AGM – last Friday the club’s AGM for 2017 took place in the community centre. The usual reports were given looking back on the year where highlights consisted of both U12 and U14s reaching finals while the U16 St. Pat’s Team won the Division 1 Shield Final. Following the various reports election of officers for 2018 took place with minimal change.
Presidents – Frank Connolly, Hugh Duffy, Tommy Mc Ardle
Chairperson – Martin Mc Elearney
Vice Chairperson – Gerry Finnegan
Secretary – Paul Mc Guirk
Assistant Secretary – Dympna Mulligan
Treasurer – Philip Mc Adam
Assistant Treasurer – John Reilly
PRO – Noel Duffy
Children’s Officer – Donal Mc Adam (as proposed by outgoing executive)
Youth Officer – Donal Mc Adam
Coaching Officer- Cormac Duffy
Player’s Rep – Paddy Mulligan
Development Officer – Séamus Duffy
Healthy Club Officer – Gavin Sheridan
Cultural Officer – Pauline Grogan
Co. Board Delegate – Gavin Sheridan
Juvenile Official of the Year – Congratulations to our Children’s and Youth Officer Donal Mc Adam who was announced as 2017 Juvenile Official of the Year at Monaghan 2018 Convention last Thursday 7th December . Certainly well deserved. Donal will receive his award at the Annual Awards Night on January 19th in the Four Seasons.
Foundation Courses – The club will require additional help with our Under 6-8 players in 2018. The County Board are running 2 Foundation courses one on the 19th / 20th January and another on 9th /10th February 2018. In order to work with juveniles you must do the course first. So anyone interested in helping out should contact Cormac Duffy on 087-0963941 to book onto these.
Scór na nÓg Ulster Semi Final took place last Sunday the 10th of December in Swatragh, Derry. Hard luck to the Céili (Rachel Brennan, Shauna Lennon, Aoife Lennon, Sinéad Duffy, Annmarie Lavelle, Laura Mc Mahon, Sinead Grogan and Niall Grogan) and Set Dancers (Chloe Treanor,Sinead Grogan, Annmarie Lavelle, Rebecca Brennan, Aoife Duffy, Katie Lennon, Ciara Mc Adam and Catherine Walsh) who made the long but unsuccessful journey to compete. Congratulations to Katie Boyle from Aghabog who qualified for the final.
Sympathy is extended to the Lavelle Family, Mullan on the death of Anne’s brother Fr. Joe Mc Cluskey . Also to Gerry Connolly on the death of his mother Rose.
Pitch Closed – after the 3 Cumann na mBunscol Finals on Friday last the 1st of the December both pitches are now closed for the next two months as they undergo end of season maintenance in preparation for 2018. Thanks to all those who kept in good shape throughout the year especially Jimmy Mc Shane all year, Michael Mooney in the earlier part and Darius in the last few months.
Valuing the Volunteer – on Wednesday 13th of December in the Four Seasons Frank Connolly was recognised by the County Board for all he has done for the Drumhowan Club over the years. Please read below the citation read out on the night.
Frank arrived to Drumhowan in 1957 and has been ever present to this day. For the first 2 years he mainly played at half back. In 1960 he moved to full back. This year Drumhowan captured the Junior Double and went unbeaten. A coincidence perhaps or maybe not. Frank remained at this position until his retirement in 1972 – however when the need arose he continued to tog out on occasions.
However playing was only the beginning. Before he stopped Frank became chairman of the club in1968 and remained in that position until 1978 apart from 1971. He then became joint treasurer for a period of 4 years. This wasn’t the only role that Frank had during this period. From 1974 till the mid 90’s Frank was either manager or selector of the Senior Team. Highlights were capturing the Junior Championship in 1991 and then the Intermediate Championship in 1993.
He also along with Hugh Duffy was groundsman after the opening of Páirc Mhic Eoin in 1985 and during this period the field was awarded ground of the year on a number of occasions.
To this day Frank remains a member of the club executive and rarely misses a meeting. He can be seen at most games making sure there’s an umpire in place. When Frank asks it’s hard to say no. He also makes sure the cars are properly parked at championship games. There are no gaps when Frank’s about. He can even persuade some of the more senior players to give it another year when others can’t.
Frank Connolly a Drumhowan man for the ages.
