*Jason Ryan. Photograph: Joe Buckley
KILRUSH’s Jason Ryan has said the season just gone in the Clare District Soccer League “is one of the most exciting I can remember”.
Jason stepped down as Chairman of the CDSL on Monday night, ending a four year term. He will remain involved on the CDSL Executive as a committee member.
Addressing Monday’s AGM, he paid tribute to Paul Fitzgerald for leading the ongoing promotion of the ladies league in the county. He praised clubs involved and expressed hope that more teams will be involved next season.
There is better relations between the CDSL and the Clare Schoolboys/Schoolgirls Soccer League, he felt. “The CDSL and the CSSL have been talking the last couple of seasons, it’s been a slow start but we’re continuing to work together for the good of Clare soccer and for everyone, we’re better together than apart and I know Donal (Magee) will keep it going”.
Off the pitch improvements at Frank Healy Park included the installation of LED lights and solar panels “in recent weeks” while he outlined further work on pitch maintenance is “to be done in the coming weeks”. The development of the county grounds has been aided by securing a capital grant to the value of €410,000, he noted. PV Solar installed the solar panels, he confirmed. Groundsman Christy Ryan of Newmarket-on-Fergus was thanked for his efforts, “we’ve a lot of work done but there is more work to be done”.
Clubs were thanked by the outgoing Chairman for their effort and for fulfilling games. Jason acknowledged the contribution of Fixtures Secretary Dean Russell prior to his exit at the end of the season.
He commented, “The Premier Division was the most exciting it has ever been, up to the last two weeks we had four teams in the title race, it went down to the final day with Avenue pipping the Bridge”. All divisions were “closely contested,” he noted.
Referees continue to play a vital role in Clare soccer, the Kilrush Rangers clubman maintained. “We still need more referees, courses are going on all the time and I would encourage anyone to take up the whistle because without them there would be no games”.
Streaming the Ennis Carpets Clare Cup final was “a great success,” he believed in what was “a unique pairing” between Newmarket Celtic and Tulla Utd. “Despite the rain we had an exciting match, at one stage 700 people were viewing the game live, we’ve over 4,000 views on YouTube, it was well received, it was great to get it out there and promote the league, we’ve got a lot of good feedback”.
Ryan praised the local media in Clare for their efforts in promoting the game. “We’ve had great coverage in the press, it is getting better and better. Thanks to The Clare Champion, The Clare Echo and Clare FM. I’d like to give a special thanks to the two Dereks for the Cup final commentary, they did a great job on the day. The Clare Echo is always there, I’d like to thank Paudie who is here, he is always looking for news off us, thanks for all you do in promoting Clare soccer. Thanks to Derek Dormer who did a lot of work in The Clare Champion, it is greatly appreciated. It is great to get out there in the media because there was a time when we were silent”.
Official sponsors of the CDSL Natasha Barton and John McTiernan were praised along with Joe Buckley of The Clare Echo “for providing photos to the league and always helping us out when needed”. He added, “there was a podcast going on throughout the year, Intensive Clare and Clare soccer got great publicity on it, I think every team in the league got a mention on it at some stage so thanks to the crew there”.
Dedication of Mickey Guilfoyle and Noel Coughlan to assist in the smooth running of games at Frank Healy Park was recognised by the outgoing Chairman. “They are two lads you can rely on all the time to be there to open or lock up, they are ever-present”.
Efforts of players and managements with county teams at junior and youths level were prasied for their commitment during the season.
Advice was always forthcoming from Munster FA secretary, Barry Cotter during Ryan’s four-year term, he outlined. “I’ve lent on his shoulder on more than one occasion, for any sticky situation it was him I went to”.
Officers in the CDSL over the four years were commended for their dedication by Jason. “They put Clare soccer first and before their clubs, when you come up here you put your club aside and it is for the good of Clare soccer, everyone here has tried their best and put their best foot forward. It takes a brave man to come up here and do it, everyone here we’re not in it for anything personal but for promotion of the game and make Clare soccer better”.
Denis Collins who vacated the CDSL Committee and was absent from Monday’s AGM was thanked by Ryan. “When I first became Chairman, Denis Collins came in with me, I went to school with him and helped me a lot”.
Flan Hehir stepping in as secretary was also applauded by the outgoing Chairman. “I’m not sorry I asked Flan to become secretary, we needed a secretary and Flan stepped up, Ronnie was asking who we could go to, two names came up, had heard of Flan and he didn’t hesitate but he had to ask the missus first but she was glad to get rid of him”. Frank Gormley, Ronnie Pyne and Kenneth Moloney were also praised for their involvement during the year.
New blood is always needed in Clare soccer, he said. “Nomination forms went out and not too many new nominations came back in, the door is always open for anyone to come in, if they feel leaving AGM in next few weeks that they have something to offer they are more to welcome because we do need new people, new blood and new ideas”.
Support from his wife Ann and daughter Ella was vital to allowing him serve as CDSL Chairman for four years and the same backing was evident from his work colleagues in Kilrush Fire Station.. “It was an honour being Chairman, the Clare league is improving every year and it will keep improving please God and it will be in safe hands with Donal, we might end up moving to Shannon for soccer meetings but he is a good soccer man who is more than willing to listen to people”.
