ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2008
Annual General Meeting of the Clare District Soccer League.
Monday 9th June at the West County Hotel.
Present:
Chairman Jim Madden, Vice-Chairman Padraig McCullough, Secretary Oliver Fitzpatrick, Treasurer Michael McInerney, Fixtures Secretary Michael Lydon, Registrar Frank Healy, M.F.A. Delegate & Chairman Michael Leahy, M.F.A. Asst. Hon Secretary Denis O'Driscoll. Excused Committee member Paul Tuohy.
Roll call:
30 clubs: 23 present & 7 absent(6 apologies).
Minutes of 2007 AGM.
Proposed: Turnpike Rovers John Pyne
Seconded: Kilmaley Fern Celtic Gerard Healy
Chairman’s Address:
Jim Madden welcomed the clubs and began his address by referencing a letter from the Gaelscoil thanking the League for use of the County Grounds on the 7th June. The event was a great success and we were delighted to be able to help out. We really appreciate the letter from them.
The quality of coverage from the local media is great. The photographers and reporters give us tremendous coverage. We hope this continues for next season.
Thanks to Oliver for the website. We have got a lot of compliments throughout the season. It's a point of reference for everything and is often up to date within minutes of matches being finished. Thanks also to Michael and all the clubs who contribute information to the website throughout the season. The top scorer award has been a great success this season.
Thanks to our sponsors - Lynch Hotels, Husquarna Maloney Garden Machinery, Fire Stixx Premium Pellets, SEL Print, Suttons Lighting, GK Wealth Management Ltd and Prego Menswear. It was a great innovation from Prego Menswear giving vouchers to the winners and runners-up in the Cup final.
Thanks to O'Neills for the Team of the Month awards in association with the Clare Champion. Its great recognition for the clubs that do well. Delighted to be able to announce that we have a new deal done for next season. The Team of the Month awards will start in September and run for nine months. There will also be O'Neills vouchers for the winners of all the Leagues next season.
The weather caused a few problems during the season but all divisions were very competitive and long may it last.
The Oscar Traynor and Youth were disappointing this season. Hope we can remedy this for next season.
Clubs in the county are investing a lot of money in their facilities and the FAI are impressed with us here in Clare. This season we saw the appointment of our own Development Officer Denis Hynes and its great to have Denis dedicated to soccer in the county.
Thanks to everyone for their support throughout the season.
Secretary’s Report:
Welcome to our Annual General Meeting. This meeting will lay the foundation for both on field and off field activities for 2008/09 season. The AGM presents an opportunity for everyone to offer their opinions & suggestions. Thanks to all clubs who returned Nomination and Motion forms. The more competition we have for positions on the committee and for other jobs the better. It’s disappointing again that we have only one extra person interested in joining our committee.
Despite some stoppages due to the weather the past season produced some very exciting football in all divisions. The Maloney Hardware Premier League became a three horse race early on between Newmarket Celtic, Avenue Utd and Lifford. This was a very exciting contest with Newmarket Celtic marking their 40th Anniversary celebrations with victory in the title race on the second last game of the season. At the bottom of the table Kildysart Celtic & Newtown FC were relegated.
In the first division Bridge Utd A were promoted as champions and they were joined by Corofin Harps A into the Premier League. Lifford, Kilmaley Fern Celtic and Hermitage were relegated from this division.
The second division went right to the wire and was won on the last day of the season by Bridge Utd B. Turnpike Rovers were promoted to the first division as runners up and Tulla Utd were promoted after a playoff victory over Hermitage. Moher Celtic B, St Pats and Cratloe Celtic were relegated to the third division.
The third division was won in style by Rhine Rovers. Ennistymon Celtic won promotion as runners up and Cooraclare Celtic got promoted after a playoff victory over Cratloe Celtic.
The Youths league was very exciting with Moher Celtic winning the title after a playoff victory over Newmarket Celtic. It was disappointing that two teams had to withdraw from this league during the season.
In the U17 league Newtown were a good bit stronger that the rest and won the title in style. The rest of the teams in this league were competitive and some very exciting matches took place throughout the season.
The Clare Junior cup again lived up to all expectations and finished with another exciting final. Rock Rovers from the first division were deserving winners of the title with victory over their more illustrious opponents Bunratty in the final by a 2-1 scoreline. It was great to see such a large crowd at the county grounds for the final. Burren Utd won the Munster Junior Clare area final and Newtown won the FAI Junior Clare area final.
Newmarket Celtic won the Youths Cup with an easy victory over Corofin Harps in the final. Newmarket also won the FAI Youths Clare area final and Kildysart Celtic won the Munster Youths Clare area final.
Avenue Utd won the U17 Cup with a deserved victory over Newtown in the final.
It was a very disappointing season for our county teams. The Youths team started their campaign in Waterford and despite a promising first half were well beaten in the end. This was followed by another defeat at home to Cork. I would like to thank Newmarket for the use of their grounds for this match as our county grounds was unavailable. Problems getting a management team in place for our Oscar Traynor team meant preparation for our first game with West Waterford/East Cork was below the desired level required and we went down to a 4-0 defeat on the day. This result ultimately cost us our place in the knockout stages. Good performances against the Munster Senior League, Limerick League and victory over the eventual champions Limerick Desmond in a friendly were not enough to repair the damage from our first match. On behalf of the League I extend thanks to the players, and management for their efforts throughout the season.
We have already had interest from a number of people with regard to managing our county teams for next season and will be advertising for these positions in the next few weeks. I would ask clubs to encourage suitably qualified candidates to apply for these positions. I firmly believe that we have the players in the county to challenge for honors next season.
The season was marked by the anniversary celebrations of Connolly Celtic, Avenue Utd and Newmarket Celtic. St Pat’s & Tulla Utd opened their new playing facilities. The FAI CEO Mr. John Delaney opened Tulla’s new facilities. Congratulations to all involved.
This season O’Neills sports continued to sponsor the Team of the Month Awards in conjunction with the Clare Champion. This is a tremendous awards scheme for all clubs in the county and all the winners can testify to the qualify of goods received.
The League has big plans for development at our county grounds over the next few years with lights, an astro pitch and a stand just some of the ideas on the agenda. In order for development work to become a reality we will need the cooperation of all clubs to support fund raising over the next few years.
This season we setup a sub-committee to look after coaching, fundraising, development and many other areas. I would like to thank everyone who applied for a position on this committee and congratulate Keith Buckley (Shannon Olympic), John O’Neill (Lifford), Donie Garrihy (Burren Utd) and Tomas Leahy (Rock Rovers) on being selected for this committee. Members of the Executive Committee who will also be on this committee are Chairman Jim Madden, Secretary Oliver Fitzpatrick and Fixtures Secretary Michael Lydon. They will be joined on this committee by our County Development officer Denis Hynes.
This season we launched our official CDSL website www.claresoccer.net which was a big success with over 1200 hits per week once evening matches started.
It remains for me to thank my executive colleagues who put so much work into the running of this League. It would be great if more people got involved in the running of the League as some fresh ideas are always a welcome on any committee.
This season we saw the passing of our former Secretary Orla Divenney. We extend our sympathies to Orla’s family and all the families who suffered bereavements throughout the season. May they rest in peace.
Finally, I wish everyone well for the next year on and off the field.
Proposed: Rhine Rovers Ed Manley
Seconded: Bridge Utd Barry Downes
Treasurers Report:
Michael McInerney reported a profit of €13,163.73 during the past season. Income for the season amounted to €61,937.73, an increase of €13,525.83 on the previous season. Expenditure for the season came to €48,774 which was a €713 decrease on the previous season.
Affiliation fees was responsible for €38,894 in income. This was up on the previous year as all clubs paid their fees this season before the AGM. The main items of expenditure were the clubhouse and pitch (€8,768), medals and trophies (€4,963), Munster and FAI fees (€2,824).
Proposed: Bridge Celtic Jim Ryan
Seconded: Manus Celtic Pat Hayes
Fixtures Report:
Michael Lydon thanked clubs for their cooperation throughout the season. He thanked Seamus Hayes and Eoin Brennan for the tremendous coverage throughout the season. He thanked all the photographers especially John Kelly and Yvonne Vaughan. Lack of referees is still a big problem that continues to go on. He congratulated all clubs that won trophies and Tulla Utd on their new facility.
Finally he thanked all the referees, Ronnie Pyne from the schoolboys league and the committee for help throughout the year. He singled out Oliver Fitzpatrick for all the work taken off him throughout the season and for work done on the website. He wished all teams the best of luck for next season.
Proposed: Bridge Utd Barry Downes
Seconded: Newtown Tom McDaid
Registrars Report:
Franks Healy complimented all clubs for great response this season. Every penny of registrations and levy's are now paid. He appreciates how hard it is to get money these days. He reported that the Fair Play trophy winners for this season was Sporting Ennistymon (formally Ennistymon Town). Ennistymon picked up only 6 bookings throughout the whole season thus accumulating only 12 points. The highest club in the league picked up 90 points.
Proposed: Rhine Rovers Ed Manley
Seconded: Kilmaley Fern Celtic Gerard Healy
Munster FA Chairman Michael Leahy paid tribute to Tulla Utd and St Pat's on their new facilities. He reminded clubs to apply for the FAI Club of the Month award. "We suffered a tremendous loss with the passing of Orla and a close friend Paddy Cusack". He congratulated the Desmond League on winning the Oscar Traynor Cup and his own son on winning the Clare Cup. He congratulated Shane Cusack on getting a contract with Colchester in the English League. Its important that the League knows if players are going across the water. The FAI are looking at sending a Development officer officer across the water to look after the players.
Chairman Jim Madden also congratulated the Desmond League on winning the Oscar Traynor Cup and offered his condolances to Paddy Cusack's family. The Clare League have a very good relationship with the Desmond League and the FAI. The Clare League congratulate Michael Hanley from the Desmond League on being appointed the Chairman of the FAI Junior Council. He said that there would be a transfer window introduced next season and also restrictions on number of transfers between two clubs during the season. The new FAI rulebook will be out in July and these rules will apply for next season. He thanked Tommy Austin for doing a great job with the pitch at the County Grounds.
Munster FA Assistant Secretary Denis O'Driscoll spoke on the changes taking place in football and difficulties involved in running Leagues.
Election of Officers:
Robert Clancy from Kilrush Rangers withdrew his nomination as he has other commitments that would impact his role on the committee.
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. | Oliver Fitzpatrick |
| Committee | Paul Tuohy |
Motions/Proposals:
Connolly Celtic
All club team managers to hold coaching certs.
Carried unanimously. This will become a rule from start 2009/10 season.
Connolly Celtic
The League to try and recruit more referees and try to improve the standard. If this fails all clubs are to put forward a genuine person to do a course and take up refereeing (Not fill panel).
The new sub-committee will look into this.
Inch Crusaders
Change the current promotion/relegation playoff system to include semi-finals. The playoffs will consists of the team that finished 3rd bottom and the teams that finish 3rd, 4th and 5th. The teams that finish in 3rd positions would get home advantage for semi-finals.
Defeated.
Burren Utd
All clubs in the Premier and 1st Division Leagues to provide changing facilities for the 2008/09 season.
Carried unanimously. This will become a rule from start 2009/10 season.
Burren Utd
For the 2008/09 season that both technical areas be on the same side of the playing pitch and that Dug-outs are provided either as permanent or temporary structures. In our opinion this will help raise the standards in Clare.
Executive will look into this.
Burren Utd/Turnpike Rovers
The CDSL advertise the position of Oscar Traynor and Youths manager in the local papers, i.e. to seek out the best candidate with an interview process included.
Executive are already going to do this.
Burren Utd
The CDSL start the Premier Division with a League Cup competition of 2 groups of 5 for the 2008/09 season.
Not possible for next season.
Burren Utd
The CDSL start an Over 40's League during the summer of 2009 with a minimum of 10 teams. This we feel would bring people back into football who have dropped out after playing.
Executive will look into possibility running this during the season.
Turnpike Rovers
A clubs junior, youth or U17 team cannot be fixed for a match on the same night or day.
This is already the norm unless clubs ask to change Youth or U17 matches.
Executive Committee
Increase the registration fee to for adult players to €40. This is to help with the planned development work at the County Grounds.
Carried by 18 votes to 12.
Executive Committee
If registration fees, fines and levies are not paid on the designated dates there will be an additional fine of €50 for every week that payments are late.
Withdrawn as all fees were paid before the AGM.
Executive Committee
All clubs must submit to the League before the season starts an official email address for correspondence.
Carried unanimously.
Executive Committee
All clubs must submit to the League before the season starts photos of their home and away jerseys. These photos will be put on the website.
Carried unanimously.
Executive Committee
All premier division clubs must have changing facilities available for the 2008/09 season.
Already passed for premier division.
Kilrush Rangers
Teams that have to travel more than 43Km should have an afternoon K.O.
Not possible as some clubs request morning games.
Kilrush Rangers
Teams should not have to travel more than 43Km for evening kick off.
Evening kick off should be 7 pm.
Not possible.
Kilrush Rangers
K.O. time for the Sunday that the clocks go forward (summer Time) should be as follows- morning 12.00 noon and afternoon 3.00pm
Kilrush will get an afternoon game on this day.
Avenue Utd
No team should be obliged to play three matches within a period of seven days. Note: Sunday to Sunday would be considered Eight days.
Not possible but League will try to accommodate clubs as much as possible.
Kilmaley Fern Celtic
As there is no relevant rule in the book, we wish to have this treated as a new rule.
A full list of fixtures to be prepared at the start of each season.
In the case of FAI or Munster games or indeed bad weather, the period of time when mid-week games start, can then be used in the rotation in which they occur. In the case of lack of referees the games if necessary can be moved to the next available slot. Also that no club should have a special day/evening that suits them, as it may not suit their opponents.
Long debate took place on this motion and it was decided it was impossible to implement a masters fixtures list.
County Development Officer Denis Hynes informed the clubs that the he would be running coaching courses this month and in August. He can also run another course at Christmas time if there is enough demand.
The Chairman thanked the delegates and Denis O'Driscoll from the M.F.A. for their attendance and wished everyone the best for the coming season.
The meeting closed at 11.30PM.