*CSSL Chair, Brendan Wall. Photograph: Joe Buckley
SHANNON’s Brendan Wall has been re-elected as the Chairperson of the Clare Schoolboys/Schoolgirls Soccer League (CSSL).
Sixteen club delegates attended Monday’s AGM at Treacy’s West County Hotel in what was a much calmer gathering than last year’s equivalent which was held virtually and later resulted in the resignations of the entire CSSL committee en-bloc. “I hope we never go through something like that again,” the Chairman said of the drama that unfolded.
A minute’s silence for former CSSL secretary, Ciaran O’Dea was held at the beginning of the meeting on the proposal of Honorary Secretary, Eddie Crowe.
Wall known to wider masses as Stoney continues in the Chair with John O’Malley and Cathal Jones also staying put as Vice Chairperson and Treasurer respectively. Conor Twomey returns after a season away to the post of Fixtures Secretary, the Shannon man was nominated alongside Barry Downes but the Bridge Utd clubman opted not to stand.
Clubs are to be commended for their efforts, Wall said at Monday’s AGM. “It is a credit to you that we managed to do anything this year, well done to everyone involved, it was strainful but everyone rowed in and that’s the way it should be”. Referees in the county were praised for their flexibility, “it is ironic that we had a good period with referees while all the drama went on in Dublin,” the Shannon man noted.
In his address, Crowe “there wasn’t any issues with referees” with very few incidents reported to the CSSL. He paid tribute to the CDSL for their assistance in hosting nineteen finals at Frank Healy Park.
An income of €40,916 was recorded by the CSSL in 2021 compared with €46,984 the year previous. Expenditure dropped from €67,331 to €42,941, the most notable reduction being rent of pitches (€8,410), transport (€7,670) and committee expenses (€1,769). More young children playing the game has led to an increase in registration fees collected, the Newmarket-on-Fergus native flagged. He said that “a significant grant” to the tune of €18,000 is on its way as the CSSL and CDSL team up.
Tulla Utd’s Denis Corry expressed his desire that the registration costs don’t increase, “that saving and reduction in registration fees has helped every club in the county”. Martin O’Halloran of the FAI said Jones’ report was “the most comprehensive treasurer’s report I’ve ever seen”.
FAI CDO, Denis Hynes welcomed the increase in players registering to play the game. He said the CSSL needs to be conscious of providing a map for players, “the narrative is elite or League of Ireland, we don’t have League of Ireland yet so we have to be very conscious of providing opportunities”. The CSSL must ask itself if it is providing for boys and girls at the grass roots, he said there has to be “a right time and right place” for letting players join the League of Ireland.
Chairperson: Brendan Wall (Shannon Hibs)
Vice Chairperson: John O’Malley (Avenue Utd)
Secretary: Vacant
Treasurer: Cathal Jones (Bunratty/Cratloe)
Fixtures Secretary: Conor Twomey (Shannon Town Utd)
PRO: Vacant
Registrar: Vacant
Committee: Clive Slater (Tulla Utd), Tommy Molloy (Avenue Utd), Tony Downey (Ennis Town FC), Barry Downes (Bridge Utd), Eddie Crowe (Sporting Ennnistymon), Pa O’Halloran (Bridge Utd), Breda Garrihy (Burren Utd), Pat Daly (St Pats Kilmihil).
