Bord nÁ¡ nÓg AGM 2019

The annual Bord na nOg Convention was held in UPMC Nowlan Park on Wednesday night. A full comprehensive review of the years events took place over the course of the meeting. Secretary Willie Dempsey addressed the meeting where he described the year as average by Kilkenny standards. The Thomastown native addressed the issue of 3 minor inter county games being played in April which will cause issues with minor club league fixtures. A trial of playing two league fixtures without minor players was a partial success as most clubs honoured this agreement. Mr Dempsey thanked the co-operation of the primary schools of running off schools fixtures by the end of May. Finally he praised the volunteers in particular Caroline Morrissey in UPMC Nowlan Park & officers of the county bord for all their efforts sometimes into the wee hours of the night. Treasurer Ray Byrne was pleased to announce another surplus for the year which has seen a total in excess of €18,000 being transferred to the coffers of the county bord. He thanked all those who helped on gates in particular Ollie Roche and the clubs who were most obliging. The Glenmore man also acknowledged the generous sponsorship of Duggan Steel & Kilkenny Honda Centre. Chairman John Byrne addressed the meeting. He praised the work of the committee for 2019 and congratulated all winners throughout the in U-13, U-15 & U-17.  The Bennetsbridge man wished Richie Mulrooney & his minor management all the best for 2020 but he did note the round robin of the minor inter county championship in the all Ireland series being a particular concern. John Reid & Mary Fitzgerald were thanked for their efforts as they were stepping down from vice chairperson & registrar under the 5 year rule. Mr Byrne pointed out the main reason for the delay in games this year was down to clubs looking for postponements. For example the U-15 Roinn B league should have taken 9 dates to complete instead it took 29. This lead to a situation overall where Bord na nOg should have needed 76 dates to complete games barring draws instead it took 236, something which cannot continue as it leads to fixture congestion at the latter stages of the year. County Bord Chairman Jimmy Walsh addressed the meeting and pointed out that the challenge for everyone was to improve things for 2020. He noted the Bord na nOg column was a success under Patrick O’Flynn and hoped it would continue into 2020. Conor Deniffe, Vice Chairman PJ Kenny, Treasurer Barry Hickey Central Council Delegate Ned Quinn all spoke. Officers Elected Chairman: John Byrne (Bennetsbridge)Vice Chairman: Mary Fitzgerald (Tullogher Rosbercon) Secretary: Willie Dempsey (Thomastown) Treasurer: Ray Byrne (Glenmore) PRO: Patrick O’Flynn (St Martins) Registrar: Ollie Roche (Carrickshock) A number of recommendations was put before the meeting. A number of clubs were in favour of full size pitch at U-13 level was the most popular & it was agreed to defer all to the first meeting of the year.