White’s Cross GAA held its 56th annual general meeting at the Upper Glanmire Community Centre on Monday, November 19th. Before a good turnout of members, the main business of the night, the election of officers, proved a straightforward task with all of the main officers returned to their posts. Jonathan Kenneally’s role of Web-Site Coordinator has been relabelled to Digital Media Coordinator to reflect the
evolving nature of the post, and Jonathan’s trojan work developing our social media presence.
There have also been some new very welcome additions to the committee – John and Michael Meade have taken on the role of Cultural Officers, whilst some fresh blood has also been brought onto the general committee – including TC Buckley, Ruairí Murnane, Conal Smith, Seamus Reid.
Each of the main officers’ reports reflected back on a difficult start to the year with the surprise decision of Whitechurch GAA to end abruptly the amalgamation at junior level that had been in place between the two clubs for the previous eleven seasons. However each felt that the Club coped very well with this sudden action, and that White’s Cross GAA did admirably well to continue to field two junior football teams, but more crucially field a Junior A hurling side also. Whilst the championship defeats experienced by the hurlers were noted to be very disappointing, league wins over formidable opposition including Passage, Delaneys, Douglas and Bishopstown were considered no mean achievement given the circumstances – it was the first time in eleven years that we were fielding an adult hurling team and the first time in twenty years we had competed in the Junior A hurling grade. In the circumstances finishing in the top half of the A league was considered most satisfactory – White’s Cross ended up in sixth position in a league containing thirteen teams.
Our first junior football team continued to perform well in their league and were undefeated in the competition in 2012 – as a consequence they have now qualified for a top four play off in this competition for each of the past 12 seasons – consistency in a world gone mad eh! At the time of print no dates have been set for this Junior A League Semi-Final (versus Brian Dillons) or for the Junior A McSwiney Cup Final either (versus Brian Dillons / Bishopstown or Delaneys).
In his chairperson’s address, Pat O Callaghan noted an extraordinary number of injuries and illnesses to key players early in the year, but was glad to reflect on the fact that those struck down with serious illnesses were now well on the way to full recovery. Both the chairperson and secretary paid tribute to the outstanding work of the under-age committee, and complimented its officers on the enthusiasm and freshness they have brought to the table in the past two years. Secretary, Martin Kelleher, also highlighted the fantastic work being done by the Lotto Sub-Committee and commented on how well they have managed to consolidate their financial support over the months they have been operating. A look at the financial figures presented by the treasurer Lar Burke highlighted just what a vital revenue stream the club lotto is now for White’s Cross. Martin thanked the hard-working sub-committee under the stewardship of John Drummy and Martin Flynn for bringing this project to life.
President: Dermot Whooley
Vice Presidents: Fr. Ted Sheehan, John Drummy, Pat Reid
Chairperson: Pat O’ Callaghan
Vice Chairperson: Seamus McCarthy
Secretary: Martin Kelleher
Treasurer: Laurence Burke
Communications Officer: Conor Kelleher
Digital Media Co-Ordinator: Jonathan Kenneally
Cultural Officers: John Meade & Michael Meade
Registrar: Murt Kelleher
City Board Delegates: Ed Buckley & John Drummy
County Board Delegates: Dermot Whooley – football & Ray Donohoe – hurling
County Board Draw Co-Ordinator: Pat Reid
Other Committee Members: Con Carroll, Donnacha Murnane, Richard Sherlock, Eoin Murnane, Brian Harte, Martin Flynn, TC Buckley, Breandán Murnane, Conal Smith, Ruairí Murnane, Seamus Reid.