Co. Board "very aware" of the reality of Kildare senior footballers' situation says Chairman

Kilcock GAA Headquarters was the latest venue last week for the monthly gathering of the Kildare GAA grassroots as delegates from clubs throughout the county were welcomed by Kilcock chairman, Darren Conway.

As is now the norm, Mr Conway did not delay in his address to delegates, merely welcoming one and all and hoped everyone would have a good meeting.

Short and to the point.

The order of the day.

When you consider that Chairman, Mick Gorman, had to travel from the deep south, no doubt he was longer on the road than the meeting actually lasted.

The previous gathering, in Rathcoffey GAA Headquarters, was the first meeting that dipped just under the hour mark. But last Tuesday's gathering saw that 'record' blown out of the water as everything was done and dusted, would you believe, in 42 minutes.

The chairman, in this his final year of his five year reign is certainly putting down a marker for who ever succeeds him come convention time in December.

That particular convention will have some big decisions to make and that's for sure.

Not only will the Co. Board be requiring a new chairperson, it will also require a new vice-chairperson, and the word has it a new Hon Treasurer and with the Hon Secretary concluding her fourth year in 2024, another vacancy will be arising at the end of the 2025 season.

Interesting times ahead.

As for the convention of 2024 a few feelers are already being put out there for the position of chair.

A few currently sitting on the top table have been making soundings while we are also hearing that, at least one person, not currently a Co. Board official, but a former one, is, shall we say, testing the water.

We'll leave it that for the moment but will come back later to that topic, there are more pressing matters to be sorted at the minute.

Back to last Tuesday and Alan Dunney, the man who has been credited with turning the fortunes of the Co. Board around from being unable to write a cheque without a Croke Park official counter-signing, to a financial position today that is so healthy the re-development of St Conleth's Park is not only up and running but bang on target to be finished in our around October.
Alan gave an update of the 2024 finances and informed delegates that the budget, like the revamped stadium, is on track.

The Annual Club draw, which is a huge earner, not just for the county board, but for the clubs of the county will be held this year on September and 20 and the 4 and 18 October with tickets on the way in a matter of weeks, along with a new structured draw; details to follow.

Mick Mullin informed the gathering the SFL will commence on Friday 22 March while also telling delegates the amount of postponements presently being sought was causing major headaches and new ways of handling such requests are on the way.
He also reminded all clubs that each must have a referee by the 17 March, having already intimated that clubs that don't comply may lose home advantage for the various leagues.

Colm Farrell, Vice-Chairman said the Annual Punchestown Race Day is being held on Saturday May 4 while the Annual Golf Day at the K Club is penciled in for 30 August.

The Johnstownbridge official also informed delegates that the cover on the stand at Manguard Park, at the gym end, has commenced.

As for St Conleth's Park itself, Chairman Gorman said everything remains on course, the seating is expected to be in within a few weeks and once that is completed, work on the pitch can commence with all the heavy machinery dispensed with.

A course for club PRO's will be held on 25 March in Naas GAA Headquarters while county PRO Lorraine Wolfe also told delegates that a committee has been set up as regards a museum in the new stadium, requesting old pics and jerseys and any memorabilia while asking anyone interesting in getting involved in the project to get in touch.

This year 64 Cúl Camps are planned for the summer which will require 180 coaches; anyone interested should contact David Murphy of the coaching staff.

Larry Curtin gave his usual comprehensive report from the schools division, congratulating Naas CBS who again retained the Bro Bosco Cup, adding the U16 South Leinster title while also congratulating Maynooth PP who were successful in the Dublin Junior 'A' competition.

The Rathangan delegate informed the meeting the new “60 hour” rule may have a negative impact in a province such as Leinster, especially as the new rule states that the “onus now is on each province to avoid clashes” with other competitions.

It may, Larry said, see the cessation of round robin competitions in the future and force reverting to straight knock-out competitions come 2025.

The chairman also said March would be a busy month with various under-age competitions getting under way, wishing all managers and players the best in their endeavours.

Mr Gorman told the meeting that the minor hurlers are in action on 23 March; the minor footballers on 27 March while the U20 footballers commence their campaign on 26 March.

On the county senior footballers the chairman said that “since our last meeting results have not improved, we are all very aware of the reality of the situation, very important to say that” adding “our senior management and players have put in a huge amount of time” while suggesting it is easy for us all to get behind the team when everything is going well but it is when things are going bad when they really need support; hopefully things will improve in the next couple of weeks, it is not going to be easy with Donegal and Louth in our last game, added Mr Gorman.

The chairman added that: “since the last meeting the comment from the national media has been very disappointing; we as a management committee fully support every management team and players as they continue to represent their county.”
Asked if anyone had any questions or comment, there was no response.

Meanwhile Rathcoffey delegate, John Flood, queried one rule in particular and asked that the “four step rule be implemented properly as per the rule book.”

The meeting was also informed that Andrew Dermody from Carbury has been added to the minor football management team.
The meeting adjourned after a mere 42 minutes.