Meeting 10/09/2019, Ferrycarrig Hotel, Wexford
Information Bulletin
Minutes – matters arising
The minutes of the management meetings of 8 July and 12 August and of the Bord Chontae of 26 June were approved. The Cathaoirleach noted that a decision has been taken to increase payment to clubs for the use of their grounds for other fixtures to €100 or 10% of the gate, whichever is greater, from 2020 on. Higher payments will be payable where floodlights are required.
Security measures at St. Patrick’s Park will be improved following recent after hours incidents and it was also noted that a revised draft carparking policy for Innovate Wexford Park would be circulated imminently to clubs and that a new policy will be adopted once club feedback has been received. It is proposed to provide two additional passes to participating clubs in order to accommodate parking pass requests from supporters with, for instance, mobility difficulties; it is easier for clubs to assess such requests rather than having them all coming directly to the office.
A club delegate had previously asked a question regarding consistent application of fines for walkovers; the Cathaoirleach has clarified the issue in question with the CCCC but he expressed disappointment that, in reverting with information to the delegate’s club, it emerged that the issue had not been raised by the club nor had they asked their delegate to do so. Delegates were reminded of the importance of closely liaising with their club executives before and after meetings of the county board to ensure that clubs are being well represented.
Senior Football Manager
The Cathaoirleach outlined the process that had led to the nomination of Paul Galvin as senior football manager and he particularly thanked the selection committee that had led this process. He advised that the following selectors are proposed to work with the new manager:
- Tadhg O’Donoghue
- Eamonn Sayers
- Mattie Forde
- Shane Roche
The nominations were approved by the Bord Chontae and it was noted that the new management intends to hold trial games on 29 September and that the management has an open mind on players regardless of grade.
Coaching Office and Squads Update
The Coaching Officer explained that all underage squads are now finished for the year and he thanked all the mentors for their hard work and he noted that we had made good progress and are now very competitive in all age groups. Ray Harris has been appointed as our new Games Development Manager and Dara Kissane has been appointed as our high performance Games Development Administrator with a specific focus on schools and squads. Two new Games Promotion Officers have also been appointed.
Match Regulations / Team Warm-ups
On foot of ongoing complaints regarding team officials’ behaviour on match sidelines, it has been decided to adopt a “zero tolerance” approach from quarter finals onwards. There will be a particular focus on enforcing standards in Innovate Wexford Park and management met with referees two weeks ago to discuss this. It has been explained to referees that tolerance of poor behaviour on the sideline is a disincentive to recruitment of new referees and our referees have been asked to ensure that they report any abuse or irregular sideline behaviour in their match reports. In addition, it is now proposed to have a member of the management committee on the sideline in Innovate Wexford Park to enforce sideline rules. Delegates were reminded that two selectors from a participating team are permitted to stand on the sideline in addition to two hurl / water carriers, plus one doctor / physio. Details in this regard, plus other relevant information about issues such as warm-up areas, will be circulated shortly to clubs
Cairde Loch Garman and Commercial activity update
Membership of Cairde grew to more than 700 people this year and, on the commercial side, meetings are ongoing with potential sponsors on a range of areas, including naming rights. While those discussions are currently at a sensitive juncture it is hoped to have information on a number of major sponsorship announcements at the October Bord Chontae meeting. Delegates were asked to mark 10 October in their diaries for a fundraising event in the Spiegeltent on Wexford Quay, a panel discussion review of the sporting year. Finally, it was noted that Dominic Smith Electrical has come on board as the senior football club championship sponsor.
Other business
In response to a request for an update regarding the potential reappointment of Davy Fitzgerald as senior hurling manager the Cathaoirleach noted that he had spoken the previous week with Davy who has expressed to him his serious annoyance and frustration at a recent local newspaper report which was utterly incorrect and had no foundation in fact. At a time when the current manager is still evaluating whether he is in a position to recommit it is very unhelpful to have baseless speculation by a local journalist. The Cathaoirleach expressed his disappointment at another “fake news” article by this journalist in the local newspaper which has not helped the cause of Wexford GAA and its supporters. He hoped that, notwithstanding the fabricated newspaper story, there would still be a positive outcome and that the current hurling management would remain. A delegate complimented the Cathaoirleach and his team on how this matter is being handled and said it was entirely understandable after a long and excellent season that a good amount of reflection time would be needed.
The Rúnaí acknowledged the excellent service as administrator by Maire O’Connor who has resigned after 15 years to pursue a new, fulltime opportunity. He said that he is sorry to lose her skills, experience and work ethic and that a recruitment campaign will now commence for a new part-time administrator. Several delegates spoke very highly of Maire and all agreed that she will be greatly missed.
Kilrush-Askamore has met with the management committee regarding a potential opportunity to acquire land at auction that would significantly improve the club’s facilities. The timing of any such opportunity is uncertain so the Bord Chontae agreed to delegate to the management committee the power to recommend approval to Croke Park of borrowing by the club, should it arise.
The date for the New York Hurling Classic at Citi Field in Queens, New York, has been confirmed now for Saturday 16 November, and arrangements are being made for favourable rates at a centrally located hotel for Wexford GAA supporters. It is hoped to circulate information in this regard to club in the coming days.