Ahead of tomorrow’s AGM please see our Chairman’s report.
AGM CHAIRMAN’S ADDRESS JANUARY 2021
It is my privilege and honour to address the members of Ballygunner Hurling Club at our 2020/’21 AGM.
Because of Covid 19, the year gone by was a year like no other. Many people in our community were affected by the virus and we hope that all still suffering will soon be back to full health. We are also conscious of those who have suffered economically as a result of the restrictions. We are grateful to the frontline workers in our club and community for their trojan work during the pandemic. Gratitude is due to the club volunteer group for being available to assist elderly people in our community. During the playing season our players, mentors and club members adhered to the GAA protocols. To this end, we thank all ourCovid officers who worked diligently to maintain high standards.
The club is indebted to our main sponsor STS, our juvenile sponsor Supermacs, Sports Directand the many local businesses who continuously support us. A hard working committee organised ‘The Chaser’ in February and these companies were at the forefront in making this fundraiser an outstanding success.
There are so many people who contribute enormously to the running of our club it would be impossible to name them all.
Club officers, the club executive, committees, board delegates, team managements and mentors, referees, stewards, volunteers, parents and supporters are the people who are responsible for keeping Ballygunner in the proud position that the club is in today. We are thankful to all.
It is of course the players on the pitch who are mainly responsible for the high esteem in which Ballygunner is held throughout the land and they continue to perform at such an exceptional high level. Our seniors’ achievement in winning the seventh county championship in a row was the highlight of 2020. A truly magnificent achievement. Aided by a great backroom team, they continue to exhibit such high levels of skill, fitness, teamwork and dedication.
Not to be outdone, the club’s talented and well prepared minors gave Ballygunner a fourth championship in a row and a fifth in six years. While our Intermediates and Juniors weren’t as successful, they were well prepared and performed to a high level. Lady luck did not shine on them.
Many Ballygunner players represented Waterford at all levels in 2020. The club is very proud of them. How fantastic it was to see on our TV screens our players playing an important role in Waterford’s march to the All-Ireland final. Incidentally Ballygunner players were appointed captains of the county senior, under 20 and minor teams in the year gone by.Members of our club continue to play important roles on Waterford team managements. Their contribution to the county is very much appreciated.
The club’s juveniles had another successful year ensuring our future is secure. Due to work commitments, Juvenile Chairman Paul O’Flynnwill not continue in that role. I would like to acknowledge Paul’s contribution to our underage success. He will be a hard act to follow. We continue to enjoy a great relationship with St Mary’s National School and GaelscoilPhortláirge.
The club’s current income has been curtailed due to the restrictions. However we expect to have floodlights of Carriganore standard installed in the main pitch by Autumn 2021 if there are no objections to our planning application which will be with the council shortly. The work to improve the quality of that pitch which began in 2020 will continue.Special gratitude is due to Clem Jacob for providing the lighting for training last year. The replacement of the carpet on the outer astropitch is expected to be completed by early March. Other projects such as development of a training pitch beside the alley, replacement of the front pitch dugouts, extension of the walking track, improvements to the clubhouse, entrance extension and floodlighting of the outer astropitch, alley, front pitch and car park are also planned. The club’s finance committee are currently exploring the funding avenues for these developments. They will promote the GAA Club Draw, the Club Lotto and the Development Project.
I am glad to say that the club will field a second junior team in this year’s championship. I would like to wish this team and all our teams the bestfor the coming year. To conclude, let’s look forward to another successful year and we will wish good health and happiness to all our members, their families and the entire community.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh
Gerry Cullinan.
