*John O’Malley. Photograph: Joe Buckley
AVENUE UTD’s John O’Malley has been returned unopposed as the Chairman of the Clare Schoolboys/Schoolgirls Soccer League (CSSL) with seven new additions to the top table.
At Wednesday’s AGM held in the Abbey Room of Treacy’s West County Hotel, there was no contests for any of the positions on the CSSL Committee with all officials proposed en bloc by Tulla Utd’s Denis Corry and seconded by Eddie Crowe of Sporting Ennistymon.
Vacant posts include that of Fixtures Secretary and PRO with officials looking to fill these positions within the next month.
O’Malley enters a second year in the Chair, he was appointed as the successor to the CSSL’s first-ever female Chairperson, Deirdre Shannon Dromey at last December’s AGM and will be continuing for 2026.
In 1990, John was player/manager of the Avenue Utd side which lost 2-0 to Cherry Orchard in the FAI Junior Cup final. He last managed the Avenue first team in 2014 and has remained active in the club academy.
Emily Bradbury of Coole FC was returned for a third season as Secretary with Corofin Harps’ Wayne Skerritt back for a fourth year as Treasurer.
Ex Treasurer, Cathal Jones, Bridge Utd’s Barry Downes and top soccer coach Denis Hynes have all returned in their roles as committee members. Avenue Utd’s Brian O’Grady, Lorraine Harrigton of Coole FC and Tulla Utd’s Conor McFadden all of whom were elected to the Committee last December have departed.
Seven new volunteers have joined as committee members. They include the podcasting pair of Paul Bugler and Thomas Bottcher, presenters of El Politico on Scariff Bay Community Radio but also key figures within Mountshannon Celtic. Bugler served as a Fine Gael county councillor for seven years.
Kilmihil duo, Thomas and Jack Lineen were elected as committee members along with Tulla Utd’s Samantha Hassett, Treaty Utd U19 women’s manager Irene Hehir, former SFAI delegate Tommy Molloy and Connolly Celtic’s Seán Cregan who last year’s AGM was told was in the mix to take on the SFAI delegate role which no longer exists.
On the fresh blood joining the committee, Chairman O’Malley commented, “I’m delighted by it. Jack (Lineen) brings down the average age by several years” to which Treasurer Skerritt remarked, “and increases the amount of hair”. The Corofin man informed the meeting there has also been interest expressed by volunteers willing to join CSSL sub-committees.
“It is great to see new interest in people joining the committee, ye have done great work over the last year with a very small number of people. It is very reassuring going forward to see new people coming into the committee and it is a grounds for optimism,” stated Tulla’s Corry.
Absence of a Fixtures Secretary is “a pity”, Corry noted to which Skerritt remarked, “since they closed down Our Lady’s, that type of person doesn’t exist”.
CSSL Committee 2026
Chairperson: John O’Malley (Avenue Utd)
Treasurer: Wayne Skerritt (Corofin Harps)
Secretary: Emily Bradbury (Coole FC)
Committee Member: Barry Downes (Bridge Utd)
Committee Member: Cathal Jones (Bunratty Cratloe FC)
Committee Member: Samantha Hassett (Tulla Utd)
Committee Member: Thomas Bottcher (Mountshannon Celtic)
Committee Member: Irene Hehir (Lifford AFC)
Committee Member: Jack Lineen (St Pat’s AFC)
Committee Member: Seán Cregan (Connolly Celtic)
Committee Member: Paul Bugler (Mountshannon Celtic)
Committee Member: Tommy Molloy (Avenue Utd)
Committee Member: Denis Hynes (Sporting Ennistymon)
Committee Member: John O’Malley (Avenue Utd)
Committee Member: Wayne Skerrittt (Corofin Harps)
Committee Member: Emily Bradbury (Coole FC)
Committee Member: Thomas Lineen (St Pat’s AFC)
