Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose
The more things change the more they remain the same. After one of the most successful years in the Club's history , it was gratifying to see the Club's members vote for continuity and stability with the election of the Club's committee and officers for 2016.
After the excellent reports of Club Secretary S Aileen Smith and Club Treasurer Colette Burden,Club chairman Gary McGreevy gave his report at the end of his first year as Cathaoirleach of our Club.
A CHAIRDE GAEL
It has been a pleasure for me to hold the office of Glasdromain Chairman in such an historic year! With regards to our Senior football team ,we set out 2 goals at the start of the year and thankfully achieved both by winning the Div 3 league title and going through the league campaign undefeated. We then proceeded to win the Down Junior Championship repeating our success of 1997! This led to us entering Ulster club football for the first time in our history As a club, we should be proud of the way our Senior team played in reaching the semi- final of the Ulster completion losing narrowly to the eventual winners of the title Rockcorry of Monaghan. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our Senior management team led by Emmett Devlin, Declan Grant, Damian Grant and Terry Joyce for the hard work and effort that the put in all year. I am delightd to tell you that they have agreed to stay at the helm for another year. To all the members of Senior team I congratulate each and every one of you for your dedication and comment in bringing success back to our club. May you continue to improve steadily and hopefully bring more success next year. I would also to thank Gemma Rooney our Senior team physiotherapist and Annette Grant our senior first aider for their support of the team throughout the year. I would also like to thank WJ Smith and all the County Officers for all their support and assistance with our endeavours in the Ulster Championship
On the Senior front as well I would like congratulate Cathal Rodgers on representing Glasdromain at u-21 level for the county team!
I would also like to congratulate Shane and Connaire Harrison who were both nominated for Down All Stars . A special word of congratulations to Connaire on being named South- Down footballer of the year,Junior County footballer of the year achieving selection at full forward in the Down All Star team. News just in Connaire has also been nominated for an Ulster All Star award. Maith Thú a Chonnaire.
I would also like to thank the members, players and supporters from some of the other great clubs in Down not only for their kind messages but for turning out to support us in the Ulster Championship .
Special thanks to Paddy Maginn from Quinn's, the Spirit Grocer, Newcastle for his continued sponsorship and support of our club . It is worth noting that he was also our sponsor in the championship winning team of 97 ! Thanks very much Paddy and thanks to all your staff for their hospitality and welcome throughout the years. I would like to thank Glasgiven Contracts for their continuing help and support throughout the year. And our gratitude to all those who have sponsored and supported the club in anyway this year.
On juvenile football we fielded teams at u-6 u-8 + u-10s in our own team colours and were joined with Ballymartin as Eire Og at u-12 u-14 + u-16 levels representing them selves well in there respective leagues and tournaments! I would like to thank everyone involved mentors ,parents and espically players and I know that the future of our club is secure! Our thanks to the Chairman and committee of Ballymartin and Coiste Dheisceart an Duin for their continuing support and guidance with this amalgamation. This helps ensure that tha allour young people get the opportunity to take part in our great games.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our under age members who represented the club in the county development squads ,schools and colleges at camogie, hurling and football.
We also welcome and need help with our under age teams helping with training or matches or even transport It's important that we maintain the right structures to ensure the future of our club!
If you feel you can contribute to these efforts please contact any committee.
I would also like to thank our club referees Stephen O'hare,Paddy Kelly and Paul MC Dowell. remember no referees , no games. Again we're looking for any volunteers who will be given full training to get in touch with us
I would like to thank everyone who represented the club at Scór Sinseair and Scór na Óg. Anyone who is interested in representing the club at Senior Scór please contact any committee member! Special thanks to our young boys and girls in Scór na Og in getting into the South Down Fimals in 4 different competitions: Solo Singing, Recitiation, Instrumental Music and Ballad Group and to our Senior Scór competitors for representing the Club in Solo singing and Ballad Group in the South Down finals! I would like to Donna Feeney, Joanne Grant Tony Bannon, our competiors, parents and supporters for the time and effort in their work in Scór.
I would like to thank all the people who help with our successful youth club keep up the good work and as a club we will assist in anyway we can.
As a club We rely very heavily on fundraising and I would like to thank all those involved in the bingo, golf classic, big breakfast,lotto, last man standing,night at the races,bazaar, and all the other cub activities that's goes unseen -grass cutting, marking of the field, club house maintenance etc If I have missed anything or anyone in this speech ,please accept my apologies but be assured that all help is greatly appreciated!
Speaking of Fund raising a great way to help the Club is by buying a Down Draw ticket. This draw not only helps our County's finances but assists the Club as well. Please contact Aileen Smith for tickets and all information regarding the draw.
We also have in our thoughts those family members and friends who passed away over the last year. I think at this time it would be only proper to mention Derek Davis our club member and good friend who passed away earlier this year.
I would also like to congratulate those who became engaged, got married and welcomed new members to their families.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank my fellow officers -treasurer Collette Burden , secretary Aileen Smith, assistant chairman John Brennan with out whose help my year might not have been so satisfying. I also thank all other members of the committee and sub-committees.
Finally I can't believe my year as Chairman has gone so quickly and I have to thank you one and all for making it special! May I take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and all the best for year ahead . Gó raibh maith agaibh gó léir is Glasdrómain Abú.
The Officers and Committee for Naoimh Mhuire Glásdrómain C.L.G for 2016 are as follows:
Club Joint Presidents: John Doran, Jimmy Higgins and Father Sean Gilmore
Club Chairman/ Cathaoirleach: Gary McGreevy
Vice Chairman/ Leas Cathaoirleach: John Brennan
Club Secretary / Runai : Aileen Smith.
Assistant Secretary/ Leas -Runai: Annette Grant
Treasurer/ Cisteoir; Colette Burden
Assistant Treasuer: Jim Cunningham
Registrar / Clarathoir: Catherine Kelly
P.R.O/O.C.P/ Tony Bannon
Child Welfare Officer/ Oifigeach Iochshlainte Phaisti: Carol Murphy
Cultural Officer / Oifigeach Chúltúra: Tony Bannon
Player's Rep ; TBA
County Board Rep:Dan Mc Cartan
Additional Committee Members : Paddy Brennan, Eddie Carr,Declan Grant, Damian Grant, Terry Joyce, Johnny McVeigh, William James Smith, Bronagh O'Neill, Jen McKay, Paul Kelly, Paddy Kelly and Liam Murphy.
We are currently looking for volunteers to assist with running all aspects of the club from under age team to helping check the Club lotto. If you'd like to help contact any of the committee members or club officials. We are also actively looking for people willing to undertake the training to for the roles of Club treasurer and Vice chairman. Failure to plan is to plan to fail.
Down year Books are currently on sale at the great value price for a hard back of £10. Plenty of Club Interest in it this year. Please contact Aileen Smith for a copy.
The kids from the younger youth club group had a brilliant day when they had their Christmas Party in Cocos on Sunday. As well as the usual play time in Cocos they got to visit Santa, receive a gift and have their dinner. Ciara even took time to do face painting on the kids which added to the Christmas party atmosphere for them. A great day was had by all. Trips like this wouldn't be possible without the help of our amazing team of volunteers. Massive thank you to Bronagh, Ciara, Christine, Sarah, Catherine and our young volunteers Tara and Lauren for giving up their time and thank you to Michael and the staff of Cocos for making us so welcome today.
The fireside quiz draw took place on Sunday for the "sweet hamper". The winner was Marie McGreevy. Congratulations Marie. The youth club committee would like to thank everyone who purchased a quiz and to Geraldine Lowry for making the fantastic hamper.
Glasdromain C.L.G would like to wish you Nollaig Shóna Daoibhse gó léir. May you all have a Very Happy and Holy Christmas with all the best of luck for the New Year ahead.
On a personal note may I thank all the Local and National Press for all the great coverage and co operation throughout the past year and their tolerance of a PRO who hasn't quite got he hang off sending the right size photos through. Special thanks to Paddy Kelly and John Brennan for their sterling work in the creation and maintenance of our Facebook page and Club website. To Catherine Kelly, Gary McGreevy, Annette and Joanne Grant, John Brennan, Jen McKay , Paddy Brennan and Aileen Smith,without whose help and contributions through the year ,the Club notes would have been a lot shorter. Go raibh Maith agaibh gó léir from Tony.
