Secretary’s Report 2015.

Welcome to the 2015 AGM. The 2015 season began with great promise when the Seniors had a surprising win over Eskra , a team just down from Division 1 on Sunday 12th April 15 This was the opportunity for progress. Unfortunately the progress was short lived with defeats away from home to Derrylaughlin by 4,Stewartstown by 4,Pomeroy by 2 ,Galbally by 1 and Edendork by 4 .This left us with 2 points from a possible 12 .This was followed by a draw with Kileeshil at home.
Before the break for holidays we were heavily defeated by Cookstown at home. Once the season resumed we performed poorly against an Aghayarn side away and were defeated by 2 pts. We had a terrific win over Kildress at home defeating them by 3. This is the same team who has now gained Division 1 status through the play offs. Keeping to our usual form we travelled next to Moortown and were well beaten in a match that we should have won. In a season of twists we put our shoulders to the wheel and won against Loughmacrory and Urney at home. This left us on 9 points travelling to Derrytresk. Having lead most of the game we were lucky to leave with a draw. This left us needing a win over Rock to secure 12 points and hope other teams were defeated or at least drew. Rock conceded the game and as everyone here knows unleashed a series of events that lead us and neighbours Loughmacrory on the road to Armagh with Ulster Council and eventually to Croke Park courtesy of Tyrone CCC who appealed the Ulster Council decision in our favour. During the appeal process we were made play Urney under protest. After a difficult match we were defeated with 2 options for survival- Defeat Loughmacrory or defeat Rock and Owen Roes. We travelled to Croke Park on Thurs 5th Nov to put forward our case in conjunction with Ulster and Loughmacrory. It was with great anger that myself and Anita listened to CAC Chair tell us that the CAC had great sympathy for our plight but the ruling of Ulster was overturned and Tyrone CCC decision to have a play off was the correct one. This lead to
a match against Loughmacrory in Greencastle. I can without a doubt say I was never more proud of all the players who took part in that game. I also have to say if you could do it that day why not every day you pull on a Gortin jersey! Our league campaign can be summed up in one word-inconsistency? Why I ask you does this happen?
A massive thank you to those from within the club-Gerard Bradley,Ciaran McGarvey,Mark Mc Connell and Ruairi Keenan who advised, listened and supported both Anita and myself through the appeal process –especially Gabriel who provided the transport to both Armagh and Dublin. On a personal note I thank Anita for all her hard work in helping prepare the paperwork for the appeal.

We played Rock in the Championship in Killyclogher. Once again we dominated the play in the first half and fell apart in the second leaving us with a very short championship run for 2015.

On behalf of the committee and members I offer our thanks to those who worked with the senior team in any capacity. Your contribution is valued. I thank Senior Captain Ruairi Keenan and the members of the senior panel for their efforts throughout the season. We thank the senior team sponsors The Foothills for their contribution to the Club.

The reserve team played 13 games plus two championship matches. The reserves beat Rock and were defeated by Cookstown. The reserves won 3, lost 8 and drew 2. As I said last year the issue surrounding the fulfilling of reserve fixtures is a major concern for all of us involved with Club football.. Thanks to the reserve players for their contributions this season. We thank Dalradian Gold for their sponsorship of reserve jerseys.
Thanks specifically to John Penrose,Ciaran McGarvey Mark McConnell and Brian Muldoon for providing the training for senior and reserve team.

Due to the decision to concentrate on senior and reserve football we did not enter the u21 competition.

We thank the loyal workers under the guidance of Mark McConnell Chair of Football subcommittee for hard work at training and on match days for their hard work throughout 2015.

Thanks are given to those who organized the facilities at training and provide much needed support to the Club, management and players.

Ruairi Keenan was Youth Officer Our youth teams were amalgamated with Glenelly to form Both Domnaigh . We had a very committed team who worked with enthusiasm to ensure the smooth running of youth competitions. It is hard work to ensure that all youth are catered for and in a small club all fixtures are fulfilled in spite of often having clashes between age groups. The concept of Both Domnaigh eased the issue of lack or limted numbers. Thank you to all who were part of this successful youth policy including Barbara Ward who coordinated the ACCESSNI for youth managers and committee. The issues around ACCESSNI cannot be valued too highly within our Club. I encourage all members to undertake the process involved to safe guard both the youth and yourself. I thank her on behalf of the Club. It takes a lot of commitment to ensure the fielding of u18, 16, 14, 13, 12, 10 and 8 teams throughout a season. We need a sound foundation of discipline and commitment to ensure that our youth players are senior players of the future. The Club continues to develop its youth policy .At this stage all parents are aware of the need for discipline within the Club. Parents need to know that their child and others know how to behave.

Cathal McCullagh & Gary McNulty Gortin /Foncy McConnell & Dylan Flanagan Glenelly managed the minor team in Grade 2B League. We had 2 wins, 1 draw out of six matches. In the championship the Minors reached the semi-final where we were defeated by Beragh. Players showed commitment and we know this is the key to success in a small club. Our thanks to the players who showed dedication for their time and effort and to those who helped in any way with transport as umpires, linemen etc. We thank Minor Sponsors Gails Gym
Sean McConnell & Dylan Flanagan Glenelly/Roger Keenan Gortin managed U16 in Grade 2B. We played 10 league matches –won 5, drew 2 and lost 3. We were defeated by Rock in the league quarter final. In the championship we reached the quarter final but were defeated by Cookstown. Thanks to all who helped in any way and to –the parents who provided both support and transport .Thank you to jersey sponsors Gail’s Gym.
Brian Mossey Gortin /Foncy McConnell Glenelly managed the U 14 team. These boys played in Grade 2B. They worked hard and played hard winning 5, losing 5. It must be stressed that within the squad there is commitment and dedication. Thanks to all concerned – managers, players, and parents who provided transport. Thanks to jersey sponsors QME
U13 were managed by Brian Muldoon & Mark McConnell Gortin / Kevin McConnell Glenelly. We played in grade 1 playing 6 and losing 6. We had very dedicated families who turned up match after match. Thanks to parents and supporters who contributed in any way to the smooth running of the team. The U13 also took part in the Kevin Corey Memorial tournament ran by St Joseph’s Glenelly.

Mark McConnell, Nigel McCarron, Patrick Brolly, Ciaran & Lisa McGarvey, Jo Jo McGlone , Sharon McConnell, Barry McCullagh & Barry McNulty coached the U8, U10 and U12 s. They worked very hard and we heard positive feedback on how much the young ones were enjoying their football. The U12s took part in Section 6 and achieved success in most of their games. The U10/U 8 Go games blitzes were a great success. A number of parents helped with the younger ones. It is a reflection of the healthy attitude towards encouraging the next generation of players. However more voluntary help is needed to deliver all the programmes of coaching at the highest level. This is an issue for the incoming year. Thanks are due again to managers, players, parents and anyone who assisted with this group.

We held our annual Club Mass in March. This was followed by The Big Breakfast in the Owenkillew Community Centre. Thank you to all who helped with this event. A special thank you to “The Pedlars” for their help with hot food and those who helped with the serving of breakfast and the administration of registration. Everyone got a chance to catch up and pay membership and buy Club merchandise.

“True Blue” Easter Camp . What a success! Football coaching to the fore and fun!
Thank you to Foothills for their sponsorship and to all the “young and old” volunteers who contributed to such a memorable event.

We hosted the annual Tyrone Summer Camp in August which catered for over 50 children from 6 to 12. Thank you to everyone who attended, helped out with transport, food etc.

Finance as always was a major issue. The Lotto continued and annual collection of subscriptions is still ongoing . The issues as in 2014
The collection of subscriptions
The subscriber paying on time.
Is it fair to expect club volunteers to ask, visit and revisit subscribers time and time again?
As a club member we each have a responsibility to each other to give financial support in order to keep the club afloat?
We have recently taken on the services of www.clublottery.com so that no one, home or abroad, misses out on the chance of supporting the lotto. This can be done in the comfort of your own home. Thank you to Cathal McCullagh who raised this idea and Anne Marie who put it into practice.
The bingo continued and proved a viable option with the introduction of a new format. The committee continues to review the bingo regularly. However the big issue of help still remains. For the most part there was an improvement with the introduction of the rota. However the same individuals who ignored the pleas last year continued to do so in 2015.

We began our year with a thank you and presentation night in the Foothills in January. A real feel good factor was evident show casing all that is important to the Club- The 1985 and 89 teams were honored.
We held the Gortin Gold Rush in March. This function once again was a dual effort to raise funds for St. Patrick’s and refurbishment of the hall. This event while successful did not bring the number of cyclist of previous years. This is joint venture appealing to the wider Parish Community. Funds for both the Club and charity were raised. We thank all those who helped in any way to organize this successful function. A particular word of thanks to Nigel McCarron and his team who coordinated the event so efficiently.

The Dr. Muldoon Memorial Tournament for the Reserves teams in our locality took place in March. We thank the Muldoon family for this initiative and look forward to running the competition. Thank you to Mark McConnell and Brian Muldoon who put a lot of effort into organising the tournament .

In July we saw the hall brought back to it’s former use when “Whistlin’ Donkeys “came to town. This had potential to be a great night but some patrons chose to remain in the 1 pub that ran the same offer that we did so the turn out was poor. What can we do ?
St Mungos came to Gortin for Hallow E’en. What can I say except it certainly was a night filled with fun in Gortin Rouskey Social Centre. For those who attended it was a brilliant reminder of how the “The Club “used to be!!Tyrone. Thanks again to the Fundraising committee chaired by Nigel McCarron organizing such a community spirited fundraising event in conjunction with the Badoney Ladies. A particular thanks to those who facilitated the children’s Hallow E’en Event, facilitated the running of St Mungos and those who manned the bingo all over a single weekend.

In the same weekend as the relegation play off against Loughmacrory we and Badoney Ladies hosted teams from Dundee Dalriada celebrating the 25th anniversary of their founding. It was a very successful weekend for all those involved. Thank you to anyone who provided support over the weekend. If you check the website you will see a thank you from Dundee Dalriada Chairman Peter Mossey

Throughout the year we have continued to cooperate with the Badoney Ladies by accommodating any request for the use of our pitch, changing rooms, fundraising events and regular meetings between representatives etc. We hope to continue this cooperation in 2016 hopefully the integration sub-committee will continue to work towards further integration.
We continued our participation in Scór na Óg with Dearbhlá and Brónach Scallon together with Cormac & Roisemae Mc Bride from Glenelly competing in the Solo Singing and instrumental group under Both Domnaigh banner . Congratulations to all of them as they got through to the final but were narrowly beaten. Thanks to the Scallons , McBrides and Conor Scallon Chair of Scór subcommittee who do all the work for the competitions. Derarbhlá represented our Club with great pride on several occasions singing the National Anthem at County games in Healy Park and at our home fixtures.
A massive congratulations also to Dearbhlá who won the All Ireland Fleadh in Sligo for her English singing this year . What a fantastic achievement!

The usual group of workers maintained the Club grounds to a high standard. We relied on these workers to take care of our facilities. Peter Clarke took on duties as grounds man. Thanks are given to all for their tireless efforts.

Our website continued to develop and provide information for all those interested in Club events and news, courses, community notes. A big thank you to Frank Hagenson, Gerard Meenan, Anne Marie McNulty who work hard to keep the site up to date. A thank you to Anne Marie McNulty Club PRO who has the relentless task of keeping press and the Club website updated. Thanks to Cathal McCullagh who keeps all twitter and Facebook users up to date.

Members of the Committee took part in various County Board meetings concerning League fixtures, changes in the administration within the County Board and GAA insurance schemes, of course the allocation of All –Ireland Series tickets etc.
The Club Development Committee opened their first project- the warm up area behind the village side goals. Funding was secured from Tyrone District Council by the committee. A special thanks to Fergal Ward, Chrissy O’Kane and Claire O’Neill who worked tirelessly on this development.

As one project was nearing completion the development committee was once continuing to redevelop the Gortin Rouskey Social Centre. Anita McConnell as Chair is involved in delicate negotiations with the dioceses for the lease of the centre, engaging architects and forming plans for the redevelopment. The work of this sub committee is an integral part not only of St Patrick’s Club but of the whole parish community.
In order to be in a position to apply for funding we needed to get the Club Maith award. We as you are aware were awarded Gold Club Maith status on 17th Dec. 2014 Congratulations to all who were involved.

The GAA insurance scheme was availed of by a number of players. This once again highlighted the benefits of the scheme. Premiums were paid as part of Club affiliation fees therefore emphasising the importance of being a fully paid up member of the Club.

Fergal Daly refereed this season on our behalf. We are truly grateful to him. Without his contribution we would have been unable to field a reserve team. We need more people willing to referee on behalf of the Club. Again the message is clear -More referees are needed. Are you willing to volunteer?

To all those Committee members who served the Club so well I thank you both personally for your help and support and on behalf of the members of Gortin GFC.
Thanks to all who played in adult and youth teams, attended training, helped at training and on match days, to those who washed jerseys, swept up and kept the Clubrooms in order, those who acted as umpires, linesmen or refereed on our behalf, to those ladies who made tea on match days and to those loyal group of supporters who turn out Sunday after Sunday.
What then for 2016? We are facing ever-increasing challenges. Those charged with responsibility within St. Patrick’s must have the determination to ensure that by combining facility development with the coaching and of playing of GAA games as the hub of the Club- St Patrick’s Gortin will survive as a Football Club. Members must realize the volunteer and voluntary contribution is the key to success both on and off the field of play. As in every report I have given over 28 years again I emphasis that our players both at adult and youth level enhance our playing fields and contribute to the pride of their family, parish and Club by continuing the tradition of playing Gaelic Football. I end by wishing St Patrick’s and all those elected here today and those coaching or playing in 2016 the best of luck and success.