December is Convention month in Kilkenny and the season kicks off with Bord na nOg this Thursday Dec 1st in Nowlan Park at 8pm. This will be followed on Monday 5th with The Football Board also in Nowlan Park at 8pm. It will be the turn of the Handball Board on Wednesday 7th in Nowlan Park. Then on the following Monday Dec 12th The North Convention take place in Nowlan Park and the South in Mullinavat GAA on Tuesday 13th. [Please note change of date for South Convention] The County Convention takes place on Thursday 15th December in O’Loughlin Gaels. Clubs are encouraged to ensure that they are represented at all these important gatherings.
Bord na nOg Convention Report
There was a large attendance in Nowlan Park for the 2016 convention. The main development from the night was the new County Feile/Development Squad Selection Amalgamation Plan. The plan sees the Feile Blitz being used as selection for the u-14 Development squad which was explained by Seamus Norriss (Piltown) from the development squads & questions were fielded by new development squads Chairman Pat Tynan. It’ll see all players up to the age in the county get a chance to impress the county coaches & help with the selection of players for the squads. There was much debate on the proposal which was largely welcomed by those in attendance and was passed by the meeting. The meeting was addressed by Chairman John Byrne. In his address, the Bennetsbridge man thanked all those who helped him during his first term of office. He congratulated all clubs on their successes through out the year & praised those in particular who ensured hurling stayed alive in those age groups where numbers were short. Brendan O’Sullivan was heartily thanked for his service to hurling in Kilkenny over the years which no words were needed to describe added Mr Byrne. Secretary Willie Dempsey gave a detailed account of the years games & activities and was honest in his appraisal of the year. The Thomastown native praised the huge efforts of Brendan O’Sullivan as head of the development squads & county coaching officer who has retired. Mr Dempsey also admitted the last minute postponements of games is something which he will continue to stamp out. The Secretary felt as though the new fixtures calendar which had being worked on since last years convention and implemented this year was of a huge success. Treasurer Ray Byrne informed the meeting of the financial affairs of the Bord and was happy to tell those in attendance that there was an increase in the surplus for the years activities. Chairman Ned Quinn, Vice Chairman Conor Deniffe, Secretary Jimmy Walsh & Treasurer Barry Hickey all praised the efforts of the Bord during 2016 & wished them well in 2017. There was a number of motions put before the meeting. Motion 1. Bennetsbridge: bye law section 1.2Re: Composition of County Board.That Bord na nOg be allowed the same representation on County Board as Football Board, Northern Board & Southern Board i.e Chairperson & Secretary to hold positions with voting rights. Carried to the County Convention Motion 2. That club themselves be allowed to determine whether Juvenile Teams be regraded to a higher Roinn for the following year after winning the championship at U14/U16 level but they would be automatically promoted to a higher Roinn for the second year. Deferred to the second meeting. Officers ElectedChairman: John Byrne (Bennetsbridge)Vice Chairman: John Reid (Dunamaggin)Secretary: Willie Dempsey (Thomastown)Treasurer: Ray Byrne (Glenmore)Registrar: Mary Fitzgerald (Tullogher Rosbercon)PRO: Patrick O’Flynn (St Martins)
By Mary Morgan Tue 29th Nov
