In a wide ranging address to County Convention, Chairperson John Keenan reflected on a landmark anniversary year for Derry GAA and outlined a determination to see the legacy of 2013 leave a lasting mark with continued hard work and progression throughout 2014. The full text is available below.
Chairman’s Address 2013
A Chairde,
125 years after the formation of the Gaelic Athletic Association in Derry, we gather here as a vibrant, confident and forward looking body – dedicated to maintaining the health, well-being and social cohesion of our local community.
There is no doubt that it has been a landmark year for the county and one in which Derry GAA has demonstrated that it has the ability, know-how and strong volunteer base to host major events on and off the field. Throughout 2013, the expressions of good will and warmth expressed towards our county from across the entire GAA family are a credit to you all and will stand us in good stead in the years to come.
It is right and customary at this point to remember all of our members who have gone to their eternal rest throughout the last twelve months.
Earlier this year, we lost a great Gael in Aidan O'Brien. Aidan was GAA to the core. Whether as a player, coach (including a successful stint with Derry minors), administrator and supporter, Aidan brought a passion and intelligence to the task. The Rossa's of Magherafelt and the wider Derry GAA will be poorer for his passing.
We lost two giants of not just Derry, but Irish society during 2013. Seamus Heaney and Paddy Mac Flynn were renowned Derry-men who were intensely proud of where they came from, never shirking an opportunity to tell the story of our community to a wider audience. Paraphrasing Heaney himself, their mark is something 'the tide won't wash away'.
Remembering those who have gone but, importantly, celebrating the present, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all club and county officers and volunteers who have played their part in the day to day running of the association in the county. Often unseen by the general public, without this diligent work the GAA ceases to operate.
One man who typifies the quiet, hardworking volunteer is our County Secretary, Liam Peoples, who today steps down after five years in the role. In an era where the post of county secretary is a full-time paid role across many counties, Liam has carried out a full-time role in a voluntary capacity. On behalf of all the Gaels of Derry, I would like to sincerely thank Liam for his dedication; his attention to detail and his friendship throughout the last number of years. The County of Derry and the GAA nationally are in his debt.
Like Liam, our vice-chairperson Michael McCracken also steps down today after four years of service. Michael has been at the forefront of one of the most difficult jobs in the GAA – that of administering our club games which I have to say are professionally and efficiently run within the parameters of the wider games calendar and on a par with any other unit of the association nationally. He has given sterling service to Derry GAA and I have no doubt we will see him back in some capacity in the near future.
Gerard O'Kane also steps down today having completed his five years of service guiding the county at headquarters in Dublin. As a former county chairman, Gerard's careful hand of experience and advice has been of massive benefit to the county in the period in which he has served – a period in which the currency of Derry GAA has risen, and continues to rise, within the national management committee. He will be sorely missed. Thank-you Gerard.
Finally, I want to wish the very best of luck to all our incoming officers. Fresh ideas combined with fresh energy can often be a powerful source for good in any organisation and we look forward to 2014 with great anticipation.
INTER-COUNTY TEAMS
On the field of play, progress has been made in a relatively short period of time under the management of Brian McIver and his backroom team. In line with strategic objectives, we are back in Division one of the national league and well placed for further progression.
With a single point defeat to Donegal, our U21 footballers narrowly missed out on an Ulster final place. However, the development of senior footballers remains the main objective within this age group and above all else. Under the direction of Paddy Crozier, we have established strategic structures aimed at giving every young player aspiring to play inter-county senior football the best opportunity possible to fulfil their potential.
It has been a frustrating year for our senior hurlers with injuries taking a heavy toll on the potential for progress. We retained our status in Division 2A of the league but exited the Christy Ring Cup following defeats to Kerry and eventual winners, Down. With better fortune in terms of injuries, there is no doubt that a Christy Ring title is within reach of the current squad. I would like to wish Ger Rogan, his management team and all the players best of luck for the incoming season.
It is a worrying trend that our minor teams in both codes continue to under achieve. There is no doubt that we have the talent; however, with the changing nature of the modern games, preparations are becoming increasingly vital at inter-county minor level of both hurling and football. It is incumbent on all parties involved with the coaching and management of our young players, from whatever sector, to put the long term development and welfare of the player first and foremost. I would also call for an open discussion on the disparity which exits between minor competitions, between provinces. Many teams enjoy the benefit of a 'back door' or second chance. However, in Ulster there is no such structure. With the amount of preparation involved or required as I have already mentioned, it is only fair that there is parity across the association.
CLUB SCENE
Whilst our club scene is covered in finer detail in your convention booklets, I would like to take this opportunity to commend all our clubs on their hard work which resulted in a very enjoyable series of championships in both hurling and football. Attendances are up at our games and it is a credit to all who prepare and facilitate the preparation of teams at adult and underage level.
Our marketing of the games has been solid and widespread across all forms of media. We have a strong online presence strategically placed to promote Gaelic games to current and future generations. We have enjoyed good times in 2013 in the coverage of Derry GAA across all forms
of media. I would like to acknowledge the role of the local reporters, photographers and broadcasters in the coverage of our games and thank them for all their efforts.
I would to thank all those who have helped facilitate club games in 2013. From stewards to gatemen and grounds men, these are vital roles without which our games would not take place.
Vital too is the role of our match officials. We have some of the leading officials on a national level operating within our county and we must harness their knowledge and expertise. The challenge now is to encourage more young referees to come forward into what can be an enjoyable and also challenging role within our games. As role models, our senior referees have a vital role to play in this recruitment and mentoring process.
Finally, it is my pleasure to formally congratulate the new Ulster Club Senior Champions from Ballinderry Shamrocks. The club has led the way in recent years in senior football and has now taken the next step to become provincial champions. With an influx of successful young players, Ballinderry are indicative of the rising tide of Derry football. I would like to wish the club the very best of luck as they represent Derry, and now Ulster, in the All-Ireland series.
SPONSORS
I would like to thank Specialist Joinery Group as sponsors of our county teams. We have enjoyed a fruitful and mutually beneficial year with the company and appreciate their continuing support. We are blessed with 22 domestic sponsors in Derry and I want to pay tribute to them all and to the work of Gerry Donnelly and Danny Scullion in this area.
We will continue to be innovative to promote our sponsors and our games. In difficult economic times it requires creative thinking to take advantage of the opportunities which inevitably arise. We have enjoyed a significant level of media exposure throughout the year and have worked hard to ensure the visibility of those who support our efforts.
Club Derry remains our largest single sponsor. Club Derry lives among the grassroots of the GAA in our county and in many ways is the lifeblood of many developments at county level. I would like to thank all the volunteer members of that organisation and urge everyone strongly to promote and support the organisation at every opportunity. Club Derry is perhaps the ultimate expression of the self-help ethos without which the association does not function.
OWENBEG AND CELTIC PARK
In 2013, Owenbeg simultaneously stepped out in a new direction and up a level. The combination of County Centre and Secondary County ground is yet another pioneering GAA model. There has been tremendous buy-in from right across the county and beyond with the centre becoming a true social hub for the Gaels of Derry. At this stage, it doesn't need to be sold, only to be used and appreciated.
The Ulster U21 hurling semi-final between Derry and Armagh on a sunny July 17th evening at Owenbeg wasn't the most heavily attended event of the year. However, the activity on the site that evening highlighted in a quiet, understated yet very real way, the uniqueness of the vision made reality; an inter-county championship hurling match, fifteen clubs taking part in the Og Sport (U15 football); training for Derry senior camogs (that's senior at a national level – a remarkable achievement) and ladies footballers – Club and County combined to complete the circle of usage across all codes of Gaelic Games.
I would like to pay tribute to all associated with the Owenbeg development in 2013. Quite simply, without the dedication and expertise of Mark McKeever and Martin Canning, this latest phase would not be a reality. To Colm and Dermot O'Kane, John Kelly and everyone associated with the upkeep of the grounds and facility, I thank-you for your efforts and commend you on a job well done.
Owenbeg is our administrative home and has been for some time. I would like to thank our administrator Pauline McLaughlin for all her hard work throughout the year. Sometimes the word 'home' can be taken too literally. With the amount of hours spent here by Seamus Mullan throughout 12 months of the year, it is difficult not to come to the same conclusion. I would like to thank Seamus for all his hard work and attention to detail in the running and planning of our games calendar.
Combining her role of Cultural & Language Officer with her professional knowledge of Human Resources, Jane Millar has given sterling service to Derry GAA in 2013 and I thank her for her voluntary and invaluable assistance in dealing with staff matters.
Multi-functional in terms of usage, Owenbeg has evolved and will continue to evolve. Through opportune timing and the excellence of our development officer, Bobby Farren, we have secured 100% funding for the construction of a 4G playing surface and landscaping; work on which has already begun and is due for completion in April 2014. This is ahead of schedule with respect to our strategic plan and comes at absolutely no burden to our club or county units.
We are of course fortunate in Derry not just to own one county ground, but two. As our own Croke Park, Celtic Park is now recognised as one of the best big game venues in Ulster with a playing surface the envy of many counties. The job done by the management committee of the venue, including the groundsmen and event control team is second to none and brings great credit to Derry GAA. I would like to thank all the men and women who make the venue the tremendous success it is and look forward to a highly anticipated games calendar at the venue in 2014.
GOVERNANCE
The ultimate decision making body in our county is our county committee which is all of us here representing our clubs alongside elected management officers. Attendance at county committee meetings has been a disappointment in 2013 and is one of the challenges which face us going forward. As anyone playing a pivotal role with their club will testify, the work load on a volunteer can be all-consuming. When matters arise, or decisions are needed to be taken of a collective nature, the county committee is our forum for debate and constructive criticism. It is vital that we return this forum to the important social and governance role that it once enjoyed.
This is a bigger issue than just within our county. There needs to be a heightened awareness of what can be achieved when all units of the GAA combine to form and implement strategies for the common good. We have seen in 2013 a glimpse of what can be achieved and the feel good factor coming from joint ownership of events like Féile. Replicating this kind of collective organisation and decision making process would be a positive step for us as an organisation.
ANNIVERSARY EVENTS AND LEGACY
The activity of the annual GAA calendar was intensified beyond all levels previously seen this year with the celebration of our 125th anniversary. From national Scór finals excellently run by a team including cultural officer Jane Millar, the entire Scór committee, to the return of Féile made possible by Brian Smith, Patsy Mullan and a host of others, to celebrating the 20th anniversary of our first All-Ireland senior title and not forgetting the first ever hosting of GAA Annual Congress in our county, it is safe to say 2013 will live long in the memory of those who survived it and who experienced it!
Under the direction of Patsy Mullan and his diligent committee, our events didn't just bring the focus of the GAA nationally on our county – they provided a significant and very real boost to the local economy – particularly in the Derry City area – illustrating once again what a vital and important role our association plays in civic society in 2013. We have built on the legacy of the men and women who began and kept the GAA alive in Derry, and in so doing, have established the beginnings of a legacy that we shall pass on to the generations to come.
Work on the ground must now recommence in 2014 and beyond to ensure that we build on the opportunities which are now there. With the spotlight now dimmed, the hard work must begin through grassroots coaching and volunteer effort we must utilise the good will that exists towards our county to leave a real and lasting legacy.
We have taken the first steps.
When we celebrated a skim of the history of the GAA in Derry back in May in Magee College, we took one such step. A terrific evening attended by Gaels young and old, the evening is a basis on which we can proceed to catalogue and present our past to future generations. The collection of memorabilia put together for the event was immense and is the genesis of a more permanent exhibition which can be housed here at Owenbeg.
I cannot stress enough how vital it is that we as GAA volunteers understand our history, where we came from, the personnel involved and the times they lived through. Only by truly understanding our history can we move into the future a confident a forward looking organisation.
By giving our young athletes the chance to play and take part in Féile, we have given them memories to cherish and helped our clubs forge links which will last into the future. We have also benchmarked our clubs against many throughout Ireland. That both Bellaghy and Ballinascreen reached the last four in the A-grade of an All-Ireland youth football competition is a sign that in Derry we are doing something right.
With national titles for Drumsurn, Glen, Ballinascreen in Féile naGael in Limerick, and historically a first underage national ladies football title for the county thanks to McCracken's, Moneymore, Féile provided us with a tremendous boost of confidence and something to sustain the hard-work currently going on within our clubs.
It is perhaps appropriate that we acknowledge the role of the entire spectrum of coaches and coaching currently taking place in Derry. Under the direction of our Games Development Officer, Chris Collins, many hundreds of children are now playing Gaelic Games who otherwise would not be. The challenges are there: maximise the potential of urban centres in Coleraine, Derry City and Limavady; increase the level and number of secondary schools competing at a high level. All these are part of strategic aims we must not lose focus on in 2014 and beyond.
We have a strategic plan addressing all of these issues. It is our guide into the future and under the watchful eye of Sean Bradley, who has been nothing short of an ambassador for Derry GAA throughout 2013, we intend to retain our focus amid the day to day running of the association and events which occur.
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
Congress 2013 will be remembered largely for the decision of the delegates to adopt the proposals of the football review committee. However, a lesser known, yet equally important initiative which was passed was that each county appoint and administer a Health and Well-Being committee with responsibility for all health-related matters referred to it by the County Committee or County Management Committee.
In essence, this new body, of which you will hear more about shortly, is there to promote health and well being in our clubs and communities. The committee will also be a source of advice to clubs with links to key agencies and organisations that are available for support and advice in the areas of suicide awareness, mental health, alcohol and substance abuse, cardiac response, obesity and road safety.
Unfortunately, most people will either have been affected, or know someone who has been affected by some of these areas of health issue. As a community based organisation, it is essential that we grasp this opportunity to do everything possible to help directly, or to seek help for any person or persons afflicted by any of these problems. This is the very essence of what it means to be a real community and it is my determination that the GAA will not be found wanting in its support.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
We have enjoyed a year of celebration of 125 years of existence of Cumann Lúthchleas Gael in Derry. Those, like Paddy MacFlynn and many others, who began the journey, did so with the hope and determination that their ideals and vision would flourish. The coming weeks are a time to reflect, to re-energise, and to look forward.
The GAA is now one of the cornerstones of our community in an Ireland which is forward looking and geared towards the celebration of our youth and the respect for our elders and of our past. Through the efforts of the volunteer both on and off the pitch, the GAA brings meaning to, and gives great hope to many lives. That continued hope year after year is perhaps its greatest achievement.
We have celebrated the past and we look to the future. However, let's not forget; we are a vibrant county whose mark is steadily and quietly on the rise. These are good times in OUR time.
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