2002 Con Booklet - Club and Countyleinster.clubandcounty.com/wp-content/uploads/... · 2 Comhdhail Cinn Bliana 2001-2002 Leinster Minor Football Champions 2001 Dublin Back L-R: David

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3Comhdhail Cinn Bliana 2001-2002

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12.45 pm Registration

1.00 pm Lunch

2.15 pm (i) Convention Opens(ii) Address by Cathaoirleach Coisde Co. Chill Chainnigh C.L.G.

2.30 pm (i) Minutes of 2001 Convention(ii) Discussion of Report of Chief Executive(iii) Discussion of Sub-Committee Reports

3.00 pm First Ballot (Leas-Cathaoirleach)

3.10 pm Address by outgoing Cathaoirleach

3.30 pm Second Ballot

3.40 pm Review of Accounts of Comhairle Laighean

4.00 pm Third Ballot

4.10 pm Guest Speakers

4.30 pm First Ballot (P.R.O.)

4.40 pm Na Rúin

5.15 pm Address by Incoming Cathaoirleach

5.30 pm Election of Officers

5.45 pm Tea / Coffee - Convention Closes

Each county is entitled to the following Delegate representation at Convention,in addition to its two representatives on the Provincial Council:Ceatharloch 5 Cill Mhantáin 6 Iarmhí 5 An Mhí 6Lú 5 Longphort 5 Cill Dara 6 Uibh Fháilí 6Cill Chainnigh 5 Laois 6 Áth Cliath 6 Loch Garman 6

A brief meeting of the incoming Leinster Council will be held immediately after Convention, at whichonly urgent business to hand will be considered.

NOTE1 Slip on Admission Card to be handed to Hotel Management for Lunch (1.00p.m.).2 Full Leinster Convention documentation has already been forwarded directly to members of the outgoing Leinster Council.

Michéal Ó Dubhshláine (Runai) Áras Laighean, Portlaoise, Co. Laois


Ainmniúcháin

CATHAOIRLEACH Nioclás Ó Braonáin Cill Chainnigh

LEAS-CATHAOIRLEACH Séamus De Róiste Áth CliathSéamus Ó Duinn Cill MhantáinSéamus Ó Faoláin IarmhíAindrias Ó Gallchóir Uibh FháilíSeán Ó Loinsigh LúLiam Ó Neill Laois

CISTEOIR Pádraig Ó Flannagáin Iarmhí

OIFIGEACH CAIDREAMH Séamus Ó hUilin Loch GarmanPOIBLÍ Pádraig Ó Tómhnair Lú

Na Rúin(a) That present grant given to clubs participating in the Leinster Club

Championships be increased.(Uibh Fhaili)

(b) That the presentations of all provincial cups revert to the Stand and that spectators be allowed on the pitch during the presentations.

(Loch Garman)


Miontuairisci Chruinniú Den

Chomhdhail Bhliantúil 26-2-2001

S. Uas. Aldridge (Cathaoirleach) presided at the Annual Convention of Leinster Council G.A.A., held in Arklow Bay Hotel,Arklow, on Monday 26u Feabhra 2001. The following members of Comhairle Laighean C.L.G. were also in attendance; N. ÓBraonáin (Leas-Cathaoirleach); P. Ó Flannagáin (Cisteoir); S. O hUilin (P.R.O.); T. O Briain (Liathroid Laimhe); T. Ó Domhnaill(Ard Oideachais); P. Ó Cinnseallaigh (Cumann an mBunscol); B. Ó Leaindí, S. Ó Loinsigh (Lu); M. Ó Briain, B. Ó hAilin (AnMhi); S. Mac Coisdealbha, S. de Roiste (Ath Cliath); S. Ó Duinn, S. Ó Tiomáin (Cill Mhantain); P. Ó Dúill, L. Mac Fhairligh (LochGarman); S. Mac Carthaigh (Cill Dara); L.V. Ó Conbhuí, P. Ó Nualláin (Ceatharloch); S. Ó Caomhanaigh (Laois); A. Ó Gallchóir,S. Ó hÓgain (Uibh Fhaili); A. Mac Roibin, T. Ó Feargháil (Iarmhi); S. Mac an tSionnaigh, S. Ó Floinn (Longphort) and M. ÓDubhshláine (Runai).

Apologies for inability to attend had been received from C. Ó Rónain (Colaisti); T. de Spainne (Gairmscoileanna); O. ÓFaolain (Laois) and S.S. Breathnach (Cill Dara).

The following delegates represented their counties

LÚT. O Meachair, P. Mac Mathuna, P. O Branagain,S. O Broin, P. O Tomhnair

AN MHÍC. Mac Fhionnain, F. Mac Ginneartai, B. O Coimin,C. O Cromail, P. O Neill, B. Mac Gabhann

ÁTH CLIATHS. O Baille, D. O hIceadha, S. O Mathuna, N. O Murchu

CILL MHANTÁINP. O Foirtcheirn, M. O hAgain, S. Napier, P. de Paor,P. Mac Eochaidh, P. O Misteal.

LOCH GARMANM. O Cinnseallaigh, D. O hUilin, S. Mac Fhearghais,S. O Cuirc, S. O Seacnasai

CILL DARAA. O Suilleabhain, M. O Fionnain, R. O Faolain,G. O Tiarnain, T. O hIobhaird, P. O Muilleoir

CEATHARLOCHE. O Broin, S. O Broin, G. O Lionnain, S. Inglis, T. O Neill

CILL CHAINNIGHE. O Coinn, P. O Donnchu, Barra O hIci, P. Mac Andreis, E. O Bogaigh

LAOISR. O Muilleoir, L. O Neill, A. Breathnach, A. O Dubhshlaine,S. O Rannachain

UIBH FHÁILÍB. Mac A Bhaird, M. O Muinneog, B. O Broin, M.N. O Broin,S. O Roileain

IARMHÍA. O Muiri, S. O Sioradain, S. O Faolain, A. de Pic,S. O Briain

LONGPHORTM. O Sceallaigh, B. Mac Giolla Mhuire, T. O Flanagain,P. Pepper.

Also in attendance at Convention were

IAR CATHAOIRLIGH COMHAIRLE LAIGHEAN C.L.G.S. O Beara, S. Boothman, T. O Lochtuis, P. O Bogaigh,A. O Falluin

OIFIGEACH IOMANA LAIGHEANB. O Suilleabhain

OIFIGEACH PEILE LAIGHEANP. O Cleirigh

CUMANN NA mBUNSCOLT. Mac Giolla Phadraig

PROVINCIAL REFEREES ADMINISTRATORP. de Freine

INCOMING MEMBERS OF COMHAIRLE LAIGHEANT. O hAiseadha, P. O Ceallaigh, P. Uaiceam, S. O Daltuin.

ARAS LAIGHEAN STAFFP. Ni Chleir, H. Ni hOrain, S. Ni Chuinn, M. Mac Raghnaill

CATHAOIRLEACH COISDE CO. CHILL MHANTÁIND. Mac Giolla Chuda


FÁILTIÚP. O Foirtcheirn (Runai, Coisde Co. Chill Mhantain C.L.G.)introduced his Coisde’s Chairman, Donal Mac GiollaChuda. The Chairman in welcoming the delegatesrecalled the long happy association of his county withComhairle Laighean C.L.G. through former chairmen,Aodh O Broin R.I.P. and Jack Boothman. He thankedComhairle Laighean C.L.G. for their financial assistance tohis county, in particular that granted towards the county’scoaching programme and the development of facilities attheir main county grounds in Aughrim.

OSCAILTS. Uas. Aldridge returned thanks to Cathaoirleach ChoisdeCho. Chill Mhantain C.L.G. and then formally openedConvention 2001.

MIONTUAIRISCI CHOMHDHAIL 2000Adopted and signed by an Cathaoirleach on propositionof A. O Muiri, seconded by S. Mac Coisdealbha.

TUAIRISC AN RUNAÍ 2000Adopted, and opened for discussion, on proposition of B.Mac A Bhaird, seconded by S. O Baille.

SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS 2000Adopted and opened for discussion.

ANNUAL ACCOUNTSCOMHAIRLE LAIGHEAN 2000Adopted on proposition of S. O Rannachain, seconded byS. O hEile. The accounts were then discussed and anumber of questions answered on them.

SCÓR ACCOUNTS 2000Adopted on proposition of S. O Baille, seconded by A.Mac Roibin.

GUEST SPEAKERConvention was then addressed by Cllr. VincentMcElheron, Chairman, Arklow Harbour Authority. Hewelcomed Convention to his town and paid tribute to theAssociation for their volunteers work in the area of youthdevelopment.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

CATHAOIRLEACHSeamus Aldridge (Cill Dara) declared elected and headdressed Convention as per attached schedule.

LEAS-CATHAOIRLEACHNioclas O Braonain (Cill Chainnigh) declared elected.

CISTEOIRPadraig O Flannagain (Iarmhi) declared elected.

P.R.O.Seamus O hUilin (Loch Garman) declared elected.

All three returned thanks in their addresses to Convention.

END OF CENTENARY YEAR

An Cathaoirleach delcared an end to Comhairle Laighean’sCentenary year and formally replaced the Centenary Flagwith the regular Comhairle Laighean Flag.

RÚNThe following motion was before Convention

‘Due to the extra responsibility and work involved for bothcounties and clubs, as a result of all inter-countychampionship games becoming all-ticket, Leinster Councilshould allow a three per cent commission on all ticketssold to all counties and clubs, for the handling of same.’

(Uibh Fhaili)

DecisionIt was agreed that the subject of this motion was properlya matter for consideration by Comhairle Laighean C.L.G.

CONCLUSIONAn Cathaoirleach brought the Annual Convention to aclose by thanking the P.R. Committee, and Coisde Co.Chill Mhantain C.L.G. for the excellent arrangements.

The Convention ended


A Cháirde go léir,Is cuis mor athais dom fior-chaoin failte a fhearadhromhaibh anseo trathnona godti Ostan Arklow Bay chun suilsiar a chaiteamh ar imeachtaiBliana na Milaoise. Mar is eoldibh, ni he amhain go raibhMilaois a ceiliuradh againn ach,nios tabhactai fos, bhi Bliain ancheid Chomhairle Laighean a

ceiliuradh againn comh maith agus caithfidh me a ra gurchuir se gliondar ar mo chroi an sli inar ghlach ar mbaillpairt in na h-imeachtai go leir a h-eagraiodh chunaitheantas ceart a thabhairt do’n ocaid stairiul sin.

It was a great honour and privilege for me to be yourchairman during the past year - our centenary year and themillennium year it had to be special. Bliain an gcéad bliainna milaoise.

The start of our Centenary year was celebrated with our100th Cenvention held in Pairc an Chrocaigh and wasfurther celebrated with our Centenary Dinner in the BridgeHouse, Tullamore. It was indeed a night to remember. Atthis point I wish to thank and congratulate Paddy Flanaganand his committee for their excellent organisation of theseevents - also to John Cotter for his role and indeed thewonderful job he does with our match programmes.

HURLING GAMESKilkenny Senior Hurlers went on to dominate and win theMcCarthy Cup. It was a special victory for the ‘Cats’ asthey did not want to record their third successive defeat inthe All Ireland.

The Minor and Under 21 Finals went to Offaly. Who willever forget that terrific Under 21 Hurling Final in Portlaoise?It was a privilege to be there.

The media and indeed our C.E.O. have warned that thestandard was not good in the 2000 Senior Hurling but I donot fully agree with that - which is the more important anumber of high or good quality games or that a Leinsterteam went on to comprehensively win that All Ireland andindeed defeat another Leinster Team in the Final? In the

past three years Leinster has won two finals and suppliedfive of the six teams that participated. Hurling is well inLeinster. The Draw for 2001 looks even more exciting.

GUINNESS SPONSORSHIPWith the news during the week that Ireland is top of theleague for underage drinking in the E.U. surely it is time forC.L.G. to reconsider its position that our national game ofhurling should be sponsored by an alcholic drinkscompany The sad part is that the news from E.U. came asno great surprise. All forms of Drug Abuse are bad butdrink effects more than the drinker - it has torn apart familylife in our country. Teenage drinking is out of control. Nowwith the Celtic tiger we have families out overy Sunday forLunch - nothing wrong with that but why do they mainlyindulge in pub grub - carveries - they now have broughtchildren from one to sixteen years into the pub culture. Itjust does not sit with me even if the company is excellent.

FOOTBALLKildare won their second Senior Football title in three yearsand were narrowly defeated by Galway in the Semi Final.It was good to see the famed Lilywhites back at the top.

Westmeath continued their wonderful underage record bywinning both the Minor and Under 21 Football titles. Surelytheir’s is the example for weaker counties to advancerather than a multitude of competitions.

THE CLUB v INTER-COUNTY COMPETITIONI feel its time we consider do we want to kill football andhurling in our clubs as the inter county competitions areincreased - new football championship, now a new hurlingformat - there are only fifty two Sundays in the year.

I feel our present set up will kill our National Leagues whichare our second most important competitions.

But is it solved now? We have seen last Saturday a nearlyempty Pairc Ui Caoimh - when a Sunday fixture wouldhave up to 15,000 - 20,000 at it. Kildare v Carlow inFootball Saturday week at Dr. Cullen Park - attendance 400.5,000 if played on the Sunday. I’m sure you know of manyother examples. Don’t tell me the counties do not need thefinance particularly with the full implementation of theAmatuer Status.

Oráid an Chathaoirligh

- Comhairle Laighean


BOOKLET Information for playersm ‘All players treated equitably’m What will be the financial effect of itm Weak counties subsidised £10,000 (£5,000.00)

THE MANAGER (Club / County)We have heard allegations of

(a) County Team manager paid £20,000.00 - £30,000.00 per annum

(b) A Club Manager paid £19,000.00 per annum

New committee to look into it with no fixed plan despitethe media already saying what has to be done.

The manager was the cause of the unrest among players- now that players are sorted out the manager is noproblem and should be paid! One County Chairman hascalled for this already.

MAZARS REVIEWThis review of the operations of Comhairle Laighean andAras Laighean will be implemented in the coming year.

SUB COMMITTEESI would like to thank all of our Sub-Committees for theirwork throughout the year.

COMHAIRLE LAIGHEAN’S FUTUREIs the next step open draw? What then?

DECENTRALISATIONCan we carry on without Provincial Council - I say no wecan’t.

CROKE PARKThere are twenty five committees in Croke Park.Can we trust Croke Park with our future?

ARAS LAIGHEAN STAFFI would like to thank the following:

Our Chief Executive Michéal Ó Dubhshláine.The rest of the staff in Aras Laighean;Michael Reynolds, Julie, Hannah and Patricia.

SYMPATHYI wish to extend sympathy to our G.A.A. friends whopassed away during the year.Tom Ryall of Kilkenny, Bill Delaney of Laois and Eddie Boyleof Louth.

Go raibh maith agaibh a cháirde go léir.

Leinster Under-21 Football Champions 2001 MeathBack L-R: Niall Kelly, John Donoghue, David Crimmins, Charles McCarthy, David Gallagher, Hugh Gribben,Barry Lynch, Noel Kennedy, Glen LoughranFront L-R: Stephen Bray, Damien Clarke, Seamus Kenny, Christopher Reynolds, Ronan Kelly, Thomas Loughran.


Peil Sinsir1. CILL MHANTAIN v LAOIS2. LONGPHORT v LU3. CEATHARLOCH v IARMHI4. LOCH GARMAN

5. 1 v UIBH FHAILI6. 2 v CILL DARA7. 3 v AN MHI8. 4 v ATH CLIATH

9. 5 v 610. 7 v 8

CRAOBH 9 v 10

Fé 21 Bliain Peil1. ATH CLIATH v CEATHARLOCH 2. 1 v LONGPHORT 3. CILL CHAINNIGH v AN MHI 4. 3 v CILL DARA 5. LAOIS v LOCH GARMAN 6. 5 v UIBH FHAILI7. LU v IARMHI

8. 7 v CILL MHANTAIN

9. 2 v 410. 6 v 8

CRAOBH 9 v 10

Peil Mionúir1 AN MHI v CILL DARA 2. LOCH GARMAN v LAOIS3. ATH CLIATH v IARMHI 4. *PRELIM. WINNERS v UIBH FHAILI

5. 1 v 26. 3 v 4

CRAOBH 5 v 6

PRELIMINARY GROUPCILL CHAINNIGH, LONGPHORT, LU, CILL MHANTAIN, CEATHARLOCH

Iomáint Sinsir1. CEATHARLOCH v AN MHI2. CILL MHANTAIN v LAOIS3. CILL DARA v IARMHI

4. 1 v 25. 3 v ATH CLIATH

6. 4 v 57. CILL CHAINNIGH v UIBH FHAILI

8. 6 v LOCH GARMAN

CRAOBH 7 v 8

Iomáint Fé 21 Bliain1. Special Winners v LOCH GARMAN 2. 1 v CILL CHAINNIGH 3. UIBH FHAILI v LAOIS 4. 3 v ATH CLIATH

CRAOBH 2 v 4

Iomáint MionúirROUND I1. CILL DARA V UIBH FHAILI 2. AN MHI V IARMHI3. CILL MHANTAIN V ATH CLIATH4. CEATHARLOCH v LAOIS

ROUND II1. UIBH FHAILI V AN MHI2. IARMHI V CILL DARA3. ATH CLIATH V CEATHARLOCH4. LAOIS V CILL MHANTAIN

ROUND III1. IARMHI V UIBH FHAILI2. CILL DARA V AN MHI 3. LAOIS V ATH CLIATH4. CEATHARLOCH V CILL MHANTAIN

Comhairle Laighean CLG

Clár na gCluichí 2002


Peil Soisir1. LOCH GARMAN v CEATHARLOCH 2. LAOIS v CILL MHANTAIN3. UIBH FHAILI v LU

4. 1 v LONGPHORT5. 2 v ATH CLIATH 6. 3 v AN MHI 7. CILL CHAINNIGH v CILL DARA

8. 4 v 59. 6 v 7

CRAOBH 8 v 9

Iomáint Soisir1. CILL DARA v LONGPHORT2. AN MHI v LU

CRAOBH 1 v 2

Iomáint Idirmheanach1. LAOIS v LOCH GARMAN

2. 1 v UIBH FHAILI3. ATH CLIATH v CILL CHAINNIGH

CRAOBH 2 v 3

Fé 21 Bliain Iomáint SpeisPRELIMINARY ROUND

LU v LONGPHORT

1. PRELIM. WINNERS v CILL MHANTAIN 2. 1 v CEATHARLOCH3. AN MHI v CILL DARA4. 3 v IARMHI

CRAOBH 2 v 4

Leinster Junior Football Champions 2001 OffalyBack L-R: Scott Brady, Peter Brady, Brian Halligan, John Ryan, John Greene, Phil O’Reilly, Darren Quinn, Declan KellyFront L-R: James Stewart, Jody Kennedy, Niall Slattery, Kieran Grennan, Tom Coffey, Conor Evans, Kevin Flynn


Peil SinsirDATE VENUE

1 Wicklow V Laois 5.5.2002. Carlow2 Longford V Louth 5.5.2002. Navan3 Carlow V Westmeath 12.5.2002. Portlaoise4 Wexford

5 1 V Offaly 26.5.2002. Newbridge/Tullamore6 2 V Kildare 26.5.2002. Tullamore/Navan7 3 V Meath 2.6.2002. Newbridge/Portlaoise8 4 V Dublin 1.6.2002. Carlow

9 5 V 6 15.6.2002. Croke Park10 7 V 8 16.6.2002. Croke Park

Craobh 9 V 10 14.7.2002. Croke Park

Iomáint SinsirDATE VENUE

1 Carlow V Meath 28.4.2002. Carlow2 Wicklow V Laois 28.4.2002. Aughrim3 Kildare V Westmeath 28.4.2002. Mullingar

4 1 V 2 12.5.2002. Carlow/Trim5 3 V Dublin 12.5.2002. Newbridge/Mullingar

6 4 V 5 26.5.2002. Le Socrú

7 Kilkenny V Offaly 9.6.2002. Thurles8 6 V Wexford 9.6.2002. Thurles

Craobh 7 V 8 7.7.2002. Croke Park

Comhairle Laighean CLG

Clár na gCluichí 2002


Fé 21 Bliana PeilDATE VENUE

1 Dublin V Carlow 2.3.2002 Parnell Park2 1 V Longford 16.3.2002. Parnell Park/Carlow3 Kilkenny V Meath 2.3.2002. Kilkenny4 3 V Kildare 16.3.2002. Kilkenny/Navan5 Laois V Wexford 2.3.2002. Portlaoise6 5 V Offaly 16.3.2002. Portlaoise/Wexford7 Louth V Westmeath 2.3.2002. Drogheda8 7 V Wicklow 16.3.2002. Drogheda/Mullingar

9 (a) If Dublin V Kilkenny 7.4.2002. NewbridgeV Meath 7.4.2002. NewbridgeV Kildare 7.4.2002. Navan

9 (b) If Carlow V Kilkenny 7.4.2002. PortlaoiseV Meath 7.4.2002. NewbridgeV Kildare 7.4.2002. Portlaoise

9(c) If Longford V Kilkenny 7.4.2002. TullamoreV Meath 7.4.2002. MullingarV Kildare 7.4.2002. Tullamore

10 (a) If Laois V Louth 7.4.2002. NewbridgeV Westmeath 7.4.2002. TullamoreV Wicklow 7.4.2002. Carlow

10 (b) If Wexford V Louth 7.4.2002. Parnell ParkV Westmeath 7.4.2002. CarlowV Wicklow 7.4.2002. Carlow

10 (c) If Offaly V Louth 7.4.2002. NavanV Westmeath 7.4.2002. TullamoreV Wicklow 7.4.2002. Newbridge

Craobh 9 V 10 21.4.2002.

Peil MíonúirDATE VENUE

1 Carlow V Kilkenny 30.3.2002. Carlow2 Wicklow V Longford 30.3.2002. Aughrim3 Kilkenny V Wicklow 6.4.2002. Kilkenny4 Longford V Louth 6.4.2002. Longford5 Wicklow V Carlow 20.4.2002. Aughrim6 Louth V Kilkenny 20.4.2002. Drogheda7 Carlow V Louth 27.4.2002. Carlow8 Kilkenny V Longford 27.4.2002. Kilkenny9 Longford V Carlow 4.5.2002. Longford

10 Louth V Wicklow 4.5.2002. Drogheda

(a) Meath V Kildare 18.5.2002. Navan(b) Wexford V Laois 18.5.2002. Wexford(c) Dublin V Westmeath 18.5.2002. Parnell Park(d) Prelim Winners V Offaly 18.5.2002. Le Socrú(e) (a) V (b) 29.6.2002. Le Socrú(f) (c) V (d) 29.6.2002. Le Socrú

Craobh (e) V (f) 14.7.2002. Croke Park


Fé 21 Bliana Iomáint SpeisDATE VENUE

Prelim. Rd. Louth V Longford Drogheda1 Prelim winners V Wicklow Drogheda/Longford2 1 V Carlow Drogheda/Longford/Aughrim3 Meath V Kildare Trim4 3 V Westmeath Trim/Newbridge

Craobh 2 V 4 Home Venue of 2

Fé 21 Bliana IomáintDATE VENUE

1 Spec. Winners V Wexford 12.6.2002. Home venue of Spec. Winners2 1 V Kilkenny 26.6.2002. Le Socru/Kilkenny3 Offaly V Laois 12.6.2002. Birr4 3 V Dublin 26.6.2002. Portlaoise/Kilkenny

Craobh 2 V 4 17.7.2002.

Iomáint IdirmheanachDATE VENUE

1 Laois V Wexford 5.6.2002. Portlaoise2 1 V Offaly 19.6.2002. Portlaoise/Wexford3 Dublin V Kilkenny 19.6.2002. Parnell Park

Craobh 2 V 3 10.7.2002.

O’Byrne Cup Champions 2001 MeathBack L to R: Nigel Nestor, Graham Geraghty, Darren Fay, Cormac Sullivan, John Cullinane, Anthony Moyles, Hank Traynor.Front L to R: Mark O’Reilly, Ray Magee, Donal Curtis, Paddy Reynolds, Evan Kelly, Niall McKeigue, Paul Shankey, Enda McManus.


Peil SoisirDATE VENUE

1. Wexford v Carlow 15.5.2002 Wexford2. Laois v Wicklow 15.5.2002 Portlaoise3. Offaly v Louth 15.5.2002 Tullamore

4. 1 v Longford 29.5.2002 Wexford / Carlow5. 2 v Dublin 29.5.2002 Portlaoise / Aughrim6. 3 v Meath 29.5.2002 Tullamore/Drogheda7. Kilkenny v Kildare 29.5.2002 Kilkenny

8. 4 v 5 15.6.2002 With S.F.C. Semi Final9. 6 v 7 16.6.2002 ith S.F.C. Semi Final

CRAOBH 8 v 9 3.7.2002 Home Venue of 8.

Iomáint SoisirDATE VENUE REPLAY

1. Kildare v Longford 10.7.2002 Newbridge 17.7.20022. Meath v Louth 10.7.2002 Trim 17.7.2002

CRAOBH 1 v 2 24.7.2002 Newbridge 27.7.2002/ Longford

Iomáint MionúirDATE VENUE

GROUP A Offaly Westmeath Kildare MeathGROUP B Dublin Laois Wicklow Carlow

Kildare v Offaly 13.4.2002 First named teamsMeath v Westmeath 13.4.2002 have home venue

Wicklow v Dublin 13.4.2002Carlow v Laois 13.4.2002

Offaly v Meath 27.4.2002 First named teamsWestmeath v Kildare 27.4.2002 have home venue

Dublin v Carlow 27.4.2002Laois v Wicklow 27.4.2002

Westmeath v Offaly 11.5.2002 First named teamsKildare v Meath 11.5.2002 have home venue

Laois v Dublin 11.5.2002Carlow v Wicklow 11.5.2002

SEMI FINALS 26.6.2002

FINAL 7.7.2002


Cluichí Laighean 2001

O’Byrne Cup Senior Football14/1 Cill Mhantain ..............................2-15 Ceatharloch ..............................0-05 Carlow14/1 Laois ........................................1-19 Longphort..................................1-14 Longford21/1 Loch Garman ............................0-07 Uibh Fhaili ..................................1-04 Gorey21/1 Cill Mhantain ..............................1-14 Ath Cliath ..................................1-12 Aughrim21/1 An Mhi ......................................3-13 Laois ........................................3-08 Stradbally21/1 Iarmhi........................................4-07 Lu ............................................1-19 Mullingar28/1 Loch Garman ............................1-16 Uibh Fhaili ..................................4-06 Bunclody28/1 Cill Mhantain ..............................2-13 Cill Dara ....................................1-14 Aughrim4/2 An Mhi ......................................2-17 Loch Garman ............................1-07 Castletown18/2 Iarmhi........................................3-12 Cill Mhantain ..............................0-05 Mullingar1/4 An Mhi ......................................1-11 Iarmhi........................................0-11 Mullingar

Walsh Sup S.H.14/1 Laois ........................................5-08 An Mhi ......................................0-10 Navan21/1 Laois ........................................3-13 Uibh Fhaili ..................................1-10 Rathdowney21/1 Loch Garman ............................1-11 Ath Cliath ..................................1-07 Ferns28/1 Loch Garman ............................2-10 Laois ........................................0-09 Enniscorthy

Kehoe Cup S.H.14/1 Cill Dara ....................................2-09 Ceatharloch ..............................1-08 Newbridge21/1 Cill Mhantain ..............................1-19 Iarmhi........................................0-04 Arklow21/1 Cill Dara ....................................1-15 Lu ............................................0-09 Newbridge28/1 Cill Mhantain ..............................2-13 Cill Dara ....................................1-14 Newbridge

Leinster Under 21 F.C.3/2 An Mhi ......................................1-07 Laois ........................................0-08 Portlaoise4/2 Ath Cliath ..................................0-14 Loch Garman ............................0-09 Parnell Park4/2 Cill Dara ....................................2-09 Iarmhi........................................1-09 Mullingar11/2 Cill Mhantain ..............................2-15 Ceatharloch ..............................1-04 Ashford17/2 Cill Mhantain ..............................1-15 Cill Chainnigh ............................2-03 Baltinglass17/2 Cill Dara ....................................0-13 Uibh Fhaili ..................................1-04 Newbridge18/2 An Mhi ......................................0-13 Lu ............................................0-04 Navan18/2 Ath Cliath ..................................0-16 Longphort..................................0-05 Swords31/3 Ath Cliath ..................................0-11 Cill Dara ....................................0-07 Mullingar31/3 An Mhi ......................................1-11 Cill Mhantain ..............................2-05 Carlow7/4 An Mhi ......................................0-10 Ath Cliath ..................................1-05 Newbridge

Leinster Minor Football League17/2 Iarmhi........................................3-07 Lu ............................................2-08 Drogheda17/2 Loch Garman ............................2-07 Laois ........................................2-07 Horeswood17/2 Ath Cliath ..................................1-14 Cill Dara ....................................0-05 O’ Toole Park17/2 Uibh Fhaili ..................................1-11 Baile Atha Cliath..........................1-05 O’ Toole Park17/2 An Mhi ......................................1-11 Longphort..................................3-03 Athboy17/2 Cill Mhantain ..............................1-10 Ceatharloch ..............................0-07 Shillelagh


Leinster Minor Hurling League24/2 Cill Chainnigh ............................3-04 Laois ........................................1-12 Thomastown24/2 Cill Dara ....................................2-09 An Mhi ......................................0-04 Kiltale24/2 Ath Cliath ..................................0-13 Antroim ....................................1-08 St. Clares D.C.U.24/2 Loch Garman ............................1-13 Uibh Fhaili ..................................0-05 Monageer24/2 Cill Chainnigh (N)........................5-17 Iarmhi........................................1-08 Kilkenny Venue24/2 Ceatharloch ..............................0-19 Cill Mhantain ..............................1-03 Arklow

Leinster Junior Hurling Tournament24/2 James Stephens ........................0-15 Clane ........................................2-05 Clane25/2 Kinnitty ......................................6-16 Ballymahon Gaels ......................0-01 Ballymahon25/2 Ballyroebuck ..............................2-15 Naomh Eoin ..............................1-03 Nh. Eoin16/4 Camross ..................................2-15 Clane ........................................1-09 Portlaoise19/4 Camross ..................................3-06 James Stephens ........................0-13 Portlaoise20/4 Askamore..................................1-13 Carnew Emmetts........................0-06 Ballyroebuck29/4 Askamore..................................3-04 Camross ..................................0-10 Askea Mor9/5 Boardsmill..................................2-05 Kinnitty ......................................1-06 Mullingar20/5 Askamore..................................2-11 Boardsmill..................................0-11 Ballyroebuck

Leinster Special Under 21 H.C.7/4 Ceatharloch ..............................5-14 Longphort..................................2-05 Longford11/4 Iarmhi........................................1-12 An Mhi ......................................0-07 Mullingar21/4 Iarmhi........................................1-08 Cill Mhantain ..............................0-08 Mullingar21/4 Ceatharloch ..............................2-06 Cill Dara ....................................1-04 Carlow3/5 Ceatharloch ..............................1-13 Iarmhi........................................0-12 Carlow

Leinster S.H.C.15/4 Cill Dara ....................................5-11 Cill Mhantain ..............................2-16 Arklow15/4 Ceatharloch ..............................2-13 Iarmhi........................................0-14 Carlow29/4 Laois ........................................2-17 Ceatharloch ..............................1-04 Carlow29/4 An Mhi ....................................2-25 Cill Dara ....................................2-24 Clane7/5 Laois ........................................3-16 An Mhi ......................................1-07 Tullamore20/5 Laois ........................................1-15 Ath Cliath ..................................2-11 Kilkenny10/6 Loch Garman ............................0-17 Laois ........................................0-10 Croke Park10/6 Cill Chainnigh ............................3-21 Uibh Fhaili ..................................0-18 Croke Park8/7 Cill Chainnigh ............................2-19 Loch Garman ............................0-12 Croke Park

Leinster M.H.C.21/4 Uibh Fhaili ..................................4-10 Iarmhi........................................0-08 Mullingar21/4 Ath Cliath ..................................2-14 Laois ........................................0-06 Parnell Park28/4 Ath Cliath ..................................3-11 Iarmhi........................................0-10 Mullingar28/4 Uibh Fhaili ..................................5-10 Laois ........................................1-06 Birr5/5 Laois ........................................8-18 Iarmhi........................................2-06 Portlaoise12/5 Uibh Fhaili ..................................1-15 Ath Cliath ..................................1-09 Birr27/6 Loch Garman ............................2-14 Uibh Fhaili ..................................2-09 Carlow27/6 Cill Chainnigh ............................1-14 Ath Cliath ..................................1-06 Carlow8/7 Cill Chainnigh ............................3-16 Loch Garman ............................1-09 Croke Park


Leinster J.F.C.9/5 Uibh Fhaili ..................................0-12 Laois ........................................0-10 Tullamore9/5 Loch Garman ............................4-12 Ceatharloch ..............................2-05 Carlow23/5 Uibh Fhaili ..................................0-12 Ath Cliath ..................................0-09 Tullamore23/5 Iarmhi........................................0-10 Chainnigh ..................................0-07 Kilkenny23/5 Loch Garman ............................1-13 Cill Dara ....................................0-12 Enniscorthy23/5 An Mhi ......................................1-17 Lu ............................................0-10 Navan17/6 Uibh Fhaili ..................................0-14 Iarmhi........................................0-14 Croke Park21/6 Uibh Fhaili ..................................2-12 Iarmhi........................................1-09 Tullamore24/6 An Mhi ......................................0-16 Loch Garman ............................2-08 Croke Park5/7 Uibh Fhaili ..................................2-09 An Mhi ......................................1-11 Tullamore

Leinster S.F.C. (2001)6/5 Laois ........................................0-18 Loch Garman ............................0-14 Carlow6/5 Longphort..................................1-11 Lu ............................................1-09 Navan13/5 Ceatharloch ..............................1-09 Cill Mhantain ..............................2-06 Newbridge20/5 Ceatharloch ..............................0-09 Cill Mhantain ..............................0-08 Newbridge27/5 Ath Cliath ..................................2-19 Longphort..................................1-13 Croke Park27/5 Uibh Fhaili ..................................1-13 Laois ........................................0-12 Croke Park3/6 Cill Dara ....................................0-19 Ceatharloch ..............................1-11 Croke Park3/6 An Mhi ......................................2-12 Iarmhi........................................1-14 Croke Park17/6 Ath Cliath ..................................1-12 Uibh Fhaili ..................................0-13 Croke Park24/6 An Mhi ......................................1-16 Cill Dara ....................................1-11 Croke Park15/7 An Mhi ......................................2-11 Ath Cliath ..................................0-14 Croke Park

Leinster M.F.C.5/5 Ath Cliath ..................................9-21 Cill Chainnigh ............................0-02 Kilkenny5/5 Loch Garman ............................1-12 Longphort..................................1-10 Longford 6/5 Laois ........................................2-13 Ceatharloch ..............................0-09 Carlow12/5 An Mhi ......................................2-06 Cill Dara ....................................2-06 Navan16/5 Cill Dara ....................................0-19 An Mhi ......................................1-09 Newbridge19/5 Uibh Fhaili ..................................2-13 Laois ........................................2-09 Tullamore19/5 Iarmhi........................................1-10 Loch Garman ............................1-10 New Ross19/5 Cill Dara ....................................2-12 Cill Mhantain ..............................1-08 Newbridge26/5 Ath Cliath ..................................4-13 Lu ............................................0-06 Parnell Park26/5 Iarmhi........................................1-14 Loch Garman ............................0-07 Mullingar30/6 Uibh Fhail ..................................3-06 Iarmhi........................................1-07 Tullamore1/7 Ath Cliath ..................................1-09 Cill Dara ....................................0-06 Navan15/7 Ath Cliath ..................................1-17 Uibh Fhaili ..................................0-06 Croke Park

Leinster Under 21 H.C.6/6 Laois ........................................0-12 Ceatharloch ..............................0-04 Carlow

13/6 Loch Garman ............................1-12 Ath Cliath ..................................1-10 Kilkenny20/6 Cill Chainnigh ............................2-16 Laois ........................................1-11 Carlow20/6 Loch Garman ............................2-11 Uibh Fhaili ..................................1-13 Kilkenny1/7 Loch Garman ............................0-10 Cill Chainnigh ............................1-05 Wexford

Leinster I.H.C.13/6 Laois ........................................w / o Ath Cliath ..................................w / o Parnell Park4/7 Laois ........................................2-09 Cill Chainnigh ............................0-14 Portlaoise4/7 Loch Garman ............................0-18 Uibh Fhaili ..................................2-07 Birr18/7 Loch Garman ............................5-13 Laois ........................................1-09 Kilkenny


Leinster Club H.C.20/10 Naas ........................................4-15 Ballinkillen ..................................1-11 Naas21/10 Cill Teagain ................................0-16 Cluain Cille ................................2-07 Aughrim21/10 Craobh Chiarain ........................2-21 Gael na Bhflipeadoiri ..................0-09 Longford3/11 O’ Loughlin Gaels ......................2-21 Craobh Chiarain ........................0-05 Parnell Park 3/11 Baile an Chaisleain ......................2-12 Cill Teagain ................................0-04 Aughrim3/11 Knockbridge ..............................2-08 Ath Truim ..................................0-07 Trim4/11 Birr............................................2-18 Naas ........................................0-05 Naas17/11 Faythe Harriers ..........................4-12 Knockbridge ..............................0-05 Knockbridge18/11 Birr............................................2-12 O’ Loughlin Gaels ......................0-11 Carlow 25/11 Castletown ................................1-10 Faythe Harriers ..........................1-05 Kilkenny2/12 Birr............................................0-10 Castletown ................................1-07 Kilkenny16/12 Birr............................................2-10 Castletown ................................0-05 Kilkenny

Leinster Club F.C.27/10 Nh. Aine ....................................2-11 Caisleain an Gharrai ....................1-09 Athlone28/10 Ui hAnrachains ..........................4-15 Mag Thulai ................................1-06 Carlow28/10 Cul an tSudaire ..........................1-09 Gael Athair O Mannain................1-08 Portarlington28/10 Rath Naoi ..................................0-13 Gormaithe Baile Nua ..................1-07 Aughrim11/11 Na Sairsealaigh ..........................0-07 Ui hAnrachains ..........................0-06 Carlow11/11 Eadon Doire ..............................3-10 Nh. Aine ....................................2-08 Wexford11/11 Rath Naoi ..................................0-10 Dun Seachnaill............................0-10 Aughrim11/11 Na Fianna ..................................2-09 Cul an tSudaire ..........................0-12 Portarlington18/11 Dunshaughlin ............................2-10 Rathnew ....................................0-16 Navan25/11 Rathnew ....................................2-09 Dunshaughlin ............................1-06 Aughrim25/11 Na Fianna ..................................2-10 Sarsfields ..................................1-13 Navan2/12 Na Fianna ..................................3-11 Sarsfields ..................................1-08 Navan2/12 Rathnew ....................................1-10 Edenderry..................................0-10 Newbridge9/12 Na Fianna ..................................2-17 Sarsfields ..................................1-18 Newbridge16/12 Na Fianna ..................................1-06 Rathnew ....................................0-09 Newbridge23/12 Rathnew ....................................2-16 Na Fianna ..................................1-10 Newbridge

O’ Byrne Cup S.F. 2001/20022/11 An Mhi ......................................1-15 Longphort..................................0-07 Simonstown G.4/11 Cill Mhantain ..............................1-10 Laois ........................................1-09 Portarlington4/11 Cill Dara ....................................0-11 Loch Garman ............................1-08 Newbridge4/11 Uibh Fhaili ..................................0-11 Ceatharloch ..............................1-07 Tullamore17/11 Ceatharloch ..............................2-11 An Mhi ......................................0-13 Carlow18/11 Cill Dara ....................................1-10 Cill Mhantain ..............................0-07 Aughrim18/11 Laois ........................................0-11 Loch Garman ............................1-07 Enniscorthy18/11 Longphort..................................2-08 Uibh Fhaili ..................................1-07 Longford18/11 Lu ............................................0-15 Iarmhi........................................1-07 Drogheda24/11 Laois ........................................1-09 Cill Dara ....................................0-10 Portarlington25/11 Uibh Fhaili ..................................2-12 An Mhi ......................................1-09 Navan25/11 Iarmhi........................................2-08 Ath Cliath ..................................1-10 Mullingar25/11 Cill Mhantain ..............................0-10 Loch Garman ............................1-06 Aughrim25/11 Longphort..................................4-10 Ceatharloch ..............................1-20 Carlow2/12 Lu ............................................0-12 Ath Cliath ..................................1-08 Parnell Park2/12 Cill Mhantain ..............................2-12 Uibh Fhaili ..................................2-09 Newbridge13/1 Cill Mhantain ..............................0-16 Lu ............................................2-08 Drogheda13/1 Ceatharloch ..............................2-11 Laois ........................................1-13 Portarlington20/1 Ceatharloch ..............................2-10 Cill Mhantain ..............................0-10 Carlow


Leinster Junior Club Hurling4/11 Trinity Gaels ..............................4-19 Wolfe Tones ..............................1-07 St. Nicholas, Drogheda4/11 Carnew Emmetts........................0-00 Blackwater ................................0-00 Carnew (unplayable)10/11 Ballymahon Slash. ......................0-00 Oliver Plunketts ..........................0-00 Ballymahon (unplayed)11/11 Naomh Eoin ..............................1-15 Carnew Emmetts........................2-02 Kildavins17/11 Oliver Plunketts ..........................1-14 Crinkle ......................................1-08 Oliver Plunketts18/11 Trinity Gaels ..............................1-14 Athboy ......................................1-08 Trinity Gaels18/11 Emeralds ..................................1-13 Mountrath ..................................1-10 Mountrath18/11 Blackwater ................................4-04 Naomh Eoin ..............................0-03 Blackwater25/11 Oliver Plunketts ..........................0-13 Trinity Gaels ..............................1-09 Balgriffen25/11 Emeralds ..................................1-08 Blackwater ................................0-08 Urlingford2/12 Oliver Plunketts ..........................3-08 Emeralds ..................................1-11 Mullingar

Leinster Junior Club Football4/11 Sallins........................................0-12 An Tochar ..................................2-06 Sallins4/11 O’ Hanrahans ............................1-08 Piltown ......................................0-07 Piltown4/11 Longford Slashers ......................1-10 Bunbrosna ................................1-08 Bunbrosna11/11 Clonard ....................................3-11 Piltown ......................................2-05 Taghmon11/11 Curragha ..................................1-15 O’Raghallaighs............................1-08 Curragha11/11 Sallins........................................2-11 Abbeyleix ..................................1-09 Abbeyleix11/11 Birr............................................2-05 Bunbrosna ................................1-08 Birr11/11 Athboy ......................................0-21 Wolfe Tones ..............................1-08 Athboy18/11 O’ Hanrahans ............................1-11 Clonard ....................................1-10 O’Hanrahans18/11 An Tochar ..................................3-14 Abbeyleix ..................................3-06 An Tochar18/11 Inisfails ......................................0-09 Curragha ..................................1-03 Inisfails2/12 Inisfails ......................................1-15 Longford Slashers ......................0-05 Balgriffin2/12 An Tochar ..................................2-08 O’Hanrahans ..............................0-11 Carlow9/12 An Tochar ..................................0-15 Inisfails ......................................1-09 An Tochar

Kehoe Cup Champions 2001 WicklowBack L-R: John Berkerey, Michael Byrne, Joe Murphy, Jackie Napier (Sec), Ronan O’Brien, Nigel Byrne, John O’Toole,Martin Murphy, Colin Byrne, Danny Curran, Casey O’Brien, Michael Moran, Emmet Sullivan, Graham Keogh,Trevor Mellon, Michael Sheehan (RIP), Michael Neary (Manager)Front L-R: Kieran O’Shea, Jonathan O’Neill, Alan Lawlor, Philip Rosmey, Adain Delaney, Gerry Murray & son Garry, Wayne O’Gorman,Don Hyland (C), Michael Anthony O’Neill, Cathal O’Meara, John O’Brien, Michael John O’Neill, Kevin Byrne.


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Tuairisc an Runaí

A Chairde,As we gather in Kilkenny foranother Annual Leinster G.A.A.Convention I’m sure you willappreciate that it is difficult at themoment for an ordinaryProvincial Secretary to grab theattention of anybody in theAssociation. There are all sortsof distractions around which viefor attention.

At the time of compiling this report it is another document- the Strategic Review Committee Report - which is all therage. It is the main topic of debate in the sports media andalso wherever G.A.A. folk are gathered. I’m sure thisdebate will run and run for weeks and I will be extremelysurprised if it does not get a shot or two at ourConvention. When people change the G.A.A. menu theother discussion points appear to be the elections - ourown contests here in Leinster and the Presidency in acouple of months. What chance, then, has cold turkey likea review of last year’s games and happenings in Leinster ofgrabbing the attentions of the G.A.A. community.

Nevertheless, we are bound by custom and practice andso, like all other years, I will attempt to look back, lookforward, and then throw in a observation or two aboutboth ‘looks.’

INTER COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS

PEIL BUATHOIRI NEASOIRISinsir An Mhi Ath CliathSoisir Uibh Fhaili An MhiMionuir Ath Cliath Uibh FhailiFe 21 Bliain An Mhi Ath CliathClub Peil Rathnew Na FiannaCorn Ui Bhroin An Mhi IarmhiClub Soisir An Tochar Inisfails

IOMAINT BUATHOIRI NEASOIRISinsir Cill Chainnigh Loch GarmanIdir Mheanach Loch Garman LaoisMionuir Cill Chainnigh Loch GarmanFe 21 Bliain Loch Garman Cill ChainnighClub Iomaint Birr CastletownCorn Breathnach Loch Garman Laois

Corn Mac Eochaidh Cill Mhantain Cill DaraFe 21 Bliain Speis Ceatharloch IarmhiClub Soisir (2000) Askamore BoardsmillClub Soisir (2001) Oliver Plunketts Emeralds

BANK OF IRELAND SENIOR FOOTBALLFor a change, this championship went along verypredictable lines. The only mild surprises were the defeatof Louth by Longford and the defeat, after a replay, ofWicklow by Carlow. The anticipated four big guns reachedour Semi Finals.

Once again we had old rivals, Dublin and Meath, squaringup to each other in the Final. Before the usual full housethey again provided a typical rousing contest. In the endMeath had three points to spare.

GUINNESS SENIOR HURLINGThe preliminary section of this competition proved to bethe most entertaining part of it. Changed to a knock-outsystem from the original Round Robin format (because ofrestrictions imposed by foot and mouth), these gamesproduced some high scoring encounters. In the Final ofthe so-called weaker section Meath and Kildare had to goto extra time before the former emerged winners on ascoreline of 2-25 to 2-24.

Apart from the Laois / Dublin game (where Laois grabbedan injury time winner) the remaining games of theChampionship proved to be very one-sided. In the FinalKilkenny had thirteen points to spare over Wexford.

UNDER 21 HURLINGAs in the previous year, this grade easily supplied the besthurling in Leinster in 2001. Late dramatic winners againstDublin and Offaly saw Wexford into the Final. There theymet old rivals Kilkenny who had survived a very searchingtest from Laois in the Semi Final.

This Final was played at the newly refurbished WexfordPark where an attendance of over ten thousand peoplecreated a remarkable atmosphere. The game was low-scoring but provided a titanic battle. At the call of time thehome side clung on for a two points victory leading to thetype of celebrations rarely seen after a game in thisChampionship.


UNDER 21 FOOTBALLAs usual this was a very keenly contested Championship.Surprisingly, for the first time in a number of years, therewere no draws but we did have a number of very closeencounters. Dublin and Meath qualified to meet in the Finaland here the latter had two points to spare at the finish.

MINOR FOOTBALLHaving been caught on the hop in the previous year’sChampionshp the word was out that Dublin were deadkeen to put the record straight in 2001. This proved to becorrect as they steam-rolled all opposition on their way tothe Final where they had fourteen points to spare againstOffaly.

MINOR HURLINGThe old order was restored in this Championship whenKilkenny and Wexford - both of whom had failed to reachthe previous year’s decider - again qualified for the Final.In a disappointing game Kilkenny strolled to a thirteen pointvictory.

JUNIOR FOOTBALLBecause of the timing of our Senior FootballChampionship some of our Junior teams had the addedbonus of playing their semi finals in Croke Park as curtain-raisers to the Senior games. Eventually Offaly qualified fora final clash against Meath and - in a game played at theirhome venue - they had a point to spare after a excitingtussle.

INTERMEDIATE HURLINGThis competition provided a unique final with Laois andWexford facing each other. Despite shocking Kilkenny inthe Semi Final Laois proved no match for the purple andgold side which had sixteen points to spare at the finalwhistle.

SPECIAL UNDER 21 HURLINGThe defending champions, Westmeath, again reached thisdecider. Here they fell to a well tutored Carlow side whichhad some fine players on show.

A.I.B. LEINSTERCLUB CHAMPIONSHIPSIn last year’s report I expressed concern for the future ofthese Championships. This was based solely on the factthat counties were not finishing their own Championshipson time and so were nominating representatives (we hadeight nominated clubs in the 2000 Championship).Somebody, somewhere must have been listeningbecause Congress 2001 carried a motion whichprecluded nominated clubs from competing in the ClubChampionships.

Lo and behold, almost all of our counties suddenly foundthat they could complete their Championships on time.There were exceptional circumstances in the one countywhich failed to meet the deadlines and ComhairleLaighean recognised this fact by giving a little leeway intheir case. Hopefully this will not be necessary in any morecases in future.

The end result of this Congress decision was that we hadour most competitive Club Championships for years.Great games, draws, replays, extra time - all were facetsof the competitions. In fact both our Finals went to replays.

IOMAINTThe only major surprise in this competition was the defeatof Trim by the Louth champions, Knockbridge,in the firstround. The remainder of the championships went to formwith seasoned campaigners Birr qualifying to play Laoischampions Castletown.

The drawn game was a hectic battle with the Offaly menclawing back a substantial deficit to send the game to areplay. As often happens, the more experienced Birr sideseemed to learn far more from that encounter and theyhad a relatively comfortable win in the second game.

PEILEvery game in every round of this championship provedto be a hard fought encounter. As in the previous year,Rathnew and Dunsaughlin had to meet three times beforegetting a result. On this occasion it was the Wicklowchampions turn to advance. Sarsfields and Na Fianna alsomet on three occasions but in somewhat differentcircumstances. The happenings here are already welldocumented so I’ll merely state that I am happy thatcommon sense prevailed in the matter. Eventually NaFianna came through to meet Rathnew in the Final.

Their first encounter was hectic with a draw being a fairresult at the finish. In the replay it seemed that Na Fiannamight just prevail but eventually Rathnew restored parity tosend the game into extra time. Here Rathnew, quiteunbelievably, pulled away to win comfortably in the endand so captured their first ever title. Their celebrations,with their supporters, after the game clearly indicated thatthis victory was clearly a dream come true for the littlevillage.


ACCIDENT TOURNAMENTCOMPETITIONSThe winners of these competitions in 2001 were asfollows

Walsh Cup S.H. Wexford

Kehoe Cup S.H. Wicklow

O’ Byrne Cup S.F. Meath

With the switching of the National Football League to thecalendar year, counties opted to play the O’ Byrne Cup2001 / 2002 on a Round Robin basis in November andDecember with the knockout stages in January. Thisproved to be a huge success and of course we were

blessed with exceptionally good weather. It also providedus with our first competitive inter-county game in Leinsterto be played under lights when Meath and Longfordplayed the first game of the competition at the well-appointed Simonstown Gaels facility in Navan.

Against all predictions, but strictly on merit, we had aunique final pairing of Carlow and Wicklow on Sunday20th January 2002. This game - played in Dr. Cullen Park- attracted a huge crowd and also the type of mediaattention reserved for the Championship season. In theend the home side earned a famous victory and, in doingso, brought this particular trophy to their county for the firsttime.

The Walsh Cup and Kehoe Cup Competitions are underway at the time of writing.

The Carlow team which won the O’Byrne Cup for the first time,beating Wicklow in the final in Carlow on January 20, 2002

Back L-R: Philip Nolan, John McGrath, Andrew Corden, James Clarke, Stephen O’Brien, Sean Kavanagh,Thomas Walsh, Morgan Drea.Front L-R: Johnny Kavanagh, Brian Walker, Brian Carbery, John Hickey, Johnny Nevin,Brian Farrell and Willie Quinlan.


Railway Cup

Leinster had mixed fortunes in the inter-provincial competitions. Our hurlers put upa respectable performance before losing to Munster in the Semi Final played atNenagh. The unavailability of a huge number of first choice players did not helpour cause.

On the other hand our footballers had a much more productive campaign. Thecompetition was played over a weekend in Kerry. In the semi final we had to go toextra time to beat Munster in Tralee.

The Final was played in Killarney and, in front of a mere handful of spectators, weeventually overcame the challenge of Connacht. I congratulate and thank all theplayers for their efforts and also the back-room squad led by Manager LukeDempsey (Westmeath).

Despite this victory I cannot be hypocritical and change my mind about thesecompetitions. They have done their duty and should be allowed to die. This, too,was the opinion of the Games Administration Committee last year but their advicewas ignored by Central Council who voted to retain the competitions. Perhaps theprovinces themselves might be a little more proactive in this matter.

Seán McCague, Úachtarán CLG, presented the Cupto Leinster captain, Mark Reilly of Meath

Leinster’s Railway Cup Winning Team 2001Back L-R: David Mitchell, Damian Healy, Graham Geraghty, Rory O’Connell,Cormac O’Sullivan, Noel Garvan, Nigel Nestor, Ciaran McManus, Colm Quinn.Front L-R: Ger Heavin, Ken Doyle, Evan Kelly, Mark Reilly, Cathal Daly, Paul Barden.


The new administration structures introduced forprovincial councils have now been in place (in Leinster atleast) for three years. At the time of introduction we weregiven to understand that their effectiveness would bereviewed after an appropriate trial period. It is my opinionthat the time for this review is at hand.

The experience in each province, because of the disparityin size, will be different. My concerns are with Leinster onlyand I am convinced that because of the aforementioneddisparity it is not possible to legislate in like terms for all fourprovinces. Consequently I feel there should be a clausewhich allows a province to deviate from general rule.

A GAMES ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEEAt the time of its introduction our Games AdministrationCommittee seemed to have real purpose and a solidplatform for contribution to the workings of theAssociation in the province. However the subsequentcentralisation of Referees Appointments and DisciplinaryProcedures in relation to Senior Championships, haschanged our G.A.C. into very much a ‘lame duck’operation. In fact our experience in Leinster is that thissystem - introduced into our Bye Laws and put in place byComhairle Laighean - practically disenfranchises half ourcounties for a three year period. It also has implications forthe appointment of our representative on the NationalGames Administration Committee.

B DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEEOur experience here is that the range of duties andresponsibilities of this committee is far too wide-ranging.In fact it is three committees rolled into one:

(a) Physical Facilities / Grounds Development Committee dealing with clubs and county committees

(b) The Provincial Safety Committee

(c) A club and County AdministrationDevelopment Committee.

In reality our Development Committee, due to constraintsof time and manpower, concentrated on (a) above. Withthe scale of development in the province, both at Cluband County Board level, and the huge levels of borrowingbeing entered into by clubs this committee has had a very

extensive workload. This work is not just confined tomeetings, it also entails visiting projects around theprovince and providing regular advice systems to clubs.

The upshot of this is that we have taken very little action infulfilling the huge range of responsibilities of a ProvincialSafety Committee. This, in turn, has led to controversy inrelation to a number of County Grounds in the province.

With relation to club and county administration there hadbeen little or no activity in this area at provincial level for anumber of years now.From the foregoing it should be obvious that the scope ofthis committee needs serious clarification.

C FINANCE COMMITTEEIt was never been specif ied what the role of thiscommittee should be - consequently it has never reallytaken off in Leinster.

GENERALWhen the new structures were introduced it was decidedthat there should be annual meetings of all ProvincialCouncil Committees with corresponding Committee at(a) National level and (b) County levels with the highercommittee to act as convenor.

To date, there have been no meetings, either upwards ordownwards as anticipated in Riail 70 (b) (viii).

The other anomaly in the new structures is that a ProvincialP.R.O. does not have voting rights. Since this is a fullyfledged officership at Club and County Board level it doesnot appear to make sense that it isn’t so at provincial level.

From all of the foregoing it should be obvious that a reviewis essential.

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL STRUCTURES


The year under review saw the introduction for the firsttime of a qualifier series in the All Ireland Senior FootballChampionship while the coming season will have asomewhat similar format in the Senior HurlingChampionship. It certainly proved to be a novel additionto the Championship programme and certainly earnedmuch comment when the eventual All Ireland Championsemerged from that system.

I think it would be unfair and unwise to make a definitiveassessment of the value of the competition based on justone season’s experience. A number of f laws wereidentified in the arrangements and steps have now beentaken to rectify these for this Summer. In its initial voyage itdid not appear to impact greatly on the competitiveness ofthe Provincial Championships but it has to be a matter ofconcern that one prominent team manager, in a recentinterview, suggested it would be far more beneficial to acounty team’s preparations to be eliminated in the earlystages of the Provincial Championship.

Nevertheless it has to be said that the qualifier did have animpact on club competitions in some counties. Further, whilethe ‘live’ game on Saturday evenings probably gave us awhole new television audience this definitely had a negativeeffect on attendances at club games in counties. This has tobe balanced against the golden handshake counties receivedas a result of participation in the qualifier series.

With a year’s experience counties must devise newmethods of implementing their club games programme.Although they are our shop window it must beremembered that inter-county games only cater for a verysmall fraction of our players. Time and again in the courseof the Strategic Review Committee’s investigations it washammered home to us that club players are notadequately catered for in terms of games. This must beaddressed, of course, at county level in the first instancebut there is now a strong onus on Provincial Councils tomonitor and supervise the performance of CountyCommittees in relation to the provision of club games.

The introduction of a further layer of inter-county activitywith the arrival of the Hurling Championship Qualifier withfurther exacerbate the club f ixtures problem.Nevertheless one has to welcome this new competition. Itis arguably far more necessary in hurling than in footballgiven the current paucity of top-class hurling games. Welook forward to the experiment.

When Uachtaran CLG Sean Mac Thaidhg invited me to joina Strategic Review Committee, almost two years ago, Inever suspected the range and depth of the investigationinto all facets of the GAA that was to follow. TheCommittee consisted of members from every part ofIreland who represented a range of perspectives. Itincluded administrators with club, county, provincial andnational experience together with members of thebusiness community, representatives of the playersviewpoints and others. Its terms of reference werespecific, yet wide ranging, its purpose was to determinethe appropriate roles, structures and operations of theGAA in its efforts to maintain and enhance its pre-eminentposition within Irish, sporting, social and cultural life.

After a long, hard slog which included numerousmeetings, sub-committee meetings, interviews, surveysand a market research exercise the Committee haspublished its report. To put it mildy, reaction has beenmixed.

I respect the right of everybody to have their own opinionof the proposals and also their right to express these in theappropriate places. However, to me, the feeding of themedia frenzy we have witnessed in the last few weeks inunacceptable.

For obvious reasons the Dublin proposals have dominatedthe discussions on the report. My fear is that the hundredsof other proposals contained in the document will not justbe overshadowed by this but totally obliterated.

From a Provincial Council point of view there are someserious recommendations about their future roles andcomposition. These need to be examined as a matter ofpriority as do the implications, for Provincial Councils, ofrecommendations in such areas as grounds and physicalfacilities, status of clubs, management and administrationof gaelic games in schools, finance and governance,communications, marketing and public relations and,indeed, national structures.

This is one report which must not be allowed gather dust.It may appear to step on toes and it will, most likely, annoyand antagonise some people. However the overall reportis designed for the good of the majority in the Associationand deserves recognition as such.

ALL IRELAND QUALIFIERCOMPETITIONS

STRATEGIC REVIEWCOMMITTEE REPORT


As the Chairman’s term of office comes to an end so toodoes the current term of the Sub-Committees which hewould have put in place. While Seamus will undoubtedlyrefer to them at Convention I feel I should also pay tribute tothem for the work they have carried out on behalf of theLeinster Council G.A.A. The individual reports of the Sub-Committees appear in the second half of this Annual Report.

A COACHING AND GAMESDEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

This Committee forms the very hub of underage gaelicgames activity in Leinster. It deals with, and co-ordinates,the various activities and initiatives being undertaken by theCoaching Directors, the Games Promotion Officers,Master Tutors, Schools at all three levels, the ProvincialHurling and Football Off icers, the Leinster HandballCommittee, the Leinster Hurling Sub-Committee and ofcourse the individual County Games DevelopmentCommittees. It provides the absolutely essential linkbetween the National Coaching and Games DevelopmentCommittee and those working on the ground.

The Committee this year launched a new publication, LarPairce, which issues three times a year. This veryprofessional publication keeps everybody updated ongames development matters in the province.

This committee has been led by the dynamic NickeyBrennan, ably assisted by his secretary, Jimmy Dunne andI sincerely thank both of them and the members of theircommittee.

B DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEEThis committee, chaired by Andy Gallagher and servicedby Michael Reynolds, is sometimes jokingly referred to asthe ‘Santa Claus’ Committee. However there is far moreto this body than merely dispensing grants to clubs andcounties. Selected because of their various expertise inf inance, engineering, safety regulations, planningregulations and down to earth club activity they formed aformidable outf it. The re-introduction of hands onvisitations to clubs has been very well received and Icongratulate them on a job well done.

C REFEREES COMMITTEEHe may have been the most visible man at big games inCroke Park last season but most of Pierce Freaney’s workas Chairman of this Committee was conducted behind thescenes and well away from the public glare. Ably assistedby his secretary, Aidan Shiels, Pierce and his committeehas managed to build up not just a solid core of refereesbut also a great sense of comraderie amongst the knightsof the whistle. This is helped by their communal trainingsessions, not to mention the odd social gathering.

D COISDE SCÓR LAIGHEANThis committee rarely gets public mention outside of thenarrow confines of its own activities but this does notmean that its work goes unnoticed. Led by Séamus ÓFaolain but inspired by its secretary, Donal Hickey, CoisdeScór Laighean gets through Scór na nÓg and Senior Scórcompetitions in a unfussy but very efficient manner.

E PUBLIC RELATIONS / MARKETING COMMITTEEOfficially he may be our Cisteoir but in reality PaddyFlanagan’s real forte is as Chairman of this Committee. Inthe course of this term of office the Committee hasoverseen our Centenary Celebrations, the ComhairleLaighean Banquet, Referees / Players Presentations and ofcourse our Annual Convention each year. With assistancefrom his secretary, Pat Chapman, Paddy and hiscommittee members also undertake numerous othertasks which are taken for granted because they are doneso well.

F PROGRAMME PRODUCTION COMMITTEEProbably the ideal type of committee - this is a one manshow. Naturally John Cotter has various contacts to call onat various times but, when the chips are down, J.C. standsalone and does his work in a most efficient, courteousand professional manner. Ever the optimist, he lifts thespirits of all in Aras Laighean and is ever willing to composethe difficult letter, deal with the awkward customer ormake the call that nobody wants to do.

LEINSTER COUNCIL’S SUB-COMMITTEES


NEW HEADQUARTERS FOR COMHAIRLE LAIGHEAN C.L.G.During the year, Comhairle Laighean C.L.G. entered into the property market for the second time in its history. A premisescame on the market less than one hundred yards from our current offices and, having examined all aspects of it, CoisdeBainisti Laighean decided to enter the bidding process. In the end they were successful. This building has the potential, whendeveloped, to be a centre not alone for the G.A.A. in Leinster but throughout the country. I congratulate the officers, andothers, for their foresight in this development.


CATHAOIRLEACH

Seamus Aldridgecompletes his threeyear term asCathaoirleach ofComhairle LaigheanC.L.G., at thisConvention. He hasproved to be a finecaptain for thegood ship LeinsterCouncil, guiding itas he did throughstill and stormyseas.

Apart from overseeing the everyday workings of theAssociation in the province, Seamus also managed toaccomplish and implement a number of other initiatives.At the outset some of these appeared impossible andothers appeared unlikely.

The long running saga of income to Leinster Council frompremium seats in Croke Park, on the occasion of Leinstergames, was finally brought to a satisfactory conclusion.The income from this had a significant impact on our gatereceipts.

Having established the principle of Leinster Council’s rightsin this matter, Seamus then proceeded to re-invest thereturns in the Stadium itself by negotiating the long termpurchase of a suite and a number of premium seats for theuse of Comhairle Laighean C.L.G. The overall outcome ofall of this is of benefit to the Association both at provincialand national level.

Towards the end of his chairmanship Seamus has nowcompleted the purchase of new meeting rooms andoffices for the Council. When fully refurbished, thisbuilding will provide a huge boon for the G.A.A. at alllevels.

During his term of office, Seamus Aldridge also had thetask of overseeing the implementation of an operationaland structural review of the Leinster Council which wascommissioned to ensure that the Council is appropriatelystructured to meet the challenges of its futuredevelopments in a broad range of capacities. This is nowin place and I feel its benefits will become obvious in thenear future.

On behalf of the staff of Aras Laighean, the Council’sextended staff in the field, and on my own behalf, I want tothank Seamus most sincerely for his support,encouragement and assistance at all times.

AN CATHAOIRLEACH NUA

The departure ofone leader heraldsthe arrival of a newone and so it is thatNickey Brennantakes the reins ofpower at this year’sLeinsterConvention.

As a player at thevery highest level, ateam mentor atclub, county and

international level and as an administrator at club, county,provincial and national level Nickey has garnered a wealthof knowledge and experience which should stand him ingood stead in this challenging post. We wish him well andlook forward to working with him.

On a personal note, I must admit to mixed feelings aboutNickey’s imminent installation as Chairman. Nothingpersonal mind you, but after twenty six years this will bemy first chairman who is younger than me. Am I gettingold or are chairmen getting younger?


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HANDBALL - TOMMY O’BRIENThe annual report onHandball activities inLeinster appears in theCoaching and GamesD e v e l o p m e n tCommittee Section inthe second half of thisreport. In it, TommyO’Brien gives his usualconcise report onactivities in Leinsterand, of course, ther e m a r k a b l eachievements ofLeinster players atnational andinternational level. Howeverthere was one major milestonein Leinster Handball during theyear which seems to haveslipped Tommy’s attention - atleast he did not see f it tomention it anyway. This is thefact that he, himself, completedthirty years as Leinster HandballSecretary.

This is a unique and marvellousachievement for any official inany sport. It is especiallyremarkable in Tommy’s casebecause during that period hehas also served his sport, andothers, in a wide variety of postsof responsibility. The list is toolong to detail in full, here is just asample.

(a) Tommy O’ Brien has been handball’s representative on Comhairle Laighean CLG for thirty years (in fact our Cisteoir, Paddy Flanagan, is the only longer serving member of the current council).

(b) He was President of the All Ireland Handball Council (his term spanned centenary year).

(c) He was Chairman of National Feile na nGael Committee.

(d) He had a three year term as Chairman of Lar Choisde Iomana in the early eighties.

Despite all these calls on his time he still found time to spot,encourage and cultivate young handball talent and Isuppose this side of his career is best personified by thegreatest handballer of our time, Michael ‘Duxie’ Walsh.

We congratulate Tommy on reaching his pearl anniversaryand wish him many more years of success.

An Úachtarán Mary McAleese meets Leinster’s living legend Duxie Walsh


We had almost signed off on this year’s Annual Reportwhen the word came through of the sad and untimelydeath of one of our former Chairmen, John Dowling ofOffaly. It is coincidental that Convention is in Kilkenny thisyear because it was in this city that John was elected vice-chairman of the Leinster Council on February 25th 1978. Ina marathon contest he narrowly defeated Peadar KearneyR.I.P. of Louth.

John Dowling took over as Chairman of ComhairleLaighean C.L.G. on February 28th 1981, at a LeinsterConvention which, fittingly, was held in the TullamoreG.A.A. Social Centre. The central theme of his term ofoffice was promotion of the games and it was a matter ofpride to him that five of the six Senior All Irelands during histerm came to Leinster. Of even more satisfaction to himwas that two of these titles, one in each code, went to hisbeloved Offaly.

On his retirement as Chairman, John was appointedChairman of an Under Age Committee which wasrequested to investigate all aspects of underage games,activities, competitions etc., for all juveniles up to sixteen

years of age in the province of Leinster. The report of thiscommittee - ‘Óganaigh’ - was presented in 1986 and it isamazing to see how so many of its recommendations arein common with those of the recent Strategic ReviewCommittee Report.

Others will recall John Dowling’s feats as a referee, OffalyCounty Board Secretary and Uachtaran C.L.G. I merely, onmy own behalf, and on behalf of Comhairle LaigheanC.L.G. want to extend our sincerest sympathy to theDowling family on their sad loss.

During the past year also a number of other formermembers of our Council, former County Board Officers,former players and referees passed to their eternal reward.So, also, did a number of close family members of ourpresent Council. We extend sympathy to those who havebeen bereaved and a novena of masses has been offeredfor their intentions.

‘Go ndeana Dia trocaire ar a nanamacha.’

SYMPATHY

John Dowling pictured at the Leinster CentenaryBanquet in Tullamore in November 2000 with PaddyBuggy and Tom Loftus.


BUÍOCHASThere are a number of people and groupings withoutwhose assistance Comhairle Laighean C.L.G. wouldstruggle to operate so on the Council’s behalf I offer themour sincere thanks.

MEDIAWe again pay tribute for the contribution to our games ofthe national and local media. It is a two-way interactionand I hope we can continue to play our part in ensuringcontinued positive publicity for our activities.

If I have a gripe, it has to be with our National RadioBroadcaster and its decision to drop their Sunday sportsProgramme during the vital weeks of our ClubChampionships (and indeed those of other provinces).Never have I heard so many complaints from the G.A.A.public as I did on this issue. In fairness, though, R.T.E. Radiogave our games excellent coverage for the rest of theyear.

REFEREES AND MATCH OFFICIALSThis vital band of men continued to serve us well inLeinster during 2001 and I look forward to more of thesame in 2002.

DIRECTORS OF COACHINGI would like to pay tribute to Lester Ryan, Noel Delaney andGerard O’ Connor for another great year’s work.

SCHOOLS DEVELOPMENT OFFICERSTo the two Toms - O’ Donnell and Fitzpatrick - may I extendhearfelt thanks for another great year’s work. Thepublication of Lar Pairce is a further string to their bow andit exemplifies the professional approach of both men totheir job.

PÁIRC AN CHRÓCAIGH / ARD CHOMHAIRLEWhether representing one body or the other we againwere shown great courtesy and co-operation by the staffat Headquarters and I thank all of them sincerely for that.

STAFFMy thanks to our own staff here in Aras Laighean - MichaelReynolds, Patricia Clear, Hannah Horan and Julie Quinn.They continue to cheerfully carry out their duties withefficiency and a smile.

Rath Dé oraibh go léir.

Mícheal Ó Dúbhshlaine.


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COACHING AND GAMES DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEEGeneral

Coaching Directors Report

Hurling Development Report

Football Development Report

Cumann na mBunscol Report

Second Level Schools Report

Third Level Colleges Report

Master Tutors Report

Handball Report

Cursaí Eile

REFEREES ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT

DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT

COISDE SCÓR LAIGHEAN

Sub-Committee Reports 2001


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Coaching & Games Development

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Second Level Schools OfficersDespite some difficulties in the Second Level Schoolsector, coupled with the foot and mouth crisis, a hugegames programme was undertaken. The credit for thisachievement goes to our own Second Level SchoolsDevelopment Officers Michael Reynolds, Tom O’Donnelland the staff at Áras Laighean. A special tribute is due to themany teachers in Second Level Schools who continue togive unself ishly of their time to ensure the gamesprogramme is completed on schedule. A full report on thepast year’s activities in the Second Level School’s sector isgiven later by Michael Reynolds.

The recently announced Underage Strategic Plan identifiesthe need to provide additional support to the SecondLevel Schools sector. Over the coming months allteachers involved in promoting Gaelic Games will beprovided with a number of items of sports gear as anappreciation for the work undertaken. This initiative comesfrom the National Coaching & Games DevelopmentCommittee and is supported by Comhairle Laighean.Funding for this initiative is from the Irish Sports Council.

Given the extensive Second Level Schools gamesprogramme in Leinster plus the new initiatives as a result of

Coaching & Games Development CommitteeNickey Brennan (Cathaoirleach), Jimmy Dunne (Runaí), Paul Kinsella (Cumann na mBunscoil),Michael Reynolds (Secondary Schools), Michael Farrell (Vocational Schools), Jim Ryan (ThirdLevel Colleges), Paddy Clarke (Oifigeach Peil), Brendan O’Sullivan (Oifigeach Iomána), TomWalsh (Liathróid Láimhe), Paddy Oliver (An Lú), Brian Carbery (An Mhí), Donal Hickey (Baile ÁthaCliath), Martin Coleman (Cill Mhantáin), Willie Carley (Loch Garman), John McCarthy (Cill Dara),Tommy Corcoran (Ceatharlach), Tom O’Hanlon (Cill Chainnigh), Johnny Dalton (Laois),Christy Hand (Uibh Fháilí), Seamus O’Faoláin (Iar Mhí), Eugene Quane (Longfort).

Coaching & Games Development Executive CommitteeNickey Brennan (Cathaoirleach), Jimmy Dunne (Runaí), Paul Kinsella (Cumann na mBunscoil),Michael Reynolds (Secondary Schools), Michael Farrell (Vocational Schools), Jim Ryan (ThirdLevel Colleges), Paddy Clarke (Oifigeach Peil), Brendan O’Sullivan (Oifigeach Iomána), TomWalsh (Liathróid Láimhe), Paddy Oliver (An Lú), Tommy Corcoran (Ceatharlach), Johnny Dalton(Laois), Eugene Quane (Longfort).

Coaching & Games Development Management TeamNickey Brennan (Cathaoirleach), Jimmy Dunne (Runaí), Michael Delaney (Runaí ComhairleLaighean), Michael Reynolds (Second Level Schools – Non Dublin), Tom O’Donnell (SecondLevel Schools – Dublin), Tom Fitzpatrick (Primary Schools), Lester Ryan (Senior CoachingDirector), Noel Delaney (Coaching Director) & Gerard O’Connor (Coaching Director).

Coaching DirectorsThe Coaching Directors are the key management personnel dealing with coaching and gamesdevelopment activities in the Province. Their primary role is to ensure that annual plans prepared

by each county are monitored and delivered as outlined. During the course of the past year the Coaching Directors paidregular visits to their respective counties to review the work of the Games Promotion Officers plus on-going meetings withCounty Coaching Officers. The Coaching Directors are responsible for the following counties:

South Leinster – Lester Ryan (Senior Coaching Director) Wicklow; Wexford; Kildare; Carlow; Kilkenny; Laois.North Leinster – Noel Delaney (Coaching Director) Louth; Meath; Offaly; Westmeath; Longford.Dublin – Gerard O’Connor (Coaching Director) Dublin.

A report on the specific activities of the Coaching Directors during the past year is shown later.


the Underage Strategic Plan, the Comhairle LaigheanCoaching & Games Development Executive hasunanimously endorsed the appointment of three part-timeDevelopment Officers located in North Leinster, SouthLeinster and Dublin. These proposed appointments,effective from September 2002, have yet to besanctioned by the Comhairle Laighean Executive. Thepersonnel employed in these roles will work on a similarbasis to that currently operating in Munster and will act aslocal support to the existing Second Level SchoolsOfficers. The key tasks will be to:

m Ensure that fixtures are played as per the schedule.m Arrange venues and referees when necessary.m Make personal contact with each school.m Compile data on the various team mentors in each

school including their mobile telephone numbers.m Assist in the development of the Gaelic Games

programme in each Second Level School.m Assist in the development of meaningful inter-school

competitions.m Educate club officials on the importance of having

properly presented pitches available to schools via Club / School Liaison Officers.

m Establish a database on Club / School Liaison Officers.

m Update the existing database on referees who are available to officiate at Second Level School’s games.

m Establish contacts with the local media to enhance the promotion of Second Level School’s games.

Funding for these part time Development Officers will beprovided by Comhairle Laighean and the Irish SportsCouncil.

Most children invariably get their first taste of GaelicGames at Primary School level. We are indebted to allPrimary School Teachers who support Gaelic Games andit is crucial that every club recognises their responsibility toassist local schools in every way possible. Specificinitiatives aimed at the Primary School sector are includedin the Underage Strategic Plan. These are outlined later. Inevery county Cumann na mBunscoil continues to providean exciting programme of Gaelic Games for PrimarySchool children. Many other initiatives aimed at promotingGaelic Games to young children are being undertaken byCumann na mBunscoil throughout the Province andparticularly in Dublin.

Competition from Other Sportsin the Education SectorWhile Cumann Luthchleas Gael continues to benefit fromfunding via the Irish Sports Council, our main competitorsare also receiving significant grant aid. There is alreadyclear evidence that both the Second and Primary levelsectors are being specif ically targeted by our main

competitors. We must meet this challenge head on withincreased promotion and support for those who haveloyally stood by and supported Gaelic Games over manyyears.

Disadvantaged AreasDuring the past year two new appointments were madeto the North and South Dublin Disadvantaged areas - EoinMac Maoilir in South Dublin and Kieran O’Reilly in NorthDublin. The Irish Sports Council provides funding for theseareas and it is gratifying to see the tremendous progressbeing made.

Coaching & GamesPromotion OfficersThe Coaching & Games Promotion Officers spend justover one third of their time annually working in PrimarySchools. Other key areas are Summer Camps (20%) andSecond Level Schools (10%). The remaining time is spenton a variety of other coaching and games promotionactivities. One area clearly requiring special attention is theunderage club scene. The Underage Strategic Planenvisages greater involvement in Primary Schoolcoaching from each club unit, while Games PromotionOfficers will be expected to ensure a stronger programmeof inter-club blitz type games focusing on enjoymentrather than competition. Club personnel will be expectedto provide appropriate support to the Games PromotionOfficers to ensure the success of this initiative.

Comhairle Laighean continues to place a major emphasison the training of its Games Promotion Officers. In thepast month all Games Promotion Officers spent six daysundertaking training in various disciplines. This is to ensurethey are appropriately qualified to deliver a professionalprogramme throughout the Province. An invitation wasextended to all the Games Promotion Officers employedby Dublin clubs to join with us for the latest in-servicetraining programme. We are very pleased that theyaccepted our invitation and we are encouraged by theirpositive feedback. Club / area based Games PromotionOfficers is the way forward for Dublin and ComhairleLaighean is most anxious to have these personnelundertake the same training programmes as the GamesPromotion Officers employed throughout the rest of theProvince by Comhairle Laighean.

Comhairle Laighean sanctioned the appointment of anumber of additional Games Promotion Officers in thepast year. Some personnel who had been with us for anumber of years left to take up other employment. Wewant to express our appreciation and that of ComhairleLaighean to all our Games Promotion Officers for theirdiligence and dedication.


PersonnelThe following personnel are employed in a Games Promotion role throughout Leinster

COUNTIESLOUTH John ByrneMEATH Christine O’Brien Dudley FarrellDUBLIN Declan Power Peter Elliott Sarah McNeill

Therese Carey Terri O’Boyle Eimear DignamMartin Nolan Annette BillingsDISADVANTAGED AREASEoin Mac Maoilir Kieran O’Reilly

WICKLOW Hugh KennyTwo clubs coaching schemes in North Wicklow (Bray Emmets & Fergal Óg in Bray) receive an IR£10,000 grant from Comhairle Laighean (IR£5,000 each).

WEXFORD Paul Carty Jimmy FurlongKILDARE David Murphy

Another Coaching & Games Promotion Officer will be appointed in Kildareby the end of March 2002.

CARLOW Brendan Hayden Johnny NevinKILKENNY Briain Ryan Georgie LeahyLAOIS Siobhán Reynolds Ciarán MuldowneyOFFALY Anne Marie CurranWESTMEATH Michael McHugh

Comhairle Laighean gives a IR£5,00 grant towards a FAS Scheme in Iar Mhí.LONGFORD T.J. Ward Mary Burke Noel Boyce (Hurling)

THIRD LEVEL COLLEGESDundalk I.T. Michael HeeneyAthlone I.T. Louise O’BrienCarlow I.T. Valerie CreanU.C.D. Dave BillingsD.C.U. Tom O’Donnell (also acts as the Dublin Second Level Schools Development Officer)D.I.T. Des O’Donnell Trinity College Sineád HynesSt. Pat’s College Position VacantBlanchardstown I.T. Ronan Keaskin (combined with the promotion of other sports)Tallaght I.T. Gerry AndersonMaynooth Tom Maher

OTHERSecond Level Schools – Non-Dublin Michael Reynolds

(also Assistant Chief Executive of Comhairle Laighean)Primary Schools – Dublin Tom FitzpatrickCoaching Director - North Leinster Noel DelaneySenior Coaching Director - South Leinster Lester RyanCoaching Director - Dublin Gerard O’Connor


County Coaching OfficersCounty Coaching Officers have just completed their firstyear in this new role. Their help and support to theCoaching Directors and the Games Promotion Officers iscrucial to ensuring the successful implementation of ourcomprehensive games promotion programmethroughout the Province. Over the coming year theCounty Coaching Officers will be expected to play a key

role in promoting and implementing the new UnderageStrategic Plan in their respective counties. The successfulimplementation of the Strategic Plan will result in somechanges to every county’s games promotion programme.The overriding emphasis will be on increased participationand improving standards through a series of non-competitive activities for young players with more formalorganised training through Schools of Excellence andDevelopment Squads for the more mature youngsters.

Club Club County Number of ParticipantsTotals Playstation Leinster G.A.A. Summer Camps

HURLING FOOTBALL COMBINED TOTALS0 0 Carlow 387 479 32 898

5,500 13 Dublin 1,730 2,998 0 4,7280 0 Kildare 296 1,121 587 2,0040 0 Kilkenny 962 35 0 9970 0 Laois 238 386 256 8800 0 Longford 0 379 451 830

57 1 Louth 255 956 0 1,2110 0 Meath 481 1,567 102 2,1500 0 Offaly 398 140 598 1,136

201 3 Westmeath 241 752 0 9930 0 Wexford 927 508 0 1,435

440 1 Wicklow 412 1,231 56 1,6996,198 18 TOTALS 6,327 10,552 2,082 18,961

Coaching Directors ReportLester Ryan, Noel Delaney & Gerard O’Connor

The main areas in which the Coaching Directors wereinvolved in over the last year included:

County Coaching Officersm Meeting with the County Coaching Officers (every

six weeks) to ensure the work plans of the Games Promotion Officers were prepared and delivered to the required standards. Assisted with the

implementation of the Scéim Iomána / Scéim Peil plans in all counties.

Coaching and Games Promotion Officersm Continuous contact with the Coaching and Games

Promotion Officers by phone, post, individual meetings and group meetings, ensuring work plans were prepared and delivered to the required standards.

m Organised and ran In-Service Training Days.

Summer Campsm Implemented Comhairle Laighean’s Summer Camp

programme, ensuring that standards were maintained to the highest level. The camps of 2001 were again hugely successful in each county. The following chart gives a breakdown of attendances.

Inter-County players DJ Carey, Jason Sherlock, Glenn Ryan, and Brian McEvoy visited the Summer Camps throughout theProvince in 2001. These players were very well received. The Coaching Directors coordinated all visits.


Coach Education ProgrammeTeacher Training Collegesm The Coaching Directors organised, coordinated and

tutored on G.A.A. courses for trainee teachers in Dublin based Teacher Training Colleges.

Courses were completed in the following colleges:m St. Pat’s Teacher Training College

(Courses 18, attendance 450)m Froebel College (Courses 5, attendance 228)m Marino College (Planned)

(Courses 6, attendance 168)

Coach EducationCounties (Foundation / Level One Courses)m Tutored on and promoted Foundation

and Level One Courses.m Attended Master Tutor’s meetings

and Training Seminars.

Coach EducationSecond Level SchoolsThe Coach Education Programme for Second LevelStudents continues to be very successful. Courses wererun in all Leinster Counties. (See table below). TheProgramme was coordinated by the Coaching Directors.

The Coaching Directors represented the Leinster Councilat Second Level Coach Education presentations.

Third Level Collegesm Provided backup and support to the G.A.A.

Development Officers working in the Third Level Institutions in Leinster.

m Met periodically with the Third Level College G.A.A. Development Officers to review plans and activities.

m Involved in the recruitment of new personnel in Third Level Colleges.

Clubsm Encouraged coaching initiatives (to assist in the

recruitment of new personnel and developing Coach Education) targeting clubs within each county.

GAA Pageantm Involved in organising and running of a skills

demonstration for the 2001 Leinster Senior Hurling and Senior Football Finals (480 Children approx. participated).

Gormanston Skills/Blitz Daym Involved in organising and running an Under 14

hurling skills / blitz day in Gormanston College. The twelve Leinster counties participated in the one-day coaching blitz.

Primary / Second Level Schoolsm Monitored the Coaching Programmes of the

Coaching and Games Promotion Officers within the Primary / Second Level Schools sectors.

Development Squads / Schools of Excellencem Assisted in the preparation of Developmental Squad

and Schools of Excellence plans.m Assisted with the recruiting of personnel to work with

Development Squads and Schools of Excellence.

Meetings / Seminars / Presentationsm Meetings of the Comhairle Laighean Coaching &

Games Development Management Team.m Meetings with County Coaching Officers.m Meetings with County Coaching & Games

Development Committees.m In-Service Training at Century Management.

Indoor Hurlingm Involved in the continued development of indoor

hurling activity in Primary and Second Level Schools. Organised the Leinster Indoor Hurling Blitz in Dublin. (11 Counties participated).

AcknowledgementsThe Coaching Directors would like to thank the Coachingand Games Promotion Officers and all who were directlyand indirectly involved in our many coaching initiativesthroughout the past year. Special thanks to Patricia Clearthe staff of Comhairle Laighean and to the Officers of theCoaching and Games Development Committee.

County No. of No. of No. of % Cert.Schools Students Certs. Uptake

Laois 6 109 30 27.5%

Wicklow 7 131 125 95.4%

Longford 4 91 58 63.7%

Meath 12 216 118 54.6%

Louth 9 174 88 50.6%

Offaly 7 117 40 34.2%

Dublin 28 520 80 15.4%

Kildare 9 155 78 45.8%

Kilkenny 10 131 60 45.8%

Wexford 4 66 45 68.2%

Carlow 8 161 40 24.8%

Westmeath 5 105 40 38.1%

TOTALS 109 1,976 802 40.6%


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HurlingDevelopment ReportBrendan O’Sullivan

The programme of the HurlingDevelopment Committee wascurtailed due to the foot andmouth disease. The LeinsterMinor Hurling League was thefirst competition to becancelled. This was a hugeloss to the counties as it was ofgreat benefit to them in theirpreparations for thechampionship. This year’sfixtures and groups are already

made and will begin in mid February. The Under 15 Eastergames also had to be cancelled but we replaced thesewith a Blitz competition held in Kilkenny in August /September. Counties used their development squads andwe had twelve teams involved. This was a great successas it allowed the counties to enter as many teams as theywished and use all the players involved in theirdevelopment squads. We hope to run more of these typeof competitions in the future.

Our Under 16 Blitz was held in Offaly and we had twoother Under 15 Blitzes - one in Carlow and one in Dublin.They were very successful, despite the inclement weatherin Carlow. The great co-operation of the teams andmentors make these days most enjoyable for allconcerned as the teams don’t mind if the venues have tobe changed around and opposing teams have to travel inthe same bus. Our thanks to the local committees inOffaly, Carlow, Dublin and Kilkenny for the wonderfulfacilities and well prepared venues they put at our disposal.

The Festivals of Hurling did not go ahead as the backlog offixtures in counties made it impossible to find a freeweekend. We hope that this year each county willorganise a small tournament - (preferably one day events)for Under 14 and Under 16 clubs - four local and fourvisiting teams are recommended.

The Leinster Junior Hurling Tournament was a big successand it shows that with the goodwill of clubs anything ispossible.

Gormanston was again the venue for the Under 14Coaching Day. This was well attended but one wonders atthe attitude of some counties to it. The tremendous workof Paddy Kelly and his Meath committee - along withLester Ryan is greatly appreciated. This will be reviewed bythe incoming Hurling Committee to see how it could beimproved.

2003 will see the arrival of Feile na nGael to Westmeath,Meath and Kildare. The counties of Leinster must give theirfull support to these counties as it will be a joint effort by allto make it a success. With this in mind we intend to have afestival on similar lines to Feile in those counties in June2002.

Over the past few years the game of hurling has benefitedgreatly from a large financial input. We would ask countiesto make sure this money is spent wisely for the long termbenefit of the game. We need to ‘make hay while the sunshines’ as this financial input may not always be available.We appeal to counties to plan properly and realistically.

The committee would like to thank the LeinsterDevelopment Committee and its chairman NickeyBernnan for all their help over the past few years. Wewould particularly thank the staff of Aras Laighean for thepatience and understanding over that period.

FootballDevelopment ReportPaddy Clarke

In 2001, my duties fell into 2distinct categories, coachingand the organisation of Blitzesand Tournaments. Thanks tothe great efforts of the LeinsterMaster Tutors group,Foundation Level and Level 1coaching courses were heldthroughout the province and Iwas involved in tutoring atLevel 1 courses held inWicklow, Carlow, Dublin,

Louth, Wexford and Westmeath.

The encouraging aspect of these courses is the increase innumbers attending. At the outset numbers often went intothe 60’s and 70’s, but after the initial burst of enthusiasm,courses over the past few years have sometimesstruggled to attract 15-20 candidates. The recent increasein Foundation Level courses has seen a marked increase inthe numbers now attending Level 1 courses.

In years to come 2001 will always be remembered as theyear of "Foot and Mouth" and it soon put an end toLeinster Minor League, which this year will start on 30thMarch with 8 teams (7 teams not involved in the "roundrobin" plus a second Dublin team – could this be the startof "Dublin North" and "Dublin South"?

The Under 15 blitz was held at 3 venues on the same day inJuly with each county also fielding a second team, meaning


Stars of tomorrow from Carlow, Kilkenny, Westmeath and Wexford demonstrate their abilitiesduring the Coaching & Games Development Skills Demonstration Pageant at the Leinster Senior Final


that up to 50 players from each county were catered for.Under 14 and Under 16 tournaments were curtailed and forthe coming year the Under 16 tournament will revert to it’sHalloween date which had proved ideal whenever theweather was kind. The Under 14 will replicate last yearstournament, with group matches being played on the firstSaturday on a Blitz basis, with the 4 group winners, 4runners-up and the 4 3rd placed teams running off semi-finals and finals the following Saturday in early June. A toppriority with these competitions is that they are being heldwhen players are off school, where they cause minimumdisruption to club and colleges matches.

Cumann na mBunscol ReportTom Fitzpatrick

County GamesProgrammeCumann Luthchleas GaelComhairle Laighean throughCumann na mBunscoilLaighean allocated finance forschemes of work undertakenwithin Primary Schools in eachLeinster County in thefollowing areas of gamespromotion:

m Foundation Level Courses for Teachers.m Hurling Skills Awards.m Inter-Area Games.m Referee Rules Course.m Indoor Hurling.m Games Equipment.m Inter-School Leagues.m Publicity.m Website Development.m Class Leagues.m Coaching Aids.m G.A.A. Quiz.m Sports Day.m Junior Whistlers Project.m Invitation to Write / Draw.m Special Hurling Leagues for New / Weak Schools.m Administration.m Clár is Fearr.m Reception for Teachers.m Handball Tournament.m Football Skill Awards.m Ground Hurling Tournament.m Hurling Competition for Town Schools.m City Class Camogie Leagues.m City Class Girls Football Blitz.m Year Book Club Colours Poster.m Football Competition for Developing Schools.m Helmet Purchase Scheme.

m Primary Squads of Excellence.m County Newsletter.m Urban Development Hurling / Camogie Leagues.m Indoor Football League.

Mini Games Páirc an Chrócaigh27th May: Longphort & Laois (Peil Buachaillí)3rd June: An Mhí & An tIarmhí (Peil Cailiní)10th June: Cill Chainnigh & Loch Garman (Iomáint)17th June: Uibh Fháili & An Lú (Peil Buachaillí)24th June: Cill Dara & Cill Mhantáin (Peil Cailíní)Referees from young whistlers project officiated

Maynooth Ground Hurling Tens22nd May: Uibh Fháili, Laois, An Mhí, Cill Dara,

Áth Cliath x 2, Longphort, Cill Dara.80 players (U-IO) received a memento of a sliothar each.Referees from young whistlers project officiated

Carlow Lift & Strike Tournament7th June: Cill Chainnigh, Ceatharlach, Loch Garman,

An tIarmhi, Cill Mhantáin, Laois,Áth Cliath x 2

80 players (U-I3) received a memento of a sliothar.Referees from young whistlers project officiated

Leinster Skills Pageant Croke Park8th July: Hurling/football skills display during

Guinness Leinster Senior Hurling Final involving 120 children from 12 Counties.

15th July: Hurling/football skills display during Bank of Ireland Leinster Senior Football Final involving 120 children from 12 Counties.

National Basketball ArenaIndoor Hurling Blitz4th Dec: Cill Chainnigh, Ceatharlach, Loch Garman,

An tIarmhí, Cill Mhantáin, Áth Cliath, An Mhí, Cill Dara, Longphort, Cill Dara

100 players (Rang iv) received a hurley / sliothar each.

Roadstone National Awards 20003rd Nov: Won premier prize (£1,500) and trophy for

Best Provincial Games Programme.

MeetingsCoiste Cumann na mBunscoil Laighean met on 12occasions to plan, organise and administer above gamesprogramme.

AcknowledgementsMaynooth NUI, Carlow Hurling Club, Coistí Chontaetha anChumainn, Múinteóirí Uilig, Young Whistlers, Tim Maher &Goalpost Team.

Ba mhian le Cumann na mBunscol buíochas ó chroí aghábháil le Coiste Oiliúna ‘s Cluichí Laighean toisc ancabhar, an co-oibriú, an dea-thoil, deontas £25,000 agusan cuidiú i ngach slí le Bunscoileanna Laighean.


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Second Level Schools ReportMichael Reynolds

COMORTAS BUATHOIRI NEASOIRI

PEIL

Colleges S.F. "A" St. Pat’s, Navan St. Mel’s, LongfordVoc. Sch. S.F. "A" Ard. Chiarain, Clara Athlone C.C.Colleges S.F. "B" Moyne C.S. St. Mark’s C.S.Voc. Sch. S.F. "B" Lucan C.C. Bridgetown V.C.Schools S.F. "C" Cnoc Mhuire, Granard Oatlands College

Jun. F. "A" St. Mel’s, Longford Good Counsel Col.Jun. F. "B" Kells C.S. Naas C.B.S.Jun. F. "C" Castlecomer C.S. St. Oliver’s P.P., OldcastleJun. F. "D" Ballymahon V.S. St. Vincent’s C.B.S.

Voc. Sch. Jun. F. "A" St. Oliver’s C.C. St. Kevin’s, DunlavinVoc. Sch. Jun. F. "B" Ballymahon V.S. Sc. Chonglais, Baltinglass

Juv. F. "A" Marist, Athlone Portlaoise C.B.S.Juv. F. "B" Knockbeg College St. Joseph’s, R’bridgeJuv. F. "C" Castlecomer C.S. Dunshaughlin C.C.Juv. F. "D" Blakestown C.S. St. Saran’s, Ferbane

Inter County "A" Offaly LouthInter County "B" Louth Laois

IOMAINT

Colleges S.H. "A" Dublin Colleges Good Counsel Col.Colleges S.H. "B" Col. Eamann Ris, Callan Castlecomer C.S.

Voc. Sch. S.H. "A" St. Fergal’s, Rathdowney St. Rynagh’s CC, BanagherVoc. Sch. S.H. "B" Borris V.S. Clonaslee V.S.

Coll. S.H. "A" Lge St. Kieran’s, Kilkenny Good Counsel Coll.Coll.S.H. "B" Shield Colaiste Eoin St. Michael’s, TrimSchools S.H. "C" Pres. D.L.S., B;town St. Pat’s, Navan

Jun. H. "A" St. Mary’s, Enniscorthy Kilkenny C.B.S.Jun. H. "A" (Shield) Colaiste Eanna St. Peter’s, WexfordJun. H. "B" Sc. Dheaglain Gorey C.S.

Voc. Sch. Jun. H. "A" Kilcormac V.S. Col. Mhuire, JohnstownVoc. Sch. Jun. H. "B" Tullamore College Borris V.S.

Juv. H. "A" St. Peter’s, Wexford St. Brendan’s C.S., BirrJuv. H. "A" Shield St. Kieran’s, Kilkenny Castlecomer C.S.Juv. H. "B" Enniscorthy C.B.S. St. Rynagh’s CC, Banagher

ATH CLIATH

Juv. H. "A" St. David’s C.B.S. St. Benildus CollegeJuv. H. "B" Portmarnock C.S. St. Mac Dara’s C.C.Juv. H. "C" Coolmine C.S. Marian CollegeJuv. H. "D" Ballymun Comp. St. Vincent’s C.B.S.

Jun. H. "A" St. Declan’s C.B.S. St. David’s C.B.S.Jun. H. "B" Portmarnock C.S. St. Benildus CollegeJun. H. "C" Scoil Aodhain Colaiste ChoilmJun. H. "D" Coolmine C.S. Colaiste Dhulaigh

Sen. H. "A" Colaiste Eanna St. Declan’s C.B.S.Sen. H. "A" Shield Salesian, Celbridge St. Mark’s C.S.Sen. H. "B" St. Benildus College Col. ChiarainSen. H. "C" Oatlands College Portmarnock C.S.

Juv. F. "A" St. David’s C.B.S. Ardscoil RisJuv. F. "B" Drimnagh Castle CBS Colaiste Eanna Juv. F. "C" Old Bawn C.S. Colaiste EoinJuv. F. "D" Blakestown C.S. James Street C.B.S.Juv. F. "E" Colaiste Chillian Jobstown C.C.

Jun. F. "A" St. David’s C.B.S. St. Declan’s C.B.S.Jun. F. "B" Lucan C.B.S. St. Mark’s C.S.Jun. F. "C" Skerries C.C. Colaiste EoinJun. F. "D" St. Vincent’s C.B.S. Lucan C.C.Jun. F. "E" Colaiste Dhulaigh St. Aidan’s C.S.

Sen. F. "A" St. David’s C.B.S. Gormanston Col. Sen. F. "B" St. Mark’s C.S. Moyle Park CollegeSen. F. "C" Oatlands College Ardscoil, RahenySen. F. "D" Colaiste Dhulaigh Blakestown C.S.

LAIGHEAN THEAS

PEIL

Col. S.F. "B" F.C.J., Bunclody Portlaoise C.B.S.Sch. S.F. "C" Wexford C.B.S. Pres., CarlowSch. S.F. League Good Counsel Col. Naas C.B.S.

Jun. F. "A" Good Counsel Coll. St. Peter’s, WexfordJun. F. "B" Naas C.B.S. Tullow C.S.Jun. F. "C" Castlecomer C.S. Wicklow D.L.S.Jun. F. "D1" Ramsgrange C.S. Abbey C.C.Jun. F. "D2" Gaelcholaiste, Sc. Aireagail, Ballyhale

Juv. F. "A" Portlaoise C.B.S. St. Peter’s, WexfordJuv. F. "B" Knockbeg College F.C.J., BunclodyJuv. F. "C" Castlecomer C.S. Bridgetown V.C.Juv. F. "D1" Brendan’s, Bray Abbey C.C.Juv. F. "D2" Borris V.S. Abbey C.C., Ferrybank


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IOMAINT

Sch. Sen. H. "C1" Pres. DLS, Bagenalstown New Ross C.B.S.Sch. Sen. H. "C2" Carlow C.B.S. Knockbeg College

Jun. H. "B" Gorey C.S. Cistercian, RoscreaJun. H. "C1" Col. Mhuire, Johnstown Sc. Aireagail, BallyhaleJun. H. "C2" Tullow C.S. Knockbeg CollegeJun. H. "D" Kilmuckridge V.C. Ramsgrange C.S.

Juv. H. "B" Enniscorthy C.B.S. St. Fergal’s, RathdowneyJuv. H. "C" Col. Mhuire, Johnstown New Ross V.C.Juv. H. "D" Col. Cois Siuire, M’coin Tullow C.S.

LAIGHEAN THUAIDH

PEIL

Colleges S.F. "B" Moyne C.S. Col. Choilm, TullamoreSchools S.F. "C" Cnoc Mhuire, Granard Ballymahon V.S.

Sch. S.F. League "A" St. Pat’s, Navan St. Mel’s, LongfordSch. S.F. League "B" Moyne C.S. St. Joseph’s, Drogheda

Jun. F. "A" St. Mel’s, Longford St. Pat’s, NavanJun. F. "B" Kells C.S. St. Mary’s, EdenderryJun. F. "C" St. Oliver’s, Oldcastle St. Saran’s, FerbaneJun. F. "D" Ballymahon V.S. Cnoc Mhuire, Granard

Juv. F. "A" Marist College, Athlone St. Pat’s, NavanJuv. F. "B" St. Joseph’s, R’bridge Clane C.S.Juv. F. "C" Dunshaughlin C.C. Ardee C.S.Juv. F. "D1" Ballymahon Sec. Sch. Cnoc Mhuire, GranardJuv. F. "D2" St. Saran’s, Ferbane Ardsc. Chiarain, Clara

IOMAINT

Sch. Sen. H. "C1" Killina Pres. Sec. Sch. St. Mel’s, LongfordSch. Sen. H. "C2" St. Pat’s, Navan Trim V.S.

Jun. H. "B" Kilcormac V.S. St. Mary’s, MullingarJun. F. "C" Tullamore College St. Joseph’s, R’bridgeJun. H. "D" St. Mel’s, Longford Trim V.S.

Juv. H. "B" St. Rynagh’s, Banagher Kilcormac V.S.Juv. H. "C" L.S.U., Banagher Killina Pres. Sec. Sch.Juv. H. "D1" St. Finian’s, Mullingar St. Farnan’s, ProsperousJuv. H. "D2" Dunshaughlin C.C. St. Joseph’s, Drogheda

ALL IRELAND SERIES

Colleges S.F. "A" St. Pat’s, Navan CHAMPIONSColleges S.F. "B" Moyne C.S. SEMI-FINALISTS

St. Mark’s C.S. QUARTER-FINALISTSSchools S.F. "C" Cnoc Mhuire, Granard SEMI-FINALISTS

Colleges S.H. "A" Dublin Colleges SEMI-FINALISTSColleges S.H. "B" Eamann Ris, Callan FINALISTS

Voc. Sch. S.F. "A" Ardsc. Chiarain, Clara CHAMPIONSVoc. Sch. S.H. "A" St. Fergal’s, Rathdowney SEMI-FINALISTS

Voc. Sch. J. F. "A" St.Oliver’s CC, Drogheda FINALISTSVoc. Sch. J. H. "A" Kilcormac V.S. SEMI-FINALISTS

Inter County F. "A" Offaly FINALISTSInter County F. "B" Louth CHAMPIONS

HANDBALL

COLLEGES - 60 x 30 "A"Sen. Singles Castlecomer C.S. Gorey C.S.Sen. Doubles St. Peter’s, Wexford Castlecomer C.S.Jun. Singles Castlecomer C.S. Wexford C.B.S.Jun. Doubles Wexford Castlecomer C.S.Juv. Singles Kells C.S. St. Kieran’s, KilkennyJuv. Doubles Kilkenny C.B.S. St. Peter’s, Wexford

COLLEGES - 60 x 30 "B"Sen. SinglesSen. Doubles New Ross C.B.S. St. Peter’s, Wexford Jun. Singles St. Peter’s, Wexford Kilkenny C.B.S.Jun. DoublesJuv. Singles Castlecomer C.S. St. Peter’s, WexfordJuv. Doubles Kilkenny C.B.S. Gorey C.S.

COLLEGES - 40 x 20 "A"Sen. Singles Coolmine C.S. F.C.J., BunclodySen. Doubles Castlecomer C.S. St. Peter’s, WexfordJun. Singles Bunclody Pres. DLS, BagenalstownJun. Doubles Castlecomer C.S. St. Peter’s, WexfordJuv. Singles Mullingar C.C. Kilkenny C.B.S.Juv. Doubles St. Kieran’s, Kilkenny St. Peter’s, Wexford

COLLEGES - 40 x 20 "B"Sen. Singles Naas C.B.S. Col. San FroinsiasSen. Doubles St. Peter’s, Wexford W.O.Jun. Singles St. Peter’s, Wexford Castlecomer C.S.Jun. Doubles Good Counsel Coll. W.O.Juv. Singles St. Kieran’s, Kilkenny Good Counsel Coll.

VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS - 40 x 20 "A"Sen. Singles Col. Bhride, Carnew Sc. Aireagail, BallyhaleSen. Doubles Col. Bhride, Carnew Sc. Aireagail, BallyhaleJun. Singles Carlow V.S. Wexford V.C.Jun. Doubles Carlow V.S. Sc. Aireagail, Ballyhale

VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS - 40 x 20 "B"Sen. Singles Wexford V.C.Sen. Doubles Wexford V.C.Jun. Singles Wexford V.C. Ardsc. Ch., ClaraJun. Doubles Carlow V.S. Ardsc. Ch., Clara


Tuairisc an RúnaíCongratulations to all winners!To have winners others mustalso participate. Whencongratulating our winners wemust not ignore thecontribution of all teams in thevarious competitions.

Normally when I settle to writefor Annual Conventionvirtually the All Ireland Seriesare complete. Not so this year.At the time of writing Ardscoil

Chiarain, Clara are celebrating their All Ireland title holderstatus. Hopefully by Convention night more of ourProvincial winners will have achieved All Ireland success.Louth won the Inter County Football "B" title lastDecember.

The School year presently coming to an end was withoutdoubt one of the most difficult in terms of attempting aschedule of games/competitions. Terrible weatherconditions since last September, industrial action beforeand after Christmas and the Foot and Mouth crisis allcombined to throw any sensible well run programme outthe window. Schools are accustomed to some disruptionby weather conditions. But no one could have bargainedfor this year’s conditions. Even the sunny South Eastnoticed! Many pitches in Wexford/South Kilkennyremained unplayable to the Easter Holidays. What hope forthe rest? The prolonged industrial action by A.S.T.I.required considerable adjustment to the relevantcompetitions. Thanks to the co-operation andunderstanding of all concerned we will complete theprogramme by the year’s end.

Extra curricular activities are a vital part of School life. Manytake the positive contribution of extra curricular activitiesfor granted – sad to say some do not even notice. It wouldbe very difficult to evaluate fully the extra work of so fewthat benefits so many both inside and outside theclassroom. Such commitment over and above the call ofduty in every School in the Country should and must berecognized in a tangible way by society in general.

The Foot and Mouth crisis came within one week ofhalting the All Ireland series to our various competitions.Thankfully we were able to get matters moving again butmore importantly our Country was spared. Let us keep itthat way.

Pride of place in this year’s role of honour at ProvincialLevel is the Dublin Colleges Senior Hurling Squad. 8 yearsago a combined team from the city was entered in the S.H."A" Championship for the first time. For the first few yearsprogress appeared to be slow. This year was their third

Provincial Final in a row - third time lucky when defeatingGood Counsel College. Their success should givecomfort to Dundalk Schools, Laois Schools and indeedothers who are thinking in similar lines. Winning any title isan achievement. I am sure everyone will concur with mein expressing the view that a Dublin Hurling win is a littlespecial! I hope that the success will be a major boost toHurling in the Capital over the next few years.

St. Pat’s v St. Mel’s was a repeat of the previous year atColleges S.F. "A" level with St. Pat’s retaining the title. TheVocational Schools Senior "A" Finals (double header)provided an excellent day’s entertainment in O’ConnorPark in late March. Ninety minutes of top class Hurling wasunable to separate St. Fergal’s and St. Rynagh’s with theformer winning the replay. Ardscoil Chiarain, Claraovercame a gallant Athlone C.C. in the Football Final .Athlone C.C. were runners-up for the second year in a rowand must be given great credit for their second half comeback against the Clara side. Subsequent events showedthat the Provincial Final was the closest call that ArdscoilChiarain had in the entire campaign. Colaiste Eamann Ris,Callan edged out fellow Kilkenny School, CastlecomerC.S., to ensure the Colleges S.H. "B" title. The format ofthe competition is as agreed by the participants, but if theresults of this year were to be repeated next year a re-thinkwould be in order.

Borris V.S. won the Vocational "B" title early in the yeardefeating Laois side Clonaslee V.S. in the Final. Thedisruption already referred to resulted in the Hurling "C"Competition not moving beyond the regions – perhapsthe Senior will make it! Lucan C.C. won the VocationalSchools Senior Football "B" title in style. Bridgetown V.C.were their Final opponents. Moyne C.S. and St. Mark’s C.S.have yet to contest the Colleges S.F. "B" title. BothSchools lost out to Dingle C.B.S. in their quest for AllIreland honours. The Provincial S.F. "C" title remained inLongford - Cnoc Mhuire, Granard succeeding fromBallymahon V.S. - Oatlands were runners-up.

JUNIOR FOOTBALLAt the time of writing the 4 Provincial titles have yet to bedecided. St. Oliver’s C.C., Drogheda won the VocationalSchools Junior "A" while Ballymahon V.S. won the "B"title.

JUVENILE FOOTBALLAn excellent Marist, Athlone side overcame PortlaoiseC.B.S. (last year’s winners) in the "A" Final . CastlecomerC.S. won the "C" title overcoming Dunshaughlin C.C.The other 2 titles are still to be won.

JUVENILE HURLINGBecause of the difficulties during the second term it wasdecided to play the Juvenile Hurling Competitions on astraight knock-out system. They are presently in progress.


JUNIOR HURLINGSt. Mary’s, Enniscorthy and Kilcormac V.S. won the SchoolsJunior Hurling "A" and Vocational Schools Junior Hurling"A" respectively. Incidentally both played in Pairc UiMhordha – the former while the stand was intact, the latterwithout. Both defeated Kilkenny opposition in theirrespective Finals - Kilkenny C.B.S. and Colaiste Mhuire,Johnstown. Scoil Dheaglain brought the "B" title to theCapital getting the better of Gorey C.S.

PITCHES/FACILITIESThe weather caused many more problems than normal.Pitches were very difficult to obtain months on end. Theyare the facts. However, I must stress that at all timespitches were made available where possible.

On behalf of all Schools I extend appreciation and thanksto all concerned. Hopefully over the next few years thequality of pitches will be improved and less Club fixturesNovember – February will help our cause.

However, there are occasions when one wonders whyCounty Boards/Clubs allow us use their facilities. Two suchoccasions come to mind – on one occasion the Club’stractor was tampered with and left to "free-wheel" downa slope while on another occasion lights in a dressingroom and tunnel were damaged by player(s). Even a firealarm in a Club complex was not spared. Do I need to saymore?

TRANSITION YEAR MODULEMany Schools used the Transition Year Module during thepresent School year. Compliments to the personnalinvolved. Students benefit from the Module to the extentthat they wish too and also from the seriousness withwhich each School views the course.

REFEREESI extend our appreciation to the numerous "men inblack". But I wonder how much longer can we go on asat present. The situation particularly with regard to Hurlingis very very serious. I mention the problem butunfortunately I can offer no solutions.

INTERNATIONAL RULES (U-17)12 players for Leinster formed part of a 25 strong squadthat spent their Easter Holidays in Australia. Theopportunity to represent one’s County is a great honour. Ihope that the present group of young internationals willbenefit in their future careers both on and off the field fromtheir present experience.

MEDIAOur thanks to the various sections of the Media whocovered our games. At National Level the Irish Examiner’s

coverage of Schools G.A.A. is very welcome. To TomCrotty thanks again for another year’s work well done.

FINANCIAL AREACoca-Cola remain as ever our very loyal sponsors. Verymuch in the person of Jim Whelan (Public RelationsManager).

The combined financial support from Coca-Cola andComhairle Laighean allows the Schools Council tocontinue its programme of Equipment Grants/Subsidiesand Teams Expenses. Hopefully in the coming year theCouncil will be able to increase its support to eachindividual School.

CONCLUSION1 To the three Coaching Directors – Lester Ryan, Noel

Delaney and Gerard O’Connor – and their colleagues my appreciation to them on your behalf for their continued good work in the area of Coaching & Games Development which includes providing Coaching Courses in the Teacher Training Colleges.

2 My thanks to the many within the organizationClub, County, Provincial and National –for their continued support.

3 To the school personnel for their help and support and understanding during a very difficult year my appreciation and thanks.

4 Thanks also to Tom O’Donnell who keeps the Dublin section operating, also for his advise and assistance when sought (on many occasions)

5 Thanks to the Comhairle & Coiste – the members were always available when required.

6 Thanks also to the officers and members of Comhairle Laighean for their support in the past year.

7 To An Cathaoirleach, John Horan, my thanks on everyone’s behalf for his continued work – never far from the coalface.

8 To my colleagues in Áras Laighean, Hannah, Patricia, Julie and Michael thank you for your assistance in helping Leinster Schools Council get through the programme.

Finally to each and everyone of you thanks for the year’swork and hope you have an enjoyable Summer.


Third Level Colleges ReportTom O’Donnell

Comhairle Árd OideachaisLaighean has responsibility forthe development of GaelicGames in over twenty ThirdLevel institutions in Leinster.The f inancial support ofComhairle Laighean throughfunding from Scéim Iománaand Scéim Peil is invaluableand has enabled a number ofinitiatives to be devised andimplemented. These include

m Supplying a set of jerseys to each of the nine Third Level hurling clubs.

m Assisting the purchase of gear in newly emerging clubs.

m Provision of sliothars, footballs and training bibs to colleges based on the number of teams competing in Third Level competitions.

Participation levels have increased through theorganisation of Intermediate football and hurling blitzes. .

COMPETITIONSThe two premier competitions in the Third Level sectorwere badly disrupted by the foot and mouth crisis. Thetraditional championship weekends were cancelled butthe competitions were eventually completed.

In the Fitzgibbon Cup UCD put in a fine performance toearn a draw against old rivals UCC in the final played inParnell Park. The replay in Nenagh proved to be an equallycompetitive game with the Dublin side emergingvictorious. Athlone I.T. was narrowly defeated by LimerickI.T. in the Division 2 Ryan Cup hurling championship final.

UCD were also finalists in the Sigerson Cup footballchampionship final. However, UUJ Belfast proved toostrong on the day and denied the Dublin side amemorable double. In the Division 2 Trench Cup final,Tallaght I.T. recorded a memorable win over St Pat’s,Drumcondra in an all Dublin final.

In Ladies Gaelic football, UCD defeated I.T. Tralee in theO’Connor Cup. NUIM, captained by Laois player, MaryKirwan, achieved a notable double in winning the Division2 league (Curran Cup) and championship (Lynch Cup)competitions. Carlow I.T., beaten by NUIM in the LynchCup went on to win the Division 3 league final. Athlone I.T.hosted the Ashbourne Cup camogie championship whichwas won by UL. Carlow I.T. were beaten by Limerick I.T. inthe Purcell Cup final. At Provincial level, CAO Laigheanorganised a number of blitzes to cater for players from allgrades and thereby broaden participation.

The Intermediate football competition was won by DCUwho overcame NUIM in the final. The semi-finalists in theintermediate blitz are UCD, DIT, NUIM and Carlow I.T.Freshers’ football and hurling blitzes are scheduled forMarch. Last October, CAO Laighean organised a freshers’camogie sevens blitz with NUIM emerging victorious overUCD in the final.

BURSARIESThis is the second year of the Comhairle Laighean ThirdLevel Bursary scheme. Cathaoirleach Comhairle LaigheanSeamus Aldridge recently presented the awards to twenty-one recipients from around the Province. These studentsare in their first year of Third Level education in collegesthroughout Leinster and have been recognised for theircommitment to the G.A.A. and achievements to date.There is no doubt that many from the array of recipients onview will be the stars of the future. The bursary schemehelps to raise the profile of Gaelic Games in Third LevelColleges throughout the Province and is further evidenceof Comhairle Laighean’s commitment to this sector.

NEW THIRD LEVEL APPOINTMENTSLouise O’Brien was recently appointed G.A.A.Development Officer in Athlone I.T. Meanwhile, SineadHynes and Gerry Anderson will act as DevelopmentOfficers in Trinity College and Tallaght I.T. respectively on apart-time basis for the duration of the academic year.Ronan Keaskin will have a major part to play in thedevelopment of Gaelic Games in Blanchardstown I.T. inhis role as Sports Officer in the college. We wish them wellfor the future.

The work of all Third Level Development Officers is muchappreciated, as is Comhairle Laighean's financial supportof these appointments.

PARTNERSHIPThird Level Colleges possess some of the finest playingfacilities and gyms in the Province. In addition, there is awide range of expertise present in the Colleges in suchareas as sports health and science, informationtechnology, fitness testing and assessment, managementand communications. A tremendous opportunity existsfor units of the G.A.A. within the Province to createlinkages with these Colleges to develop programmes inthe areas outlined above to facilitate their development inthe future.

In Dublin, pitches in UCD, DCU, TCD and St Pat's aremade available on a regular basis for schools' matches. Inaddition, development squads and inter county panelstrain on these pitches. The Department of Sports Scienceand Health in DCU presented an in-service course to allComhairle Laighean Games Promotion Off icers inJanuary. Plans are been developed in DCU to introduce atwo-year full time Diploma in G.A.A. Coaching that wouldhave both theoretical and practical elements.


This sharing of resources is much appreciated by Third Levelstudents and College authorities and can be attributed toLeinster Council's proactive thinking and approach to thedevelopment of Gaelic Games at Third Level.

BUÍOCHASThe help and co-operation of the following greatlyfacilitated the organisation of Gaelic Games activitiesduring the past year:

G.A.A. Development Officers in the various Third LevelColleges; Comhairle Laighean Coaching Directors;Comhairle Laighean Coaching and Games DevelopmentCommittee; Michael Delaney, Michael Reynolds and thestaff in Áras Laighean; CAO Laighean Committee - TomMaher, Valerie Crean and Des O’Donnell.

In particular, thanks to CAO Laighean Secretary, DaveBillings, for his help and wisdom during the past year.

In conclusion, I would like to acknowledge the work ofNickey Brennan as Cathaoirleach of the ComhairleLaighean Coaching and Games Development. Hissupport for the Third Level sector over the past three yearshas been tremendous and I wish him well in his future roleas Cathaoirleach of Comhairle Laighean.

Leinster Master Tutors ReportTom Fitzpatrick

Assisting the Coaching &Games DevelopmentCommittee to deliver keycomponents of the CoachEducation Programme is at theheart of the Leinster MasterTutor Group role. It was aneventful and, hopefully, fruitful2001 with the Tutors involvedin course preparation anddelivery, tutor training andmentoring, devising and

developing Level Two Courses and organising Level Onepresentation evenings in close association with theCounty Coaching Officers.

The Comhairle Laighean Master Tutor Group were activelyinvolved in the following:

m Delivered a Level One Football Course to 45 participants in Contae na Mí before Christmas.

m Trained a core of 10 new Tutors to deliver Foundation Level Courses.

m Organised – with County Coaching Officers – a presentation evening in Páirc an Chrócaigh on 5th February at which the Comhairle Laighean Coaching & Games Development Cathaoirleach, Nioclás Ó

Braonáin, handed over 130 Level One Certificates to last year’s participants who qualified by full attendance at 10 sessions and by returning completed logbooks to the County Coaching Officer at courses organised in Longfort, Áth Cliath, Cill Dara, Cill Mhantáin, An Mhí, An tIarmhí, Ceatharlach agus Laois/Uibh Fháilí le chéile.

The Master Tutor Group and the County CoachingOfficers are currently busy co-ordinating and presenting40 course sessions with a mixture of theory and practiceincluding technical proficiency, advanced techniques,decision-making, team play and tactical ploys, physicalfitness components and principles, psychological well-being, managing conflict and playing rules at Level Onecourses in the following locations:

m Cill Mhantáin (Iomáint).m Áth Cliath (Peil).m Loch Garman (Peil).m An tIarmhí (Peil).

The Tutors are delighted that Coach Education forms acore part of The Underage Strategic Plan and wish tocompliment and congratulate the National Coaching &Games Development Committee on the launch of theCD-ROM – The OTú Coaching Model – giving theintegrated guide to total playing performance in hurlingand football. The Tutors would like to acknowledge the on-going support from the Comhairle Laighean Coaching &Games Development Committee and it is significant in thiscontext that while a Level One Tutor Training Course is onlyat the planning stage, already 18 candidates from 4counties have requested a place on that Course.

At the moment a Tutor Accreditation link-up with NUIMaynooth is being pursued. In addition, a CoachEducation Partnership with Dublin City University is beingexplored and with the various elements of the Level Twoprogramme being piloted, it is an exciting time to beinvolved in Coach Education within the Province ofLeinster.

The current Officers and members of the ComhairleLaighean Master Tutor Group are;

Cathaoirleach Jimmy O’DwyerRunaí Paudie O’NeillCounty Coaching OfficersGer Lennon (Ceatharlach), Paddy Oliver (An Lú), BrianCarberry (An Mhí), Domhnall O hIceadha (Áth Cliath),Martin Coleman (Cill Mhantáin), Willie Carley (LochGarman), Seán Mac Cárthaigh (Cill Dara), Tom O’Hanlon(Cill Chainnigh), Seán Ó Daltúin (Laois), Christy Hand (UibhFháili), Séamus O Faoláin (An tIarmhí), Eugene Quaine(Longfort).


Handball ReportTommy O’Brien

Convention The year began on a positivenote with our Conventionbeing held in "The Toss andButt" in Kells. It was refreshingto hold the year’s mostimportant meeting in ahandball premises which has a40x20 court, a 60-30 court, abar and catering facilities withenough room to host theactual convention itself.

Officers returned at Convention included Chairman (JohnMolloy, Áth Cliath) Vice-Chairman (Tony Breen, LochGarman), Secretary (Tommy O’Brien, Cill Chainnigh) andTreasurer (Joe Masterson, Uí bhFáile).

Walter O’Connor (An Mhí) was elected to the CoachingCouncil while the delegates elected to Coiste na mBanwere Seán Ryan (Ceatharlach) and Mary Doyle (CillMhantáin).

Richard Willoughby (Cill Mhantáin) agreed to stay on asJuvenile Chairman with Patsy Dowling (Laois) elected asJuvenile Secretary. The Leinster Development Committeeelected was Jimmy King (Loch Garman) Martin Clancy(Ceatharlach) Des Lyons (Cill Dara) Billy Love (CillChainnigh) Patsy Dowling (Laois) and Chairman TomWalsh (Cill Mhantáin).

40x20 ChampionshipsWe had a very healthy number of entries in some of thesechampionships—the most notable being Junior B Singles(32), Junior B Doubles (23), Masters B Singles (16) andSilver Masters B Singles (15).

Despite this, and the problems caused by the "Foot andMouth" disease, our championships were run off withinthe schedule provided and we had some very wellcontested finals. The most notable was, of course, atsenior singles where Kenneth Kane (Carlow) and EoinKennedy (Dublin), relatively new kids on the block,provided a tremendous final before a capacity crowd atBallymore Eustace. This programme was attended byCathaoirleach Comhairle Laighean CLG, Seamas Aldridgewho presented the Leinster Senior Cup to the victoriousKenneth Kane.

Seven players dominated their grades in 40x20, winningboth singles and doubles titles. They were Myles Cash(Wexford) in minor; Shane Dormer (Laois) in Junior; PatCleary (Wexford) in Masters A; Billy Mullins (Offaly) in Silver

Masters A; John Ward (Dublin) in Silver Masters B; EugeneKennedy (Dublin) in Golden Masters A; Harry Lacey(Wexford) in Golden Masters B.

60x30 ChampionshipsThere were quite a number of problems organising theLeinster 60x30 Championships last year. However, we didhave almost all championships very well contested and, asin 40x20, our senior singles final drew a capacity crowd.This time the venue was Garryhill and, while Eoin Kennedygained revenge on Kenneth Kane to reach both finals,Michael Duxie Walsh went one better than in 40x20 whenhe defeated Walter O’Connor to reach the final.

Both semi-finals were played in Mullingar and provided thelarge crowd with top class entertainment.

However, this was nothing compared to the thrills andexcitement provided in the Leinster final when Walshneeded to draw on all his experience to pip Dubliner, EoinKennedy, a feat he was to repeat in the All Ireland final.

Nine players managed to win both singles and doubles inthis code--Brian Minogue (Kilkenny) in Under 21; EddieBurke (Kilkenny) in Junior; Paul Carty (Wexford) inIntermediate; Pat Cleary (Wexford) in Masters A; MartinClancy (Carlow) in Masters B; Billy Mullins (Offaly) in SilverMasters A; Pat Savage (Kilkenny) in Golden Masters B;Christy Lynagh (Meath) in Diamond Masters A and JohnnyO’Mara (Kilkenny) in Diamond Masters B.

National and International SuccessLeinster players f igures prominently at national andinternational level during the year winning no less than 18Juvenile and 24 Adult All-Ireland titles. On the Internationalfront Eoin Kennedy from Dublin won the Canadian Opentitle and also the Men’s Singles at the USHA Inter CollegiateChampionships.

Young Robert McCarthy (Westmeath) also had successoverseas, winning the USHA 15 and Under title. MichaelGregan (Wicklow) and Joy Smith (Meath) were re4cipientsof Irish Sports Council grants to aid their handballdevelopment. There was also national success for Leinsterplayers at 2nd level and 3rd level Colleges, Hardball, OneWall and Féile na nGael Competitions.

It is safe to say that much of the provincial success to datecan be attributed to the Leinster Handball DevelopmentCommittee and the generous f inancial support ofComhairle Laighean CLG.

A National Strategic Planning team, headed by Con Moore(Kilkenny) has been working on the future of the game forsome time now and, when the report is issued, theLeinster Development Committee will examine thefindings to further plan development within the game.


Leinster Junior Hurling& Football TournamentsThe Leinster Junior Hurling & Football Tournaments wereonce again very competitive and exciting and theirpopularity has increased enormously. In view of thegrowing importance of these tournaments it is now timethat responsibility for all matters relating to the fixtures isgiven to the Comhairle Laighean Games AdministrationCommittee. This is not a reflection on the Coaching &Games Development Committee or Michael Reynolds inparticular; it is simply a case of the increasedcompetitiveness of the tournaments and ComhairleLaighean GAC is the appropriate body to handle theadministration associated with all games.

The 2001 Junior Football Tournament culminated in a veryexciting final at Roundwood between the home side AnTóchar representing Wicklow and the Dublinrepresentatives Innisfails. The Dublin side looked to be thesharper early on but gradually the Wicklow championsreduced the deficit. In a highly exciting finish both sideshad opportunities to win the game but a draw ensured thematch went into extra time. Urged on by a vociferousfollowing, An Tochar dominated most of the extra thirtyminutes and while they emerged worthy winners the finalmargin of victory was a little harsh on a gallant Innisfailsside.

The Junior Hurling Tournament Final was no less exciting;in fact it threw up a real surprise when Oliver Plunkettsfrom Westmeath overcame the challenge of hot favouritesThe Emeralds from Kilkenny. The Westmeath championshad home advantage and after a shaky start looked tohave an uphill battle on their hands. However, a couple ofopportunist goals in the first half were to prove crucial. TheKilkenny champions exerted considerable pressure on thehome side in the second half but urged on by a sizeableattendance, Oliver Plunketts emerged worthy winners ofthe tournament.

Both tournaments are now a permanent fixture on theComhairle Laighean calendar as they are affording Juniorand Intermediate clubs a rare opportunity to playcompetitively outside their own county.

Pageant 2001Comhairle Laighean repeated the successful Pageantwhich was staged to commemorate Year 2000. The arrayof colour represented by young players wearing their clubjerseys brought a wonderful atmosphere to the 2001Leinster Senior Hurling and Senior Football Finals. It was ajoyous occasion for the young boys and girls andComhairle Laighean ensured the children and their parentshad a day to remember.

VolunteersCumann Luthchleas Gael is indebted to the thousands ofvolunteers who give freely of their time to ensure theG.A.A. remains the dominant sporting organisation inIreland. 2001 was the Year of the Volunteer and ComhairleLaighean marked the occasion by making a presentationto a representative from every county in the Province onthe day of the Leinster Senior Football Final. Thepresentations were made by Seamus Ó Duinn, Runaí ofthe Coaching & Games Development Committee.

Lár PáirceThe response we received for the publication of Lár Páircehas been most encouraging. The magazine aims tocommunicate key areas of coaching and gamesdevelopment activities to as wide an audience as possiblethroughout Leinster. We have diversified somewhat in thelast publication to include material not particularly relatingto coaching and games development but importantnevertheless to the wider G.A.A. community throughoutour Province. While Lár Páirce will continue to be stronglycoaching and games development based, it will also bean important forum for any other relevant informationemanating from Comhairle Laighean.

Coaching & GamesPromotion ManagerAs part of the Underage Strategic Plan, Leinster, along withConnacht and Munster, will be appointing Coaching &Games Promotion Managers to oversee and developcoaching and games development activities in eachProvince so as to ensure value for the considerableinvestment by the Provincial Council and the Irish SportsCouncil. The appointments are expected to be made bythe end of March 2002. Ulster has already appointed aHigh Performance Coach who is based at the University ofJordanstown. The Leinster appointee will report to theChief Executive of Comhairle Laighean and to theChairman of the Comhairle Laighean Coaching & GamesDevelopment Committee for operational matters. The rolewill cover all of Leinster with a particular focus ondevelopments in Dublin as an immediate priority. The IrishSports Council is providing funding of _63,500 toComhairle Laighean to cover costs associated with thisnew role. The Irish Sports Council see these appointmentsas vital to delivering value on their overall _1.27M grant aidto Cumann Luthchleas Gael for games developmentpurposes.


Third Level Bursaries2001 was the second year of the Comhairle LaigheanThird Level College Bursary scheme. Seventy-oneapplications were received for the twenty-one bursaries.The bursaries were awarded on the basis of theapplication submitted and input from the various Colleges.

The bursaries are for a three-year period with a value of€635 per annum subject to the student passing theircollege examinations and continuing to support theCollege G.A.A. Club in either a playing and/oradministrative capacity.

The recipients of the 2001/2002 bursaries were studentsof outstanding ability who have already achieved a lot withtheir club and counties. A number have also representedIreland in the Under 17 Compromise Rules series.

Those receiving bursary awards for 2001/2002 were:

Teacher Training CollegesDetails were outlined earlier of the number of coursesundertaken in the three Dublin based Teacher TrainingColleges. The running of these courses is putting aconsiderable strain on the resources of ComhairleLaighean and we would like to record our appreciation tothe Coaching & Games Promotion Officers who assistedthe Coaching Directors to deliver the courses. It isencouraging to note that some Dublin based club coachesalso assisted with the course programme. The co-operation of the County Coaching Officers was crucialand much appreciated as they allowed some of their keypersonnel time off from local activities to travel to Dublin toassist with the delivery of the courses. This newarrangement is proving very successful and is affording theCoaching & Games Promotion Officers involved anopportunity to develop new skills outside their owncounty environs.

Training CoursesIt is the policy of the Comhairle Laighean Coaching &Games Development Committee to encourage allpersonnel to undertake additional training to furtherincrease their range of skills. A number of Coaching &Games Promotion Off icers undertook a variety ofcourses in the past year covering both I.T. and fitnessrelated subjects. In addition, the Coaching Directorsundertook a management development programme withCentury Management in Dublin.

GeneralWe would like to record our appreciation to the membersof Comhairle Laighean and in particular to its OfficersSeamus Aldridge (Cathaoirleach), Michael Delaney(Runaí), Paddy Flanagan (Cisteóir) and Seamus Howlin(PRO) for their continued support. Seamus Aldridge iscoming to the end of his three-year term as Cathaoirleachand we are most grateful for his support for the manyactivities and initiatives which were undertaken during histerm.

Numerous meetings were held during the past year toplan and monitor the various coaching and gamesdevelopment activities in the Province. We would like torecord our thanks and appreciation to the followinggroups who operate under the auspices of the ComhairleLaighean Coaching & Games Development Committee:

m Coaching & Games Development Executivem Coaching & Games Development Committeem Coaching & Games Development

Management Teamm Master Tutors Committeem Hurling Development Committee

Name County College

Padraig Bambrick Carlow Trinity College

Niall Ó Ceallacháin Dublin DCU

Ciarán Regan Dublin DCU

Philip Brennan Dublin UCD

Kate Leahy Kildare NUI Maynooth

David Cahill Kildare Tallaght I.T.

Mark Phelan Kilkenny Carlow I.T.

David Herity Kilkenny St. Patrick's

Canice Hickey Kilkenny St. Patrick's

Eoin Gorman Laois Carlow I.T.

Brian Ferns Laois DIT

Michael McEvoy Laois DIT

Seamus Dwyer Laois NUI Maynooth

Tracey Lawlor Laois UCD

Brian Kelly Meath DIT

Gary Kevin McCloskey Meath Dundalk I.T.

Barry Teehan Offaly Athlone I.T.

Niall Morris Offaly Athlone I.T.

Stephen Sheehan Wexford UCD

David Cronin Wicklow Blanchardstown I.T.

Brian Lennon Wicklow DCU


The activities of the Comhairle Laighean Coaching &Games Development Committee are monitored by theNational Coaching and Games Development Committeeunder the chairmanship of Noel Walsh (An Clár). Wewould like to thank Noel and his committee for theirsupport and help over the past year. We very muchappreciate the advice and support of Pat Daly and his stafffrom Páirc an Chrócaigh during the year and hisattendance and presentations at a number of events wasextremely valuable. The recent launch of the newinteractive coaching CDROM for Hurling and GaelicFootball is a signif icant breakthrough for CumannLuthchleas Gael in the area of coaching. This technologyputs the G.A.A. to the forefront in new coaching methodsand systems. It will prove an invaluable asset to all ourCoaching & Games Development personnel and it isimportant that the technology is made available to as widean audience as possible.

It would be impossible to administer the work of thecoaching and games development programme withoutthe assistance of the full time staff at Áras Laighean. Weappreciate the courteous and professional help from JulieQuinn, Hannah Horan, Patricia Clear and MichaelReynolds. We also acknowledge the professionalassistance and advice of John Cotter, particularly in relationto marketing, sponsorship and public relations projects.

This report brings to a conclusion the work of the existingComhairle Laighean Coaching & Games DevelopmentCommittee. The past three years while challenging to allinvolved, has been supremely rewarding. The number of

personnel employed in the coaching area continues togrow and the range of activities ensures that plenty ofvariety is available to both very young children right up toolder teenagers and on to our adult players and officials.We have been most impressed by the commitment anddedication from all County Officers throughout theProvince and it would be impossible to complete thecomprehensive work load of the committee without thewholehearted support we currently receive in every oneof the twelve counties in the Province.

Lots of challenges lie ahead for the incoming Coaching &Games Development Committee throughout Leinster butparticularly in Dublin. The recently published StrategicReview Report refers specifically to Dublin and proposes anumber of initiatives relating to the employment ofadditional Coaching & Games Promotion Off icers.Whatever decisions are reached in the year ahead there isno doubting Comhairle Laighean’s commitment tocoaching and games development. The excitement ofeach year’s championship campaigns may well be thehighlight for many but ensuring our games and theAssociation in general is geared for all challenges in thefuture will continue to be a fundamental aim of ComhairleLaighean.

We wish the incoming Coaching & Games DevelopmentOfficers and Committees the very best of luck in theirendeavours for the next three years.

Nioclás Ó Braonáin, CathaoirleachSeamus Ó Duinn, Runaí

Double vision!Brian McEvoy visits the Kilkenny PlayStation Leinster GAA Summercampsand wonders how Michéal Ó Muircheartaigh will cope when these lads make the senior panel!


Back: John Hegarty. Larry O'Gorman. James Owens, Syl Doyle, Leigh O'Brien and Joe Kelly.Front: Tom Neville, Railway Cup Hurling Team Manahger 1998. Seamus Howlin, P.R.O. Leinster GAA. Dickie Murphy. Thomas Quigley.

A Refereeproblem inWexford?You’d never haveguessed it fromthese picturestaken at thepresentationfunction earlierthis month!


Leinster Referees

Administrator’s Report

Referees CommitteePierce Freaney (Chairman),Aidan Shiels (Sec. & Dublin),Paddy Lennon (Louth),Tommy Collins (Meath),Liam O Loughlin (Wicklow),Tommy Rowe (Wexford),Tommy O Rourke (Carlow),Turlough O’ Brien (Carlow),Pat Casserly (Westmeath),Brian Allen (Laois), Eamon Higgins (Longford), Martin Heffernan (Offaly), Tommy Duggan (Kilkenny).

National TutorsTom Fitzpatrick (Dublin), Aidan Shiels (Dublin)and Tony Jordan (Dublin).

Members of National Referees CommitteePierce Freaney (Kildare), Mick Spain (Offaly),John Fay (Longford).

The Referees Committee in the province continued in itsefforts to recruit new referees and to look after the existingones by organising refresher courses and constantlymonitoring their performances by regular assessment. Alot of work is now being done particularly with theNational and Supplementary panels to improve standards.However there is a long way to go before we can say thatthe overall position is anywhere near satisfactory.

During the year the committee met on six occasions andthe attendance at all meetings was excellent. CountyAdministrators were very busy in their counties attemptingto keep refereeing numbers at a satisfactory level to ensureall games were played in their county. Recruitment seemsto be extremely difficult. A recent survey carried out at theend of 2001 showed that two counties out of thirty twowere happy that they had enough referees. Thirty onecounties indicated abuse as a major problem. The surveyalso found that two of the main obstacles to recruitmentare abuse and club apathy - poor image, the commitmentrequired and public criticism were other factors noted.

As a start to attempt to rectify or at least improve matters itwas decided that all county chairmen, secretaries and

referee administrators be invited together to a meeting.This took place in Leinster on 14.1.2002 in Portlaoise. Theattendance was very good with all counties represented.Presentations on various aspects were made by Sean OLaoire, Bainisteoir na gCluichi, Dan McCartan, Chairman ofthe National Referees Committee and Jimmy Darcy,Coaching and Refereeing Co-Ordinator. The Council wasrepresented by Seamus Aldridge, Nickey Brennan andMichael Delaney. I am very hopeful that all those presentbrought back to their counties a greater awareness of theoverall refereeing situation. Similar meetings have takenplace in the other provinces. I would ask that refereeing isgiven priority

in the county and that the proper structures are put inplace. The appointment of County Referees AdministrationCommittees is vital if the work started at national level is toflourish down the line. This committee is responsible for allmatters regarding recruitment, training, assessment andcounselling of referees. It does not appoint referees butwould have a voice on the appointments committee. It isrecommended that monthly reports of progress orotherwise be given to the County Committee.

I would also suggest that some attempt be made to rid theAssociation from this constant criticism and abuse ofreferees at all levels. The slogan adopted by the NationalReferees Committee is ‘The proper conduct of ourgames’. This puts an onus on us all and if we havecriticisms let them be made objectively and throughproper channels. There is a big task ahead to educateManagers, Mentors, Officials, Players and the generalpublic in the rules of our games. This is a challenge wemust meet and the National or Provincial Committees areavailable to help by organising people to explain rules andinterpretation to teams, panels or any groups who areinterested. It doesn’t make sense to have teams with up toone hundred training sessions not spending even part onone of them being briefed on rules and interpretations.During the year I was delighted to be invited to Offaly,Kilkenny, Longford, Carlow and Laois to promote therefereeing initiative.

The number and grades of referees per county is tabulatedat the end of this report. I am happy to say that we inLeinster have introduced up to twenty new referees to intercounty refereeing. These have been identified by theircounty administrator as promising up and coming referees


and they are currently undergoing an intensive course inCroke Park. I would ask the counties to help in theirprogress by giving them senior championship games.The existing panel met on four occasions in Newbridge forspecialised training. I would like to thank Kildare CountyBoard and Sarsfields G.F.C. for the use of their facilities.Thanks also to John Courtney and Tom Gorman for theirwork on the training ground. These sessions - which werevoluntary – were very well attended. This exerciseincreases their level of fitness and also gives them newideas to incorporate into their own schedules. I would liketo thank the Council for supporting this venture. Fitnesstests were held in Ballymahon and Carlow twice to caterfor the full panel. The standard of fitness was excellent andit is obvious that the referees are raising their standards tomeet the demands of the modern game. A national testwas held at Tullamore Harriers track in June.

All national panels of referees met on at least six occasionsin Athlone during the championship season. They alsomet to review the season in October. Those meetingswere very helpful particularly this year to iron out littleproblems that arose with the implementation of the newregulations about Blood Rule and Substitution. This willcontinue this year and it is hoped to improve the format.

Appointments are always a source of discussion and it isdifficult to satisfy everyone. There were nine Leinsterfootball referees and seven hurling referees used in seniorchampionship games during 2001. I feel that some of ouryounger referees in all provinces should be used inimportant games. This is particularly true in hurling. InLeinster every effort is made to give young refereesimportant games and this has worked very well. I havebeen in constant touch with the Central AppointmentsCommittee and some of our up and coming referees willbe used during the League. I would at this stage like tothank our assessors who do outstanding work. They areessential to monitor the progress and are available to talkto the young referee. There is a need for more and I wouldask county officers to nominate suitable candidates. Threereferees left the panel after long years of service FrankWard (Laois), Pat Delaney (Laois) and Peter Fox (Meath)and I would like to thank them on my own behalf and onthe Council’s behalf for their commitment and support.

A couple of new initiatives were attempted by the NationalReferees Committee. We met the members of theNational Media and Television and Players Committee.Both meetings were intended to explain what washapenning on the referees side including the newregulations and to discuss any matters they might raise.There was a good exchange of views and other meetingsare scheduled to take place. The County Chairmen andSenior Team Managers were invited to Croke Park for

similar type of discussions. This was a lesser success andmany of the high profile Managers chose not to attend.Overall these meetings can only help both sides and in thelong run the playing of our games.

This still did not prevent some unfair and unjust criticismtaking place. Sometimes people who should know betterput all the reasons for a bad result on the performance ofthe referee. One of our leading referees had to endureway over the top criticism that went on long after thegame and was even resurrected in the county secretary’sreport for his county’s failure. This is totally unacceptablefrom an official.

Having spent three years in this position I am very gratefulfor the total support from Comhairle Laighean. I thankSeamus Aldridge for trusting me with the position and forthe benefit of his vast experience whenever I needed it.The referees are very conscious of this support and I thinkthey have responded accordingly. I would like to thankMichael Delaney for his terrific help and guidance, MichaelReynolds for all his advice and help, Patricia and Hannahfor their good humour and total support and Julie who didall the donkey work, solved many problems andcorrected my mistakes - an outstanding team and apleasure to work with. I’m glad to say that imcomingchairman Nickey Brennan is well aware of the work still tobe done and I

know that he will maintain the high standards already set.The referees also appreciate their presentation night andthe work done by Paddy Flanagan and John Cotter. Iwould like to acknowledge the work and support fromSeamus Howlin who was involved with me in supervisingthe new regulations in Leinster during the championship.

I found the three years most enjoyable and I appreciate thehospitality and support I received in all the twelvecounties. The province is lucky to have such a panel ofreferees and they made my job much easier by theirsupport and continuous co-operation. They each want tobe the best, they can be and I think that is all one can askfor.


COUNTY NATIONAL SUPPLEMENTARY PROVINCIALH F H F H F

Louth - - - 1 - 2Meath - 1 1 2 - -Dublin 2 - 1 - 1 3Wicklow - - - - 1 -Wexford 1 1 2 2 1 1Kildare - 1 1 1 1 1Carlow 1 - - - - -Kilkenny 3 - - 1 1 -Laois - 1 1 - - 1Offaly 1 1 - 1 2 1Westmeath 1 - 1 3 - 1Longford - 3 - 1 - 1

TOTAL 9 8 7 12 7 11

Safe Seat! Pierce Freaney assisted all fourth officials at this years Leinster fixtures in Croke Park


Almost there! The new stand at O’Moore Park, Portlaoise is taking shape nicely . . .

. . . while the redevelopment of Wexford Park has already been deemed a great success


The Leinster DevelopmentCommittee of the past yearwas made up of:-

Andy Gallagher (Offaly)ChairmanTommy Murphy (Kilkenny)Jimmy Fox (Longford)John Byrne (Carlow)Kieran Keeneghan (Offaly)P.J. Murphy (Westmeath)Michael Delaney(Comhairle Laighean)

Michael Reynolds(Comhairle Laighean) - Servicing Officer

This Committee’s work, for the most part, dealt withapplications by clubs and county committees in relation togrants for the purchase and development of pitches andother facilities. It met with a number of clubs who wereentering into borrowing situations with FinancialInstitutions and where necessary, made appropriaterecommendations to the National Finance Committee.Incidentally the new borrowing guidelines decided uponby Central Council post Euro introduction are as follows:-

(a) Under €15,000.00Club can borrow on their own authority

(b) €15,000 - €75,000County Board approval required

(c) €75,000 - €150,000Provincial Council approval required

(d) Over €150,000Coisde Bainistí approval required

The Committee, this year, introduced a strict regulationwhereby clubs and county committees would not begrant-aided unless they had applied for, and received,prior approval from the Committee for their projects. Thismessage does not yet appear to have filtered down to allclubs so this is a timely reminder to County DevelopmentOfficers to again spread the message. During the year theCommittee held two meetings with County Development

Off icers where there was a general exchange ofinformation and opinions. With the likely change ofOfficers in some counties and a probable change in thecomposition of the Leinster Development Committee it islikely that there will be a repetition of these meetings earlyin the year.

The Committee has taken the initial steps to set up adatabase of all clubs so that all records of grants,borrowings should be at the touch of a button in ArasLaighean.

The past year saw great strides made in two of the majorcounty grounds developments in the province. The newWexford Park opened its gates for the first time to host anAll Ireland S.F. Qualifier game between Wexford andWestmeath. This is a marvellous stadium and its openingwas further embellished by a truly remarkable game offootball on that Summer’s evening where the sidesfinished level, even after extra time.

Shortly afterwards it hosted its first Leinster Final when ahuge throng turned out for the Leinster Under 21 HurlingFinal between Kilkenny and Wexford.

O’Moore Park, Portlaoise has its new Stand almostcomplete and may even be in use by next month. With allgoing well this stadium should host a number of highprofile games this Summer starting with the Leinster S.F.C.game on May 12th between the new O’Byrne CupChampions, Carlow and the new crowd pullers of gaelicfootball, Westmeath.

Members of the Committee were also involved in dealingwith safety matters at some provincial venues while othersdispensed advice to clubs and county committees on awide variety of developmental topics. Above all, as theaccounts will clearly show, the committee allocated hugesums of money in grants to county committees and clubsin the province.

Development Committee Report


WexfordWalsh Cup S.H.Champions 2001

Back L-R: Larry O’Gorman,Rory Stafford (C),Adrian Fenlon, Rod Guiney,Larry Murphy, Paul Finn,Dave Guiney, Michael Jordan.

Front L-R: Barry Goff,Martin Byrne, Damien Fitzhenry,Chris McGrath, Liam Dunne,Rory McCarthy, Colm Kehoe.

WexfordLeinsterUnder 21 HurlingChampions 2001

Back L-R: Darren Stamp,Trevor Kelly, Diarmuid Lyng,Nicky Lambert (C),David O’Connor, Barry McGee,Niall Maguire.

Front L-R: Paul Carley,Barry Lambert, Michael Jacob,Matty White, Redmond Barry,Ger Coleman, Rory Mallon,Robbie Kirwan.

WexfordLeinsterIntermediateHurlingChampions 2001

Back L-R: Richard Murphy,Alan O’Connor, John Simpson,Jim Byrne, Dessie Stafford,Jack Berry, Pierce Redmond.

Front L-R: Francis Simpson,Danny Conway, Eddie Cullen (C),Paul Carley, Justin Kenny,Thomas Walsh, Colin Kehoe,Willie Carley.


Coisde Scór Laighean

Tá sé de phribhléid agam antuarascáil gearr seo a chur faoibhráid na ndaoine atá bailitheanseo ó Cúige Laighean.

2001 was the year set asidefor clubs and counties to havea hard look at all aspects ofScór and see how best theScór format should operatefor the next three years. At theScór Congress held in Junelast saw no major changes

take place in the competitions despite the fact that a highpercentage of delegates considered that senior Scór wason the decline.

Perhaps counties would make a special effort to promoteScor at club level particularly in those clubs which havesocial centres. We must for the next three years take apositive view and do our best to promote and developthe cultural side of the Association through Scór. Scór nanÓg continues to hold its own as each year we have newfaces coming on the scene and this makes for goodcompetition and a pleasant nights entertainment.

Have we all got Scór committees within our counties? Hasit the support and good will of the County Officers andCounty Board? What part does Oifigeach na Gaeilge andthe Oifigeach Ógra play?

I would like to thank and congratulate all those competitorsand club officials both young and old who took part inScór during the past year. To the county Scór Committeesin Leinster a word of thanks for their effort in organising andpromoting Scór. Our thanks to all those people who madethemselves available to adjudicate our competitions andto all those who helped in providing venues and stewards.

Finally, I would like to thank Séamus Ó Faoláin(Cathaoirleach) for his work and help to me during thepast year.

To the Officers of Leinster Council Seamus Aldridge,Nioclas Ó Braonáin and Mícheal Ó Dubhshláine manythanks for your help and support.

Ta s´ de phrobléid agam nó bhuíochas a ghabháil le gachéinne a chabhraigh liom.

Dómhnaill ó hIcéadhaRúnaí

LEINSTER SCÓR NA NÓGWINNERS 2001

RINCE FOIRNE (Ceili Dancing)Iarmhí - Naomh Pól

AMHRÁNAÍOCHT AONAIR (Solo Song)Longfort - Aisling Ni Cormac (Colmcille)

CEOL UIRLISE (Instrumental Music)an Mhí - Domhnach Mór - Cill Deagláin

AITHRISEOIREACHT/SCÉALAÍOCHT(Recitation/Storytelling)Iarmhí - Éanna Ó Muirí (Baile Bric Óg)

BAILÉAD GHRÚPA (Ballad Groups)Uibh Fháilí - Clarach

TRÁTH NA GCEIST (Question Time)Cill Mhantáin - Baile Mainis

NUACHLEAS (Novelty Act)Cill Dara - Rath Cofaigh

RINCE SEIT (Set Dancing)Longfort - Baile Mór


LEINSTER SENIOR SCÓRWINNERS 2001

RINCE FÓIRNE (Ceili Dancing)Cill Dara - Rath Iomghain

AMHRÁNAÍOCHT AONAIR (Solo Song)Cill Mhantáin - Séamus Ó Riain (Eachdruim Uí Bhroin)

CEOL UIRLISE (Instrumental Music)An Mhí - Domhnach Mór - Cill Dheagláin

AITHRISEOIREACHT/SCÉALAÍOCHT(Recitation/Storytelling)Longfort - Liagain

BAILÉAD GHRÚPA (Ballad Group)Longfort - Mostrim

TRÁTH NA GCEIST (Question Time)Longfort - Liagain

NUACHLEAS (Novelty Act)Cill Mhantáin - Emmet Carn an Bhua

RINCE SEIT (Set Dancing)Loch Garman - Baile Uí Cheog

Nuachleas

Barefaced Cheek!“Lads, if you promise to shave, I’ll consider you for a job when I become President!”

Documents

2002 Con Booklet - Club and Countyleinster.clubandcounty.com/wp-content/uploads/... · 2 Comhdhail Cinn Bliana 2001-2002 Leinster Minor Football Champions 2001 Dublin Back L-R: David