2011 AGM - SECRETARY'S REPORT

Senior Football

Under a new management team consisting of Glen Mc Dermott, John Lyons and James Conlon, competitive action got underway on 12th February with the Kiernan Cup, in which we won 1 game and lost 2, thereby failing to progress to the knockout stages for the first time in a number of years. 2011 saw our return to Division 1 of the Senior League, which commenced on 5th March. Our campaign was hugely hampered by injuries and emigration from the outset. Despite this, it was heartening that we retained our place in Division 1 with a record of 11 games played, winning 3, drawing 3 and losing 5, to end up in eight place. We also participated in the Leo Kenny Cup and reached the quarter-final by defeating Dromahair but were subsequently beaten by Tourlestrane in the quarter-final. In the Championship, we were drawn in an extremely difficult group under a new format, with Eastern Harps, Coolera / Strandhill, Molaise Gaels, Ballymote and Easkey. We lost our first 4 games in the group and drew our last game with Easkey to once again find ourselves in the relegation process. In a tense encounter in Ballymote we emerged with a 2 point win over Tubbercurry to preserve our Senior Championship status.
In many ways, 2011 was a mixed bag for the senior squad. As I've said, injuries and emigration were unfortunate elements during the year and these factors prompted the progression of a number of Minors to Senior football and it's fair to say that these young players were not found wanting despite the big step up. Nevertheless, given the retention of our Division 1 and Senior Championship status we remain in a great position to kick on and hopefully realise the undoubted potential within this squad in 2012. Our sincere thanks to Glen, John and James for their huge commitment and professional approach with the senior squad in 2011.

Junior Football

2011 marked a significant milestone for the juniors with promotion to Division 3 being achieved. The League campaign got underway on 9th April with a walkover against Owenmore Gaels. Our record was; played 11, won 7, drew 2 and lost 2 to end up joint second on 16 points. We subsequently beat Drumcliffe / Rosses Point in an exciting playoff game at Oxfield to gain promotion to Division 3. In the Championship, which commenced on 17th July, we turned in equally impressive performances in beating Easkey in home and away legs to qualify for the semi-finals, in which we comprehensively beat St. Farnans. Our good form deserted us however in the final, which was played under lights at Sligo IT against neighbours, Geevagh. We never really played to our potential in this game and lost out by one point in heartbreaking circumstances. Nevertheless, the junior panel and team management can look back with some satisfaction on 2011, which saw real progress. Well done to all of the squad for their efforts over what was a long year and a special word of thanks to the team management of Vivion Boyd, Eugene Carroll and Shane Quigley and also Vincent Henry and Hilary Lyons. As has been repeatedly said before, the fortunes of the senior team are closely linked to those of the juniors and the Club faces a big challenge in 2012 as we field teams in Divisions 1 and 3 of the Senior League.

Under 20's

Mark Tuohy, Derrick Davey and Joe Quinn again took charge of the under 20's in 2011. This year we were entered in the 'A' Championship and hopes were high for a good run for this promising squad. Following a walk-over against Coolera/Strandhill on 9th October, we comprehensively beat St. Mary's in the next game. Our final group game was at home to St. John's, a must win game in which we never played to our full potential and ended up losing by three points. The disappointment at this result was underlined by the fact that St. John's subsequently went on to win the title. Once again, many thanks to the management team of Mark, Derrick and Joe and as I said last year, it's very encouraging to see senior players taking on such roles within the Club.

Bord na nÓg

After a solid League campaign, the Minors reached the Division 1 League final on 21st July and despite losing the final by 5 points to St. Mary's, this was a game that could have gone either way in what was a thrilling exhibition of football played in a great spirit throughout by both teams. We had somewhat more mixed fortunes in the Championship, which got underway on 4th August. Our record was that we played 5 games, winning 2 and losing 3, thereby failing to progress to the knockout stages.

Despite operating with a limited panel, the U16's put in a very good performance in Division 3 of the League, winning six of their seven games to top the League. They then defeated second placed Drumcliffe / Rosses Point in the League Final on 16th May. Our fortunes in the Championship were not quite so good, losing two and winning one of our three group games. This saw us enter the Shield competition, in which we comprehensively defeated Bunninadden in the semi-final before going down to Drumcliffe / Rosses Point in the final on a scoreline that didn't do justice to our efforts on the day.

The U14's reached the semi-final of Section 1 of the Division 1 League, where they were beaten by Tourlestrane. They defeated St. Michaels in the first round of the Championship before going under to Calry / St. Joseph's in the quarter-final. They then faced St. Michaels again in the quarter-final of the Shield competition. This time however St. Michaels narrowly had the upper hand in a high scoring game. The U14's also took part in a blitz in Roscommon, in which they won 2 games and lost 1.

Once again we were fortunate to be in a position to field two U12 teams in 2011. Our Section 1A team had an indifferent League campaign, losing 6 games and winning 1. Our Division 2B team had a great run however, winning 5 of their 7 games to end up in joint second place in their League. We went on to contest the 'B' Shield semi-final where we were beaten by Coolaney / Mulinabreena and to win the 'C' Shield Final by beating Eastern Harps. A lot of input was necessary at this grade given the number of players involved so well done to all concerned for their work with both squads during the year.

In the U13 Feile Shield competition we had a very successful run, winning all six of our League games to advance to the semi-final, where we comprehensively defeated Coolaney / Mulinabreena. St. Pat's were our opponents in the final but were outclassed by a talented Gaels team who now look forward to the possibility of representing Sligo at the National Feile in Laois later on this year.

Our thanks also to those involved with the U8's and U10's who continued to run well attended Saturday morning training as well as organising our participation in a series of blitzes around the county during the season. Unfortunately we were unable to host the Dominic Quinn Cup this year due to an inexplicable decision by Coiste na nOg. Hopefully in 2012 we will be able to find a suitable format for this Cup, which has been an eagerly anticipated part of our Club's calendar for many years now.

Our U12, U14, U16 girls & Senior Ladies teams had mixed fortunes in 2011 and a lot of work continues with these grades in sometimes difficult circumstances and we hope for a brighter 2012 for Ladies football within the Club.

The under-age awards were held in the Folk Park on 5th March and again proved to be most enjoyable and well attended event and provides due recognition to our young Club members. Thanks to all involved in organising this event and to the Folk Park for making their facilities available. The awards on the night went to:

U10 Boys - Dylan Mc Dermott
U10 Girls - Rachel Boyd
U12 'The Shamrocks' team - (Boys) Steven Willis
U12 'The Gaels' team - - (Boys) Andy Flynn
U12 Girls - Eilis O'Connor
U14 Boys - Ryan Mc Kenna
U14 Girls - Aisling Boyd
U16 Boys - Gavin Mc Morrow
U16 Girls - Ciara Mc Cann
Minor - Shane Barry
Overall Player of The Year - Shane Barry

The 2010 Minor B Championship winners and the 2010 U14 C Blitz winners were also presented with their medals on the night by Frank Quinn.

We held a very successful registration night on 12th February and I would like to thank our new Club Registrar, Paul Brennan in helping out on the day as well as helping to assemble a club database of player members.

The VHI Cul Camp was held at Shamrock Gaels Park from 25th - 29th July and thanks to everybody who helped out over the week.

Elsewhere, congratulations to the Riverstown U13 Rounders team, who won gold at the Connacht Community Games finals in July.

Congratulations also to Coola, who won the Connacht VEC Senior 'C' Championship in April.

Well done also to Ardkeerin N.S., Riverstown N.S. and Knockmina, who reached the finals of Cumann na mBunscoil but were all in hard luck on the day.

Other

Congratulations to Gus Chapman on his appointment to the National hurling referees' panel for 2012.

Congratulations also to Declan Loughnane on his appointment as manager of the Sligo Senior hurlers.

We had the Club Dinner Dance on 19th March, at which the Vincent Boyd Senior Player of the Year award went to James Lyons. Ruth Tighe was awarded the Davina Duncan Memorial Cup for Ladies Player of the Year whilst the Club Person of The Year award went to Cormac Kearns. The 2010 U20 'B' Championship medals were presented to the panel by County Board Chairman, Cyril Feehily. Our special guest on the night was Sligo Senior manager, Kevin Walsh, who made presentations to Frank Quinn, Mark Tuohy and Joe Quinn who were members of the victorious Sligo All-Ireland Junior panel.

The annual Golf Classic was again held in Castle Dargan on 21st May and once again this was a very successful and enjoyable event. Thanks to FBD, main sponsors and all of the other sponsors and all of the teams who participated as well as Eugene Carroll and the organising committee. First prize went to Eoin Carroll, Conor Mc Keon, Mark Kelly and Donal Carroll. Thanks again this year to Castle Dargan for assisting by way of reduced green fees.

I wish to thank Sligo Folk Park for the continued use of their magnificent facilities for various Club events during the year. I also wish to thank Riverstown Park Committee for the use of its facilities in 2011.

As we do every year, a very sincere word of thanks to John Joe, Margaret and Katie Mc Goldrick for the way in which they continue to maintain our clubhouse, which is a credit to them. We were presented with the 2010 Sligo Club Grounds of the Year in February and this is a testament to the way in which our grounds and clubhouse are maintained.

In April we organised a very successful scrap metal and used clothing collection in conjunction with Arrow Harps. A lot of hard work went into this venture and many thanks to everybody involved. It's fair to say that this venture galvanized a lot of Club members and as we face into what is bound to be another challenging year financially, I would strongly appeal to all Club members to row in behind the Club as we continue to build on the progress of the past number of years. I wish to sincerely thank all of our sponsors and all others who contributed in any way to the Club during the year

Again, I wish to sincerely thank Mrs. Quinn and the Quinn family for their preparation of Club kit across all grades. This is a job that may sometimes appear to be taken for granted but it is sincerely appreciated by the Club.

On 12th November we held another in a series of special Club Forum meetings in Sligo Folk Park, which was exclusively devoted to the development of coaching policies and general footballing matters across all grades from under-age to Mens & Ladies adult football. A number of good ideas and policies arose from this particular forum and I hope that the year ahead will see us implement some or all of these.

Our annual Club Mass for deceased Club members was celebrated in Gleann on 25th November. During the year we lost a number of friends of the Club, however I want to particularly remember our Club patrons, Fr. Francis Quinn and Mattie Quigley and also Mrs. Anne Henry, Joe O'Grady and John Mulvaney, who all passed away during the year. Ar dheis De go raibh a n-ainmneacha.

In conclusion, I wish to thank all of my fellow members of the Executive for their work during the year and look forward to what will hopefully be a great year for the Gaels.