*Joe O’Donnell. Photograph: Burren Eye Photography
“MAJOR PROGRESS” will be visible at Fr McNamara Park in 2023, the Chairman of Clare Camogie has said.
Delegates gathered in Hotel Woodstock on Monday night for the annual convention of Clare Camogie.
Clare camogie has reported a surplus of €82,795 for the 2022 season which is down from €102,129 in 2021.
Treasurer Martin Kaiser from Newmarket-on-Fergus presented a detailed report on the board’s income and expenditure to delegates.
Income for the year amounted to €254,148 which was up from €230,545 in the previous year.
Field events(gates) raised €83,366, fundraising brought in €65,125, sponsorship and donations brought in €41,791 and grants realised €33,341.
On the expense side team expenses came to €31,876, catering and hotel accomodation came to €21,430, personal sports gear cost €17,636 while transportation cost €14,547.
The treasurer told the meeting that “following two years of curtailed activities on the playing field and restrictions we were able to have a full year of activities. We can see this in our financial report on the record income from gates”.
A year of highs and lows
Secretary Ann Sanz said 2022 “was a year of highs and lows. Our juniors are back on top in Munster and lost out on an All-Ireland final appearance by a single point while our seniors came so close in Munster and then ended up in a relegation battle following a tough campaign that saw them play six weekends in a row. Our membership is at the highest it has ever been and the popularity of camogie in the county can be seen by the crowds who attended out finals at all ages and grades”.
She went on to say “the lows are the loss of two Clare camogie stalwarts, Kitty McNicholas and Jimmy Kenny, both of whom are responsible for the marvel that is Fr McNamara Park”.
Brid completes her 5 year term
Outgoing public relations officer Brid MacNamara extended “a sincere thanks to all the players and mentors, both club and county, without whose efforts there would be no need for Clare camogie. I am in awe of you girls, ye are the role models for future generations”.
She thanked the various media outlets for their efforts during the year before telling those present that “our on-line presence continues to grow, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, all saw an increase in followers throughout the year”.
Membership
Registrar Billy Murphy’s report to convention showed that the total number of members was 4,780 made up of 653 adult players, 3,279 youth players (of which 942 are under 8), 736 non players and 112 social members.
Chairman’s address
In his address to the delegates chairman Joe O’Donnell paid tribute to his fellow officers and the various sub committees saying “without your dedication and efforts, the camogie players of Clare would be deprived of the opportunity to play, for clubs and the county and enjoy the wonderful facility we have at Fr McNamara Park”.
He went on to thank all of the various sponsors before telling those present “you will see major progress in Fr McNamara Park in 2023”.
2023 executive
A number of positions on the executive remain to be filled. Outoing vice chairman Pat Keogh did not seek re-election while P.R.O. Brid McNamara completed her five year stint in the position and could not seek re-election. There were no nominations for either position while the posts of Assistant treasurer and registrar also remain to be filled.
The chairman told those present that they will hope to fill these positions at the re-convened convention on January 9.
Clare Camogie Board 2023:
President: Michael O’Halloran, (Corofin)
Chairman: Joe O’Donnell (Cratloe)
Secretary: Ann Sanz (Banner)
Assistant secretary: Caroline McAuley Rynne (Inagh/Kilnamona)
Fixtures secretary: Marie Louise Kaiser (Newmarket-on-Fergus)
Treasurer: Martin Kaiser (Newmarke-on-Fergus)
Assistant PRO: Mary McMahon (Éire Óg)
Development officer: Cormac Heffernan (Scariff/Ogonnelloe)
Munster delegates: Ann Sanz and Caroline McAuley Rynne
Delegates to congress: Ann Sanz, Brid MacNamara, Caroline McAuley Rynne, Joe O’Donnell.
