Bulletin following Management Committee Meeting on 4 January 2022.
Micheál Martin, Cathaoirleach CLG Loch Garman, welcomed all to the meeting, in particular the new members of the committee. He set out that while bulletins are released after each meeting, the confidentiality of discussions was paramount. He also asked members that they state any conflicts of interest that they may have at the start of each meeting.
Strategic Plan
The Strategic Plan and, in particular, the actions outlined within it, will be reviewed and updated as part of the ongoing review and implementation of the Plan.
Infrastructure
Minister Jack Chambers TD has been invited to visit both Chadwicks Wexford Park and Halo Tiles Wexford GAA Centre of Excellence in January to discuss planned developments.
Meetings were held with the parties that objected to the planning submission for Halo Tiles COE and agreement was reached to the satisfaction of all parties. A new planning application will be submitted for our proposed developments in Halo Tiles COE in the near future.
Recruitment
Micheál Martin set out that the recruitment of good people, both as volunteers and on staff, is key to the success of Wexford GAA and the delivery of the Strategic Plan.
A good response has been received to a recent call for people to come forward if interested in serving on county committees. The invitation remains open for others to come forward: https://forms.office.com/r/yChnaTb80Z
James Flynn has recently been appointed to the open Games Development Administrator role with interviews for the vacant GPO positions scheduled for later in January.
The recruitment process for a Commercial, Communications & Administrative Executive is ongoing with the recruitment process for a Head Groundskeeper to commence during the month.
Discussions and recruitment are also continuing with regard to further development of the High-Performance Plan for Hurling.
Inter-County Teams
The Inter-County season commences this weekend with both the Senior Hurlers and Senior Footballers facing Laois.
The Footballers play Laois in the O’Byrne Cup in Hollymount at 2pm on Saturday. This game was moved from St. Patrick’s Park following a request from the Senior Football Management Team. They will also face Wicklow on Wednesday, 12 January 2022 and Meath on Saturday, 15 January, both games away.
The Hurlers face Laois on Sunday at 2pm in the Walsh Cup in Rathdowney. They will also face Kilkenny on Sunday, 23 January 2022 in Chadwicks Wexford Park.
The U20 and Minor hurling and football teams have finalised or are close to doing so their panels for the year. The Minor hurling and football Leinster championships are due to commence in March with U20 hurling and football championships starting in April. The U20 footballers will also play in a U20 Football Development league in February.
Micheál Martin noted that the earlier start for U20s and Minors with the split season has created more pressure than before on training facilities and floodlit pitches. A 4G pitch and additional floodlit pitches would be of immense benefit to Wexford.
Fixtures Review Group
The Fixtures Review Group has met several times over the past weeks and plans to bring a proposal to Coiste Bainistí for submission to County Board in respect of structures for Adult leagues and championships for 2022. Clubs have also been invited to make submissions on the same, the deadline for which is Friday, 14 January 2022.
All proposals for consideration at the January County Board Meeting will be circulated on Tuesday, 18 January 2022 to allow clubs to review them in advance of the meeting.
Kilanerin / Tara Rocks Arrangement
Both Kilanerin-Ballyfad and Tara Rocks GAA Clubs voted at their respective AGMs to seek permission to continue the arrangement that currently prevails between the clubs at adult level. Both clubs have been requested to present to Coiste Bainistí on their progress against the targets agreed in 2019 prior to the matter being voted upon at the January County Board Meeting.
CEO Update
Gavin O’Donovan, CEO/Operations Manager, provided an update on a number of items, including:
- The gym in Halo Tiles COE has been upgraded, with new weights, benches, and cardio machines. A graphic is currently being designed to finish the upgrade to include the names of all players who won Senior All-Ireland Football and Hurling titles for Wexford.
- There were strong sales of both 2022 Club Cards and memberships of Cairde Loch Garman prior to Christmas.
- The Cairde Loch Garman Club Player of the Year Awards sponsored by Glen Fuels has been postponed until Sunday, 23 January 2022. Full details will be released in the coming days.
- An upgrade of the Wexford GAA website is being planned.
- A new home jersey is due to be launched in February/ March 2022 and design options are being explored currently.
Upcoming Dates
14 January 2022 Deadline for submission of 2022 Championship/League Proposals
16 January 2022 Management Meeting
17 January 2022 Leinster Convention
23 January 2022 Glen Fuels Cairde Loch Garman Club Player of the Year Awards
25 January 2022 County Board Meeting
28 January 2022 Transfer Request Deadline
28 January 2022 Isolated Player Applications
