THE annual convention of the Laois Ladies Football Association took place in Áras Laighean in Portlaoise on Sunday afternoon, the three and a half hour meeting covered all aspects of the county board’s year, with the big jobs of electing officers and discussing or passing motions to the fore.
A total of 16 clubs attended the meeting, a sign of the growth of the game in the county, and indeed the country over the past number of years and the success of Laois teams in 2011 will hopefully lead to more members and clubs in the future.
The successful year of 2011 was noted in Chaireperson, Mary Wheatley’s address. Among the teams mentioned in her discourse were the county senior team, who she congratulated on winning the Leinster Final.
Very importantly she congratulated all of the club champions, as well as individual award winners, Tracey Lawlor and Mary Kirwan, who won All Star awards, Grace Weston on winning the Player of the Year and Michael O’Loughlin on winning the Club Person of the Year.
Reports were read out and presented to the delegates of the county board by Mairéad Fitzpatrick Secretary, Martina Phelan Treasurer, Michael O’Loughlin PRO, Derek Egan – Development Officer, Marie Hickey – Registrar and Phil O’Keeffe –Fixtures Committee.
The election of officers saw two major changes. Mairéad Fitzpatrick stood down as secretary, following three years in the position, while Michael O’Loughlin also stood down after three years from the PRO post.
Michael has played a big role in the promotion of the game and has been a great friend to the Laois Nationalist in his time as PRO.
Unfortunately the role of PRO was not filled on Sunday but will hopefully be filled soon, as it is a key role in the success of the game.
Mary Wheatley holds her position as Chairperson, while Martina Phelan will continue to look after the accounts in the treasurer’s role.
Phil O’Keeffe takes on the task of secretary and following her experience on the fixtures committee in the past number of years she will no doubt fit right into the role, helped by another fixtures committee representative, Niall McCormack as assistant secretary.
There were three nominations put forward by Laois for the Leinster convention.
Mary Wheatley was nominated for assistant secretary and Michael O’Loughlin on the appeals committee while current Leinster vice-president, Marie Hickey looks set to take over the President’s seat.
The most notable motion to be passed was regarding funding of the county board. Clubs will no longer have to participate in the County Board’s suggestions for fundraising.
They now have a fixed amount to pay to the county board and can raise this money in their own way.
Officers elected: Chairperson: Mary Wheatley (Crettyard); Secretary: Phil O’Keeffe (Portlaoise); Asst-Secretary: Niall McCormack (St Conleth’s); Treasurer: Martina Phelan (Killeen); Asst-Treasurer: Marie Hickey (Ballylinan); PRO: Not filled; Registrar: Marie Hickey (Ballylinan); Development Officer: Derek Egan (St Conleth’s); Culture & Language Officer: Cait Ni Lochlainn (Sarsfields); Integration Officer: Michael O’Loughlin (Sarsfields); Leinster Council Delegates: Kathleen O’Loughlin, Phil O’Keeffe; Central Council Delegates: Mairead Fitzpatrick (Ballinakill), Kathleen O’Loughlin, Grace Weston (Sarsfields); Delegates to Congress: Kathleen O’Loughlin, Phil O’Keeffe; Finance Committee: Martina Phelan, Zara Hurley, Grace Weston, Phil O’Keeffe, Catherine Whelan; Fixtures Committee: Niall McCormack, Phil O’Keeffe, Mairéad Fitzpatrick, Martin Sinnott (Portlaoise), Edel Brennan (Killeshin); Nominations for Leinster Convention: President Marie Hickey, Asst Sec Mary Wheatley, Appeals Committee Michael O’Loughlin.
NOTICES Scór competition
Ladies Football Clubs interested in competing in GAA Scór should contact Pat O’Sullivan at 087-2441764 or Christine Kealy 087-6666710.
Coaching Course
A Ladies Football Coaching Course Level 1 will be held in Mountmellick GAA Club on Saturday next. Cost €60. Contact Development Officer, Derek Egan at 086-4021459.