A meeting of Coiste Contae CLG Loch Garman was held in the PC Peripherals Education Hub at Chadwicks Wexford Park on Thursday March 27th, 2025. Matters discussed were as follows:
Correspondence
A letter from Marion Doyle, Administrator with CLG Loch Garman, was read to the meeting. It thanked the GAA community for the sympathy and support shown to her family in the wake of the recent loss of her brother Paul O’Brien in a tragic accident.
Correspondence was also received from Peter Kenny (Fr. O’Regan’s Craanford), thanking the GAA community for its support for the ‘Big Splash for Little Heroes’ event in aid of the Laura Lynn Children’s Hospice. In excess of €70,000 was raised.
Club Development Loans
Approval was granted for Club Development Loans for St. Anne’s Rathangan (for the installation of floodlights and other works) and Na Fianna Clonard (for the purchase of land at St. Peter’s College).
Coaching & Games
Coaching Officer Kevin Doyle told how Part 2 of Club Coaching Plans are due to be submitted by March 31st. Only twelve have been returned so far, and he appealed to the other clubs to make sure theirs is submitted on time. He said staff in the Coaching Office at Chadwicks Wexford Park are available to help if there are any issues encountered.
Kevin also confirmed that Féile na Gael is to be held in Wexford on Saturday June 21st this year, while Féile Peil will be held in Derry on Saturday June 28th. Our qualifying games for Féile na Gael will be held over the Easter weekend, while qualifying games for Féile Peil will be held on the May Bank Holiday weekend.
Central Council Report
Central Council delegate Michéal Martin told how the upcoming meeting is to consider the matter of ‘outside managers’ at both club and inter-county level, with a view to bringing motions to Congress 2026.
In relation to Féile, he said he has raised the fact that there may be a clash again for Wexford that day if our senior hurlers are again involved in an All-Ireland quarter-final. An tUachtarán Jarlath Burns has given a commitment to try find a solution should this happen.
Michéal also spoke about the central model for allocating Coaching & Games funding to counties. He said it is based on the number of registered members in each county, that it is clear that not all Wexford clubs are registering all underage members, and our funding is being affected because of this. Some of the larger clubs in the county only have in the region of 50 registered underage members.
Leinster Council Report
Leinster Council delegate PJ Howlin told of the successful attempts to alleviate a severe fixtures clash for Wexford on Saturday March 29th, after our senior footballers qualified for the League Final in Croke Park that evening. Our U20 hurling match, originally scheduled for 2 p.m. that day, was brought forward to 12.30 p.m., while our minor football match, also originally scheduled for 2 p.m., was put back to Sunday.
He also told how ticket prices have been decided for this year’s Leinster Senior Hurling & Football Championships, and how there is a slight reduction on last year.
Child Safeguarding
Children’s Officer Des Croke reported that Child Safeguarding training is progressing well this year, with 29 clubs having already had in-house training. Other clubs may contact him should they wish to have the same.
A Safeguarding 2 course for club Children’s Officers has also been run, and was attended by 20 people (the maximum permitted). A second such course can be run if there is sufficient demand.
Des also spoke about the Safeguarding 3 course for club DLPs (Designated Liaison Persons). He said all clubs should have a DLP, or otherwise the role becomes the responsibility of the Club Chairperson.
He also told how each club will soon be required to complete a Risk Assessment study. An information webinar will be held on April 12th, and the deadline for submission will be May 12th. Croke Park will check whether all clubs comply, and any clubs who do not comply will not be allowed to continue with training or matches.
Des said he is available to help at all times with all of the above.
Quid Games
Chairperson John Kenny said the response has been good so far to the Quid Games fundraiser for the Halo Tiles Centre of Excellence, to be held on Friday April 18th. It was particularly good to see a number of clubs running fundraisers of their own.
He confirmed that in areas which have Camogie and/or LGFA units as well as GAA, the expectation is that the required contribution will be split between those units. Treasurer Brian McDonald said this can be communicated formally in writing to any club if necessary.
Club & County Draw
Tickets have now been distributed for this year’s Club & County Draw. Chairperson John Kenny encouraged all clubs to make the usual big effort, saying it can be a very valuable source of income for clubs too.
Clubber TV
Chairperson John Kenny confirmed that CLG Loch Garman have entered into an agreement with Clubber TV for the streaming of club championship matches later this year. He expressed sincere thanks to all in Wexford GAA TV who have provided streaming over the past number of years, saying it was born out of necessity during Covid restrictions, and evolved into a very valuable and much-appreciated service.
John said the agreement with Clubber TV represents a good deal not only for CLG Loch Garman but also for the supporter, as they can purchase a season pass for only €149.99 which entitles them to watch as many games as they want, from all around the country.
Delegates were assured that Clubber TV’s intention is to show at least as many matches as were previously covered, while there is also provision for them to continue with weekly previews and other pieces.
Aon Ghnó Eile
Irish & Cultural Officer Tony Dempsey said applications for this year’s Comhairle Laighean Gaeltacht Scholarships will soon open, and details are to be sent to clubs.
Safety & Facilities Officer Dave Tobin said there are a number of big matches coming up in Chadwicks Wexford Park, and any new volunteers for stewarding duty would be very welcome.
A delegate thanked the County Board for making a subsidy available to any club running a bus to Croke Park for the Football League Final.
The meeting concluded with Chairperson John Kenny congratulating our senior footballers on winning all matches during the group stage of the League, and wishing them well for their final in Croke Park.
Next meeting of Coiste Bainistí: Monday April 7th
Next meeting of Coiste Contae: Thursday April 24th
