An Chomdhail Bhliantuil

Ar Luan 4 Nollaig 2017

Óstlann Dunsilly, Aontroma

Toiseacht Ar a 7.30pm

Antrim U17 Celtic Challenge Winners 2017

Proinsias O Coinne, Runai

Nollaig 2017

2

Orduithe Seasaimh Don Comhdhail

In order that the business of Convention is carried out without delay, the following

standing orders will be observed:

✓ The proposer of a resolution or an amendment thereto, may speak for five (5)

minutes but no longer than five (5) minutes.

✓ A delegate speaking to a resolution or an amendment must not exceed three (3)

minutes.

✓ The proposer of a resolution or an amendment may speak a second time for three

(3) minutes before a vote is taken, but no other delegate can speak a second

time to the same resolution or amendment.

✓ The chairman, at any time he considers that a matter has been sufficiently

discussed, can call on the proposer for a reply and, when that has been given, a

vote must be taken

✓ A delegate may, with the consent of the chairman, move “that the question now

be put”, after which, when the proposer has spoken, a vote must be taken.

Standing orders shall not be suspended for the purpose of considering any matter not on

the clar, except by consent of the majority equal to two-thirds of those present and

voting.

3

Aimniuchain for 2017 (Nominations)

Cathaoirleach Collie Donnelly

Jim Mc Lean

Leas-Cathaoirleach Terry Reilly

Columb Walsh

Leas-Rúnaí Paul O Brien

Sinead Mullan

Cisteoir Pol Mac Cana

Leas-Cisteoir Eamon Grieve

Oifigeach Caidrim Poibli Sean Kelly

Oifigeach Oiling Liam Mc Goldrick

Oifigeach Forbartha Paul Molloy

Oifigeach Teanga agus Cultur Bronagh Lennon

Ionadaí ar an Ard Comhairle Philip Christie

Teachta Comhairle Uladh (2 Alex Mc Quillan

Dr John Mc Sparran

Joe Edwards

Jim Mc Lean

4

Clar Oibre

6.45pm New Jersey Launch

7.30pm Presentation by National Finance Committee

1 Adoption of standing orders

2 Appointment of tellers

3 Minutes of 2016 convention

4 Matters arising

5 Updates on County Activity

➢ Saffron Business Forum

➢ Dermot Early Programme

➢ Antrim Senior Hurling

➢ Antrim Senior Football

6 County Chairman’s Address

7 Cathaoirleach Vote

8 Secretary’s Report

9 Leas Cathaoirleach Vote

10 Financial Report

11 1st Vote Teachta Comhairle Uladh

Leas Runai Vote

12 Presentation of 2017 Championship plaques

13 2nd Vote Teachta Comhairle Uladh

14 Motions

15 3rd Vote Teachta Comhairle Uladh

16 Recommendations

17 Antrim Committee Reports;

➢ Competitions Control Committee Report

➢ Pro Report

➢ Coaching & Games Development Report

➢ Development Report

➢ Referees Report

➢ Scor & Cultural Report

➢ Health & Wellbeing Report

➢ South West Antrim Divisional Board Report

➢ North Antrim Divisional Board Report

➢ South Antrim Divisional Board Report

18 Any Other Business

5

Ruin agus Moltai

Moltai 1

O’Donnell’s GAC would like to make an amendment to the County Bye-law

19.1.C from

A player who has played with a club at any grade from under 12 to under 18

(minor) grades in Championship or League may only transfer to another club if

the player’s family residence has changed to the catchment area of the club

he wishes to be transferred to.

To Read

A player who has played with a club at any grade from under 12 to under 16

grades in Championship or League may only transfer to another club if the

player’s family residence has changed to the catchment area of the club he

wishes to be transferred to.

O Donnells GAC

Moltai 2

O’Donnell’s would like to add the following to Bye Law 19.2

Any player returning to their parent club after having had a playing permission

the previous year cannot seek a transfer in the for the incoming year provided

their parent club is fielding a team at the respective age group/code in which

the payer is eligible to play.

O Donnells GAC

Moltai 3

To grant CCC unilateral power to rearrange fixtures where a previously

unforeseen clash of league and championship fixtures across codes would

otherwise lead to one or more teams being treated unfairly.

St Mary’s GAC, Ahoghill

6

Moltai 4

That the All County Minor (or Under 17 if applicable) football league revert back

to the divisional boards.

Conn Magee’s GAC, Glenravel

Moltai 5

St Brigids GAC wish to replace the current Ulster GAA bye-law relating to the

provincial Club Hurling Championships to read as follows:

To participate in the Ulster Hurling Club Championship at any level (with the

current exception of Lisbellaw). A club must have taken part in a club

championship within their own County in the competition year.

A Club that has previously won an Intermediate or Junior Championship shall

not participate for one year at the grade after their previous win.

A county board must apply to Comhairle Uladh for regrading if necessary.

St Brigids GAC, Cloughmills

Ruin 1

That the incoming CCC consider duals clubs with County players on Hurling/

Football panels when fixing club games in the opposing code. A degree of flexi

ability is shown to club’s who have players playing with the County on the same

day as club league games have been fixed and allow time change/ date

change of club games were possible.

Patrick Sarsfields GAC

Ruin 2

That, given the overwhelming majority of players are in favour of change, in the

2018 season the CCC initiate a pilot scheme to move 3-6 Adult league fixture

rounds from a Sunday to a Friday evening.

St Joseph’s GAC, Glenavy

7

Miontuairaiscí Chomdhail 2016

Coiste Chontae Aontroim CLG

County Convention

5th December 2016

Apologies:

Eamon Mc Mahon

Terry Reilly

Jim Brady

Condolences:

A Minutes Silence was observed for all deceased members.

Adoption of Standing Orders. – The standing orders, as outlined on page 2 of the

Convention Booklet, were adopted by Convention.

Proposed by- Gerry Mc Cann

Seconded by- Gerald Mc Garry

Appointment of Tellers-

Gerald Mc Garry Niall Wheeler Pat O Hagan

Proposed - Paul Barr

Seconded – John Campbell

Minutes of Convention 2014– (7th Dec 2015)

Matters arising; - None

Proposed- Sean Boyle

Seconded – Joe O Boyle

Secretary’s Report – Adopted without comment

Proposed by- Gerald Mc Garry

Seconded by- Columb Walsh

8

At this stage of the meeting Paul McErlaine reported to convention on

➢ The relaunch of Club Aontroma

➢ The launch of the Saffron Business Forum

To date 91 companies are on board with the SBF and sponsors are in place for both

Antrim Senior championships.

Vote for Oifigeach Forbartha

Jim Murray

Paul Molloy

Jim Murray withdrew his name leaving Paul Molly elected as development officer

Financial Report

Teresa Nugent from Accountants DNT joined the meeting.

An Cisteoir Pol Mac Cana, presented the accounts for 2016

Gerald Mc Garry thanked Pol for his detailed report for the year which showed a surplus

of £163,724.00

Joe O Boyle asked an Cisteoir to detail what monies were outstanding to the County

Board from Casement Social Club.

Frankie Caldwell asked for a breakroom of the Grant received from Casement Social

Club - it was as follows £25k to County Funds and £1k to Gaeltacht scholarships.

Proposed by- Gerald Mc Garry

Seconded by-Jack Mc Naughton

Presentation of 2016 Championship awards;

Minor Football Cuchullains Dunloy

U21 Football St Mary’s Aghagallon

Junior Football Conn Magee’s

Intermediate Football St Mary’s Aghagallon

Senior Football Erin’s Own Cargin

Minor Hurling Cuchullains Dunloy

U21 Hurling Ruairi Og

Junior Hurling Lamh Dhearg

Intermediate Hurling St Brigids Cloughmills

Senior Hurling Shamrocks Loughgiel

Voting Strength 105

Number clubs in attendance 41

9

Chairman’s Address

An Cathaoirleach, Coilin O Donnaile, delivered his Chairman’s address to Convention

2016

During an Cathaoirleach speech he referred to the following;

• Conn Magee’s and Rossa were congratulated on attaining 100years in existence

• Antrim Development Squads

• Divisional Boards

• Possible Club Amalgamations

1st Vote for Comhairle Uladh

Jim Mc Lean 63

Alec Mc Quillan 60

Tyrone Eastwood 36

Malachy Delargy 35

Gerry Mc Clory 9

Having attained the required quota on the first vote Jim McLean and Alec Mc Quillan

were deemed elected.

Moltai (1)

The Motion propose the following changes to the Antrim Hurling Leagues for the year

beginning 2017.

The main adaptation to the league would see the creation of 3 x 10 team divisions

(Divisions 1-3) and a 7 team Division (Division 4).

In Divisions 1 thru 3 each team would play twice home and away versus each of the

other 9 teams, totaling 18 games

In division 4 each team would play each of the other 6 teams 3 times; Home and away

and then a split of 3 home v 3 away. To be drawn randomly/decided upon using a fair

basis such as using the first stage league standings. This would total 18 games also.

Cumann Naomh Eoin CLG

Liam Donnelly moved the motion on behalf of St Johns GAC.

➢ Divisions 1 to 3 would be 10 team leagues providing 18 games

➢ Div. 4 wools contain the remaining 7 teams

In response both M Magee (Cushendall) and J Campbell (Loughgiel) voiced their

objections to the motion.

S Mc Mullan (Glenravel) stated that the proposed 7 team division 4 was not acceptable.

O Elliott (CCC chair) “Antrim Hurling leagues need to be competitive and history shows

that 10 team leagues are not competitive”

D Cormican (Mitchell’s) believed that 10 team leagues could work.

The motion was put to the floor

For 35

Against 61

The motion was defeated

10

Moltai (2)

Proposed amendment to County Antrim byelaw 15(g)

The rule at present is;

(g) In the event of the current club refusing to sign and/or attempting to delay a transfer

the applicant must report the facts of the matter in writing to the CCC on or before the

closing date as at (a) above.

Failure to do so by the closing date will render an application invalid

NB In cases as per (c) above (g) and (h) do not apply

• The reply will be considered by CCC who will then adjudicate upon the transfer

application

• Failure to reply within 10 days will result in the approval of the transfer application at the

expiry of the 10-day period, all other aspects of the transfer application satisfying the

requirements of the current Treorai Oifigiuil the by laws

To be amended to;

g) In the event of the current club refusing to sign and/or attempting to delay a transfer,

without reasonable cause, then the applicant must report the facts of the matter in

writing to the CCC on or before the closing date as at (a) above. Failure to do so by the

closing date will render an application invalid

· The reply will be considered by CCC who will then adjudicate in consultation as

appropriate with the Health and Wellbeing committee upon the transfer

application

· The CCC will then adjudicate upon the transfer as per the requirements of the

current Treorai Oifigiuil the by laws

• Failure to reply within 10 days will result in the approval of the transfer application at the

expiry of the 10-day period, all other aspects of the transfer application satisfying the

requirements of the current Treorai Oifigiuil the by laws

“NB in cases as per (c) above (g) and (h) do not apply” has been removed completely.

Cumann Naomh Uile CLG

Owen Elliott moved the motion and thanked the Ballymena club for sponsoring it.

Owen highlighted that a recent DRA ruling has highlighted inadequacies in our current

transfer byelaw. The proposed motion was an attempt to put in place a check list to be

used for contentious under age transfers within the county buy introducing an

adjudication panel.

Jim Mc Grath was concerned that the pressure being put on the officers taking these

decisions was enormous.

Pat O Hagan felt that the motion should be passed but a committee should be form to

examine the transfer rule in more detail.

11

F Caldwell reminded convention why this transfer rule was put in place in the first

instance i.e. to stop poaching.

At the conclusion of the debate the motion was referred to Coiste Bainisti to explore

further.

Motions 3 4 and 5 were referred to a reconvened convention in Jan 2017

Moltai (3)

Each club with a licensed social centre must furnish audited accounts to the Co

Secretary on or before the 1st January each year.

Penalty – failure to do so will result in the club being excluded from the following year’s

championship draws at all adult levels (Adult levels being- u21, Junior, Intermediate, and

Senior)

Coiste Bainisti

referred to a reconvened convention

Moltai (4)

Each club shall submit, to the Co Secretary, a statement of Financial Accounts and

Balance sheet, together with a report of the club’s AGM on or before the 1st February

each year.

Penalty - £100 fine if not received by 1st Feb and £100 per month for each subsequent

month outstanding.

Coiste Bainisti

referred to a reconvened convention

Moltai (5)

That a 5-man subcommittee be formed to select venues for all (Senior, Intermediate,

Junior, U21 & Minor) championship semi-finals and finals, including replays, to ensure that

games are promoted in all regions of the county. The 5-man committee to be selected

by an Coiste Bainisti but will include county chairman, county treasurer, CCC chairman

plus two others.

Coiste Bainisti

referred to a reconvened convention

Ruin (1)

At all championship games, paying supporters, be issued with a ticket/receipt for

payment at gate.

Mac Uilin CLG

D Donnelly proposed the recommendation for consideration by convention.

An Cisteoir Mac Cana replied that more gatemen were required to allow this proposed

recommendation to be enacted but he undertook to put it in place as far as possible.

12

Ruin (2)

County Managers be proposed by the Clubs.

Mac Uilin CLG

D Donnelly proposed the recommendation for consideration by convention.

“Clubs should not be left out of the process of appointing team managers”

Going forward all clubs will be asked to nominate for vacant posts at Minor u21 and

Senior levels.

Ruin (3)

Where possible all Division 1 hurling teams have a reserve team to take part in the

Reserve league

Mac Uilin CLG

D Donnelly proposed the recommendation for consideration by convention.

“The lack of reserve games is leading to drop off”

Whilst the sentiments of the recommendation were accepted the fact is that CCC

cannot legislate for clubs who don’t have a reserve team to enter the league

Ruin (4)

Senior Leagues should be finished before their respective championship commences

Mac Uilin CLG

D Donnelly proposed the recommendation for consideration by convention.

In reply CCC chair (O Elliott) responded

“CCC would as far as possible set out the league programme to be completed prior to

the start of the Junior. Intermediate and Senior Championships each year”

At this point of Convention, a presentation was made by Antrim Chairman Collie

Donnelly to Michael Hasson (St Marys Rasharkin) to mark his appointment as Uachtarán

Comhairle Uladh CLG (2016 to 2019)

13

Antrim Committee Reports 2016

The following committee reports were proposed and seconded:

CCC Report

Proposed by- C Walsh

Seconded by- G Mc Garry

Development Officers Report

Proposed by- S Boyle

Seconded by- J Mc Lean

Scor & Cultural Report

Proposed by- J O Boyle

Seconded by- J Mc Lean

Referees Report

Proposed by- A Mc Quillan

Seconded by- S Kelly

Pro Report

Proposed by- B Lennon

Seconded by- E Gallagher

Health & Wellbeing Report

Proposed by- S Mc Kendry

Seconded by- P O Hagan

South West Antrim Divisional Report

Proposed by- J Mc Grath

Seconded by- J O Boyle

South Antrim Divisional Report

Sean Boyle apologised to Sarsfields, their u14 Feile Football victory was omitted from the

South Antrim report.

Proposed by- J Mc Veigh

Seconded by- F Caldwell

North Antrim Divisional Report

Proposed by- J Campbell

Seconded by- S Mc Mullan

14

AOB

Jim McLean thank clubs for their support in electing him back to Comhairle Uladh. He

referred to a text message that was circulated to clubs urging them to support certain

candidates, in his opinion, this was not in keeping with the protocols abided by in years

gone by. Jim also thanked Jim Murray for his service to Antrim GAA.

With no further business to discuss convention concluded.

County Convention 2016 was reconvened on Monday 5th Feb 2017 to consider the

following “Revised Motions”.

Gerald Mc Garry proposed that a templet should be created to ensure that all clubs are

reporting their finances in a uniformed manner

On a proposal from Loughgiel and seconded by Ahoghill the date was altered from the

1st Jan to the 15th January each year.

Moltai (3)

Each club, with a licensed social centre, must furnish audited accounts to the Co

Secretary on or before the 15th January each year.

Penalty – failure to do so will result in the club being excluded from the following year’s

championship draws at all adult levels (Adult levels being- u21, Junior, Intermediate, and

Senior)

Coiste Bainisti

The motion was put to the floor

For 26

Against 1

Motion carried

On a proposal from Philip Christie and seconded by Ahoghill the date was altered from

the 1st February to the 15th February each year

Moltai (4)

Each, Non-Licenced, club shall submit, to the Co Secretary, a statement of Financial

Accounts and Balance sheet, together with a report of the club’s AGM on or before the

15th February each year.

Penalty - £100 fine if not received by 15th Feb and £100 per month for each subsequent

month outstanding.

Coiste Bainisti

The motion was put to the floor

For 28

Against 1

Motion carried

15

Moltai (5)

That a 5-man subcommittee be formed to select venues for all (Senior, Intermediate,

Junior, U21 & Minor) championship semi-finals and finals, including replays.

The 5-man committee will include the CCC chair (as Chairperson), County Chairman, Co

Treasurer plus 2 representatives nominated by Co Committee.

(In the event that the CCC Chair and the County Chair were from the same club then

the Co Vice Chair would replace the County Chair)

Coiste Bainisti

Jim Mc Grath, Tir Na nÓg spoke against the motion

The motion was put to the floor

For 25

Against 3

Motion carried

Antrim V Tipperary – Fr Alex Reid memorial game at Corrigan Park

16

Tuarascail an Runai 2017

It’s my honour and privilege to present this secretary’s report to convention 2017, the

132nd convention of Coiste Chontae Aontroma CLG.

2017 saw Antrim Senior Hurlers wining promotion to Div. 1b of the National Hurling league

then lose out in the final of the Christy Ring Cup to a strong Carlow side. At the outset of

the year promotion was the target and that was achieved. With the team management

consenting to stay on for another year bolstered by the addition of Liam Sheedy to the

backroom team, in an advisory capacity, we look forward to continued progress during

the 2018 season.

Our Senior Footballers, after failing to win their last National league game, were

relegated to Div. 4 for the 2018 season in what can best be described as a frustrating

season. Some of our best performances were away from home with the games against

Tipperary (5pt defeat), Louth (3pt defeat) and Armagh (2pt defeat) the highlights

(although we lost all 3 games the performances were of the highest order). All of this was

preceded by 3 defeats to Fermanagh, Monaghan and St Marys in the 2017 Mc Kenna

Cup.

In the championship we travelled to Ballybofey to take on Donegal. A strong first half

performance gave us hope but in the second half we faded and Donegal subsequently

ran out 16pt winners. We drew Sligo away in the qualifier’s but were defeated on a

score line of 0.22 to 3.07. With the change in management for the 2018 season I wish to

place on record my thanks to the Senior football management team lead by Frank

Fitzsimons and I wish them all well in their future managerial careers.

Our u21 Footballers lost by 4pts to Monaghan in the preliminary round of the Ulster

Championship played at the Dub arena Belfast. This was an excellent game which we

deserved to win. It’s a pity that the management of this team were not afford the time

(due to the Senior panel commitments) to prepare this team to the maximum. I believe

this was an opportunity missed to progress in this competition. My thanks go to Gerard

McNulty and Sean McGoldrick who did their best to prepare this team in testing

circumstances.

In u21 Hurling we suffered a 2-point defeat at the hands of Derry in the semi-final of the

Ulster Championship.Disapointing to say the least but symptomatic of this competition.

The opportunity to play in the Leinster Championship in 2018 will surely encourage the

players to commit more at the level.

The Senior game at Ballybofey was preceded by a wonderful minor game which saw

Antrim defeat Donegal on a score line of 0.21 to 2. 14. Alas we were defeated in the

semi-final by a Derry team that went on to win the Ulster title and reached the All Ireland

Final.

Our Minor Hurlers won the Ulster Minor Hurling title but then suffered a 15pt defeat at the

hands of Dublin at the All Ireland ¼ Final stage. In 2018 our Minor Hurlers will compete in

the Leinster Minor Hurling Championship returning to the place where the foundations of

the successful Antrim Senior teams of the late 80s and early 90s were laid. Let’s hope their

success can be emulate over the next few years.

17

As we enter 2018 we work load is already mounting. The new fixture programme at

County level will commence before the end of December 2017 with the Walsh and

McKenna Cup competitions.

The hope that it will free up more time at club level needs to be supported with an

internal fixture scheduled that allows for the best use of the time and facilities available

to us in which to play our games. The decision as to which ages groups we run with will

need to be finalised early in 2018, in my opinion we need to move in line with the age

groups now in force at County level and work back accordingly

i.e. u17, u15, u13 and u11.

The Casement Park redevelopment is again approaching the line in relation to planning.

The lengths to which the design team have when to this time around are

unprecedented. The Casement design has set new standards in stadium design. The

levels of community engagement were unparalleled and the concerns raised were

subsequently incorporated into the final presented design. Antrim needs Casement Park

...let’s hope it happens!

The plan to regenerate the GAA in Belfast is well advance again we hope to have this

project in place by April 2018. This, in turn, I hope will lead to a wider engagement with,

in particular, our younger members. Their voice needs to be to the forefront of what the

new GAA in Antrim needs to be. We have a motion before convention this evening that

comes for an opinion formed by a large group of our players seeking change to the

traditional playing. They want to play our game but they also want time to enjoy their

weekends with their family and friends. I urge convention to support this motion.

Antrim has recently committed to developing a new 3-year strategic Plan to run for the

period 2018 to 2020. The time lines for this are tight... we aim to have it completed by

Easter 2018 so your assistance will be required in the early part of the year. Its hoped that,

through engagement with our clubs, we can shape an Antrim GAA brand that is truly fit

for purpose. The engagement with clubs will be via a series of themed workshops to be

held late January / early February 2018 and I urge clubs to actively participate.

The new rules around data protection and the availability of the new corporate trustee

status will keep many club committees busy in the early part of 2018.

Recently the Ard Stiúrthóir, Páraic Ó Dufaigh, announced his retirement (March 2018).

Páraic has led the association for over 10 years and has overseen many major

incentives. Form Antrim I wish to place on record our thanks to Paraic for all his assistance

over the years and in particular his support both for the Casement Park Project and the

Belfast GAA regeneration plan, I wish him a long and happy retirement.

In December 2016 the GAA mourned the passing of one of its greatest ever

administrators, Danny Murphy. A man who contributed so much to the development of

the GAA throughout Ulster and beyond his legacy will long be remembered. Among the

credits attributed to Danny is the redevelopment of Casement Park and as this project

18

approaches I hope that Danny’s immense contribution to it will be formally

acknowledged within the new provincial stadium.

May he rest in peace?

To all those Gaels who passed to their eternal rest in 2017 I offer my sincere condolences

to their families and friends.

Go ndeanfaidh Dia trocaire ar a anaim dhil

I wish to place on record my appreciation to all those who contributed to the successful

running of Antrim GAA in 2017;

• Members of County Committee, An Coiste Bainisti and all the various

subcommittees

• Dr Joe Dugan, Dr Mark Salter’s and Dr Pater Murphy for their medical assistance

with our County teams.

• The Gatemen who cover our Championship games whatever the weather

• To the Antrim GAA office staff, Breda & Nicola, grounds men Jim Duffy and Sean

Martin

• To all the full time coaching staff, under the direction of Ciara Ferry, thanks for your

efforts and commitment to Antrim GAA

• John “Curlie” Mc Ilwaine for all his assistance during the year.

• County IT officer Martin Mc Carry (always working away in the background)

• Our referees, without whom no games would be played

I would like to thank all of our sponsor’s, advertisers, and corporate partners. For their

continued support

2018 is almost upon us let’s move forward united and invigorated to raise the standards

within Antrim GAA

Lets strive for an Antrim GAA that provides for the less Ordinary, the Ordinary and the

extra Ordinary.

Is Mise

Proinsias O Coinne

Runai an Chontae

19

Antrim Committee Reports 2017

C.C.C. Report 2017

A Chara,

When the county officers asked me to take up the role of the chairperson of CCC I

didn’t have to think very long to accept and I hope I haven’t disappointed them in the

way that the duties were carried out.

Our committee was made up of the Secretary Gregory Walsh, who did a tremendous

job, Gerry McClory who performed very proficiently in discipline, and Alistair Mc

Cambridge, Raymond Compston and Paddy Quinn who were the additional members.

I want to place on record my thanks to these people who worked very effectively and

efficiently throughout the year. Furthermore, I thank them for the time and effort and also

for the unbiased way in which they contributed to the debate and influenced positively

numerous decisions that arose as a consequence of a very extensive program of

activity.

I could not have fulfilled the duties without reference, on a very regular basis, to the

County Secretary Frankie Quinn and I thank him for his patience and guidance which

was always generously given.

Breda in the office did a good job in keeping the records, sending out discipline notices,

recording referees report details and helping to book rooms for our meetings. Well done

Breda.

I did receive some important technical help in the early stages of the fixtures making

process and whilst I won’t mention those involved by name I just want to recognise that,

without their help, it would have been a much harder job.

And then there was the weather!!!

The CCC tasks are formidable, consider for a second or two the statistics where we need

to make over 1300 fixtures, in over 30 competitions, for over 50 clubs, across four

counties, in order to fulfil the requirements of Antrim’s programme for a year. Not much

when you say it quick but quite a lot when you meet every two weeks to try and

manage it.

In between meetings people were extremely busy in the pursuit of the best schedule that

could be obtained.

Only on a very few days would the CCC officers have been free from any sort of activity

required to keep the CCC on track.

20

Right from the first meeting we established a reasonable protocol for the conduct at the

meetings and not once in the whole year did anyone lose their cool and it

helped us to get a lot of business conducted during the time we had available for our

meetings

There are a lot of things which impact positively and negatively on fixtures and I have

listed a few.

1. We got the total league fixtures out as early as we could. In order that the clubs

knew as early as possible what was coming up for them.

2. We tried to stick rigidly to the policy that once a fixture was made, then the only

way to change it was to get agreement from your opponent. Generally, the clubs

bought into this approach and it made for a smoother path.

3. Liaison with other fixture making groups was not actually a problem because we

had the total programme published and available for them. This helped to avoid a

clash and all of the groups looking for dates were generally, in the first instance,

taking on board what we had planned.

4. We couldn’t always get it right and there were postponements due to County

fixtures and in some cases county training. We felt obliged to work in harmony with

these groups as you would expect.

5. There were times when we consulted with the county officers and county

secretary who had closer links with the county team management groups. This

helped us to evaluate and weigh up the pros and cons of the requests. In some

cases, they assisted in cutting down the disruption asked for by the management

groups. It was important to use the interface which in turn helped to reduce the

tension between us as the fixture makers and the team managements.

6. We felt that it was important right throughout the year to demonstrate that the job

could be done without a great amount of conflict either between ourselves and

the clubs or between us and the county Committee. This attitude helped us to find

compromises and solutions in most of the difficult cases where clubs were asked to

fulfil fixtures in very close proximity to other fixtures already scheduled. Not always

did we succeed and sometimes clubs felt we were not acting in their best interest

but I assure the county that in all cases we were striving to come to the best

solution for all concerned.

And then there was the weather!!!

In conclusion I contend that the CCC performed the responsibilities expected of them to

the very best of their ability and made every effort to manage all aspects of the duties

21

from, drawing up the competitions, making the fixtures, sometimes amending the rules,

formulating the championship draws, managing transfers,

managing Playing permissions, overseeing discipline procedures and generally being fair

and reasonable with all of the individuals and groups with whom we came in contact.

I would lastly like to thank the clubs and their secretaries for the courteous and

professional way they conducted their business with us and wish them every success in

the coming year.

Is mise

Eamon De Greibh

An Cathaoirleach CCC

Fr Reid Cup game at Woodlands

Discipline

I have had the privilege of administration the discipline procedures on behalf of CCC

during 2017. While at time this has been a difficult job I believe that CCC has

demonstrated prudence, fairness and accessibly in their dealings with clubs who have

had discipline issues.

The majority of clubs now seemed to appreciate that there are no vendettas or

personalities in the decision-making process, it is just an impartial verdict based on the

evidence provided by the referee’s report. I hope all clubs appreciate that this is part of

CCC that none of the committee members wanted or liked to be involved in.

22

If managers and players had self-discipline and showed respect to others then there

would be no need for CCC to make decisions so ultimately it is up to the clubs to help

CCC not to have to deal with ill-discipline

There were fewer CHC meetings this year but in all but two cases the proposed penalties

imposed by CCC were upheld by CHC. CCC had no appeals to Ulster Council this year

which is a good indicator of the fairness which CCC enforced this year. A few

observations from my year

Disciplinary issues within the county:

To date a total of 410 disciplinary issues have been dealt with in this county in all

competitions from u14 to senior in both football and hurling. They are broken down as

follows:

176 Red cards issued

Hurling 83 Red cards,

Football 93 red cards.

141 Black cards

Both Codes 83 Double yellow cards.

Other non-playing cases 10

• A worrying trend is that 13% of these cases are at under age level.

• Another development coming into our games is the one punch scenario. CCC

have had to deal with these cases issues and their consequences, in a majority of

these the referee has not seen the incident. CCC have also had to deal with these

cowardly attacks and seen the aftermath of the injuries inflicted. Clubs must live

up to their responsibilities and deal with these perpetrators effectively.

Of the 60 clubs participating within Antrim every club has had at least one matter of field

discipline to deal with.

• Verbal abuse of match officials continues to be the single factor in the issuing of

cards. This trend has to stop.

Finally, on the plus side cases of discipline have been reduced in the county from the

previous year, a trend I hope continues in 2018.

It would be remiss of me not the thank the club secretaries for the swift and profession

manner they deal with all the correspondence I send to them and a big thanks to Breda

in the county office for all her help and professionalism during 2017.

Go Raibh Maith Agat

Gearoid Mac Labrai

23

Games Statistics

Football Total

Games

Games

Not

Played

Games

Conceded

Games

Abandoned

Winners Runner Up Relegated Relegated

DIV1 96 0 0 0 Cargin St Johns Aldergrove St Pauls

DIV1R 80 0 11 0 Portglenone St Johns

DIV2 96 0 1 0 Glenavy St Enda’s Antrim Ardoyne

DIV2R 90 3 9 0 Ballymena St Brigids

DIV3 90 0 3 0 Sarsfields O Donnells

MFLA 92 1 22 0 Creggan Cargin

MFL2A 45 0 18 0 Dunloy Moneyglass

Hurling Total

Games

Games

Not

Played

Games

Conceded

Games

Abandoned

Winners Runner

Up

Relegated Relegated

DIV1 56 0 2 0 Loughgiel Cushendall Ballycastle Cloughmills

DIV1R 30 2 6 0 Cushendall Loughgiel

DIV2 56 0 0 0 St Johns Portaferry Carey Clooney

Gaels

DIV3 153 1 5 1 Sarsfields St Enda’s

MHL1 91 2 10 0 Rossa Dunloy

MHL2 45 1 19 1 St Enda’s St Galls

U-16A 91 5 10 1 Loughgiel Dungannon

U-16B 45 0 6 0 Tir Na Og Shane O Neills

24

PRO Report 2017

As another year draws to a close, it is hard to believe it was twelve months ago that I sat

down to write my first PRO report. When first appointed to the role of PRO it was my

objective to utilise social media to promote Antrim and provide regular engaging

content to our members. I am delighted to report that our various social media platforms

have gone from strength to strength as illustrated below:

Throughout the year there were various videos, photographs and tweets which went

viral. Some of the more memorable ones included:

(i) Lamh Dhearg championship celebration – 139,000 views

(ii) Dunloy Championship celebration – 129,000 views

(iii) Niall McKenna slow motion point at Carlow – 586,000 views

(iv) The Kids Together Video- (Antrim Senior Football Team)

(v) James McNaughton’s extra time winning point v Carlow.

25

One of the initiates run during the year, which I know to be close to many people’s

hearts, is the Saffron Aid Initiative which ran in 2016. Over 500 shoeboxes were filled with

toys and essentials for deprived children over the festive period. It makes me extremely

proud to be associated and involved with the people of this county who give so freely of

their time and money to support projects such as this. Plans are already in place for

Saffron Aid II which we hope will surpass the generous donations and achievements of

last year.

26

'One minute with questions' proved to be very popular on our website. This fun feature

saw county and club players answer a quick-fire round of questions in one minute. I'd like

to thank all the players for their time and co-operation to assist with promotion of the

county.

I'd also like to take the opportunity to thank John McIlwaine and the Saffron Gael for

providing photographs throughout the year which were used on social media platforms

and other official county publications.

Overall it has been another successful year building upon the accomplishments of last

year. There are many plans afoot for next year including the incorporation of the Saffron

Gaels website into the official Antrim website and a general growth of the PR team to be

achieved via rolling training out to the club PROs.

On a personal level I was hugely honoured and extremely proud to win the prestigious

Ulster GAA Writers Award for Communication in January 2017. The last time an Antrim

man won the award was exactly ten years ago when Terry Cormican won the very same

award. The award would not have been possible without the support, leadership,

commitment and initiatives from the clubs. So for that I want to thank you all and wish all

those involved with Antrim a very successful 2018.

Is Mise

Sean O Ceallaigh

Ulster SFC Antrim v Donegal

27

Coaching & Games Development Report 2017 A Chairde

2017 was a successful year for a wide range of coaching activities across all age groups

within the county; Go Games, Coach Education, Development Squads, Cul Camps and

Primary and Post Primary coaching programmes.

Coach Education

Throughout the county there was great response to our foundation level courses in both

football (13) and hurling (11) and level 1 courses in football (2) and hurling (2) and child

protection courses (30). With most clubs, now having ensured that they have a suitable

number of foundation coaches, clubs now need to encourage their coaches to

undertake further awards (level 1 and 2) to ensure continued coaching and player

development within their clubs.

Cúl Camps

Our Cúl Camp programme was very successful in 2017. During the summer 28 Kellogg’s

Cul Camp were held with 3030 children attending an increase of 615 on 2016. We had

18 Saffron Og Camps with a total of 300 children attending. It would probably be true

to say that the week of the Cúl camp is a week full of fun and skill development that will

encourage our children to continue their development with their club and our games.

28

Development Squads

During the year our development squads competed in their respective leagues and

blitzes from U14 to U17 in both football and hurling. Success was enjoyed by our hurlers

at U14’s, U16’s in their respective National Blitzes and U17’s winning their section of the

Celtic Challenge.

Our Development Squad programme is only possible as a result of the selfless

commitment of the coaches to develop our players and thus enhance our games

throughout the county. I would take this opportunity to appeal to clubs to continue to

support our development squad programme by continuing to provide players but to also

encourage their coaches to get involved with the squads.

Primary and Post Primary Schools

Our primary schools continue to avail of the excellent programme of FUNdamental skill

development offered by the Ulster Council Primary School programme. This programme

is a precursor to game specific skills development and blitzes that were delivered by the

County’s coaching staff. It is with great anticipation that we look forward to a positive

outcome for the Belfast Coaching Plan which should ensure greater coaching

opportunities within all our schools and clubs.

Liam Mc Goldrick

Coaching Officer

29

Development Report 2017

Club Leadership Development Programme

A Club Leadership Development Programme was run in April at Dunsilly Hotel for club

officers for development of Chair Persons, secretaries and treasurers. It helped officers

with techniques and showed best practice in their roles within the club and association.

This course was quite successful and thanks is due to the Ulster Council Officers for

facilitating us. Unfortunately, no South Antrim Clubs attended. I will try to run the same

course this coming year in a Belfast venue.

Elevate Clubs

A number of clubs have completed the Elevate Club awards in the past number of years

and we hope to encourage more clubs to complete this course in the coming year.

Club Maith

More detail is required on the number of clubs that have Club Maith. Ulster Council are

trailing the completion of “Club Maith” applications on line. When this goes live it will

make the process easier and help with subsequent applications.

Ulster Council Role

The county development officer attends regular meetings at The Ulster Council Offices in

Armagh to be updated in the latest developments and share information with other

county officers. One of the proposals is split the development officer’s role in two. One

officer will be responsible for training and planning and the other officer will be

responsible for physical club development.

Advice on Physical Developments

My brother Jim (Ulster Council) and I have been met with a number of clubs to discuss

their developments to give advice and guidance. Some of the clubs that I have been in

contact with are:

St. Galls, Dunloy, Glenariffe, Gort na Mona, Moneyglass, Portglenone, Loughgiel,

Sarsfields, Rossa, St John’s, Ballycastle, Ahoghill, Aghagallon, St Paul’s, Rasharkin,

Glenariffe and Ballymena.

We have also been advising clubs on grant applications to the Ulster Council and also

explaining the procedures, checks and due diligence that Ulster Council carry out when

clubs apply to start new developments. Possibly this is an area that could be added to

the Development section of the county web site. I have sent out regular notices to clubs

on the grant applications to various funding bodies.

Also there has been I have been working with Phillip Christie, Tony Shivers and Paddy

Quinn on the car park development at Dunsilly.

30

Roger Casements Portglenone - 2nd Pitch Development

Larne Og and John Mitchells.

I met with Ulster Council officers to discuss help for these two clubs. At present this is

ongoing.

County Web Site

I have posted some detail on the county web site re developments. This needs refreshed

and updated.

Le Meas

Paul Molloy

Pol O Maolmhuaidh

Referee`s Report 2017

At the start of the year we held Two course for new referee`s. 16 referees attended these

course`s and were trained to Referee in their divisional board up to U.16 level.

Referee`s training takes 3 nights with an online element as well. This course is taking by

Tutors from Croke Park. After a year’s Refereeing we would hope to add these ref onto

our all county list once they did their in-service course.

We then held our in-service Course for all our Referee`s. This year we had 67 attended

over 2 nights (31F,15H and 21 Both). If any Referee does not take this course, he will not

be appointed to Referee in our all county leagues.

We then held our fitness and rules tests for any Referee who wished to referee in our

Championships. After tests were completed we had a panel of 18F and 13H Referees

who could do Sen Championship games.

31

Leagues

With over 1000 leagues game to be Refereed, we struggled to get all games coved.

Indeed, some weekends we had 3 or 4 games not refereed by people who were not

trained as a referee.

With a court case going on in another county, next year we will not be allowed to let this

happen and our league regulation 5.04(d) will have to be deleted. Games must be

Refereed by people with all up to date training. This may have a knock on to clubs with

games being called off at the last minute and games not being played even though

both teams or there.

Going Forward

We feel that clubs need to get more people involved in Refereeing. We think that each

club should have at least 2 Referee`s, clubs that have 5 or more teams in the All County

Leagues should have 3 Referee`s to cover their quota of games.

We feel that any club that don’t have an active referee on the all-county panel, CCC

should then en-force League Reg 5.02 making teams with no accepted Referee play all

games away from home.

This is the time for you to look around your club and see if there is anyone who could

Referee for your club next year. We will be holding a Course for new Referee in January

and would like as many new Referee as possible.

We would like to congratulate Colm Cunning on refereeing The All Ireland Intermediate

Final along with the Ulster Senior Club Hurling Final, Sean Laverty on Refereeing Mc

Kenna Final, Owen Elliot on Refereeing the Senior Camogie Final and Colm Mc Donald

on Refereeing the Ulster senior league Final. We Congratulate all our Referees who

refereed finals in our own county.

We would like to thank all our referees who have done our games over the year and

hope they continue next year as we can`t afford to lose any of the referees that we

currently have. We are also grateful to those referees who have retired during the year.

We thank you all for your commitment and hope that you continue to promote

refereeing in your own club.

32

Championship Referee appointments 2017

Senior Football Eamon Mc Auley (Cargin)

Intermediate Football Paul Mc Keever(Portglenone)

Junior Football Gerard Dougan (Creggan)

U21 A Football Karol Doherty (Rasharkin)

Minor A Football Colm Mc Donald (St Galls)

Senior Hurling Mark O Neill (Armoy)

Intermediate Hurling Colm Cunning (Dunloy)

Junior Hurling Colm Mc Donald (St Galls)

U21 Hurling Darren Mc Keown (St Galls)

Minor A Hurling Paul O Neill (Creggan)

Suggested rule change

League Reg 5.01 to read

If a club has 1-2 teams in the all-county leagues they must provide at least 1 Referee

able to referee in the league

If a club has 3-4 teams in the all-county leagues they must provide at least 1 football and

1 Hurling referee (2 Referees)

If a club has more than 4 teams in the all- county leagues they must provide 3 Referees

able to referee in the league

Penalty to apply if each referee does not reach 10 games in all county league.

Is Mise

Paddy Quinn

Teanga agus Cultur Report 2017

It has been an honour for me to serve as Cultural Officer for the County for another year.

I would particularly like to thank all of the fantastic Cultural Officers in the clubs in Antrim

for everything that they do to promote Scór and culture in their clubs and communities.

It has been an absolute pleasure getting to know you all and assisting you throughout

the year.

Highlights of 2017

Antrim hosts National Scór Final

It was a huge honour this year for County Antrim to host the National Finals of both Scór

na nÓg and Scór Sinsir in Belfast. The hard work and planning began back in October

2016 where I, along with representatives from Ulster Scór and Ulster Council met the

National Scór Committee to plan for these two massive events in The Waterfront Hall,

Belfast.

33

The first event was the Scór Launch which was held in January 2017 in The Hilton Hotel in

Belfast. Uachtarán CLG, Aogán Ó Feargháil attended the launch along with President

of Ulster Council-Michael Hassan, Brian McEvoy-Comhairle Uladh, Anton Mac Gabhann-

Chairperson of National Scór, Joan Cooney-Secretary of National Scór, Ailish McEntee-

Ulster Scór Chairperson, Danny McLarnon-Secretary of Ulster Scór and other members

from both National and Ulster Scór Committees. I welcomed the guests to the launch

and introduced the various speakers and performers on the night. Uachtarán CLG,

Aogán Ó Feargháil commented on the positive improvement in participation in Scór in

Antrim with a 100% rise in participation over the last two years. He also thanked our

young perfomers for their excellent performances on the night. I would like to

congratulate St Mary’s Aghagallon Ceilí Dancers, Mary Kate Bonnes from Tír na nÓg and

St Ergnat’s Instrumental Music Group for their excellent performances on this special

night.

Both of the National Finals were a huge success, with over 1000 spectators at each

event. I would particularly like to thank all of the volunteers from all over Antrim who

assisted with stewarding on the day. The events would never have been as successful

without your help and support and it was very much appreciated. Huge congratulations

to Tír na nÓg, Randalstown who competed in the quiz section on All Ireland Final Day in

Scór na nÓg and to Conn Magee’s who competed in the quiz section of Scór Sinsir.

Maith sibh.

34

Commiserations to St Ergnat’s Moneyglass who performed in the All Ireland Final and

who narrowly missed out on a National title in Instrumental Music. We are extremely

proud to have Ulster Champions in the Instrumental Section from County Antrim.

Some final thanks must go to my colleagues from Ulster Scór who were a great support to

me throughout all of the planning both leading up to the event and on the days of the

National Final. It was an absolute privilege to work with a fantastic National Scór

Committee to ensure that both events were extremely successful.

Antrim Scór competitors perform in Croke Park at congress.

It is every GAA enthusiast's dream to play in Croke Park. Although we may commonly

associate playing in Croke Park with hurling or football; this year, it was Scór competitors

from Antrim who got such an honour. St Ergnat's, Moneyglass are the 2016 Scór na nÓg

County Champions in the Instrumental Music section of Scór and they were invited to

entertain guests at Congress in Croke Park.

This was a wonderful opportunity that was afforded to these musicians and one that they

most certainly will never forget. This is proof that participation in Scór can lead to

wonderful opportunities, beyond our communities and counties.

Amhrán na bhFiann

A special word of thanks to all of the singers who enhance our matches and functions

throughout the year by singing our National Anthem. This is an honour that is afforded to

Scór competitors in every County. I would like to thank the following singers:

- Therese Tunney (Rasharkin)

- Sara Connolly (Loughgiel)

- Orla McIntyre (Loughgiel)

- Órlaith McAteer (Creggan)

- Caitriona McAteer (Creggan)

- Eibhlín Mc Ateer (Creggan)

- Nicole Laverty (Conn Magee's)

- Gillian Dixon (Dunloy)

- Ciara Mooney (Aghagallon)

- Oonagh Phillips (Glenavy)

- Méabh McNeill (Lámh Dhearg)

35

It is my intention to hold a workshop for Scór competitors who wish to be trained in how

to sing the National Anthem correctly. This will happen when I receive entries for Scór

Sinsir this year.

Culture and Social Media/ Website

With help from Sean Kelly, I have tried to promote the culture, language and Scór

through the use of Twitter, Facebook and Periscope. The County Website has also been

updated and a ‘CULTÚR’’ section has been added. This includes information about Scór,

Scór rule books and also an Irish language section. Thanks to Martin McCarry for his

assistance throughout the year.

An Ghaeilge

Throughout the year I have attended the Irish language committee meetings which

have been held all over Ulster once a month. Please contact me if you would like

advice on how to promote Irish in your club and community. Gaeltacht grants will be

available this year for students attending Summer courses. More information on this will

be circulated to clubs after Easter time.

Scór Season (Nov 2016- April 2017)

As with our Gaelic games, it is our aim through Scór, to showcase the talents that are

within our clubs at county, provincial and national level. This year was no different and

we saw a wealth of talent in both Scór na nÓg and Scór Sinsir.

Scór na nÓg County Champions 2017:

- Ceilí Dancing - St Mary's Aghagallon

- Solo Singing – Dúana Coleman, Sarsfields

- Recitation - Mary-Kate Bonnes, Tír na nÓg, Randalstown

- Instrumental Music - St Ergnat's, Moneyglass

- Ballad Group- St Mary's Aghagallon

- Leiriú - St Mary's Aghagallon

- Quiz - Tír na nÓg, Randalstown

Scór Sinsir County Champions 2017:

- Céilí Dancing – Conn Magee’s, Glenravel

- Solo Singing – Therese Tunney, Rasharkin

- Recitation – Aisling Dean, Glenavy

- Instrumental Music - St Ergnat’s, Moneyglass

- Ballad Group – Loughgiel Shamrocks

- Quiz - Conn Magee's, Glenravel

A massive thank you to those who hosted County Scór finals last year. Moneyglass

hosted Scór na nÓg County Final and St Comhgall’s, Antrim hosted the Scór Sinsir County

Final. Go raibh míle maith agaibh.

36

Scór 2018

County Scór Na Nóg Final -19th November In St Bride’s Hall Belfast

Scór Na Nóg Table Quiz – Saturday 13th January (Venue Tbc)

Thank you again to all of the clubs for your support throughout what has been an

extremely busy year. A special thanks to Jimmy Gaston for his advice as assistance

throughout yet another busy year, particularly leading up to the All-Ireland Scór Finals.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me at any time for advice on Irish classes, teaching

materials for classes or about Scór. Go raibh míle maith agaibh as ucht bhur

gcomhoibriú.

Brónagh Uí Leannáin

Brónagh Lennon

Health & Wellbeing Report 2017

The area of Health & Wellbeing has witnessed a huge growth over the past 18 months

and within Antrim, there has been a significant increase in activity at both Club and

county level. This in part has been as a response to the development of a dedicated

Health & Wellbeing team which has co-ordinated these activities on a countywide basis.

The Team is made up from representatives from each divisional board area and its

membership includes people with backgrounds in relevant areas including

Safeguarding, social care, Education, Nursing, community development, Drugs/Alcohol

and addiction issues and health care. Each team member has been trained as a tutor to

deliver training relating to the role of health and Wellbeing and they bring a range of

other training packages, which are utilised to assist clubs to identify keys areas of work

and to implement these within their own club and community.

The role of Health and Wellbeing Officer within clubs is set to change from January 2018

with them now being known as Healthy club officer. This is a determined strategic

change of direction, which aims to promote the concept of healthy Clubs within every

single GAA unit throughout the country. It also ties in with the healthy club programme

which is a national programme which like Club Mhaith seeks to improve the quality of

service delivery to our membership within clubs and the local community. The next

tranche of this programme will be rolled out in January 2018 with applications being

invited through the county Health and Wellbeing Chairperson.

Throughout the past year the county Health & Wellbeing team has been active in

developing a network of club officers and to date of writing all but one club have now

an identified person in post.

During the period, the team have worked on an extensive series of training and events

as outlined below:

37

Training:

There have been a series of officer training sessions across each divisional board area

resulting in 33 club officers receiving training on their role as Health & Wellbeing officers.

These officers are all now actively working with their own club and community to deliver

the key health and wellbeing messages and to access training and resources

appropriate to their localised need.

There have also been many other training opportunities that have been disseminated to

clubs which include:

• Safetalk Training focusing on Suicide awareness and mental health.

• Mindset: Mental Health awareness training

• Heartstart Training focusing on Resuscitation techniques

• Drug/Alcohol Awareness focusing on awareness training

• Bullying Training focusing on raising awareness and developing techniques for

recognition of signs and symptoms within clubs.

• Gambling training which has been rolled out to specific clubs who have identified

issues and requested assistance.

• Cancer awareness training

• Men’s Health: specific training looking at issues including prostate cancer, isolation,

addiction.

• Smoking cessation which has been offered to clubs which have identified a need

in this area.

Many other areas of training have been signposted to individual clubs via an extensive

range of community, voluntary and statutory organisations with whom the team have

developed working partnerships. There is scope for much additional work in identifying

and establishing additional resources from within these areas and work will be ongoing in

that respect.

Healthy club programme:

During the past 18 months two Antrim clubs have been actively involved in this National

programme and on 4th November received their Healthy Club Status of Recognition at

an event in Croke Park. The Clubs St Mary’s Rasharkin and St Joseph’s Glenavy were

recognised for their fantastic contributions to this initiative and are the leading lights in

Antrim in terms of how to achieve this important award. The programme involved a series

of competences that the clubs had to meet and demonstrate their ability to meet and

both did so in a manner which reflects the hard work they put into the programme.

The third tranche of this award is being launched in January 2018 and already there

have been 7 applications for inclusion which will be decided upon by the Health and

Community Department at Croke PK along with our own county Health and Wellbeing

Committee. Keep at watch out for this over the next few weeks on the County social

media sites.

38

Dermot Earley Youth Leadership Programme:

Antrim GAA have become the first of the six counties to host the Dermot Earley Youth

Leadership Initiative Programme. The initiative designed by Foróige and rolled out by the

GAA takes its name from Dermot Earley; one of Ireland’s most inspirational leaders and

sportsmen who served his county, country and the global community with distinction.

The programme will enable young people to develop the skills and qualities necessary to

become the leaders of the future.

!4 such young people between the age of 14 – 18 commenced the course in September

2017 and will engage in the programme until October 2018 when on completion they will

graduate with a certificate in leadership skills from University of Ireland Galway. This

qualification will be worth 30 credits towards any university course module which will of

great benefit to the future academic development of this group. The first tranche of this

programme has focused on the South Antrim Divisional Board area and has been

designed to fit in with the Belfast Plan which is seeking to develop Gaelic games and

culture in the Belfast inner city area. However, the programme will be going out on an

all-county basis following the completion of stage 1 and invitations for applications will

be put out in the early part of next year.

The programme to date and the commitment of the young people involved has been

inspirational and the future of this initiative will be a mainstay of the development

programme for young people in County Antrim.

Social Initiative programme:

In February of this year the Health & Wellbeing team led a very successful social initiative

trip to Croke Pk for all clubs in the county. 28 clubs and a total of 89 people enjoyed a

day out in our National GAA stadium which included a tour of the site, lunch and a

historical lecture on the 1916 rising and the role of the GAA. This was a great event and

following the success of it there will be another similar event next year for all clubs. Details

to be announced in early February 2018.

39

Health & Wellbeing Seminar:

The Team held a seminar Health /Club Healthy Community in October of this year, which

was attended by 29 clubs and was hosted by St Brides Primary School, Ballymena. This

was a successful venture that served to focus on the theme of healthy club / healthy

community, which in itself is the main area of work that the GAA will seek to develop

over the next few years on a National level. The inclusion of a range of service providers

who hosted stall/information sites on the day highlighted the large range of services that

we as GAA clubs do and can use to work with our membership in promoting the

message of healthy club/ Healthy communities.

Future developments:

The Health & Wellbeing team will continue to develop this programme with all clubs over

the course of the next year and are seeking additional resources, members and new

initiatives which we can move this agenda forward. Some of the following will be

available in the coming months:

1. Healthy Club Officer Training

2. Critical Incident Plan training

3. Healthy Club programme.

4. Social Initiative trip

5. Safetalk Training

6. Heartstart training

7. Bullying Training

8. Gambling awareness training

Barney Herron

Antrim Health & Wellbeing Committee

South West Antrim Divisional Report 2017

I would firstly like to thank all our clubs that have hosted meetings and our finals this year,

you have all helped to make this a successful year for the South West Antrim division.

Hopefully with the continued developments undertaken by individuals and clubs, we

shall continue to see growth within the South West Antrim division.

Overview of All County successes.

Clubs from South West Antrim have had yet another successful year on the playing field.

At all county level our clubs have tasted success at several levels. Erin’s Own Cargin

have won the All County Division 1 League and the Reserve Championship Cup. St

Ergnat’s won the Reserve Championship Shield and Roger Casements won the Division 1

Reserve league. St Joseph’s Glenavy won the All County Division 2 League and

Ballymena All Saints the Division 2 Reserve league.

At underage Creggan Kickhams won the All County Division 1 Minor league, Cuchullians

Dunloy won the All County Division 2 Minor league and St. James’s Aldergrove won the

40

All County Minor B championship. At U14 Ballymena All Saints won the All County Division

1 title. Also at U14 Ronan Campbell from St Ergnats won the All County Gaelic Feile skills

to go on and will represent Antrim in the All Ireland competition. In Hurling St Endas won

the All County Minor Division 2 league and Tír na nÓg the U16 All County Division 2

league.

South West Antrim competitions.

I would like to firstly thank all our sponsors for their continued support this year; The U12

and U14 Football Leagues sponsored by Thomas Devlin. The U14 Feile Cup sponsored by

Heffrons Restaurant Randalstown. The U14 Feile Shield sponsored by Seamus Kelly Mace

Dunloy. The U14 Feile Hurling sponsored by Thomas McCann Plastering. Ciaran Doherty &

Co. Accountants sponsored the U16 Leagues. The Breslin Cup sponsored by Truffles

Restaurant Randalstown and the Breslin Shield sponsored by Kelly Slone Ballymoney. The

U16 Hurling championship sponsored by the Black Bull Brasserie Randalstown. The Laverty

Cup sponsored by J&P Toal Ltd.

The O’Cahan Cup sponsored by Thornton Roofing. The Abbey Cup sponsored by Kevin

McStocker Butchers Toome. The McCormick Cup sponsored by the Orchard

Randalstown.

I would like to congratulate all those who won our competitions this year. These are

shown below;

Competition Winner Referee

O Cahan cup Erin’s Own Cargin Gerard Dougan

Mc Cormack Cup Roger Casements Brendan McCartan

Laverty Cup All Saints John Moran

Breslin Cup Con Magee’s Martin Quinn

Breslin Shield Tir na Og Kevin Parke

Abbey Cup Con Magee’s Connor McNeil

U16 Hurling St Endas Vincent Boyle

Og Sport Sean Stinsons Brendan McCartan

Feile Hurling St Olcans Michael Hardy

Feile Football A All Saints Martin Gavigan

Feile Football B Tír na nÓg John Hasson

U12 FL Cup Erin’s Own Cargin Jarlath O’Donnell

Shield St Joseph’s Stephen Higgins

Plate Tír na nÓg Colin Mallon

U14 FL Cup All Saints Barry Hotchkiss

Shield Tír na nÓg Thomas Eastwood

Plate Creggan Jack McMullan

U16 FL Cup Con Magee’s Karol Docherty

Shield Cuchullains Paul McKeever

Plate Sean Stinsons Cathal McDermott

41

Antrim Minor Footballer’s v Donegal UMFC 2017

This year we have fixed 422 league and cup games, from U12 to Senior level, with over

90% played. I would like to thank Columb Walsh and John O’Boyle for their hard work in

arranging fixtures this year. It is our intention to hold development meetings with clubs to

look at ways of supporting our clubs, improving our games programme and support for

managers. I would like to thank Thomas McCann for his work in coordinating our Hurling

Go Games and to the individuals at each club who helped to run our Gaelic Go Game

blitzes at their clubs.

Referees

I would like to thank Gerard Dougan (referee coordinator) and all our referees for their

continued hard work this year. Our games will not happen without them. The demands

placed on our referees by our own competitions, All County fixtures, Provincial games,

Ladies Gaelic and Camogie fixtures, is an area we hope to look at next year. There is a

massive push on avoiding player burn out and player welfare, yet some of our referees

are covering more matches than players take part in with much less rest time between

games. We have put in place a new bye law which is being phased in each year and

will hopefully build up our pool of referees and reduce the pressure on our current

referees.

Dinner presentation

Our annual presentation was once again held at the Elk with great spread of

representation from clubs especially the youth members from our clubs.

I would like to thank all those involved in any capacity with our clubs for their hard work

this year. Thank you to all the delegates who have attended our board meetings this

year. My thanks to all those who have been members of our executive and CCC who

have spent many hours working behind the scenes to ensure the smooth running

and success of the South West Antrim divisional board this year. The South West board

would like to thank Paul Docherty for his years of service with Antrim GAA and the

42

support he has given clubs from the South West and our players through his work in

schools and development squads. Lastly, I would like to thank Columb Walsh for his work

as Chairman of the South West over the past 5 years. Columb has done a great deal of

work, mostly unseen, as Chair and will be stepping down in accordance with rule as

Chair but we hope will continue in some form to work as a representative in the South

West.

2017 Executive

Columb Walsh – Chair

Stephen Graham - Vice Chair

James McVeigh - Secretary

Stephen O'Boyle - Vice Secretary

John O'Boyle - Treasurer

Vacant - PRO

Shane McStocker - Cultural Officer

Paddy McQuillan - Football Development Officer

Tomas McCann - Hurling Development Officer

2017 SW CCC

Columb Walsh (Chair), Stephen O’Boyle (sec), John O’Boyle, Gerard Dougan, Stephen

Graham, James Mc Veigh, Karol Doherty, Gerard Mc Fall

Is mise le meas

Seamas Mac An Bheatha

Runai

43

North Antrim Divisional Report 2017

Firstly, may I thank all the volunteers; referees, umpires, club members and players, who

give freely of their time within our divisional board. They are the essential components of

the GAA in North Antrim. I wish to express our thanks to all those who sponsored

competitions throughout North Antrim this season.

The 2017 season began as always in early January with the Indoor Leagues followed

shortly after by the Airborne League. This year the U8 Indoor Leagues had 32 teams

entered and 180 games played over 3 weekends at six different venues. U10 had 54

teams and 370 games played over three weekends at eight different venues. Joining the

Antrim teams were Teams from Strabane, Ballygalget, Swatragh, Omagh, Dungannon

and Slaughtneil.

U10 Indoor Hurling Finals

Division 7 St Endas

Division 6 Naomh Padraig

Division 5 Shamrocks

Division 4 Kickhams

Division 3 Cuchullians

Division 2 Dungannon

Division 1 McQuillans

U8 Indoor Hurling Finals

Division 5 Swatragh

Division 4 Ruairi Og

Division 3 Brid Og

Division 2 Cuchullians

Division 1 Kickhams

In February TeamKit U12 & U14 Airborne Blitzes were held over two venues. In total in the

competitions involved eighteen teams from thirteen clubs entered at U12, and twenty

teams from fourteen clubs entered at U14.

U12 Airborne finals

Division 3 Winners – St Eargnats Moneyglass

Division 2 Winners – All Saints Ballymena

Division 1 Winners – Loughgiel Shamrocks

U14 Airborne finals

Division 3 Winners – St Olcans

Division 2 Winners – Loughgiel Shamrocks

Division 1 Winners – Ruairi Og Cushendall

44

U8 & U10 Go Games Blitzes started in the middle of May and ran until August. At each

blitz there were as many as twenty-five teams taking part. All clubs were asked to

respect the silent sideline ruling, and where possible young whistlers were used to referee

the games.

In May we were able to run of the u14 Féile A and B as well as the Countess of Antrim

cup. Ruairi Og were winners of the TeamKit U14 Féile A and St Enda’s winners of the

TeamKit U14 Féile B. Ruairi Og Cushendall were winners of the Countess Of Antrim Cup.

2017 was the fourth successive year of our Representative Squads. We have squads at

U10, U11, U12 and U13 who were superbly coached on a regular basis and gained

invaluable experience of playing against some of the top teams from across Ireland. Our

festival was held on the 12th and 13th August and was a great success.

Ulster SHC Antrim V Donegal

Teams from Kildare, Limerick, Dublin, Derry and Antrim competed over the weekend at

four venues giving our hurlers exposure to playing against some of the best club teams in

Ireland.

On the County scene, North Antrim Clubs were successful with Cuchullians winning the

Senior Hurling Championship and Shamrocks winning the Senior Camogie

45

Championship. Congratulations to all the North Antrim clubs who won all county

competitions this year.

In terms of activity this year a total of twenty-three teams entered North Antrim organised

competitions, nine leagues and eighteen knockout competitions.

In April the following groups represented Antrim at the Ulster Scór final; Loughgiel Ballad

Group, Moneyglass Instrumental Music group, Aisling Dean (Glenavy) in Recitation and

the Léiriú group from Glenavy. Following on from last years' 1916 Centenary, again, three

Roger Casement scholarships were presented to students going on courses in the

Gaeltacht.

In July Na Seamróga welcomed Feis na nGleann back to Loughgiel. The Feis is a

weekend festival of arts crafts and Gealic games and as such in the U16 Feis Camogie

Final Cuchullians overcame Shamrocks and again Cuchullians beat St Marys in the Senior

Feis Football. St Marys won the Junior Feis Football and Shane O'Neills lifted the Junior Feis

shield. Loch Mor dal gCais won the U16B Championship, Shamrocks claimed the

McMullan Cup and again Shamrocks lifted the Senior Feis Hurling Cup.

Finally, I’d like to thank all my fellow committee members whose tireless efforts contribute

greatly to the success of the GAA in North Antrim and thank the clubs for their continued

support to help us run GAA games in North Antrim.

Frank McCarry

An Runai

Ulster SHC Antrim V Armagh

46

South Antrim Divisional Report 2017

This year has seen an increase in playing activity in South Antrim with 19 leagues and 25

championship competitions organized by CCC. Total games played were 549 league

and 99 championship. This is an increase of 11 league and 8 champioships competitions

over the last 5 years .

In addition, Go games were played on 44 of the last 52 weeks. We have heard it say that

the GAA is dying in the city these figures and the manor in which our juveniles have

competed at all county level would suggest otherwise. As a dual division we are not yet

were we what to be. But we're getting there and with the implication of the Belfast plan

it will be another step towards senior championship honors in both codes.

Referees

Much is said about the standard of refereeing, this fault lies with the clubs and the

capability of personal they put forward to referee. South Antrim executive have

organized courses and provide assistance to existing referees, but its up to you the clubs

to provide suitable personal.

The abuse of referees in our games, (although there has been a decrease year on year

and credit to you the clubs and your members ) is still happening and if you want to

play in competitions and have games refereed then supply the manpower.

Discipline

It is pleasing to report that there has not been the same level of indiscipline this year

among players as in previous years. Clubs deserve credit for their efforts in ensuring that

their players conduct themselves in a proper manner on the playing field and play the

game within the rules.

However more worrying was the threat of violence directed to referees.

2017 Mc Kenna Cup – Antrim V Monaghan

47

Congratulations

I wish to extend congratulations to all those clubs who won various South Antrim leagues

and championships during the year. And special mention to those that won All county

titles

Lamh Dhearg - Senior Football Championship

St Brigids - Intermediate football championship

Sarsfields - Junior Football championship

Rossa U21 “A” Football championship

Rossa Minor - Football championships

St Brigid’s - u16 Football championship

Rossa - Feile A Football

Davitt’s -Feile B Football

St Paul’s- u14 B Football championship

Sarsfields - Division 3 Football league

Sarsfields - Intermediate Hurling championship

Gortnamona - Junior Hurling championship

Davitt’s - Junior B Hurling championship

Lamh Dhearg - u16 B Hurling championship

Rossa - Feile Hurling A

Davitt’s- Feile Hurling B

St Johns - Division 2 Hurling league

Sarsfields - Division 3 Hurling league

Rossa - Minor Hurling league

Future of Divisional Boards

For those that say divisional boards dont work read above, more adults more children

competing and enjoying our national games. To take away fixtures from divisional

boards will have a massive impact on the availability of games to the masses.

Thanks

We wish to record our thanks to our fellow officers and committee members for their help

and assistance during the year, to our clubs who made their grounds available to play

our championship finals, to the referees and to the members of County Antrim

executive for their help throughout the year.

48

Condolences

On behalf of South Antrim Committee, we wish to offer our sincere sympathy to any

member from within our clubs who has suffered bereavement during the past year.

Is Mise

Sean Boyle

Chairman

Ulster U21 F.C. Antrim v Monaghan

49

2017 Antrim Championship Winners

Football Competition Winner Runner Up

Senior Football Lamh Dhearg Naomh Eoin

Intermediate Football St Brigids Cuchullains Dunloy

Junior Football Patrick Sarsfields St Patricks

Reserve Cup Erin’s Own Cargin St Johns

Reserve Shield St Ergnats, Moneyglass St Brigids

U21 Football “A” O Donovan Rossa Lamh Dhearg

U21 Football “B” Tir Na nOg Cuchullains Dunloy

Minor Football 'A' O Donovan Rossa St Marys Aghagallon

Minor Football 'B' St James, Aldergrove Cuchullains Dunloy

U 16 “A” Football St Brigids Conn Magee’s

U 16 “B” Football Cuchullains Dunloy Gael an tSleibh Duibh

Og Sport Sean Stinson’s Sarsfields

U14 A Football All Saints Ballymena St Galls

U14 B Football St Pauls Tir Na nOg

Feile” A” Football O Donovan Rossa All Saints Ballymena

Feile” B” Football Davitt’s Tir Na nOg

2018 Senior Football Championship seeds

Erin’s Own St Johns St Galls Creggan

Hurling Competition Winner Runner Up

Senior Hurling Cuchullains Dunloy Ruairi Og, Cushendall

Intermediate Hurling Sarsfields Carey Faughs

Junior “A” Hurling Gortnamona Shane O Neills

Junior “B” Hurling Michael Davitt’s All Saints, Ballymena

Reserve Cup Shamrocks Loughgiel Ruairi Og, Cushendall

U21 Hurling Cuchullains Dunloy Shamrocks Loughgiel

Minor Hurling “A” Cuchullains Dunloy Naomh Padraig (N Antrim)

Minor Hurling 'B' St Galls St Enda’s

U 16 “A” Hurling Shamrocks Loughgiel St Pauls

U 16 “B” Hurling Lamh Dhearg Loch Mór Dál gCais.

Feile “A” Hurling O Donovan Rossa Ruairi Og, Cushendall

Feile “B” Hurling Davitt’s St Enda’s

2018 Senior Hurling Championship seeds

Loughgiel Cushendall Dunloy Rossa

50

2017 Antrim League Winners

Football Competition Winner Runner Up

Division 1 Football Erin’s Own, Cargin St Johns

Division 1 Reserve Casements Portglenone St Johns

Division 2 Football St Josephs, Glenavy St Enda’s

Division 2 Reserve All Saints Ballymena St Brigids

Division 3a Football Sarsfields O Donnells

Minor Football Div1 Kickhams Creggan Erin’s Own, Cargin

Minor Football Div 2a Cuchullains Dunloy St Ergnats, Moneyglass

Hurling Competition Winner Runner Up

Division 1 Hurling Shamrocks, Loughgiel Ruairi Og, Cushendall

Div 1 Reserve Hurling Ruairi Og, Cushendall Shamrocks, Loughgiel

Division 2 Hurling St Johns St Patricks, Portaferry

Division 3 Hurling Sarsfields St Enda’s

Minor Hurling Div 1 O Donovan Rossa Cuchullains Dunloy

Minor Hurling Div 2 St Enda’s St Galls

U16 Div 1 HL Shamrocks, Loughgiel Dungannon

U16 Div 2 HL Tir Na nOg Shane O Neills

51

Saffron Business Forum Members

1 AEM Limited

36 First Trust Bank

2 Alliance Medical

37 Gillan's Chemist

3 Andras Hotels

38 Glendun Nursing Home Limited

4 ATC Systems Ltd

39 Hannon Transport

5 Automation Controls ltd

40 Hart & Co Solicitors

6 B4B Telecoms

41 Hasson & Sons Ltd

7 Balmoral Hotel

42 Heron Bros Ltd

8 Bank Of Ireland

43 Irish News

9 Bathshack

44 J Haughey & Co

10 BDO Northern Ireland

45 John McQuillan (Contracts) Limited

11 Belfast Media Group

46 Kelly Stone

12 Bennett (Construction) Ltd

47 Killaney Estates Limited

13 BL Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Ltd

48 KPMG

14 Burke Systems and Solutions

49 KRD Credit Union Limited

15 Cairn Electrical Consulting Limited

50 KRW LAW LLP

16 CBRE NI Ltd

51 Lagan Group

17 Century Electrical Wholesale Ltd

52 Lambert Smith Hampton

18 Christie & McCauley

53 Lehding Services Design Ltd

19 Chroma Lighting

54 Lisburn Rd Dental & Implant Clinic

20 Contact Marketing NI Ltd

55 Lynskey Engineering Ltd

21 CPS Property 56 Macklin Group

22 Creagh Concrete 57 Maneely Mc Cann

23 Daly Park & Company Ltd 58 Manny's Fish and Chips

24 Data Dispatch Ltd 59 MCA Systems Limited

25 Deloitte LLP 60 MCE Public Relations

26 DFC NI Ltd 61 McKeague Morgan & Company

27 Dixons Contractors 62 McKeever Hotels Ltd

28 Donnelly Group 63 McLaughlin & Harvey

29 Dowds Group 64 Muldoon & Co Ltd

30 Down Royal Racecourse 65 Musco Lighting Europe Ltd

31 E McMullan Ltd 66 MW Advocate

32 ESS (Electronic & Security Services Ltd 67 Natural World Products Ltd

33 Evolve CPA 68 Northern Property

34 Evolved Enterprises Ltd 69 Northern Switchgear

35 FireProtec Ireland Ltd 70 O’Neill’s

52

71 OHMG Ltd

72 Outsource Solutions (NI) Ltd

73 Peak Physique

74 People 1st

75 PKF FPM

76 Podium 4 Sport

77 Premier Electrics

78 Radius CF

79 Rainey & Gregg

80 Sean Devine, Barrister

81 Sean Graham Bookmakers Ltd

82 Semple & McKillop Ltd

83 Senergy Innovations

84 Somerville Shopfitting Ltd

85 Sperrin Switchgear Ltd

86 Straben Limited

87 Teamkit

88 The Country Garage

89 Thornton Roofing (Ireland) Limited

90 Total Produce

91 Tughans

92 Wilson Nesbitt Solicitors

93 360 Degrees Creative

Antrim GAA encourages our patrons to support all our sponsors whenever possible.

53

Aontroim Abu

54

Antrim Senior Football Championship Sponsors Antrim Senior Hurling Championship Sponsors