Wexford GAA Bulletin

Bulletin following Coiste Bainistí Meeting on 4 January 2024.

League & Championship Proposals 2024

Coiste Bainistí reviewed the submissions from clubs regarding league and championship proposals for 2024 that are to be voted upon at the County Committee meeting on 18 January. In respect of the championship calendar, there was no proposal received to continue the split season approach that has been used in the past few years. Various proposals in respect of the championship structure were received, including expanded league/championship structures, four groups of 3, three groups of 4 and two groups of 6.

Coiste Bainistí will propose and support that the championship be played on the basis of:

• Alternative blocks of two or three weeks for each code as set out by CCC to best suit our calendar
• Two groups of six
• Semi-finals and finals in both codes to be played on alternative weeks to allow time between quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals (if a team is not involved in the final stages of both codes)
• That the CCC has the flexibility to use any spare weekends available to facilitate a rest weekend for players and to allow for the impact of Fleadh on the County if the calendar allows (it is likely that mid-week games will be played during the period of Fleadh Ceoil na hÉireann)

Following an analysis of results and competitiveness in championships from 2019 to 2023, it is clear that a significant gap has emerged between the top teams in Gaelic football at each grade. In order to increase competitiveness and improve standards, Coiste Bainistí will also bring a proposal to County Committee to reduce the number of teams in each grade of football championship from the existing twelve teams to eight teams for the 2025 championship season, with the championship gradings for 2025 to be based upon results from the 2024 football championship.

From an All-County League perspective, Coiste Bainistí will propose to return to the league structure of 2022, whereby each team played in the league against the teams in the other group in their championship grade. In addition, the winners of the league would each receive one additional point in their respective Championship group.

Donation from JP McManus

On behalf of Wexford GAA and the GAA, Camogie and LGFA Clubs of Wexford, appreciation was expressed to JP and Noreen McManus and their foundation for their extremely generous donation to the Gaelic Games family in Wexford. The basis for the allocation of the donation was discussed and a meeting will be held with Wexford Camogie and Wexford LGFA in advance of finalising the distribution to clubs in the County. This meeting will also discuss the upcoming Quid Games fundraiser and the establishment of the Oversight Committee for Halo Tiles COE.

Organisation Structures

There is an ongoing review of organisational structures within Wexford GAA following the announcement that Gavin O’Donovan will step down from his role at the end of January. The position of Operations Manager will be advertised next week with the recruitment process led by the HR Department in Croke Park. It is expected that this role will not be filled until 1 April 2024. Staff roles and responsibilities are being reviewed to ensure that all functions supported by our staff continue to operate in the interim period. A presentation in this regard will be made to the January County Committee meeting.

Upcoming Dates