The Castletownroche GAA Club Annual General Meeting took place on Sunday last, January 7th, in the Community Centre in Castletownroche. We had a healthy turn-out in what was a constructive meeting.

The meeting was addressed by outgoing Chairman Tom Barrett, who started the meeting paying tribute to some club stalwarts who passed away over the course of the year, whilst also extending sympathies to members who suffered bereavements within their extended families over the past year. Tom expressed particular condolences to the Hazelwood and Magnier families on their losses during the year. Go dtuga Dia suaimhneas síoraí dóibh go léir.

Tom continued to address the meeting, paying tribute to the players, who put in great effort during 2023, culminating in winning the North Cork Junior B Hurling Championship in November against Doneraile. Tom noted some serious injuries suffered by some of our players during the year and wished Liam McGrath, Mark O'Callaghan and Thomas Barrett well in their roads to recovery. He also noted it was great to see Muiris Browne back in full health and is looking forward to seeing Muiris back in the green and gold in 2024.

Tom thanked our trainer for 2023, Denis Gallagher, for the incredible work he put in to the team. He also thanks our selectors Conor Drinan, David Butler, Mikey Hazelwood and Tommy O’Leary for their commitment, al he also thanked Denis Dingivan, for training the team in the early part of the season and for his services as physio and team medic throughout the year, particularly on that night in Glenville when Niall Hazelwood suffered a serious head injury, which he thankfully made a full recovery from, thanks in no small part to the care received from Denis on the pitch.

During the year we had many games both from a County and Avondhu perspective in the local pitch and Tom commended all of those who volunteered to make sure the pitch was in tip top shape, all those who helped with parking, collecting money at the gate, selling programmes, providing refreshments and everything else that goes with the smooth running of such games. Tom expressed his gratitude to the O’Farrell family for the use of their field adjacent to the pitch for parking when required.

Tom thanked all those involved in the Juvenile Club, both from a playing and volunteering capacity, and congratulated Ballycastle Gaels on another successful year on the pitch. He paid tribute to club referee Justin Murphy, who had a successful year on the pitch, refereeing a Ladies National Football League Final and the County Premier Junior Hurling Final, ably assisted by his Castletownroche umpires Willie Magner and Danny Relihan.

Tom thanked everybody who helped with fundraining activities in any way, including those who sold Lotto tickets, Rebel Bounty sellers, amongst many other activities. Tom paid a particular tribute to those who organised the highly successful Golf Classic in September last, and acknowledged the great sponsorship provided by OSL Butler as main sponsor. He thanked the many businesses who supported the classic and all of those who played on the day. Tom expressed his appreciation for the help provided by ex player Jimmy Power, captain of Doneraile Golf Club, who was a great support in the organisation and scheduling, along with Doneraile GC for making their venue available.

Tom concluded by expressing his appreciation to his fellow officers for their commitment in the past year and wished all in attendance a Happy New Year.

Our outgoing Secretary Bobby Hazelwood provided a comprehensive account of club activities on and off the pitch over the year, including details on all of the matches played.

The Treasurers Report was read out to the room by outgoing Treasurer Mick Sugrue, outlining the clubs financial position.

Following the completion of these reports, the Club President, Richard Relihan presided over the election of officers. Richard expressed his appreciation for all the work done within the club and congratulated the players on winning the North Cork JBHC. During the course of the election of officers, two new Vice Presidents were proposed and seconded, with two of the club greats, Willie Magner and Danny Relihan joining the existing Vice Presidents.

The following officers were returned for 2024:

Club President Richard Relihan

Vice Presidents Fr Robyn Morrissey, Hilary Noonan, Tom Ryan, Johnny O'Callaghan, Seamus Batterberry, Willie Magner, Danny Relihan

Castletownroche Hurling

Chairman Tom Barrett

Vice Chair Justin Murphy

Secretary Bobby Hazelwood

Treasurer Mick Sugrue

Vice Treasurer Tommy O’Leary

PRO TBC

Registrar/Cultural Officer Catherine Nash

Child Welfare Officer Liz O’Leary

Abbey Rover Football

Chairman Justin Murphy

Vice Chairman Brian Magner

Secretary Bobby Hazelwood

Delegates To NCB & CCB Tom Barrett & Bobby Hazelwood

Executive Committee Johnny O’Callaghan, Willie Magner, Billy Sheehan, Cha Murphy, Mike Hazelwood, Chairperson of Castletownroche Juvenile GAA (to be confirmed after the Juvenile AGM), Muiris Browne (Player Rep).

A number of items were discussed in the any other business section.

The renovation of the dressing rooms was discussed, with work due to start in early February. It is expected these works will be completed by the end of April and will deliver a great facility for the community. These works will be funded by a Sports Capital Grant and by funds raised through the Golf Classic last year.

The club hopes to run fundraisers during the year again and it is hoped the Golf Classic will remain a staple of the club calendar. These funds will go towards maintaining our facility and upgrading areas of the grounds where feasible.

It was agreed the Hall Of Fame award will be resurrected this year, after a number of years where it has lapsed. This will hopefully take place the same night as the medal presentation to the victorious NC JBHC team.

During the meeting, a number of members expressed their dissatisfaction with the decision to screen three of Cork’s MSHC fixtures, along with a prospective MSFC fixture, on pay per view in 2024. This denies many people the privilege of seeing these games live. It certainly is a sore point across many people in GAA circles.

The meeting was adjourned shortly afterwards and the club looks forward to a successful year in 2024.

Castletownroche GAA Club

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