ULGFA AGM ROUND UP

On Sunday it was back to Kelly’s Inn after a two year absence for the Ulster LGFA Convention 2023.

The first item on the agenda was the adoption of the 2022 minutes. After that Colm Murray delivered a comprehensive secretaries report. The highlight of Colm’s report was the registration figures which now stand at over 33, 000, a 14% increase on 2021. This was followed by Paul Swift’s PRO report which mentioned a number of new initiatives on the Public Relations front. Paul also noted a facebook following increase of 3,000 since the last AGM.

The CODA report outlined details of two disciplinary matters and four appeals. Cultural and Language Officer Caroline Brady deliver her report as Gaelige.

Aidan Mc Laughlin took us through a very detailed Development report. Aidan, Ciaran and Carlie have been very busy. The report reviewed the teams involvement in PR and Marketing, Volunteer Development, Coach Development, The PPS All Stars, Player Development and Referee Development.

Registration figures were excellent. Registrar Antionette Mc Cusker reported that we now 33, 876 members which is over double the 15, 403 we had in 2013. All counties bar Fermanagh increased their membership by over 10%. Tyrone and Down have both over 5000 registered members.

New Treasurer Paul Kelly and the experienced Annette Boyle did an excellent job taking care of our finances. Our gates had improved greatly thanks to the return to competitions. The bank balance is healthy going into 2023.

Niall Treanor delivered a very detailed and comprehensive fixtures report. 118 games were played compared to 81 last season.

Gerry Doherty then delivered his President’s Address. He had a special word of thanks for former President Eileen Jones who had 2 very difficult covid years. Gerry then went of to thank the officers, volunteers, full time officials and sub committee members who help keep the ULGFA show on the road.

National president Michael Naughton was also in attendance and before the election of officers said a few words of thanks to the many Ulster personnel who contribute to the running of Ladies Gaelic in the country.

The election of Officers then took place and the following executive was elected.

President – Gerry Doherty

Vice president – Hugh Devenney

Secretary – Colm Murray

Assistant Secretary – Martina Dillon

Treasurer – Paul Kelly

Assistant Treasurer – Annette Boyle

Registrar – Antoinette Mc Cusker

PRO – Paul Swift

Development Officer – to be elected at the next meeting

Culture and Language Officer – Caroline Brady

The various Ulster sub committees and Ulster delegates to National committees were ratified.

The meeting concluded with the various draws for the 2023 competitions which get underway on 25^th February.

This year’s Senior, Intermediate and junior championships will have three teams in each grade. Each team will play each other once and the top 2 will meet in the final. These competitions get underway on 30^th April when Cavan host Donegal, Tyrone meet Monaghan and Fermanagh take on Down.

Donaghmoyne 1-11 Moneyglass 1-7

Donaghmoyne had to dig deep to lift their 14th Ulster senior title against a gallant Moneyglass side.

Playing against a stiff breeze the reigning champions rushed into an early lead with points from Cathriona McConnell and Rosemary Courtney, before Orlaith Prenter then hit three in a row to edge Moneyglass ahead.

In the 13th minute Donaghmoyne suffered a major blow when wing back Hazel Kingham was red carded.

Eileen McElroy and Prenter then traded points before Donaghmoyne hit three consecutive overs. On the stroke of half-time Prenter sent over her fifth point as her side trailed by the bare minimum.

Donaghmoyne were quickly out of the blocks in the second half, extending their lead with points from Lauren Garland and Eimear Traynor. The Monaghan champs were then reduced to 13 when Rosemary Courtney was sin-binned.

McConnell and Aine Devlin then exchanged points before Moneyglass were thrown a lifeline with seven minutes left. Maria O’Neill was fouled in the box and sharpshooter Prenter buried the resulting penalty to level matters for the fifth time.

Donaghmoyne responded with points from McConnell and Amy Garland, but Moneyglass would not lie down and Prenter again pointed to close the gap to a single point.

The game was effectively won in injury-time when following good work by Eimear Traynor, substitute Grace Cumiskey netted to help her side to a four-point win.

Donaghmoyne: L Martin, J Geoghegan, N Callan, F Courtney, H Kingham, S Courtney, E Traynor, S McConnell, E McElroy (0-01), A Garland (0-02), C Courtney (0-01), R Courtney (0-02), C McConnell (0-03) (0-2f, 0-1), L Garland (0-02) (0-02f), A Burns

Subs: G Cumiskey (1-0) for S McConnell

Moneyglass: A McCann, S McErlain, E McAreavey, N Neeson, N McIntosh, R Bradley, S O’Neill, A Kelly, A Boyd, C Griffin, C Carey, M O’Neill, A Devlin (0-1), 0 Prenter (1-6) (1p, 0-04f, 0-02), B Devlin

Subs: E Mallon for S McErlain, D Duffin for A Devlin and O Rooney for E Mallon

Referee: B Rice (Down)