Weekly News 14th Feb

14 February 2011
Dunamaggan Juvenile G.A.A. Club held its A.G.M. in St. Leonard’s hall, Dunamaggan on last Friday11th February. Club Chairman, John Fitzpatrick, welcomed the large gathering to the meeting and thanked all coaches, team mentors, officials, parents and all others who assisted in the running of the club during the past year. He emphasized that the development of skills and promoting the enjoyment of hurling at underage is the philosophy which the G.A.A. wish to develop. He congratulated William Phelan on winning All-Ireland medals with St. Kieran’s College and with the Kilkenny Minors. He wished William Moylan and Anthony Kearney every success with the Co. Kilkenny Vocationals Schools team in the All Ireland final in the coming week. He thanked the 23 members of the club who have made themselves available for coaching of teams this year. Six members have the Foundation Coaching Course completed. Further Foundation Coaching Courses will be held on 26th March, 2nd and 9th April. Secretary Denis Walsh gave a report on club achievements during the past year with 5 members of the club winning the Community Games All-Ireland as part of the Aghaviller Area team. The visit of the U 8 team to Croke Park was the highlight of their year. The U 9 Thomas O’Shea Tournament was successfully organized in Ballyhale this year and the local team was undefeated in the event. The U 14 were successful in Football and the U 16 Hurlers were defeated in both the League and Championship final by the Fenians. The minor Footballers won the 2008 and 2009 championships which were played during the past year.
Johno Reid informed the meeting that the U 16 2010 football championships would be run off over the 19th & 20th February in a blitz format and that this year’s championships will begin for all ages from 23rd February. Treasurer John O’Dwyer gave a comprehensive report on the financial activities of the past year.
Maura Long, Childrens’ Welfare Officer gave a comprehensive report on the G.A.A. Code of Best Practice in Youth Sport and emphasized the G.A.A. code of communicating with the parents of Under-age children and not with the children themselves.
The officers elected for the coming year are: Chairperson: John Fitzpatrick; Secretary: Dennis Walsh; Treasurer: John O’Dwyer; P.R.O: James Rossiter; Childrens’ Welfare Officer: Maura Long; Representatives to Board na nOg: John Fitzpatrick/ Dennis Walsh. At least three mentors were assigned to each team for the coming year. In concluding the meeting Chairperson, John Fitzpatrick emphasized that it is important to make the best use of the resources which the club has and extended a welcome to any parents who wished to get involved during the year with teams even if the involvement was only occasional. He also emphasized that it is important that all teams are fit and sharp in their reactions. It was decided that expertise would be sought to assist team coaches in this area.
The annual registration day of club members will be announced very soon.

Sean O’Neill formally of Kilmoganny who emigrated to England in 1963 and died there on December 5th always kept in touch with his native place. His wish was that his final resting place would be Kilmoganny and last Saturday his wish was fulfilled. His ashes were returned and mass was celebrated in St. Eoghan’s Church Kilmoganny on Saturday last by Rev. Nicholas Flavin P.P. assisted by Rev. Peter Kehoe O Cam., Ballyhale. He is survived by his son Stephen, Sisters, Maura, Ann, Teresa, Betty and Brigid and brother Paddy. His brother and son accompanied his ashes from England. The reading at the mass and prayers of the faithful were read by members of his family. The gifts presented included a hurley which he brought with him to England in 1963. The Poem “The Hills O’er Kilmoganny” was recited at the end of mass and he was laid to rest in Kilmoganny Cemetery. May he rest in peace.

Free Team Kits are now on their way to Dunamaggan Juvenile G.A.A. Club and St. Leonard’s School, Dunamaggan as a result of the successful collection of Masterheads from the Star newspapers. 250 Masterheads were required for each team kit. In all over 600 Masterheads were collected and the surplus were passed on to Templorum school which required them. The schools and the Club wish to thank all who contribute to the collection and especially to Maura Long who organized and coordinated the collection.

The Dunamaggan Parish Mission will take place from Sunday 27th February to Saturday 5th March. Pastoral Council Chairperson, Ned Kirwan, has stated that a brochure detailing the mission programme will be distributed to all homes in the parish prior to the mission and that further details will be available next week. He emphasized that people from any parish are very welcome to attend the mission.