Category: Sport

A SIXMILEBRIDGE proposal to put in place an individual or body with the responsibility of monitoring the welfare of players participating on county panels was the only motion to be passed unscathed at Thursday’s Bord na nÓg Iomaint Convention.

In order to counteract potential player burnout and nourish young talent, Sixmilebridge delegate Adrian Hogan outlined to delegates the need to set up such a committee and deal with players on a more personal basis.

“What we are looking to do is put more focus on the individual players and their individual welfare, and mind that player essentially on the county panel because everybody is trying to draw from the same player. Take the minors that went to Croke Park last year, you are going to have colleges, secondary schools and even the clubs themselves can be accused themselves at times of being selfish in wanting to play their own players. It should be looked at that there should be an officer or at least a role or responsibility somewhere there that the players themselves can liase with that person.

“It’s not necessarily something that needs to be elected tonight but at least that it would be considered in the future. Even if it was considered as part of the panel of selectors in the management team but there needs to be a liason officer between county, club, college and wherever the draw is on these players. Some of the players are dual playing and even play other sports outside of our code so it’s really to try and get an understanding and take care of that individual play- er so he’s not overworked.”

A Ruan motion to establish a ‘Games administration committee that will run all hurling competitions organised by Bord na nÓg Iomaint’ or essentially back-up for the county secretary in organising fixtures was deferred to the first meeting of the year where delegates can nominate people to help out.

A similar motion from Ruan to establish a Hurling Development committee was eventually withdrawn as it was felt that the development Squad Committee already catered for that role. However, outgoing chairman Sean O’Halloran, who set up that committee under his watch, welcomed the addition of more people who are interested in getting involved with the numerous development squads at Under 12,13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 levels.

“The people that have been involved over the past 14 or 15 months have given a commitment to stay for another 12 months and oversee the development and they are happy to do that but having said that, there is always room for additional people who have the same type of vision that they have for underage hurling. I have no doubt that if there are a people interested in coming on board, that would be more than acceptable once they have the same vision and a clear knowledge of where we are going and where we want to be in four or five years time in relation to underage hurling.”

Meanwhile, Kilmaley’s proposal for the Under 15 championship to be completes by the end of August was deferred to the structures committee meeting as it was felt that pasing the motion would tie the hands of the

board somewhat and limit flexabil

ity.

IT was a night of change at the reconvened Bord na nÓg Iomaint convention in The Aubrun Lodge Hotel on Thursday as Clarecastle’s Martin Reynolds took over at the helm from Sean O’Halloran who had served for 12 consecutive years on the board.

“It’s a tremendous honour for me personally to be elected to this position.” admitted the new chairman in his acceptance speech.

“As most of you probably know I have been involved with Clarecastle for a number of years at all levels. I’m glad it was an unanimous decision because when a new man comes into this position, obviously he needs the support of all the clubs and I’ll be looking forward to everybody’s sup- port during the year.

“I’d also like to pay tribute to Sean [O’Halloran], Rosaleen [Monahan] and Gerry [Lynch] who have been tremendous officers for the last number of years. In my capacity in Clarecastle, I have dealt with Rosaleen and Sean while not so much with Gerry and I have found them to be a lady and gentleman of the highest order. Their contribution to Clare GAA shouldn’t go unnoticed.

“So finally I would just like to say I look forward to working with all the clubs, getting to know all the people in the clubs over the next couple of months and hopefully we’ll have a successful year at underage.”

However, the new administration may have to wait until the first meeting of the year to begin in earnest after a dearth of nominees willing to take up other positions on the executive.

As a result of the five year rule, chairman Sean O’Halloran (Bodyke), secretary Rosaleen Monahan (Tubber) and treasurer Gerry Lynch (Tulla) had to vacate their positions but as the election of officers unfolded, replacements weren’t forthcoming.

Nominees for Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Assistant Secretary and Treasurer all withdrew for varying reasons, with only Tom Sheehan (Sixmilebridge) retaining his position as PRO while Clooney/Quin’s John Culligan took up the assistant secretary role. Outgoing chairman Sean O’Halloran was asked by the meeting to consider the vice-chairmanship for the com- ing year so as to maintain continuity and aid the incoming board but the Bodyke delegate indicated his preference to continue his role with the Development Squads Committee and other underage work.

It prompted the new chairman to make a final hearty appeal to the delegates to go back to their clubs and locate new nominees for the positions by the first meeting of the year.

“There are people within every club that are doing these jobs and there are others who are well capable of doing these jobs so I’d be hoping to hear from a lot of people over the next week or two. We have to have officers to run things and we have to get it up and running as soon as possible because we are a little bit behind schedule. So anyone who has

IN terms of accolades, things couldn’t be much better for Paddy Vaughan at the moment. Still charged on the fumes of Crusheen’s first ever county senior title, the subsequent bestowal of the county senior captaincy for 2011 is the ultimate honour for the 28 year old.

Throughout the latter stages of the county championship and their brief expedition into Munster, Vaughan was Crusheen’s creative lynchpin through his versatility, consistency and leadership. Traits that county manager obviously recognised as well when choosing a player to lead his young Clare squad into 2011.

“It’s a huge honour” admits Vaughan. “Down through the years when you see captains like Anthony Daly, Seanie McMahon and Brian Lohan, they are huge leaders and it would be anyone’s honour to follow in their footsteps.”

Exciting times at both club and county level for arguably the player of the county championship last season.

“It’s hard to believe everything that has happened over the past few months. Last year with Clare we didn’t have the best of years but that changed around fairly fast once we went back to the clubs. For the last few years, Crusheen have been fairly close but this year we put in an extra effort and it was great to get the rewards finally. The celebrations that night in Crusheen were huge and you could see how much it meant to the whole parish. It was brilliant and something I will never forget.”

“And with Clare, I was only talking to someone recently, looking back at the Munster final of two years ago and noticing that very few of that panel are still there today. There’s nearly 20 players from the Clare Under 21 All-Ireland winning team on the panel now so that’s kind of a sign of the times. And I’m sure over the next few years, a few of the Clare minor team that got to the final will be brought onto it as well so it will be harder and harder for the likes of myself to keep a place on the team I’d say. The competition for places is getting better all the time and that can only be good for the county.

“Last year I think there was almost ten new lads starting championship so it was up to the older lads to get them used to championship matches, encourage them along and lead by example on the training field and the playing field.”

Patience is the key to success according to Clare’s new leader as the county looks to build upon recent underage successes and Vaughan is the perfect example of patience, having first been brought onto the county senior panel in 2002 before finally making his championship debut in the All-Ireland semi-final of 2006 against Kilkenny. He is now preparing to mark his 13th championship appearance as captain against either Cork or Tipperary in June.

“I think you have to take small steps at the beginning because you can’t be expecting miracles but we would be delighted to start off the year well. Even with the Waterford Crystal Trophy, it’s good preparation for the league. Our first game of the league is against Limerick so that’s going to be one of the toughest games in it so if we could get to the final of Division 2 and hopefully to get out of it and in to Division 1 next year. That’s where all of the younger players are really going to learn their trade, by playing against all the top, traditional teams like Kilkenny and Tipp so number one winning Division 2 would be the biggest goal and then have a good championship after that.”

That baby steps philosophy also applies to Vaughan’s own current injuries problems as a sprained ankle and a persistent hip injury have delayed his competitive debut as captain. The Crusheen native is out for Sunday’s Waterford Crystal Cup game against IT Tralee and will more than likely miss the remainder of the competition should Clare advance but even the frustration of missing out on Clare’s opening fixture won’t dampen what have been arguably the best period of his life when you consider that he also got engaged recently. County champion, county captain and fiancé in the space of a few short months. On that form, perhaps he should buy a lottery ticket as well.