Gaeil Roscomáin
Tuarascail an Runai 2003
Again it is my pleasure to report on the events of the Club for the year 2003 beginning with the AGM on the 11th January right through to today. In between, the Club took part in practically all competitions in Football, Hurling and Ladies Football at Underage and Senior level in the County.
Underage: While all the details will be available at the minor board AGM, they competed in most all completions in Football and Hurling as well as a number of tournaments. Pride of place here goes to U-12 Footballers who won a Co. Title, but the club owes a huge debt of gratitude to all the people for the work they do with underage players. At this level taking part and enjoying the sport is as important as winning titles.
Senior Football: Our first game was against Castlerea in the 2002 O’Rourke Cup, which was a game of little consequence so there was no great panic in Ballintubber that morning although we only had fifteen players! Little did we know that this trend would continue throughout. In the Connacht League we were beaten by Kilkerrin by a few points…again only fifteen, no substitute for injured players. In O’Rourke Cup games we struggled, same problem. We lost points due to not fielding, played at least two games with injured players and no substitute. By years end we finished bottom of the Table. In Championship we hoped everything would be all right on the day and for the first half against Kilbride in Kiltoom it seemed that the Gaels were back, then an eleven-point lead was lost and we were lucky to finish level. In the replay we were handicapped by injuries and lost. In the Loser’s Group we were beaten by Clann na Gael and ended up staring relegation to Intermediate Football. It was only by the huge efforts by some of our more senior players who rallied to the cause that we prepared well and beat Shannon Gaels to retain our Senior status. We were in same position with regards to the O’Rourke Cup, but again by preparing well we had a very good win only today over St. Croans. Here I want to thank Deckie Hoare, Shane O’Donnell and others involved for the rescue.
Junior Football:
Competed in O’Gara Cup and Championship. League games were a struggle, we
appeared before County Board due to not fielding of teams. Part of the problem
at the time was the clash of Senior and Junior League games. The County Board
accommodated us but this did not solve the problem. On one occasion we had
twenty-four players, all available on a Saturday night for a Sunday game, yet by
match time only nine turned up.
In the Championship we reached the Mid-South Semi-Final against our neighbours
St. Josephs, a great display on the first day to draw but we were well beaten in
the replay. Some players put in a great effort to train and play league matches
while did not seem to care. Thanks to Deckie Hoare especially for all his
efforts - manager, player, motivator!
Senior Hurling:
Some players were lost from 2002 panel yet under the guidance from Keith Gately
and Padhraic Conlon they organised training. Michael Kelly agreed to act as
manager for the year. In Senior Championship, which started in May, we played
Four Roads in the first game. This was a very competitive game but despite a
great display the Gaels lost. We had one win over Treamane but missed out on a
Semi-Final spot.
In Junior we had some good wins but lost the Semi-Final to Padhraic Pearses who
won the County title. These games were played on a Tuesday evening and some
players made huge sacrifices to leave work and get to Roscommon to play. I
would like to thank Michael Kelly and Keith Gately for all their efforts.
U-21 Football: This competition, played in November, as is now regular in the County, saw Gaels versus St. Brigids in the first round. Training was organised as well as a challenge match against Boyle but we had a very poor response from some. Result was evident in Knockcroghery, when the pace increased lack of fitness and match practice was evident amongst some players. This was not the fault of Ross Shannon, Liam McNeill and Mike McHale who had tried hard to prepare properly.
U-21 Hurling:
Much the same as U-21 footballers, training badly attended, a
challenge match in Clare had to be cancelled and on the day of the Semi-Final
versus Athleague/Tremane we fielded just fourteen players. Again this was not
the fault of Keith Gately, Frank Cahill and Michael Kelly who persevered,
exhausted their credit and charred their ears on mobiles in a bid to coax
players to attend.
In this grade, U-21, in both hurling and football we had players with Senior
experience, even County medals who made no effort to prepare or even turn up.
How can these players expect to improve their game if they do not want to play
regularly? It was very frustrating for managers and the nucleus of both teams
who wanted to compete.
Ladies: Competed in all competitions from U-12. No luck with titles this year ending with an unlucky defeat last week in the Minor Final. Thanks to all involved in the Ladies section.
Insurance: Only two players availed of the Voluntary Insurance Scheme 2003 - cost €25.
Shops&Programmes: During the year the club produced, with the permission of the County Board, programmes for a number of matches. Getting material to print on time and gauging the anticipated demand on the day needs concentrated work for at least four days beforehand and the sales on match days demands manpower. This year we just about managed, but requests for help are now being made. We need extra people on these occasions.
Meetings: In 2003 we had ten general/executive meetings. In January and February these were occupied trying to get managers in place. Most were well attended and I thank you for your input. A special thanks to Michael McNeela who notified people and to PPO Stella who kept everybody informed by weekly notes.
Social:
This year, for the first time, we had no Annual Dinner Dance,
but the good news is that preparations are well advanced for 2004 when we hope
everyone will enjoy a great night and the players of 1978 will be honoured. We
ran two Club Tournaments to commemorate two of our late players, Ger Michael
Grogan and Kenneth Connolly; both were very competitive, enjoyable and
entertaining occasions. I would like to thank the players, young, middle-aged
and older who took part, some who made very big efforts to attend. I would also
like to thank the Grogan and Connolly families for presenting trophies.
Congratulations to our Junior Scor competitors who are taking part in this
year’s events and I wish them well in the County finals.
On behalf of the club I want to record my sincere thanks and appreciation to all
managers, selectors and helpers for their input during the year. To the many
others who helped out, in whatever capacity, your contribution is vital and is
very much appreciated. To the Hyde Park Committee for their co-operation at all
times, to Tom Mullen and all kitchen staff, who responded to our requests, often
at short notice – thank you to all.
To the local media who at all times were very supportive in their coverage of
events.
Our thanks to Gerard Durkin who brought us into a new era with the development
and design of the Club’s own official website.
Congratulations to all Club players who represented the county at whatever level
including some who won All-Ireland Handball titles during the year.
To those in the club who suffered bereavements during the year, we offer our
sincere sympathy. At this time we remember the many people who gave their
voluntary support to this club in the past, who now have gone to their eternal
reward – may they rest in peace.
Gaibhim gach dea mhein don bhlian ata romhain do chuile dhuine i bhfad is i
gcein. Go mbeidhimid go leir beo ag an am seo aris.
Mile maith
agaibh go leir
Prionnsias O
Duaircain
Agai