December 7th 2014- CLUB NEWS - by Noel Collins
CLUB AGM
A large crowd attended the Passage West GAA Clubhouse last Monday night for the Annual General Meeting of the Passage west GAA Club. The Chairman Michael O’Mahony welcomed everyone to the meeting saying it was a pleasure in seen so many members present. He said that the past season was quiet successful on the playing fields with the Junior Footballers reaching both the City Division Finals in both A and B Championships, Just losing out to St Finbarr’s in the A Final and losing to Douglas after a replay in the B Final, while the Junior B Football team lost out in the Semi Final of the league.
Off the field a lot of work was carried out in Manning Park re the playing pitches, but the promised Hurling Wall and Astro Turf Pitch is still not done as various problems came up re planning etc. It is hoped to carry on with this project in 2015.
He congratulated the Under 15 Boys football team in winning the County Championship, the Ladies Under 14 Football team on winning Championship, and Ladies Minor Football team in winning Championship and league.
He said that the club needs the support of the members if it is to move forward in 2015. He said that he had enjoyed his term as Chairman and wished the incoming chairman all the best for 2015.
Hon Treasurer Dave Maxwell presented a comprehensive report to the meeting, detailing the costs in running the club for the year. Once again the biggest expenditure is the insurance of teams which was £10480 for last season. This money has to be raised over the season with various fund raising etc, overall the running costs to run the club for a season is around £60,000
Hon Sec, Noel Collins presented his report which detailed the activities both on and off the field in the past 12 months.
Hon Reg, Joe Madden presented his report which showed that our registered members in Croke Park continues to rise, 544 for 2014, as against 429 in 2013.
Election of Officers ,
- Chairman John O’Connor.
- Vice Chairman. Tim Killen.
- Hon Treas Dave Maxwell.
- Hon Sec. Russell Quigley
- PRO Noel Collins
- Hon Reg, Colin Lester
- County Board Delegates, Matt Ahern, Finbarr Cronin,
- City Division , Noel Collins.
TEAM REUNION 1967---1970
Members of the 1967---70 football team that played in four City division championship finals in a row were guests of honour at a special evening organised by club historian Matt Aherne at Manning Park on last Tuesday evening.
Among the players present on the night were Kenmare native Matt Keane who at the time was stationed in Passage as a Garda, he was instrumental in getting the football side of the club up and running as hurling was the dominant game at the time. Another person was John O’Driscoll who with Matt organized and trained the teams. It was good to see both men present.
Another man present was Eddio Brien who had come back from New York for the event, Eddio better known for his three goals against Wexford in the 1970 All Ireland Hurling Final, was a brilliant footballer as he curled a kick from the ground out by the corner flag in Ballinlough over the bar to score the winning point against Douglas in 1969. His opponent in the All Ireland Hurling Final Pat Quigley of the famous Wexford Quigley family was also a member of those Passage teams attended, Bernie Meade another great footballer and hurler who still holds the scoring record in an Under 21 All Ireland Hurling final was also present, along with the Barry brothers, John and Finbarr, Martin O’Donougue who had given the club great service at every age level attended with Sean Geary, another great clubman, John O’Reilly , Leo McCarthy, Capt, Tim O’Shea, Tom Morrisey, Tony Leahy, John O’Connor, George O’Sullivan, Declan Mc Donald, Kieran Kelly, Sean Casey, Paddy Buckley, Denis O’Connell. John Maxwell, Billy Delaney,
Also present were selector Sean James looking well and healthy. Douglas players Freddy Humphries, Brendan Larkin and Pat Kelleher were also present.
Matt Ahern himself a member of those teams gave a great rundown on the history of those teams, recalling some great memories and nostalgia. His details and recording of incidents in those games was most interesting.
Overall it was a great night and to see so many old faces back in the clubhouse was wonderful. The night was finished off by some wonderful singing by some players helped along by musician Eugene Murphy.
JUVENILE AGM
The Juvenile Annual General Meeting took place last Monday night at our clubhouse in Manning Park. Chairman Conor Calman welcomed all to the meeting and said that year had been very successful on the playing fields with the Under 15 Footballers winning both the East and County titles which was a great achievement for the club. Our Under 14 hurlers also had a very good year winning the Danno Mahony Cup, a competition organized by Passage , with Ballygarvan, Crosshaven, Shamrocks Ballinhassig and Tracton taking part, Passage beat Tracton in a very good final.
Overall he said that both hurling and football are very strong with new players coming through from the Pasaiste Og on annual basis.
He asked that more parents would get involved as the club can always do with help in coaching etc. He said that new coaching courses would be held at the club early in the year to get new people involved.
Hon Secretary Ian Lester presented a very comprehensive report to the meeting outing in detail the activities of each team from Minor to Pasaiste Og.
Hon Treasurer Colin Lester once again presented a detailed report of the financial affairs of the club for 2014.
Election of officers were as follows,
- Chairman - Damien Taffe
- Vice Chairman - Eoin Barry
- Hon Sec - Ian Lester
- Hon Treas - Colin Lester
- PRO - Noel Collins.
- Committee, Eoghan .O’Brien, Dave Heffernan, Kevin Barry, John Walton, Tom Harrington, Kieran Harrington, Brian Maloney.
CAMOGIE
Our underage camogie has started to take off once again in the club, thanks to Dave Maxwell , Ann Forde, Brian Malony and helpers for their time and effort with these teams. It is hoped that in a few short years we will be competing in the various leagues within the county.
PASAISTE OG
Our Pasaiste Og training will be moving in doors soon for the winter months, please check on our website www.passagewestgaa.com for latest news on same.
LOTTO
1000 Euro , numbers drawn, 4---11---12, no winner. 3x20 winners, Celeine Hyde, Ladies Football, Tomas Lester
CHRISTMAS DRAW.
The club are running a Christmas draw to raise funds for the club, the draw will have many prizes with the draw taking place on Saturday 20th December. Tickets are 2 Euro Each or 3 for 5 Euro.
Once again it’s vital that this draw is well supported as its one of our main sources of raising finances during the year. Tickets will be available in clubhouse and from the various committees from this week.
Regular visitors to our club will see that work improvements are always needed in the club grounds, re fencing and extra lighting of the training area for the winter months, the Christmas draw is a main source of getting funds.
CLUBHOUSE.
The Billy Cotter pavilion is available for Birthday Party’s, Christenings, Meetings ect, please contact Oonagh for details.
Come along to the Clubhouse on weekend’s to see your favourite team on the big screen while enjoying a few pints with your friends.
Christmas is now coming up and the clubhouse will be b busy with party’s, make sure you don’t miss out, see the upcoming events here each week.
CHRISTMAS SWIM
Our Annual Christmas swim will take place on Christmas morning at the Top Quay after 11 am mass. We asking members to come along and show support as our brave young members and not so young members take a dip on Christmas morning.
PUC FADA
The Annual Puc Fada will again take place on Saint Stephens morning, from the Rochestown Monastery, starting at 11—30 and finishing at our GAA Grounds, Manning Park. As normal music will be on the clubhouse all day with various singers taking part.
More information on Puc Fada next week re teams etc.
GOLF
Passage West GAA Golf Society will hold their annual Christmas outing on Sunday 28th December at Fernhill , Tee time 10---11-55 am This will be a run as a three man scramble, with members picking their own teams. Deposits will be taken a week before the event to Tim Killen, Paddy Carroll, Michael O’Mahony or Noel Collins. It is hoped that this outing will be well supported on the day, with music and prizes organised at the clubhouse on the night.
For the up to date club news re Social Media please use the link up on our club website at www.passagewestgaa.com
