Rounders Officer-Adrian Gavin. Activities Committee: Tom Maughan-Ballina, Pat Dowling-Moygownagh, Tom Finnerty-Ballinrobe. Delegates to Provincial Council-Christy Mc Cann-Ballaghaderreen, Padraic Mc Keon-Newport. Outgoing Secretary Dermot Keane, and outgoing treasurer Tom Armstrong-Manualla did not seek re-election.
Cumann na mBunscol GAA Notes. Cumann na mBunscol Mhaigh Eo have recieved an extra 100 helmets at a subsidised price of £12 each under the lottery/Croke Park hurleys and helmets scheme.
SPONSORSHIP. The Annual General Meeting of Cumann na mBunscol was informed of financial commitments of County Photos, Roscommon, O Hara's Bakery, Foxford, and Be Happi Leisure Wear, Donegal, towards Cumann na mBunscol. At the meeting Chairman Jim Fogarty thanked AIB for their major sponsorship of girls and boys football in the past year.
DELEGATE Mr Christy Mc Cann, N.T. Ballaghaderreen, was elected to represent Connacht Primary Schools at Connacht GAA Council meetings for the coming year. GAELSPORT OFFER The new all colour monthly magazine 'Gaelsport' rretailing at £1 is currently available to primary schools at a subsidised price of 60p plus postage from county P.R.O. Dermot Keane.
SEMINAR It was agreed at the Annaul General Meeting that an official seminar be applied for next August to cover games such as Rounders, girls Football and hurling. A Coaching seminar for teachers during the school year will also be organised.
SPORTS QUIZ. Mr Donal Carey, Cumann na mBunscol Development Officer, requested all areas to organise their own area sports quiz competitions prior to Christmas. The first 3 schools in each of the areas would go forward to the county final. Full details will be sent to each area secretary shortly. MINI-SEVENS The 4 Mini-Sevens games Camogie, Hurling, and Girls and boys football- will be organised at area levels in the future with the area winners going forward to the county final. A new Mini-Sevens Co-Ordinator to replace Tony Fahy will be appointed. ADMINISTRATION SEMINAR A county administration seminar including all county officers and committees, plus the 4 main officers of the each of the 9 local committees has been fixed for Castlebar next Sat. 2 pm. Decisions on the organisation of the 1992 programme of activities will be taken at this seminar. PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL A range of promotional material, e.g. Royal Liver League charts in hurling and football, Gaelsport, Coaching News, Rules of Gaelic Football/hurling etc., are available on request from P.R.O. Dermot Keane. SCHOOLS TABLE QUIZ. 8 Schools took part in the South Mayo Cumann na mBunscol table quiz-sport- held in The Neale N.S., on Tuesday night, and Gortjordan were the impressive winners. Cloonliffen were runners-up and Partry 3rd. Liam Horan, Ballinrobe, posed the questions and the top 3 schools will now compete in the county final scheduled for February. Teams:-Gortjordan-Oisin & Daniel Carey, Patrick Kelly, Edel Mullin. Cloonliffen-Kevin & Alan Murphy, Ciaran Hall, Kenneth Loughrey. Partry-Kevin Feerick, Martin Coyne, Karen Hennelly, Niamh Mannion, Siobhan Quigley. Ballinrobe-Gerard Grimes, Laim Butler, Michael Keane, Patrick Kelly, Peter Fitzgerald, Robert Murphy. The Neale-Ronan Casey, John Higgins, Brian O Malley, John Paul Walsh. Ballycushion-Claire Tuffy, John Mc Donagh, Michael Dooley, Noel McTigue. Cross-Barry Egan, Patrick Mc tigue, Jerome Varley, Naill Egan. Kilmaine-John Paul Keane, Eilish Joyce, Dawn Quinn, Tommie Mc Ging, Marie Mc Donagh.
GORTJORDAN KNEW ANSWERS Gortjordan National School were the most impressive winners of the South Mayo Cumann na mBunscol Primary School Sports Table Quiz in The Neale N.S. School, on Tuesday night last. They over came the challenge of second-placed Cloonliffen, with Partry National School in third. These schools go on to County finals in February. The questions were set by Western People South Mayo correspondent Liam Horan, who also presented medals to the winners, runners-up and third.
1991 was a year of mixed fortunes for West Mayo GAA Clubs, West Mayo Board Chairman, Mr Gerry Henry told the Board's annual convention in the Clew Bay Hotel, Westport last week. "While we had some tremendous competitions within the Division there was limited successs at Achill and Parke winning County titles. Both clubs richly deserved their successes, Achill in the junior and Parke in the U-12 'B', he said. Addressing convention on the issues of underage games, Mr Henry said: "As the club is the cornerstone of the Association it is vital that there is a strong and viable underage structure within each club. I would like to pay tribute to those dedicated officials who spend so much of their spare time, both in the evenings and at weekends, Coaching and training our under-age footballers and hurlers.
CALL FOR FULL-TIME COACHES. "These are the unsung heroes of the G.A.A. Not for them the large cheering crowds or T.V. cameras. We are lucky in Mayo that we have such a well organised Cumann na mBunscol. I would ask those clubs who are in close contact with the schools to be generous in co-operation and sharing facilities with people who are doing such honest work for the young. I feel that the G.A.A. will have adopt a whole new appraoch to the Coaching and the development of Gaelic Games at underage level. Full time qualified Coaches should be appointed who would conduct Coaching courses and seminars over weekends during the holiday seasons. These courses should include Coaching, games, interpretation of rules, etc. At the end of each course, certificates and merit awards would be presented to successful participants.
NO LONGER FIRST CHOICE "There is no doubt that such courses would have a beneficial long term effect. We must always work on making our games more attractive to the younger generation. Videos of top games, videos of Coaching and of Scor competitions should be made available at Croke Park so that clubs can avail of them for the benefit of their members. The above suggestions, if implemented, would do nothing but good for the association. Although there would be financial outlay, the money would be well spent. No longer can we sit back and expect that Gaelic Games will be the first choice of the youth. There are far more counter attractions than there were 15 or 20 years ago.
LOCAL COMMITTEE'S ESTABLISHED The long term future of Cumann na mBunscol has been guaranteed with the recent establishment of local committees in 7 of the 9 areas of the county. The Castlebar and Achill area committees are to be formally set up early next year. ERRIS AREA Chairman:Seamus Barrett-Geesala N.S., Secretary: Redmond Connolly-Glenamoy N.S., Treasurer:John Gallagher-Aughleam N.S., P.R.O.: David Murphy-Belmullet N.S. BALLINA AREA Chairman: Tom Maughan-Scoil Padraig, Ballina, Secretary/Treasurer:Pat Dowling-Carn N.S., P.R.O. Caroline Clinton. WEST MAYO AREA Chairman: Paraic Mc Keown-Newport N.S., Vice-Chairman:John Meaney-Newport N.S., Secretary: Donal O Leary-Quay N.S.,Westport, Treasurer: Francis Hughes-Carrowkennedy N.S., Ass. Treasurer: Nuala Moran-Carraholly N.S., joint P.R.O.'s Margaret Reidy-Lecanvey N.S., Maura Mic an Shailghigh-Fahy N.S.
BALLINROBE AREA Chairman: Donal Carey-Gortjordan N.S., Secretary: Tom Finnerty-Ballycushion N.S., Treasurer: Geraldine Joyce-Trainlair N.S., P.R.O.: Daithi Ryder-Cloonliffen N.S.
CLAREMORRIS AREA Chairman: Tom Morley-Claremorris N.S., Secretary: Mrs Gemma Smyth, Treasurer: Mrs Marie Slattery-Meelickmore N.S., P.R.O.: Mrs Lily King-Knock N.S.
BALLAGHADERREEN AREA Chairman: Eamon Mc Andrew-Kilkelly N.S., Secretary: Christy Mc Cann-Tavrane N.S., Treasurer: Sheelagh Dillon-Brosna N.S., P.R.O.: Joe Doherty-Tavneena N.S. SWINFORD AREA Chairman: Kevin Hennigan, Swinford N.S., Secretary: Michael Doyle-Bohola N.S., Treasurer: Roisin Doherty: Swinford N.S., P.R.O.: Ann Moylan-Carramore N.S., Killasser.
ADMINISTRATION SEMINAR A very successful administration seminar was held in The Welcome Inn Hotel on Saturday, December 7th and the following decisions were made: Every fully established committee to receive a £200 intial grant from Cumann na mBunscol, a 4 page circular on local committees, Mini-Sevens, games activities and promotions for 1992 will be sent to all schools in Jan. 1992, A Summer Course (5 day Dept. of Ed. app.) is being applied for, to be organised in last week of August, Rounders for 1992 will concentrate on development only. Rounders officer Adrian Gavin will conduct a half day seminar in Castlebar next term, A code of Conduct is to be drawn up by County officers , The affiliation fee for schools that have not yet entered competitions has been increased to £20. No entry will be accepted after Dec. 31st. the image of Cumann na mBunscol to be further strengthened through regular Press and Radio Coverage. All local sports quizzes to be completed by end of Jan. 1992 and there will be a special girls football competition for schools that enter for the first time in 1992.
QUIZ WIN FOR BALLINA The Ballina area finals of Cumann na mBunscol quiz, sponsored by Cork and Limerick Savings Bank, was held in the Ballina Stephenites Centre and the event proved an outstanding success with 18 schools participating. At the conclusion of a very exciting contest Scoil Padraig emerged triumphant with a tie in second place between Crossmolina boys N.S. and Breaffy N.S. After 10 extra questions Crossmolina took second place. The 3 teams now go forward to the County finals. In presenting the prizes, Mr Tom Maughan, Chairman, Cumann na mBunscol, North Mayo, thanked Mattie King, teachers, sponsor and the many schools for taking part. Scoil Padraig: Robert Gill, Dean Cawley, Derek Beattie, Alan Raftery. Crossmolina: Shane O Loughlin, Tom Mc Nulty, David O Donnell, John Lynn. Breaffy: Alan Kelly, David Lynch, Kenneth Rouse, Joseph Hussey. |
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