AGM REPORT(S)

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AGM REPORT 2006 > SEE HERE        

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DUBLIN HANDBALL CO. BOARD AGM REPORT 2007

An excellent and busy year in Dublin Handball by Michael McGee

There was a good attendance for the A.G.M. of the Dublin Co. Handball Board that took place in the Croke Park Handball Centre on Wednesday 21ST November last.  Kevin McKenna Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and asked special guest Lorcan O’Ruairc Riarthoir Naisiunta Irish Handball Council to address the meeting. The National Secretary in a wide ranging address touched on many aspects of handball.  O’Ruairc was pleased to attend the meeting and said it is great to see so much activity in Dublin. O’Ruairc complimented the Na Fianna Club in taking part in this year’s Feile na Gael in Kilkenny. It was great to see the Juveniles involved. “Any young boy or girl who took part would have enjoyed it” said O’Ruairc. He congratulated Eoin Kennedy & Egin Jensen on achieving so much this year.    Eoin and Egin are a credit to handball and are tremendous ambassadors.  O’Ruairc also mentioned Ian Griffin for special praise.  Eoin is now taking over from his Dad Eugene with the number of All-Ireland handball titles won.  O’Ruairc thanked anybody who is involved in 3 level colleges handball and especially Padraig Gaffney.  O’Ruairc thanked all those involved in stewarding at the softball finals last September and mentioned Pat Ryan for the painting for the court and John Molloy for Co-ordinating the whole event.  O’Ruairc would like to see the One Wall game introduced and promoted more at school level. One Wall has great potential according to O’Ruairc.  O Ruairc thanked all those who took part in European Competitions this year and he would like to see a One-Wall championship in each County be introduced. ”It would be a great boost to the game.” O’Ruairc thanked all the County Board Officials and he could not let the occasion pass by remembering Michael McCluskey and Julie Long who passed away this year.  He offered his sympathy’s to those  who suffered bereavements this year. O’Ruairc ended by wishing for a successful A.G.M.

Chairman’s address:

The Chairman Kevin McKenna thanked the National Secretary for his address and then he gave his Chairman’s address. In it he congratulated all who had success this year at Juvenile, Colleges, County, Ladies, and All-Ireland’s.   There are over 20 in the ladies league and it is great to see said McKenna.  He thanked the Promotions team “for the press coverage of handball and as a result the numbers are swelling,” declared McKenna.  McKenna thanked Frank Semple Co. Secretary for organizing the Coaching Courses. Also he had words of gratitude to the sub committees. “They are doing an awful lot off work that is not readily seen,” admitted McKenna. New blood is essential to the Co. Board and asked that if anyone had some time to get involved in Co. Board matters as they would be most welcome.  McKenna said “there is challenges as regards facilities are limited in Dublin.  Some clubs are used to capacity others not used at all.”  The Co. Chairman hopes it will be huge boost to Dublin handball when the new National handball centre comes on stream.  The Chairman got a warm round applause from the delegates attending. 

Frank Daly the Juvenile Co. Chairman read out the Juvenile Report and thanked all the players who had success this year. He singled out Dianaimh Greene who had a phenomenal year along with Cian O’Dalaigh and Corey Fay.  He thanked all the people who helped out this year especially Peter Caulfield, Norma McCullagh, Michael & Deloras Greene for helping the Juveniles this year.    Shortly after that the Young players of the year award  for Girls went to Dianaimh Greene Na Fianna and for the boys went to Cian O’Dalaigh & Corey Fay also from the Na Fianna Club. 

Secretary’s report

Secretary Frank Semple gave a detailed report. In it he outlined the areas of importance the Juveniles players and he thanked the Juvenile Board who worked “diligently” according to the Secretary. The Co. Secretary will look forward when the likes of Belvedere, Oldtown, Portobello, St. Bridget’s, Brian Borus, S.T.A.G.  gave chase to Na Fianna at this level and in turn produce the next generation of handballers.

Promotions:

Semple thanked Michael McGee, Aine Gorman and Ciaran O’Sullivan for their involvement with the press, radio and website sponsored by MacSports.”The launch of the website in Parnell Park has proved to be a great aid to our members and supporters,” declared Semple.  Semple thanked Gerry O’Sullivan Communications Chairman Dublin G.A.A., the Fingal Independent, Evening Herald and Anna Livia Radio 103.2 and especially to Jimmy Coleman, Hubert Murphy, Niall Scully, Mick Hanley and Michael McGee for his reports in the Hoganstand. 

Development:

The Development group let by Joe Varley, Gary McNulty and Dermot Reynolds were thanked by the Co.Secretary for their efforts this year which even had visits to Dail Eireann and to Mansion House in the hope to develop the game even further.    In time it is hoped to have a handball court built in Bushy Park. Already this year the

Green Street court was officially opened by the Lord Mayor Vincent Jackson. 

Coaching:

There was 2 coaching course taken this year given by Richard Willoughby & Sean McEntee.  Clubs that took part were Oldtown, D.I.T., Belvedere, S.T.A.G. Na Fianna and representatives from Schools at Juvenile level.    Senior stars Eoin Kennedy & Egin Jensen held a number of clinic sessions.

Facilities & Associates:

In May there was a presentation in the Cusack Stand and over 20 people attended regarding the Handball Centre within the G.A.A. Headquarters.  Na Fianna Club are building a new 40 x 20 court to add their 60 x 30 court already in use.  Many G.A.A. Clubs in Dublin have handball courts but there is no personnel around that could see clubs formed. The links with the Dublin G.A.A Board is important and there is a lot of potential there according to the Co. Secretary.

Competition:

John Molloy, Anthony O’Sullivan and Kevin McKenna were thanked for organising the County Championships this year.  Eoin Kennedy recorded 4 Senior All-Ireland titles the grand slam in 60 x 30 and became only the 3rd player in history to achieve this. In hardball there was wins for Eoin Kennedy & Egin Jensen in Senior and to Ian Griffin, Christy Donnelly in junior all who brought great honour to Dublin this year.  There was success at 60 x 30 with the likes of Peter McTiernan, Joe Cahill, Seamus O’Mahony, Frank Semple all winning All-Ireland  titles for the first time.   All together Dublin recorded 11 All-Ireland titles in 2007 a great achievement.

International:

Recently 4 players from Dublin took part in the 2ND Italian One-Wall Nationals in Nizza Monferrato Frank Semple, Gary McNulty, Michael McGee & Darren Flynn.   Egin Jensen won 2 American titles in Minneapolis winning the Over 35 singles and then teaming up with Michael Ducksy Walsh to win the Masters Doubles.  In January Eoin Kennedy travels to Japan in an exhibition match against U.S. player Emmett Peixato.

John Molloy congratulated the Co. Secretary on a great report.

Michael McGee read out the P.R.O. report which ran to over 11 pages. It was a comprehensive report on Dublin’s achievements in handball. Afterwards Eamon O’Brien complimented McGee on an excellent report and said that Dublin is lucky to have the P.R.O. at their disposal.

Co. Treasurer Pat Ryan detailed the accounts and showed income over expenditure came to 83 Euro.  Yet again O’Brien thanked Ryan for his integrity as Treasurer going back many years.

The Election of Officers took place and all were returned unanimously.  Michael McGee owing to study and work commitments opted out for the first months and it is hoped that someone will take up the position in that time. 

Chairman: Kevin McKenna

V-Chairman: Anthony O’Sullivan

Secretary: Frank Semple

Treasurer: Pat Ryan

Juvenile Chairman: Frank Daly

Juvenile Secretary: Pat Ryan

Competitions: John Molloy, Anthony O’Sullivan and Kevin McKenna

Development: Joe Varley, Gary McNulty

Delegate to G.A.A Board: Dan Kelly

There were 7 motions 2 of which were passed. They were in introduction of a County Handball hardball title and the Ladies All-Ireland senior title be perpetually name “Julie Long Cup” at National level subject to permission from the family.

Just before the end Pat Ryan presented the John Bosco Award to Co. Chairman Kevin McKenna.

The meeting then ended.