Comment: Even a million-plus surplus fails to stir the Kildare GAA delegates into action

It's not like it was, or use to be, and that's for sure.
But then again nothing is these days.
And GAA Conventions are no different.

However when entering The Osprey Hotel on Wednesday night last for the 2022 gathering of club delegates and the various officers, the sight of a two wheel bike standing close to the registration desk had me wondering were things returning to what they were in yesteryear.

Initially while trying to decide if the owner of the two-wheeler was either of the two ladies on duty (Martina Donnelly and Patria Dobbins) I quickly decided it was probably Martina as she was keeping a very close eye on the 'vehicle.'

Then again maybe it was the box of Quality Street that sat neatly behind the seat, she was watching.
A change from the tin of Roses from previous years but still Quality Street are not to be sneezed at.
Inside the delegates were gathering, not in huge numbers but still gathering.

I enquired who was opening proceedings as in years , the late Fr Jimmy springing instantly to mind, only to be told there was no pre-convention blessing, mass, or well-wishes from either pastor, priest or person of the cloth.
Things are changing I say to meself.

More was to come though as this time around, as has been happening at county board meetings recently, when it came to mentioning GAA folk that have departed this world since the last gathering.

In former times, Con Ronan (Athy) was the top table buachaill who led the tributes and prior to Con, it was the late Gearoid Ó Tiernán who said the cúpla focal.

Now it is just a matter of standing for a minute's silence, well not exactly a minute, in fact not even half a minute, but at least all those who were no longer with us are still remembered.

Anyone didn't know before they arrived that this was going to be an in-and-out session they certainly realised fairly quickly when the chairman informed the attendance there was no need for tellers as they were no elections and no motions that would need counting.

God be with the days when the tellers were not only needed but vital, many is the argument from opposing camps who de-
manded one of 'their own' be included as a teller — just to keep an eye on proceedings if you get me drift.
Memories. Memories.
The Hon Treas, Alan Dunney, was first to bring the good news. And what news he had.

Remember it was only back in 2014 when Mr. Dunney took the reins when the county board had not got a pot to do you know what in.

Now, after eight years here we are being told that once again a surplus has been recorded, but not just any auld surplus, but a surplus of a million plus spondoolicks.

A million — or if you want to be exact — €1,083,871.
Delegates were so happy they asked not a single query or question.

Folk are getting so use to having surpluses now that even hearing the million mark has been breached didn't deserve comment.

And the fact that some €600,000 will be added to the savings pot in a Croke Park account for 'doing-up' St Conleth's Park, sure the boys and girls took it all in their stride.

Speaking of St Conleth's Park, the boss man emphasised (again) that the work on the 'Park' will commence next year, hopefully he is right but I keep saying to myself if you keep saying it will start next year, year after year, eventually you will hit the jackpot.
We live in hope though.

No elections, all top table doing a great job, it was soon time for the cocktailers, the sambos, the burgers, the chicken thingies, the tea, the coffee and the after congress chat.

The lady from Mazars, there to answer any financial questions, had long departed, not having had to open her mouth.
I remember ... no don't go there.

As for the bike, never discovered the owner, left a scarf behind so cyclist would not get cold on the way home. The scarf duly found its way back to me later in the week.
Thanks Martina!

PS: With so many changes taking place — not important to some but very to others — hope no one decides to drop the Saint (St) from St Conleth's Park when the naming rights are up for grabs.
Probably not.

But who knows, strange times we live in and stranger things have happened!