ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2007
Annual General Meeting of the Clare District Soccer League.
Monday 18th June at the Clare Inn Hotel.
Secretary’s Report:
The past season which was marred by a long stoppage due to the weather in Dec & Jan still produced excellent competitive football in all divisions. The Maloney Hardware Premier League again went right down to the last game with Bridge Celtic winning the title in fine style in Sixmilebridge.
The runners up Moher Celtic had kept the pressure on right up to the end. At the bottom of the table Shannon Olympic & Mountshannon Celtic were automatically relegated and were joined by Bridge Utd following the playoffs.
In the first division Burren Utd were promoted as champions and they were accompanied by Kildysert Celtic and Bunratty into the Premier League.
The second division was won in style by Kilrush Rangers who scored 50 goals in their League campaign; they also won the League Cup. Lifford B was also promoted to the first division as runners up.
The third division was won by Moher Celtic B, completing a successful season for the club. Manus Celtic and Inch Crusaders were promoted after playoff victories.
At Youth and U17 level we had another season where could have been better applies. Lifford, Moher Celtic and Newtown dominated the scene.
It is disappointing that a number of Premier League Clubs do not field teams at this level. In the future it’s likely that the FAI will implement a qualification system for participation at the top grade which will include fielding underage teams.
Proper changing facilities for visiting teams are also likely to feature, and in the next two or three seasons facilities will become a requirement for playing in the Premier grade.
The Oscar Traynor team had a good season, getting to the quarter final stage where we were beaten by the Amateur Football League on the astro turf pitch in Coolock. On the day the team did not play up to the level of previous games. The Amateur Football League went on to win the trophy. On behalf of the League I extend thanks to the players, and management for their tremendous efforts throughout the season.
The season was marked by the continued development of playing facilities by clubs across the county such as Newmarket Celtic, St Pat’s, Tulla Utd and Lifford.
During the season Corofin Harps celebrated 40 years with a great weekend of soccer marked by the visit of John Delaney CEO, FAI and Ronnie Whelan to the county.
John Delaney, Packie Bonner and Michael Leahy, Chairman MFA attended the opening of Newmarket Celtic’s new development.
We were delighted to welcome O’Neill’s sports on board to sponsor the Team of the Month Awards in conjunction with the Clare Champion.
At the end of the season the Clare Junior cup created a great level of anticipation and the final lived up to the expectations and an excellent game took place at the County Grounds with Avenue United beating Moher Celtic 2-1 AET.
The League was disappointed that only eight clubs Kilrush Rangers, Kilmaley Utd, Turnpike Rovers, Burren Utd, Avenue Utd, Rhine Rovers, Inch Crusaders and Bridge Utd returned forms for the AGM.
Finally thanks to the members of the executive and officials of the clubs for their help and co-operation during the season.
Treasurers Report:
Michael McInerney reported a loss of €1,076 during the past season. Income for the season amounted to €48,411.90, an increase of just over €10,000 on the previous season. Expenditure for the season came to €49,487 which was €11,000 greater than the previous season.
Affiliation fees was responsible for €32,165 in income while the main items of expenditure were the clubhouse and pitch (€10,530), medals and trophies (€4,618), Munster and FAI fees (€2,663).
Fixtures Report:
Michael Lydon summarised the season. He expressed disappointment no team from Clare advanced to the latter stages of the FAI and Munster junior cups. He congratulated Eddie Corry and all involved with the Oscar Traynor team on reaching the quarter final of the competition. He said he was concerned with the ongoing issue of a shortage of referees. From a course ran earlier this year with 50 participants we only got one full time referee. He complemented Denis Hynes on the excellent work done coaching underage teams in the county.
Finally he thanked all the clubs, referees, Ronnie Pyne, Brendan Wall, Ger Delaney, Barry Downes, Mark Ward and the committee for help throughout the year. He wished the new teams in the Premier League, Kildysert & Burren the best of luck for next season.
Registrars Report:
Franks Healy reported that the Fair Play trophy winners for the season were Connolly Celtic. Majority of clubs gave great response this year. It’s important that money comes in on time. Fines are now due last day of the month.
Chairman Jim Madden expressed disappointment that “none of our clubs contested the latter stages of either the FAI or Munster Junior Cups.” He believes that our clubs should concentrate more on the Munster Junior Cup as it is a more likely target for us. In this years final there were five players from Clare involved and two of these were on our Oscar Traynor team in recent years.
He paid tribute to the clubs for their work and congratulated those that won the various titles. He paid tribute to the members of the executive “who give freely of their time to work for the promotion of soccer” and those who help with the preparation and presentation of the county grounds.
He thanked Eddie Corry for work done with the Oscar Traynor team. They played superb football away from home throughout the season and playing the quarter final on astro turf swung the balance to the Amateur League who went on to win the competition.
Looking ahead to the new season it was his hope that the website will be developed.
Finally he said he was very proud that our own Michael Leahy was the Munster FA Chairman and welcomed the Munster FA Hon Secretary Gerard Delaney to the AGM.
Munster FA Chairman Michael Leahy paid special tribute to Corofin on their 40th anniversary celebrations, to Newtown on their 30th anniversary, to Newmarket Celtic on the opening of their new facilities and to clubs who are progressing with their development plans and here he had special mention for Lifford, Tulla and St Pat’s.
He appealed to Clare clubs to nominate players they consider worthy for Munster under 17 trials.
Munster FA Secretary Ger Delaney spoke of the demise of youth football in every league across the country. “Its something we must address”. He congratulated clubs on improved facilities across the county. He appealed to clubs to apply for club of the month awards promoted by the Munster association. Seminars will be held across the country in the coming months to discuss aspects of the game and he urged clubs to attend one of these upcoming seminars.
Election of Officers:
Orla Diviney Secretary and Michael White Vice Chairman did not seek re-election. Oliver Fitzpatrick Inch Crusaders was proposed by Inch Crusaders and seconded by Bridge Celtic for Secretary Position and was unanimously appointed. Padraic McCullough was proposed by Kilmaley Utd and seconded by Avenue Utd for Vice Chairman Position and unanimously appointed. The rest of the committee retained their positions as they were not contested. The committee is:
| Chairman | Jim Madden |
| Secretary | Oliver Fitzpatrick |
| Treasurer | Michael McInerney |
| Fixtures Secretary | Michael Lydon |
| Registrar | Frank Healy |
| Vice Chairman | Padraic McCullough |
| M.F.A. Delegate | Michael Leahy |
| P.R.O. | Jim Madden |
| Committee | Paul Tuohy |
Motions/Proposals:
- Premier League games to kick off on Sunday at 11am where possible. Carried unanimously.
- All clubs to attend a meeting with referees before season starts on disciplinary matters. All questions to be sent to league secretary before this meeting. Carried unanimously.
- Delegate meetings to be held in the West County Hotel Ennis. Carried unanimously.
- Denis Hynes to be appointed manager of the Clare Youth team. Not allowed.
- All teams to pay 1st moiety of registration with Master Form. No exceptions. If payment is not included form will be returned (League Executive). It was decided to redraft the master registration form and put dates on it. Rule 22 has no dates and dates will be added to rule.
- Disciplinary Fines to be paid on or before time specified by registrar. No payment No Game (League Executive). Already in the rules.
- Retain the present system of 3rd Place playoffs. Proposed by Hermitage and seconded by Inch Crusaders. Carried unanimously.
- All teams agreed to use 5 subs in the Clare League Domestic competitions. Chairman Jim Madden said it was against FAI rules and could not be introduced. Munster Secretary Ger Delaney said that FIFA will not allow it and so the FAI ruling is for 3 subs.
- Fixtures in Premier and 1st Division to be played on Saturday afternoon. Defeated unanimously.
- €100 levy on all clubs to prepare and develop our U17 and U18 players in the league. Proposed by Bridge Celtic and seconded by Newtown. The motion was carried.
FAI coaching Officer Denis Hynes stressed to those present at the meeting that coaching is important and urged the clubs to avail of the services of the FAI coaching officers around the country. We need to start with small improvements and go forward from there.
The Chairman thanked the delegates and our guests from the M.F.A. for their attendance and wished everyone the best for the coming season.
The meeting closed at 11.30PM.