Comhairle Laighean C.L.G.Tionolfar

COMHDHÁIL CINN BLIANA2006 - 2007

in Longford Arms Hotelar an Sathairn, 3ú Márta, 2007

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10.30a.m. TEA/COFFEE

11.00a.m. WORKSHOPS

1.00p.m. LUNCH

2.10p.m. REGISTRATION

2.15p.m. (a) ConventionOpens (b) AddressbyCathaoirleachCoisdeCo.LongphortC.L.G.

2.30p.m. (a) Minutesof2006Convention (b) DiscussionofReportofChiefExecutive (c) DiscussionofSubCommitteeReports

3.00p.m. ELECTIONOFTREASURER(FirstBallot)

3.05p.m. REVIEWOFACCOUNTSOFCOMHAIRLELAIGHEANC.L.G.

3.15p.m. ELECTIONOFP.R.O.(FirstBallot)

3.20p.m. ADDRESSBYANCATHAOIRLEACH

3.40p.m. ELECTIONOFP.R.O.(SecondBallot)

3.45p.m. GUESTSPEAKERS

4.00p.m. FORMALELECTIONOFOFFICERS

4.10p.m. NARÚIN

4.15p.m. TEA/COFFEE-CONVENTIONCLOSES

EachcountyisentitledtothefollowingDelegaterepresentationatConvention,inadditiontoitstworepresentativesontheProvincialCouncil:

Ceatharloch 5 CillMhantain 6 Iarmhi 5 AnMhí 6AnLú 5 Longphort 5 CillDara 6 UibhFháilí 6CillChainnigh 5 Laois 6 ÁthCliath 6 LochGarman 6

AbriefmeetingoftheincomingLeinsterCouncilwillbeheldimmediatelyafterConvention,atwhichonlyurgentbusinesstohandwillbeconsidered.

NOTE1. SliponAdmissionCardtobehandedtoHotelManagementforlunch(1.00pm)2. FullLeinsterConventiondocumentationhasalreadybeenforwardeddirectlytoeachmemberofthe outgoingLeinsterCouncil.

MicheálÓDubhshlaine(Rúnaí) ÁrasLaighean,Portlaoise,Co.Laois.

Clár

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Ainmniúcháin

CATHAOIRLEACH LiamÓNeill (Laois)

LEAS-CATHAOIRLEACH ShéamusÓhUílin (LochGarman)

CISTEOIR SeánMacCarthaigh (CillDara) FilomenadePaor (CillMhantain) PadraigÓTómhnair (Lu)

OIFIGEACH CAIDREAMH POIBLÍ PádraigÓCeallaigh (AnMhi) PádraigÓDúill (LochGarman) TomásÓFearghail (Iarmhi) SeanNapier (CillMhantain) SéamusdeRóiste (AthCliath) PádraigÓTeacháin (UibhFhaili)

Na Rúin

1. CoisdeCo.LúasksLeinsterCounciltoarrangeforaRepresentativeteamfromthefourNorthLeinsterRing/RackardCounties(Louth/Meath/Longford/Westmeath)tocompeteinnextyearsWalshCup.

Thiswillbenefitjuvenilehurlinginthesecountiesbygivingourbestseniorplayersanopportunitytocompeteagainsttheelitecountiesintheprovinceonanequalfootinginthequietearlyseason.

Theaimistogiveyounghurlersintheweakercountiesanextratargettoaimforandstaywiththegamebeyondunderagegrades.

(Nh.MoninneH.C.,Co.Lú)

Miontuairiscí Chruinniu DenChomhdháil Bhliantúil 27/02/2006

Thefollowingdelegatesrepresentedthecounties:

LÚ P.MacMathuna,S.OBroin,P.OhAmaltuin, B.OBraonain,S.OMaicinAN MHI T.OCoileain,C.OCraobhain,C.MacFhionnain, C.Seoighe,U.MacGiollaPhadraig, T.S.ORaghallaigh.ATH CLIATH G.OhArrachtain,S.OMathuna,D.OhIceadha, B.OMaolalaidh,L.MacAnBheatha, S.MacNioclaisCILL MHANTAIN M. O Murchu, S. Napier, P. O Misteal, T. OBroin, F.dePaor,M.OhAgain.LOCH GARMAN D.OhUilin,S.OCuirc,D.ONuaillain, S.MacFhearghais,A.MacEochaidh.CILL DARA A.OSuilleabhain,S.OMearain,P.Aghas, C.UiNeill,P.S.OFlannagain,G.OTiarnain, M.OFionnainCEATHARLOCH E.OBroin,T.ONeill,P.OhAileagain, G.OLionnain,P.ODiring.CILL CHAINNIGH P.ODonnchu,P.deGhal,E.OMorain, M.Seartall,E.OCuinnLAOIS M.NiDalaigh,R.OMuilleoir,A.ODubhshlaine, D.ODeagain,B.OhAilin,T.MacSeoin.UIBH FHAILI A.OCeallaigh,M.N.OBroin,M.deSpainne.

IARMHI S.OBriain,M.MacAodha,T.MacLeannain, P.ODochartaigh,R.deBrun.LONGPHORT S.OCuinn,M.MacConcarraigi, L.OMuineachain,P.ORaghallaigh, M.OSceallaigh.

ThefollowingalsoattendedConvention

IAR OIFIGIGH S.deGrae,P.OBogaigh,A.OFalluin, P.OFlannagain

SUB COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVES S.OhOrain,P.deFreine,M.NiCheallaigh, N.Tierney

GUESTS M.ODonlain,PaircanChrocaigh B.Fitzgerald(ChairmanMeathCountyCouncil)

ÁRAS LAIGHEAN STAFF M.MacRaghnaill,S.OFlannagain, S.NiChuinn,H.NihOrain,P.NiChleirCOISDE CO. NA MI P.ONeill,S.OCuanaigh,S.MacConraoi, P.MacantSionnaigh,S.ODonnchu, B.Cummins,B.ODiomsaigh

L. Uas. O Neill (Cathaoirleach) presided at theAnnual Convention of Comhairle Laighean C.L.G.heldintheArdboyneHotel,Navanon27uFeabhra2006.

Presentalsowere:

N.OBraonain(Iar-Cathaoirleach)S.OhUilin(Leas-Cathaoirleach)S.OBroin(Cisteoir)P.OTomhnair(P.R.O.)P.OCinnseallaigh(CumannnamBunscol)T.OBriain(LiathroidLaimhe)T.deSpainne(Gairmscoileanna)

B.MacAodh,A.OCirc(Lu)P.OCeallaigh,P.ODuibhir(AnMhi)S.MacCoisdealbha(AthCliath)S.ODuinn,D.OBurtuin(CillMhantain)P.ODuill,P.Uaiceam(LochGarman)S.MacCarthaigh,S.S.Breathnach(CillDara)LV.OConbhui,S.Caimpin(Ceatharloch)S.OhEile,S.Breathnach(CillChainnigh)S.ODaltuin,A.Breathnach(Laois)A.OGallchoir,E.OFloinn(UibhFhaili)T.OFearghail,(Iarmhi)S.MacantSionnaigh,S.OFloinn(Longphort)M.ÓDubhshláine(Runaí).

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FAILTIUBrendanODiomsaigh,CathaoirleachCoisdeCo.naMiwelcomedalldelegatestothecounty.Hehad a particular welcome for Uachtaran TofaC.L.G.,NioclasOBraonain,andwishedhimwellinhisPresidency.OnbehalfofCoisdeCo.naMiC.L.G.antUas.ODiomsaighmadeapresentationtoalldelegatesandtheninvitedBrianFitzgerald,Chairman Meath County Council to addressConvention.

BRIAN FITZGERALD MCC,CHAIRMAN COMHAIRLE CONNDAE NA MIMr. Fitzgerald said he had a strong associationwith Comhairle Laighean C.L.G. as his uncle,Jack Fitzgerald, had been chairman of thatbody in the early fifties. He went on tocomplimenttheG.A.A.ontheircommitmenttolocalcommunitiesthroughprovisionoffacilitiesand games for young people. This generouscontributionputstheAssociationunderpressureto share their premises but Mr. Fitzgeraldremindedthemthattheyowednothingtoanyothersportingorganisation.

Hewentontocautionmentorsandofficialsnotto put excessive pressure on some players byimposingtoomanygamesonthemandcautionedthatthehealthandsafetyofparticipantshadbeapriorityforgamesadministrators.

OSCAILTFollowing the introductory speeches AnCathaoirleach then formally opened theConvention.

MIONTUAIRISCI 2005 CONVENTION (26.2.2005)Adopted and signed by an Cathaoirleach onpropositionofE.OBroin,secondedbyA.OCirc.

TUAIRISC AN RUNAI 2006Adopted and opened for discussion onpropositionofP.ODuill,secondedbyS.OhEile.Itwasthendebatedunderitsvariousheadings.

PLAYERS INJURY SCHEMEAND INSURANCE MATTERSMichael Donlan of the National InsuranceWorkgroupthenaddressedConvention,outliningthevariousschemesandplansfortheirupdate.

PRESENTATIONAn Cathaoirleach, Liam O Neill, made apresentation to outgoing Chairman, Nioclas OBraonainwhowasattendinghislasteventasamemberofComhairleLaigheanC.L.G.

UACHTARAN TOFA C.L.G.NioclasOBraonainthenaddressedConventionsaying it was a nostalgic occasion for him asit brought to an end an eleven year stint asa member of Comhairle Laighean C.L.G. HethankedtheCouncil,itsOfficersanditsstafffortheirsupportduringhistermofoffice.

AntUas.OBraonainaddressedanumberofissuesin a wide-ranging speech viz., Volunteerism,the role of Provincial Councils, Floodlightingof grounds, Hurling Initiatives, Player Welfare,AmendmentofRule42,theworkingsoftheRuleBook Task Force and the imminent Five YearRuleforCountyOfficers.

He concluded by wishing Comhairle LaigheanC.L.G.wellandlookedforwardtotheirsupportduringhisPresidency.

SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTSConvention then adopted the following Sub-CommitteeReportsonthepropositionofD.OhIceadha,secondedbyP.Aghas:

• CoachingandGamesDevelopment

• Referee’sAdministration

• I.T.Sub-Committee

• P.R.andMarketing

• Grounds,Facilities,HealthandSafety.

• ClubandCountyPlanning

• Scór

• CoisdenanGaeilge

ANNUAL ACCOUNTSCOMHAIRLE LAIGHEAN (Dec 04 – Nov 05)Adopted and opened for discussion onpropositionofT.OFearghail,secondedbyS.OhEile.

Anumberofquestionswereposed,andansweredbyAnCisteoir.

ELECTION OF OFFICERSThefollowingofficerswerereturnedunopposed:

CATHAOIRLEACH LiamONeill(Laois)

LEAS-CATHAOIRLEACH ShéamusOhUilin(LochGarman)

CISTEOIR SeanOBroin(Ceatharloch)

OIFIGEACHCAIDREAMHPOIBLI PadraigOTomhnair(Lu)

AllOfficersreturnedthankstotheConvention.

NA RÚINThe following motions were before theConventionandweretakenasone:-

1.ThatComhairle LaigheanC.L.G. examine thepossibilityofgroupingweakerCountySeniorHurling Champions, with the winners thenplaying in the AIB Leinster Senior HurlingChampionship.

(Co.naMiC.L.G.)

2.That Comhairle Laighean C.L.G. allowthe Senior Hurling Club Champions fromweaker counties to take part in the LeinsterIntermediateHurlingChampionship.

(Co.naMiC.L.G.)

ThemotionwasproposedbyT.S.ORaghallaigh(AnMhi)secondedbyG.OTiarnain(CillDara).

WithanCathaoirleachundertakingtohavethesubject seriously addressed the Motion wasreferredtoComhairleLaigheanC.L.G.forfurtherconsideration.

BUÍOCHASAnCathaoirleachthankedCoisdeCo.naMiC.L.G.andPádraigÓFlannagáinfortheirattentiontodetail inmakingtheConventionarrangements.Hethankedthedelegatesfortheirattentionandinputandwishedallthebestfor2006.

THE CONVENTION ENDED

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Comhairle LaigheanClár na gCluichí 2007

PEIL SINSIR1 LU V CILLMHANTAIN2 1 V LOCHGARMAN3 IARMHI V LONGPHORT4 3 V LAOIS5 ANMHI V CILLDARA6 5 V ATHCLIATH7 CEATHARLOCH V UIBHFHAILI

8 2 V 49 6 V 7

CRAOBH 8 V 9

IOMÁINT SINSIR1 LAOIS V UIBHFHAILI2 1 V CILLCHAINNIGH3 ATHCLIATH V LOCHGARMAN

CRAOBH 2 V 3

LEINSTER UNDER 21 F.C.1 ATHCLIATH V ANMHI2 1 V CILLDARA3 UIBHFHAILI V CEATHARLOCH4 3 V LONGPHORT5 CILLMHANTAIN V LAOIS6 5 V LU7 LOCHGARMAN V IARMHI8 7 V CILLCHAINNIGH9 4 V 210 8 V 6

CRAOBH 9 V 10

LEINSTER JUNIOR FOOTBALL1 CILLDARA V ANMHI2 LOCHGARMAN V CILLCHAINNIGH3 ATHCLIATH V LU4 LAOIS V CILLMHANTAIN5 1 V 26 3 V 4

CRAOBH 5 V 6

LEINSTER UNDER 21 H.C. ‘A’1 LU V CEATHARLOCH2 CILLDARA V LONGPHORT3 CILLMHANTAIN V IARMHI4 ANMHI5 1 V 26 3 V 4

CRAOBH 5 V 6

LEINSTER UNDER 21 H.C.1 ‘A’WINNERS V ATHCLIATH2 1 V LOCHGARMAN3 CILLCHAINNIGH V LAOIS4 3 V UIBHFHAILI

CRAOBH 2 V 4

LEINSTER INTERMEDIATE HURLING1 ATHCLIATH V CILLCHAINNIGH

CRAOBH 1 V LOCHGARMAN

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LEINSTER M.H.C.•KilkennyandDublin–ByetoSemiFinals

ROUND I: Laois, Offaly, Wexford, Westmeath,Carlow,Meath,KildareandWicklow(8)–4games.

ROUNDII:Four winners to play four losers in aprotecteddraw,i.e.sameteamscannotmeettwice.

ROUNDIII:WinnersRound IIplaytoreducetotwowhoqualifyforSemiFinals.

•ExtratimeifnecessaryinallgamesexceptFinal.

•GamesonHome/AwayBasisupto,andincluding,RoundIII.

• Four counties to be designated, i.e. they willhave home venue if drawn against non-designatedcounties.Theseare: Iarmhi, AnMhi, CillDara, CillMhantain.

ROUND I1 CILLDARA V LAOIS2 LOCHGARMAN V CEATHARLOCH3 CILLMHANTAIN V UIBHFHAILI4 IARMHI V ANMHI

ROUND II(i) ____________ V ____________(ii) ____________ V ____________(iii) ____________ V ____________(iv) ____________ V ____________

ROUND III(a) ____________ V ____________(b) ____________ V ____________

SEMI FINALSA CILLCHAINNIGH V ____________B ATHCLIATH V ____________

CRAOBH A V B

LEINSTER M.F.C.ROUNDI:Twelveteams-sixgames.SixwinnersqualifyforQuarterFinals.

QUALIFIERROUNDI:Six losers Round I reduced tofour.

QUALIFIERROUNDII:TwowinnersQualifierRoundIplustwoteamswithByeQualifierRoundIreducedtotwowhoqualifyforQuarterFinals.

ExtratimeifnecessaryinallgamesexceptFinal.

Games on Home / Away Basis up to an includingQuarterFinals.

Six counties to be designated, i.e. they will haveHomeDrawifdrawnagainstnon-designated.Theseare: Cill Chainnigh, Cill Mhantain, Ceatharloch, Lu,LongphortandLochGarman.

ROUND I1 CILLCHAINNIGH V LAOIS2 LOCHGARMAN V IARMHI3 CILLMHANTAIN V UIBHFHAILI4 ATHCLIATH V ANMHI5 LONGPHORT V CEATHARLOCH6 LU V CILLDARA

QUALIFIER ROUND I(a) Loser6 V Loser3(b) Loser5 V Loser4

QUALIFIER ROUND II(c) Winner(a) V Loser1(d) Winner(b) V Loser2

QUARTER-FINALS(1) ____________ V ____________(2) ____________ V ____________(3) ____________ V ____________(4) ____________ V ____________

SEMI FINALSA ____________ V ____________B ____________ V ____________

CRAOBH A V B

Comhairle LaigheanClár na gCluichí 2007

PEIL SINSIR DATE VENUE 1 Louth v Wicklow 20.5.2007 CrokePark 2 1 v Wexford 3.6.2007 CrokePark

3 Westmeath v Longford 13.5.2007 Longford 4 3 v Laois 2.6.2007 Tullamore

5 Meath v Kildare 20.5.2007 CrokePark 6 5 v Dublin 3.6.2007 CrokePark

7 Carlow v Offaly 10.6.2007 Portlaoise

8 2 v 4 24.6.2007 CrokePark 9 6 v 7 24.6.2007 CrokePark

CRAOBH 8 v 9 15.7.2007 CrokePark

IOMÁINT SINSIR DATE VENUE 1 Laois v Offaly 27.5.2007 Tullamore 2 1 v Kilkenny 10.6.2007 Portlaoise

3 Dublin v Wexford 9.6.2007 Kilkenny

CRAOBH 2 v 3 1.7.2007 CrokePark

FÉ 21 BLIAIN PEIL DATE VENUE 1 Dublin v Meath 17.2.2007 ParnellPark 2 1 v Kildare 4.3.2007 ParnellPark/Navan

3 Offaly v Carlow 18.2.2007 Tullamore 4 3 v Longford 4.3.2007 Tullamore/Carlow

5 Wicklow v Laois 18.2.2007 Arklow 6 5 v Louth 4.3.2007 Aughrim/Portlaoise

7 Wexford v Westmeath 17.2.2007 Wexford 8 7 v Kilkenny 4.3.2007 Wexford/Mullingar

9 8 v 6 18.3.2007 HomeVenue8 10 4 v 2 18.3.2007 HomeVenue4

CRAOBH 9 v 10 15.4.2007 HomeVenue9

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PEIL SOISIR DATE VENUE 1 Kildare v Meath 30.5.2007 Newbridge 2 Wexford v Kilkenny 31.5.2007 Wexford 3 Dublin v Louth 30.5.2007 ParnellPark 4 Laois v Wicklow 30.5.2007 Portlaoise

5 1 v 2 13.6.2007 Newbridge/Navan 6 3 v 4 13.6.2007 ParnellPk/Drogheda

CRAOBH 5 v 6 27.6.2007 HomeVenue5

FÉ 21 ‘A’ IOMÁINT

DATE VENUE 1 Louth v Carlow 7/9.4.2007 Drogheda 2 Kildare v Longford 7/9.4.2007 Newbridge 3 Wicklow v Westmeath 7/9.4.2007 Arklow 4 Meath 5 1 v 2 21.4.2007 Drogheda/Carlow 6 3 v 4 21.4.2007 Arklow/Mullingar

CRAOBH 5 v 6 2.5.2007 HomeVenue

FÉ 21 IOMÁINT

DATE VENUE 1 ‘A’Winners v Dublin 30.5.2007 Venueof‘A’Winners 2 1 v Wexford 20.6.2007 HomeVenue1

3 Kilkenny v Laois 30.5.2007 Kilkenny 4 3 v Offaly 20.6.2007 Kilkenny/Portlaoise

CRAOBH 2 v 4 18.7.2007 HomeVenue2

IOMÁINT IDIRMHEANACH DATE VENUE 1 Dublin v Kilkenny 27.6.2006 ParnellPark 2 Wexford

CRAOBH 1 v 2 11.7.2006 ParnellPk/Kilkenny

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IOMÁINT MÍONÚIR DATE VENUE 1 Kildare v Laois 21.4.2007 Newbridge 2 Wexford v Carlow 21.4.2007 Wexford 3 Wicklow v Offaly 21.4.2007 Arklow 4 Westmeath v Meath 21.4.2007 Mullingar

ROUNDII 5.5.2007 LeSocru

ROUNDIII 19.5.2007 LeSocru

SEMIFINALS 23.6.2007 LeSocru

FINAL 1.7.2007 CrokePark

PEIL MÍONÚIR MINOR FOOTBALL (ROUND 1) DATE VENUE 1 Kilkenny v Laois 7.4.2007 Kilkenny 2 Wexford v Westmeath 7.4.2007 Wexford 3 Wicklow v Offaly 7.4.2007 Aughrim 4 Dublin v Meath 7.4.2007 ParnellPark 5 Longford v Carlow 7.4.2007 Longford 6 Louth v Kildare 7.4.2007 Drogheda

QUALIFIERROUNDI 14.4.2007 LeSocru

(a)LoserLouth/Kildarev 14.4.2007 LeSocruLoserWicklow/Offaly

(b)LoserLongford/Carlowv 14.4.2007 LeSocruLoserDublin/Meath

QUALIFIERROUNDII(c)Winner(a)vLoserKilkenny/Laois 28.4.2007 LeSocru

(d)Winner(b)vLoserWexford/Westmeath 28.4.2007 LeSocru

QUARTERFINALS 12.5.2007 LeSocru

SEMIFINALS 30.6.2007 LeSocru /4.7.2007

FINAL: 15.7.2007 CrokePark

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Cluichí Laighean 2006

O’BYRNE CUP S.F.17/12 Laois.........................................2-13 AthloneI.T............................. 1-09 Portarlington 5/1 LochGarman.........................1-10 CillMhantain........................ 1-07 Craanford 8/1 Iarmhi.......................................1-16 Ceatharloch........................... 1-07 Carlow 8/1 UibhFhaili..............................0-25 CillChainnigh....................... 0-02 Kilkenny 8/1 Lu...............................................3-14 DIT............................................ 1-10 Drogheda 8/1 CillDara...................................0-14 Longphort............................... 1-05 Newbridge 8/1 AnMhi.....................................1-13 DCU......................................... 1-10 Navan 11/1 AthCliath...............................2-15 UCD......................................... 2-07 O’TooleGd. 15/1 AnMhi.....................................0-18 Iarmhi...................................... 1-11 Navan 15/1 AthCliath...............................0-13 LochGarman........................ 1-08 O’TooleGd. 15/1 Laois.........................................3-09 CillDara.................................. 0-13 Newbridge 15/1 UibhFhaili..............................1-10 Lu.............................................. 1-06 Dundalk 22/1 AnMhi.....................................0-16 AthCliath............................... 1-11 ParnellPark 22/1 UibhFhaili..............................0-15 Laois......................................... 0-10 Portlaoise 29/1 AnMhi.....................................3-14 UibhFhaili.............................. 0-14 Navan

O’BYRNE SHIELD S.F. 15/1 Longphort...............................2-09 AthloneI.T............................. 0-12 Longford 15/1 DIT.............................................6-16 CillChainnigh....................... 1-07 Freshford 15/1 DCU..........................................0-14 Ceatharloch........................... 0-05 Carlow 18/1 CillMhantain.........................1-07 UCD......................................... 0-07 Roundwood 21/1 CillMhantain.........................2-05 DCU......................................... 0-10 Baltinglass 22/1 Longphort...............................3-10 DIT............................................ 1-11 Longford 29/1 Longphort...............................0-14 CillMhantain........................ 1-09 Baltinglass

WALSH CUP S.H. 22/1 Iarmhi.......................................2-14 AnDun.................................... 1-11 Mullingar 29/1 UCD..........................................1-13 Iarmhi...................................... 1-11 Mullingar 29/1 UibhFhaili..............................2-26 Aontroim................................ 1-06 Birr 29/1 CillChainnigh........................2-25 Laois......................................... 2-23 Rathdowney 29/1 LochGarman.........................4-18 AthCliath............................... 0-14 ParnellPark 4/2 CillChainnigh........................2-15 UCD......................................... 0-11 Freshford 5/2 LochGarman.........................3-14 UibhFhaili.............................. 2-16 Birr 11/2 CillChainnigh........................1-18 LochGarman........................ 1-12 Freshford

KEHOE CUP S.H. 22/1 AthloneI.T..............................1-16 Lu.............................................. 0-09 Drogheda 22/1 Ceatharloch............................0-15 CarlowI.T............................... 1-11 Carlow 22/1 RosComain............................1-17 Longphort............................... 0-05 Longford 29/1 Ceatharloch............................1-17 CillMhantain........................ 1-12 Arklow 29/1 CillDara...................................3-21 MuighEo................................ 2-14 Newbridge 29/1 D.I.T...........................................5-21 RosComain........................... 0-09 Lucan 29/1 AnMhi.....................................0-22 AthloneI.T............................. 0-13 Navan 5/2 DIT.............................................2-15 AnMhi.................................... 1-12 Navan 5/2 Ceatharloch............................0-14 CillDara.................................. 1-10 Carlow 11/2 Ceatharloch............................3-09 DIT............................................ 1-12 Carlow

14

LEINSTER M.F.L. 28/1 CillMhantain.........................0-10 LochGarman........................ 0-05 WicklowTown 28/1 AnMhi.....................................2-10 CillDara.................................. 2-08 Kilcock 28/1 Laois.........................................1-08 AthCliath............................... 1-07 O’ToolePark 28/1 Iarmhi.......................................0-15 ThiobraidArann................... 0-02 Ballinagore 28/1 Longphort...............................2-11 Lu.............................................. 2-08 Drumlish 28/1 CillChainnigh........................4-09 Ceatharloch........................... 4-08 CarlowTown 4/2 Longphort...............................2-11 ThiobraidArarnn.................. 0-10 Dr.MorrisPk. 4/2 Iarmhi.......................................1-12 Lu.............................................. 1-06 O’Raghallaighs 4/2 AthCliath...............................2-16 CillDara.................................. 2-08 Sallins 8/2 CillMhantain.........................1-09 CillChainnigh....................... 2-04 St.Mullins 11/2 Iarmhi.......................................2-12 Longphort............................... 1-03 Longford 18/2 CillChainnigh........................2-04 LochGarman........................ 0-04 Clongeen 18/2 AnMhi.....................................2-12 Laois......................................... 0-10 Mountmellick 21/2 UibhFhaili..............................1-13 CillDara.................................. 2-07 Gracefield 22/2 CillMhantain.........................1-14 Ceatharloch........................... 1-07 Baltinglass 4/3 AthCliath...............................0-16 UibhFhaili.............................. 1-09 Ballyfore 4/3 Iarmhi.......................................1-08 CillMhantain........................ 2-04 TheDowns 4/3 Laois.........................................0-05 CillDara.................................. 0-03 Stradbally 5/3 CillChainnigh........................2-07 Longphort............................... 0-11 Kilkenny 11/3 AthCliath...............................1-07 AnMhi.................................... 0-09 Navan 11/3 Laois.........................................2-09 UibhFhaili.............................. 2-08 Durrow(OY)

CADBURYS LEINSTER UNDER 21 F.C. 4/2 CillDara...................................0-12 AthCliath............................... 0-09 Newbridge 18/2 LochGarman.........................5-17 CillChainnigh....................... 0-01 Freshford 18/2 Longphort...............................1-11 UibhFhaili.............................. 0-10 Longford 19/2 Lu...............................................3-07 CillMhantain........................ 0-07 Drogheda 4/3 CillDara...................................2-13 AnMhi.................................... 1-08 Newbridge 4/3 Longphort...............................2-13 Ceatharloch........................... 1-04 Longford 4/3 Laois.........................................1-11 Lu.............................................. 0-09 Dundalk 4/3 Iarmhi.......................................2-10 LochGarman........................ 1-02 Belfield 25/3 Laois.........................................2-12 Iarmhi...................................... 0-08 Portlaoise 25/3 Longphort...............................2-06 CillDara.................................. 0-09 Newbridge 2/4 Laois.........................................0-09 Longphort............................... 0-07 Longford

E.S.B. LEINSTER M.H.C. 1/4 UibhFhaili..............................1-09 Ceatharloch........................... 1-08 Carlow 5/4 Laois.........................................3-22 Iarmhi...................................... 1-10 Mullingar 15/4 Ceatharloch............................1-11 Laois......................................... 1-10 Portlaoise 15/4 UibhFhaili..............................4-25 Iarmhi...................................... 1-04 Birr 15/4 CillChainnigh........................1-18 AthCliath............................... 1-09 Kilkenny 22/4 AthCliath...............................1-10 LochGarman........................ 1-06 ParnellPark 22/4 Ceatharloch............................5-14 Iarmhi...................................... 0-02 Carlow 29/4 UibhFhaili..............................3-20 Laois......................................... 1-11 Birr 29/4 CillChainnigh........................2-18 LochGarman........................ 0-10 Wexford 6/5 AthCliath...............................2-12 Laois......................................... 0-11 ParnellPark 6/5 Ceatharloch............................2-12 LochGarman........................ 0-11 Carlow 24/6 CillChainnigh........................2-14 AthCliath............................... 0-08 Portlaoise 24/6 Ceatharloch............................2-14 UibhFhaili.............................. 0-16 Portlaoise 2/7 CillChainnigh........................4-22 Ceatharloch........................... 1-05 CrokePark

15

16

E.S.B. LEINSTER M.F.C. 25/3 Lu...............................................5-08 Longphort............................... 0-12 Drogheda 25/3 CillMhantain.........................0-15 LochGarman........................ 0-04 Arklow 25/3 Iarmhi.......................................4-11 CillChainnigh....................... 0-02 Portlaoise 8/4 Lu...............................................2-09 LochGarman........................ 0-03 Belfield 8/4 Ceatharloch............................1-11 CillChainnigh....................... 1-04 Kilkenny 22/4 CillMhantain.........................1-13 Lu.............................................. 2-09 Arklow 23/4 Longphort...............................3-15 LochGarman........................ 1-03 Longford 29/4 Longphort...............................1-17 CillMhantain........................ 1-11 Longford 29/4 Iarmhi.......................................5-17 Ceatharloch........................... 0-05 Carlow 6/5 CillMhantain.........................3-10 Longphort............................... 1-07 Portlaoise 13/5 Laois.........................................0-14 Lu.............................................. 1-10 Portlaoise 13/5 UibhFhaili..............................2-11 CillMhantain........................ 1-09 Arklow 13/5 AthCliath...............................1-11 Iarmhi...................................... 0-11 Mullingar 13/5 AnMhi.....................................0-11 CillDara.................................. 0-09 Newbridge 5/7 AnMhi.....................................1-09 Laois......................................... 0-11 Newbridge 5/7 UibhFhaili..............................2-05 AthCliath............................... 0-10 Portlaoise 16/7 AnMhi.....................................1-16 UibhFhaili.............................. 2-05 CrokePark

ERIN LEINSTER SPECIAL U-21 H.C. 8/4 CillMhantain.........................1-09 AnMhi.................................... 0-11 Arklow 8/4 Laois.........................................2-14 Iarmhi...................................... 4-01 Portlaoise 14/4 CillDara...................................1-23 Longphort............................... 0-03 Celbridge 22/4 CillDara...................................1-11 CillMhantain........................ 1-09 Arklow 25/4 Laois.........................................3-15 Ceatharloch........................... 0-10 Portlaoise 3/5 Laois.........................................4-18 CillDara.................................. 0-09 Newbridge

LEINSTER JUNIOR HURLING SHIELD 10/5 Lu...............................................7-17 AnCabhan............................. 1-04 Termonfeckin 10/5 Longphort...............................4-09 AnDun.................................... 0-07 Newry 17/5 Longphort...............................0-17 Lu.............................................. 0-14 LongfordSlashers 17/5 AnCabhan..............................W/O AnDun.................................... W/O Cavan 24/5 Lu...............................................4-18 AnDun.................................... 3-10 Knockbridge 24/5 Longphort...............................6-16 AnCabhan............................. 1-06 Longford 27/5 Longphort...............................2-11 Lu.............................................. 0-14 Drogheda 28/5 Longphort...............................0-17 Warwickshire........................ 2-07 Longford

GUINNESS LEINSTER S.H.C. 21/5 Iarmhi.......................................0-13 AthCliath............................... 0-11 Portlaoise 21/5 UibhFhaili..............................2-12 Laois......................................... 0-08 Portlaoise 10/6 CillChainnigh........................1-23 Iarmhi...................................... 1-09 Mullingar 11/6 LochGarman.........................0-09 UibhFhaili.............................. 0-08 Kilkenny 2/7 CillChainnigh........................1-23 LochGarman........................ 2-12 CrokePark

LEINSTER UNDER 21 H.C. 31/5 LochGarman.........................0-17 Laois......................................... 1-12 Portlaoise 21/6 CillChainnigh........................3-17 LochGarman........................ 1-06 Callan 21/6 AthCliath...............................0-17 UibhFhaili.............................. 1-11 ParnellPark 25/7 CillChainnigh........................2-18 AthCliath............................... 2-10 Kilkenny

LEINSTER I.H.C. 12/7 CillChainnigh........................2-20 LochGarman........................ 0-08 Wexford

BANK OF IRELAND LEINSTER S.F.C. 14/5 AnMhi.....................................1-15 Lu.............................................. 0-10 CrokePark 14/5 UibhFhaili..............................0-15 Iarmhi...................................... 0-11 CrokePark 21/5 Ceatharloch............................4-09 CillMhantain........................ 0-12 Wexford 28/5 LochGarman.........................1-19 AnMhi.................................... 1-13 CrokePark 28/5 UibhFhaili..............................3-09 CillDara.................................. 0-15 CrokePark 4/6 AthCliath...............................1-12 Longphort............................... 0-13 Longford 4/6 Laois.........................................1-17 Ceatharloch........................... 1-09 Portlaoise 25/6 AthCliath...............................3-17 Laois......................................... 0-12 CrokePark 2/7 UibhFhaili..............................2-15 LochGarman........................ 1-14 CrokePark 16/7 AthCliath...............................1-15 UibhFhaili.............................. 0-09 CrokePark

LEINSTER J.F.C. 17/5 AnMhi.....................................3-14 CillChainnigh....................... 0-03 Kilkenny 31/5 AnMhi.....................................0-12 CillDara.................................. 0-07 Navan 31/5 AthCliath...............................2-12 LochGarman........................ 2-07 ParnellPark 31/5 Lu...............................................0-15 UibhFhaili.............................. 1-10 Drogheda 14/6 Lu...............................................1-11 AthCliath............................... 0-09 ParnellPark 14/6 AnMhi.....................................1-16 Laois......................................... 1-03 Navan 25/6 AnMhi.....................................1-12 Lu.............................................. 0-11 CrokePark

A.I.B. LEINSTER CLUB F.C.22/10 Moorefield..............................0-12 St.Patricks............................. 0-08 Aughrim29/10 WolfeTones...........................0-12 St.Josephs............................. 0-06 Navan5/11 Tyrrellspass............................1-10 Abbeylara............................... 1-06 Mullingar5/11 Moorefield..............................0-10 Horeswood............................ 1-07 Newbridge5/11 Rhode.......................................1-11 Palatine................................... 2-07 Carlow12/11 Tyrrellspass............................1-07 ArlesKilleen.......................... 0-10 Mullingar12/11 UCD..........................................1-11 WolfeTones.......................... 0-11 Navan12/11 Moorefield..............................3-08 Horeswood............................ 1-05 Wexford19/11 Rhode.......................................2-06 UCD......................................... 1-08 ParnellPark19/11 Tyrrellspass............................0-07 ArlesKilleen.......................... 0-05 Portlaoise26/11 Moorefield..............................0-08 Tyrrellspass............................ 0-07 Mullingar3/12 Moorefield..............................3-06 Rhode...................................... 0-08 Portlaoise

A.I.B. LEINSTER CLUB H.C.29/10 CraobhChiarain....................2-09 Mt.LeinsterRngs................. 0-09 ParnellPark29/10 Rathnure..................................2-13 Rathdowney/Errill............... 0-14 Wexford12/11 Birr............................................2-14 CraobhChiarain................... 1-10 ParnellPark12/11 BallyhaleShamrocks...........2-14 Rathnure................................. 1-10 Wexford26/11 BallyhaleShamrocks...........1-20 Birr............................................ 1-08 Portlaoise

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LEINSTER INTERMEDIATE CLUB F.C. 4/11 St.Martins..............................1-07 Rathkenny.............................. 0-07 Piercestown12/11 Bunbrosna...............................2-09 St.Martins............................. 1-06 Piercestown12/11 Mountmellick.........................1-11 St.Patricks............................. 0-08 Portlaoise12/11 Tubber......................................3-11 Ashford................................... 1-06 Tubber14/11 Confey.....................................2-13 ErinsOwn.............................. 1-04 Ballyraggett19/11 Tubber......................................1-09 FingalRavens........................ 0-11 Tubber19/11 Mountmellick.........................0-05 Grange.................................... 0-03 Mountmellick19/11 Confey.....................................0-06 St.Malachys.......................... 0-03 Confey26/11 Confey.....................................2-09 Mountmellick........................ 1-08 Mountmellick26/11 Tubber......................................1-08 Bunbrosna.............................. 0-08 Tubber10/12 Confey.....................................3-07 Tubber..................................... 1-08 Confey

LEINSTER INTERMEDIATE CLUB H.C.29/10 Raharney.................................4-12 Rathgarogue/Cushinstown.... 4-12 St.Lomans4/11 Ratharney...............................3-11 Rathgarogue/Cushinstown.... 3-08 NewRoss5/11 Ardclough...............................1-13 Carnew.................................... 1-04 Clane12/11 Raharney.................................2-09 Mullinavat.............................. 1-11 St.Lomans12/11 Ardclough...............................1-15 Rathmolyon........................... 1-05 Clane19/11 Ardclough...............................2-06 Raharney................................ 2-04 St.Lomans

LEINSTER JUNIOR CLUB F.C.28/10 Clonmore................................2-10 Nurney.................................... 0-08 Newbridge29/10 St.Ultans................................2-18 St.Lachtains.......................... 0-06 Navan5/11 Caulry.......................................0-11 St.Kevins................................ 0-06 Philipstown5/11 ParkRatheniska.....................1-21 St.Munics.............................. 0-02 Longford11/11 Clonmore................................4-12 Kilcormac/Killoughy........... 2-14 Carlow12/11 St.Ultans................................0-12 Knockananna......................... 0-03 Navan12/11 ParkRatheniska.....................2-08 Crumlin................................... 0-06 ParkRatheniska12/11 Caulry.......................................1-13 Marshalstown....................... 0-03 MountTemple25/11 St.Ultans................................4-08 Clonmore............................... 1-12 Carlow26/11 ParkRatheniska.....................1-11 Caulry...................................... 1-07 MountTemple10/12 ParkRatheniska.....................2-08 St.Ultans................................ 1-08 ParkRatheniska

LEINSTER JUNIOR CLUB H.C.22/10 OurLadysIsland...................3-12 Kill............................................ 2-05 Kill29/10 RoundTowers.......................1-11 Clonguish............................... 0-08 Longford4/11 Danesfort................................2-13 RoundTowers....................... 0-09 O’ToolePark5/11 Knockbridge...........................0-12 Ballinamere............................ 0-10 LouthVillage5/11 OurLadysIsland...................2-09 Brownstown.......................... 0-08 Carne11/11 BrayEmmets.........................3-23 Palatine................................... 1-05 Carlow12/11 Knockbridge...........................1-10 Ballyfin.................................... 2-06 LouthVillage19/11 Knockbridge...........................1-06 OurLadysIsland.................. 1-03 Carne19/11 Danesfort................................6-10 BrayEmmets......................... 0-03 BrayEmmets3/12 Danesfort................................4-10 Knockbridge........................... 0-05 LouthVillage

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Wegathertoreview2006andtosetthescenefor2007.

As Championship seasons go it was not avery remarkable year. Predictably Kilkennydominated the hurling scene, winning theSenior, Intermediate, Minor and Under 21Championships. Theyalsocaptured theWalshCupwhiletheircountychampionswontheAIBLeinsterClubS.H.C.andtheLeinsterJuniorClubHurlingChampionship.ThisleftverylittlefortheothersbutcreditisduetoLongford(J.H.Shield),Laois(SpecialUnder21Hurling),Carlow(KehoeCup)andArdclough(LeinsterIntermediateClubChampionship)ontheirvictories.Kilkennywonthe All Ireland titles in Senior and Under 21while Laois took the Special Under 21 HurlingAllIreland.

Honours were much more evenly divided infootball. Dublin retained the Senior FootballChampionshipwhileMeathdidlikewiseinJunior.The Under 21 Football Championship went toLaois and Meath captured the Minor Crown.Kildareclubsdidwell,withMoorefieldwinningthe AIB Leinster Club S.F.C. and Confey wonthe Intermediate Club Football Championship.The Leinster Club Junior Football title wentto Park Ratheniska of Laois. In the AccidentTournaments, Meath won the O’ Byrne CupwhileLongfordbecametheinauguralwinnersoftheO’ByrneShield. Sadly,wedrewablankontheAllIrelandstage.

ApartfromthegameswehadtheinstallationoffloodlightsinPaircTailteannandO’MoorePark-acredittobothCountyBoards.

The Leinster Council continued to assist itsclubsandcountiesintheircontinuedeffortstodevelopthegamesandplayingfacilities.

FinallyaspecialwordofcongratulationstoourInter Provincial hurlers and footballers - in2006webecamethefirstprovincetowintheM.DonnellyInterprovincialChampionshipdouble.

IamnowpleasedtopresentmyAnnualReportfor2006.

ROLL OF HONOUR

PEIL BUATHOIRI NEASOIRISINSIR AthCliath UibhFhailiSOISIR AnMhi LuMIONUIR AnMhi UibhFhailiFE21BLIAIN Laois LongphortCL.SINSIRAIB Moorefield RhodeCL.IDIRMH. Confey TubberCL.SOISIR ParkRatheniska St.UltansCN.UIBHROIN AnMhi UibhFhailiSC.UIBHROIN Longphort C.Mhantain

IOMAINT BUATHOIRI NEASOIRISINSIR C.Chainnigh L.GarmanIDIRMHEANACH C.Chainnigh L.GarmanMIONUIR CillChainnigh CeatharlochFE21BLIAIN CillChainnigh AthCliathFE21BLIAINSP. Laois CillDaraSOISIR(SCIATH) Longphort W/rckshireCL.SINSIRAIB BallyhaleSmrk. BirrCL.IDIRMH. Ardclough RaharneyCLUBSOISIR Danesfort KnockbridgeCN.BREATHNACH C.Chainnigh L.GarmanCN.MACEOCHAIDHCeatharloch D.I.T.

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22

INTER COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS

BANK OF IRELAND LEINSTER SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPThis Championship was dogged by the ‘bloodsub’ controversy involving Kildare and Offaly.Hearings and Appeals caused numerous delaysand postponements which resulted in useventuallyhavingtoplayoneofourSemiFinalsaspartofourLeinsterHurlingFinalDayinCrokePark.

DespitegettingquiteascaredowninLongford,in their first outing, Dublin again qualified forthe Final. In spite of all the controversies onthe other side of the draw it was Offaly whoeventuallyemergedasfinalists.TheFinalitselfnever really rose to any great heights due, inthe main, to Dublin’s superiority. They had acomfortable nine point winning margin at thefinish.

Despite their disappointments in the LeinsterChampionship a number of our counties madevery significant progress in the Qualifiers,particularly Longford, Westmeath and Laois.The latter pair actually reached the All IrelandQuarter Finals. However Dublin was the onlyLeinster county to reach the Semi Final stageand how they lost there is still one of themysteriesof2006.

GUINNESS LEINSTER SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIPDespite its reputed predictability the LeinsterSenior Hurling Championship had its moments-notallofthemwerememorable.Ourlowestpoint of the year was probably allowing thetwo Quarter Finals to go ahead in dreadfulconditions in Portlaoise on May 21st. Blamehas been dished out all over the place for thisdecisionbut,inallfairness,thebuckstopswiththecoupleofuswhowereonthespot.Wegotitwrongandagainweapologisetoallconcerned.

OurSemi Finals provided twovery contrastingoccasions. We had Saturday night fever inMullingar as the hosts entertained Kilkenny.It was a fun-filled evening where hurling skills

shone inabundance. NotsurprisinglytheCatsprevailed fairly comfortably but there was agreatfeelgoodfactoraroundCusackParkafterthegame.

ThefollowingdayinNowlanParkwehadarealtense and uninspiring clash between WexfordandOffaly.Conditionswereperfectbutneithersideeverdisplayedanyfluencyorflair.ThefinalscoreofWexford(0-09)Offaly(0-08)tellsmoreaboutthegamethananynarrative.

LeinsterHurlingFinaldaywasunusualbecauseas previously mentioned, it also featured aFootball Semi Final. The Final itself had itsmoments but in the end Kilkenny had eightpointstospare.

With memorable victories over Galway andClaretheLeinsterChampionsfoundthemselvesin yet another All Ireland Final against Cork.Despite being the outsiders they performedheroically and had a three point margin ofvictoryatthefinish.

CADBURYS LEINSTER UNDER 21 FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPThisgradehadbeendominatedbyKildareandDublin in the previous couple of seasons buttheluckofthedrawmeantthattheymetinthefirstroundin2006.TheendresultwasthattheChampionshiphadacompletelynewshapeandthrewupafewunpredictableresults.

The Final was a gala occasion in Pearse Park,Longford where before a huge attendancethe home side took on the kingpins of recentunderagefootball,Laois.Nervousperformancesfrom both teams meant that the game failedtoliveuptoexpectationsandendedwithLaoishaving two points to spare in a low scoringencounter.

UnfortunatelytheLeinsterChampions failed intheAll IrelandSemiFinal, losingbytwopointstoCork.

ERIN LEINSTER UNDER 21 HURLING CHAMPIONSHIPForthesecondsuccessiveyear,Dublinqualifiedfor the Final in this grade but despite hugeexpectations they again failed to overcomeKilkenny,whohadaneightpointwinningmarginatthefinalwhistle.

Despite close games involving Wexford/Laoisand Dublin/Offaly this grade is no longercompetitiveinLeinster.

Kilkenny took on Tipperary in the All IrelandFinal where their game formed a double-billin Croke Park with the Camogie All Ireland. AsensationalgamefinishedlevelsoitwasbacktoThurleson the followingSaturday fora replay.ThiswasamuchmoredourcontestbutKilkennysurvivedwithagoaltosparetotakeyetanotherAllIrelandtitleinthisgrade.

ESB LEINSTER MINORHURLING CHAMPIONSHIPIt was almost a fairytale but not quite! TheMinor hurlers of Carlow had a Summer theywill never forget. They beat Laois, Westmeath,Wexford and Offaly to reach a Leinster MinorHurling Final for the first time. Unfortunatelythe occasion proved too much for them andKilkennycomfortablytooktheWalterHanrahanCup.

Carlow’s interest in the All Ireland series wasendedbyTipperaryintheQuarterFinal.Kilkennythenbowedout,tothesameopposition,intheAllIrelandSemiFinal.

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Kilkenny – Leinster U-21 Hurling Champions 2006Back L-R: Darren O’Neill, Richard Dollard, Martin Boran, Niall Kennedy, Bill Beckett, Paddy Hogan, John Broderick,

Shane Cadogan, Shane Prendergast, Sean Mahony.Middle L-R: David Prendergast, Neal Prendergast, Pat Hartley, T.J. Reid, David McCormack, Donnacha Cody, John

Tennyson, Kieran Joyce, Austin Murphy, Colin Grant, Gavin Nolan, Alan Healy, Danny Loughnane.Front L-R: Peter O’Donovan, Damien Fogarty, Sean Cummins, John Dalton, James ‘Cha’ Fitzpatrick, Michael Fennelly

(Capt.), Eddie O’Donoghue, Maurice Nolan, Liam Tierney.

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ESB LEINSTER MINORFOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPOnceagainwehadapreliminarycompetitiontoreducethenumberofparticipantstoeight.Thetwo qualifiers were Wicklow and Westmeathbut unfortunately they failed to advance anyfurtherintheChampionship.

Pre-Championship favourites,Dublinand Laois,bothfellatSemiFinalstagetoOffalyandMeathrespectively.EverybodyexpectedaclosegameintheFinalbutMeathprovedfartoostrongfortheFaithful.

IntheAllIrelandQuarterFinals,Offalyrestoredmuch lostpridebut fell, agonisingly,onepointshortofDonegal.HavingaccountedforAntrimin the Quarter Final, Meath lost out in theSemi Final to eventual All Ireland champions,Roscommon.

LEINSTER INTERMEDIATEHURLING CHAMPIONSHIPAttheriskofbeingoffensivetotheparticipantsImustsaythiscompetitionisafarce.Twoteams,onegame- yethasthestatusofaProvincialChampionship.

For the record, Kilkenny had a winning marginofeighteenpointsoverWexford.HavingbeatenGalwayintheAllIrelandSemiFinaltheylostouttoCorkintheFinal,afterextratime.

LEINSTER JUNIORFOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPTo be honest, this Championship falls into thesame category as Intermediate Hurling. Itmerely adds to the already over-congestedfixture scheduleandplayshavocwith the clubcompetitions.

TheLeinsterChampionsfor2006areMeathwhoeventually saw off the challenge of Louth in agameplayedinCrokePark.

Meath – ESB Leinster Minor Football Champions 2006Back L-R: Shane O’Rourke, Darren Mallon, Graham Reilly, Stephen Sheppard, Brian Sheridan, Paddy Brady (Capt),

Shane Geraghty, Shane Carr, Gavin Butler, Cillian Finn, Colin Clarke, Barry Curran, Eoin Reilly, Gerard Farrelly.

Front L-R: Sean Mallon, Davy Dalton, Jonathan Ginnity, Ciaran Lynch, David Donegan, Alan Nestor, Sean Keating, Paul Larkin, Colm Carry & John Coleman.

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LEINSTER SPECIAL UNDER 21 HURLING CHAMPIONSHIPLaois ran up huge scores against Westmeath,CarlowandKildaretotakethetitle.Theysimplyshouldnothavebeeninthisgrade.

LEINSTER JUNIORHURLING SHIELDOnce again we facilitated a Junior HurlingCompetition to include Down (Non-Ards),Cavan,andourownLongfordandLouth.WealsoinvitedWarwickshireovertotakeonthehomewinners, Longford. Having already defeatedLouth in the Home Final Longford confirmedtheir Champions status with a four point winoverWarwickshire.

Laois – Leinster Special U-21 Hurling Champions 2006

Longford – Leinster Junior Hurling Shield winners 2006Back L-R: Ciaran Finnucan, Coleman Casey, Stephen Connolly, Eanna Daly, John Newman, Joe O Brien, Neil

Casey, Paddy Cullen, Brendan Stakem, Fergal Daly, Eoin Donnellan, Joe Mc Dermott Middle L-R: John Minnock, Ciaran Mc Loughlin, Mark Cassidy, Thomas Stakem, Martin Coyle,Anthony

Corcoran, Brendan Burke, Enda Corcoran, Gareth Ghee,Front L-R: Hugh O Kane, Damien Corcoran, Seamus Hannon, Robbie Staklum

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Park Ratheniska (Laois) – Leinster Club Junior Football Champions 2006Back L-R: Ned Flanagan, Liam Brennan, Barry Delaney, John Kelly, Max Ramsbottom, John Kelly, Ger Ramsbottom,

Brian Ramsbottom, Enda Fingleton, Paddy Kelly, Denis Brennan, Mark Delaney, Paul Kelly, Stephen Dennehy, Kieran Delaney.

Front L-R: Pat McEvoy, Brendan Greene, Andy Morrin, Brendan Fingleton, Jamie Cahill, Tommy White, Cathal Og Greene, Colm Brennan, Tom Bowe, David Larkin, Seamie Flanagan, Brendan Conroy and Shane Whelan.

Ardclough (Kildare) – Leinster Intermediate Club Hurling Champions 2006Back L-R: Tom Johnson (Selector), Paul Kelly, Sean Buggle, Alan Madden, Sean Buggy, Ken Kelly, Noel Burke,

Declan Higgins, Colm Buggy, Mike Ryan, Enda Duane, Michael Hogan, Chris Hoban, Ronan O’Malley (Capt.) Ambrose Finnerty, Tristan McGarr, Philip Fitzgerald, Derek McNamara, Noel Sullivan (Manager), Johnny Buggle (Selector).

Front L-R: Robbie Spain, Brendan Byrne, Colm Maguire, Richie Hoban, Tony Spain, Paul Fitzgerald, Connail O’Malley, John Coulston, Brian Coulston, Andrew Whelan, Paul Hogan, Liam Hogan (Selector).

Confey (Kildare) – Leinster Intermediate Club Football Champions 2006Back L-R: Tony Kelly (selector), Donal McLean, Jimmy Gately, Daire Walsh, Mossy McCann, Collie Coyle, John

O’Neill, Gerry Donnelly, Kieran Divilly, Frankie Barry , Joey Keogh (captain), Eoin Fitzpatrick, Keith O’Sullivan, John Quigley, Colm Quinn, High Lynch, Mark Ferris, Phillip Quigley, Ja Prior, Mitch McCann, Damian Kelly, Bud Corscadden, Liam Corscadden, Dave Lambert (manager), Ina Watkins (selector).

Front L-R: Keith Lambert (selector), Mark Lundy, Ciaran Ganely, Collie Hendry, Paul Concannon, Ian McCabe, Roger Quinn, Robbie McMahon, Paddy Nolan, Paul Corscadden, Conor Hughes, Dave McSharry, Frank Ryder, Dara Nolan, Alan O’Sullivan, John Malone.

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS

LastSummertheLeinsterCounciladdressedtheproblem of inequality of standards in our ClubChampionships,inallgradesandinbothcodes.Eventually they arrived with a formula whichreceivedtheapprovaloftheNationalGradingsCommittee.

Looking at the overall results one has to saythat the experiment worked quite well. Thehighlights came in hurling, of course, whereArdclough (Kildare) had a narrow victory overRaharney (Westmeath) in the IntermediateClub Hurling Championship Final. Prior tothat game, Raharney had beaten the WexfordIntermediate Champions (in a replay) and theKilkenny IntermediateChampions. Similarly inthe Junior Club Hurling Championship we hadtheuniquesituationofhavingaLouthteamintheFinal.

AIB LEINSTER CLUB S.F.C.Surely one of the toughest Championships towinintheG.A.A.Afternumerousclosegames,

and a few replays, both our Semi Finals werewonbyaonepointmargin-MoorefieldbeatingTyrrellspassandRhodeaccountingforU.C.D.

Final day in Portlaoise saw the heavens openandthewindsbecamegaleforce.NeverthelessMoorefield and Rhode put on an exhibitionwhichwasa joy tobehold. In theendvictorywent to the Kildare Champions who took theSean McCabe Cup for the first time in theirproudhistory.

AIB LEINSTER CLUB S.H.C.Under the new structures this Championshipwas confined to six clubs. This led to closelycontested games right through and amazinglythe biggest winning margin came in the Finalwhere Ballyhale Shamrocks overpowered theClub Championship aristocrats, Birr, in animpressivesecondhalfinPortlaoise.

With another power-packed second halfperformance at the same venue the KilkennyChampions have seen off Toomevara and nowlookforwardtoareturntoformergloriesonSt.PatricksDay.

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Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny) – AIB Leinster Club Senior Hurling Champions 2006Back L-R: Ger Fennelly, Liam Grant, Keith Murphy, Colin Fennelly, Micky Carroll, Eamon Fitzpatrick, Bobby

Aylward, James ‘Cha’ Fitzpatrick, Michael Fennelly, James Connolly, Henry Shefflin, Eamon Walsh, Anthony Walsh, Keith Nolan, T.J. O’Farrell and Michael Dermody.

Front L-R: James Walsh, Tom Coogan, Aidan Cummins, Mark Aylward, Eoin Reid, Padraig Holden, Patrick Reid, Donnachda Fitzpatrick, David Hoyne, Tommy Coogan and Paul Shefflin.

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LEINSTER CLUB I.F.C.ThiswasasuperbChampionshipwithallgamesbeing played at the home venue of one ofthe participants. Unfamiliar club names werethe order of the day and, for the most part,sportsmanshipwasofthebrightestorder.

Kildare Champions Confey staged the LeinsterFinal and accounted for a brave Tubber teamwhothusbecameseventhOffalyteamtofinishasrunners-upinLeinsterCompetitionsin2007.

LEINSTER CLUB I.H.C.This competition was contested by the SeniorClubChampionsofWestmeath,Kildare,Wicklowand Meath together with the IntermediateChampionsofKilkennyandWexford.

As mentioned previously, Ardclough took thespoilsattheexpenseofRaharney.

LEINSTER CLUB J.F.C.Onceagainwehadacompetitioninvolvingclubswho rarely before had been in the limelight.PlayedinvenueslikePhilipstown,MountTempleand Ratheniska it was a real Discover LeinsterVoyage.

The Final was played in Ratheniska where thehostclub,ParkRatheniska,hadagoal to spareoverSt.Ultans(Meath)inathrillinggame.

LEINSTER CLUB J.H.C.From Kill to Carne and from Bray to LouthVillage the Leinster Club J.H. Championshipcareered up and down the province. Louthchampions, Knockbridge caught everybody’simagination by defeating the Offaly, Laois andWexford Champions to reach the Final. Thisgame, played in Louth Village at the secondattempt, saw Kilkenny’s Danesfort turn on thestyleandwinhandsomely.

Danesfort (Kilkenny) – Leinster Club Junior Hurling Champions 2006Back L-R: Maurice Woodcock, Patrick Hogan. Frank Minogue, Padraig Corcoran, Padraig Daly, Shane O’Neill,

Paul Murphy, Ger Power, Michael Cunningham, John Corr, John Ryan, Mark O’Neill, Davy Forristal, Marty McMahon, Aaron Dunne, Richard Devane, Pauric Treacy & John Doheny.

Front L-R: Larry Mahony, Paddy Fennelly, Pauric Forristal, Liam Forristal, Richie Hogan, Tómas Dunne, Pa Dillon, Gavin O’Keeffe, Robert Walsh, Tom Mahony, James Mullins, Jason Cody, Shem Hurley & Tommy Ryan.

Missing from photo: Tony Woodcock (Capt.) and Philip Walsh.

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Dublin – O’Byrne Cup winners 2007Back L-R: Tomás Quinn, Niall O’Shea, Diarmuid Connolly, Derek Murray, Darren Magee, Declan O’Mahony,

Conal Keaney, Coman Goggins, Colin Prenderville.

Front L-R: Stephen Cluxton, Gerard Brennan, Paul Griffin, Colin Moran (Capt.), Kevin Bonner, David O’Callaghan.

ACCIDENTTOURNAMENT COMPETITIONS

ThewinnersoftheseCompetitionsin2006were:-

O’ByrneCupS.F. AnMhiWalshCupS.H. CillChainnighKehoeCupS.H. Ceatharloch

COMPETITIONS 2007TheO’ByrneCupS.F.Competitioncontinuestogrowinstature. Thisyear itattractedliveT.V.coverage of four games (courtesy of SetantaIreland) and once again huge attendances(considering it isplayed in January) turneduptosee thegames. Thepayingcustomerswerenot disappointed as teams, fielding almost atfull strength, gave everything in the way ofcommitmenttotheCompetitions.

As in previous years we facilitated some ThirdLevel Colleges in all three Competitions. Thismayneed tobe reviewed for2008as someofthese teams seem to be less enthusiastic thanheretofore.

WewerepleasedagaintoaccommodateDownandAntrimintheWalshCupwhileRoscommonandMayowerewelcomevisitorstotheprovincetoparticipateintheKehoeCup.

O BYRNE CUP S.F. 2007Three live T.V. games from Aughrim, and afourth, the Final, coming from Tullamore. ItcouldonlybetheO’ByrneCup!!

Local derbies abounded in this Competitionand, as usual, they failed to disappoint. Somemanagers welcomed the games, others werelessenthusiastic.AfterfourweekendsofhecticactionDublinandLaoisreachedtheFinalwhichhadtobeswitchedtoneutralTullamorebecauseofdevelopmentworkinPortlaoise.Afinecrowdwastreatedtoanentertaininggamewhichwentto extra time. At the end Dublin prevailed bytwopoints.

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Longford – O’Byrne Shield winners 2007Back L-R: Bernard McElvaney, Kevin Mulligan, Noel Farrell, Diarmuid Masterson, Damien Sheridan (capt),

Brian Kavanagh, Liam Keenan, Cathal Conefrey, Enda Ledwith.

Front L -R: Trevor Smullen, Dermot Brady, Paul Barden, Shane Mulligan, David Barden, Padraic Davis.

Dublin Institute of Technology – Kehoe Cup winners 2007Back L-R: Declan Grennan, Willy O’Dwyer, Paddy Breen, Declan O’Dwyer,John Doran, Joe Clarke, Eoin

Nolan, John Walsh, Walter Gill, Trevor Corcoran, Donncha Kennedy, Pauraic Nolan, Brendan McEvoy, Frank Cullen.

Front L -R: Kevin Reilley, Séan McCann, Darragh Minnock, Alan Gaynor, Eamon Clarke, Willie Lyons, Capt. Eddie Connolly, Donal Heffernon, Niall Kelly, Willie Cullen, Sean Reale, Michael Dwane.

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Kilkenny – Leinster Intermediate Hurling Champions 2006Back L-R: Brian Phelan, Conor O’Loughlin, Derek O’Gorman, Pat Hartley, Michael Murphy, P.J.

Corcoran, Bill Beckett, Ger Joyce, Andrew McCarthy, Eddie Walsh, Kieran Joyce, Niall Kennedy, & Austin Murphy.

Front L -R: James Maher, Oisin Breathnach, David Carroll (Capt.), Walter Burke, Derek Brennan, Eddie O’Donoghue, Gavin Nolan, Alan Healy, Paddy Hogan, Sean Cummins & Denis Kelly.

O’ BYRNE S.F. SHIELDThisCompetition-justfirstRoundLosers-isproving equally popular. Athlone I.T. qualifiedtoplayLongfordintheFinalwhichwasplayed,under lights, at the well-appointed LongfordSlashers facility. The home side retained thecrownwhichtheyhadwonin2006.

WALSH CUP S.H.Lively, high scoring games were the order ofthe day in this Competition. Despite sterlingperformances fromOffalyandLaois itwasthe

oldfirmofKilkennyandWexfordwhoqualifiedfor the Final. This game was unplayed at thetimeofwriting.

KEHOE CUP S.H. After a number of near misses in recent yearsthespoils,thisyear,wenttoD.I.T.Theyavengedlast year’s defeat by Carlow and reaped thereward for theirdedicationto thiscompetitionsincetheyfirstentered.

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The Leinster team which defeated Ulster in the semi-final of the 2006 M. Donnelly Interprovincial Football ChampionshipBack L-R: Caoimhín King (Meath); Conal Keaney (Dublin); Brendan Quigley (Laois); Declan Lally

(Dublin); Páraic Clancy (Laois); Joe Sheridan (Meath); Darren Rooney (Laois): Johnny Doyle (Kildare): Michael Ennis (Westmeath).

Front L -R: Mark Carpenter (Carlow); Collie Moran (Dublin); Karol Slattery (Offaly); Gary Connaughton (Westmeath); Aidan Fennelly (Laois).

Missing from photo: Brian Kavanagh (Longford).

Pictured celebrating their victory over Connaught in the final of the M. Donnelly Interprovincial Football Championship 2006 in Boston, are the Leinster Interprovincial

Football squad with competition sponsor Martin Donnelly.

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M. DONNELLY INTERPROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

For the first time since 1988 Leinster wonthe Double in the M. Donnelly InterprovincialChampionships. Great credit is due to all theplayersandto theManagement teams frontedby John Conran (Hurling) and Val Andrews(Football).

IOMAINTDespiteclasheswithconcludingstagesofCountyChampionshipsourHurlingManagementturnedoutastrongteamforthiscompetition.AneasySemiFinalsuccessoverUlsterpavedthewayforaFinalappearance,under floodlights, inPearseStadium,Galwayagainstthehostprovince.This

game was played as curtain-raiser to the firstInternational Series game between Ireland andAustralia.Beforeagoodattendanceourplayersput in a great performance under the inspiredleadershipofCaptainEddieBrennanandranoutcomfortablewinners.

PEILOurFootballershadatoughSemiFinalagainstUlster in Kingspan Breffni Park but eventuallyovercame the home side. Then it was off tothe Irish Cultural Centre, Boston for the Finalwheresurprisepackets,Connacht,providedtheopposition. After a titanic battle the LeinsterteamprevailedandCaptainColinMoranmadeamendsforearlierdisappointments intheyearbyacceptingtheM.Donnellytrophy.

The Leinster Team which won the 2006 M. Donnelly Interprovincial Hurling Championship Back L-R: Darren McCormack (WH), James Ryall (KK), Gary Hanniffy (OY), Derek Lyng (KK),

Rory Hanniffy (OY), Eoin Larkin (KK), Joe Bergin (OY), Richie Mullally (KK), James Young (LS).

Front L -R: Brian Mullins (OY), David Franks (OY), Richie Power (KK), Eddie Brennan (KK), John Tennyson (KK), Tommy Walsh (KK), Michael Jacob (WX).

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HALL OF FAME

Once again we presented our Annual Hall of Fame awards at the Leinster Hurling and Football Finals.

IOMAINT - Tony Doran (Wexford)Thisyear’shurlingawardwenttooneofthefolkheroesofWexfordhurling-TonyDoran.WhatacareertheBuffersAlleymanhad!Itspannedtwenty six years at National Level, beginningwith an All Ireland Minor Hurling Medal in1963 and culminating with an All Ireland ClubChampionship title with his beloved BuffersAlleyin1989.

In between there were a series of successstories.AnAllIrelandUnder21medalin1965was followed by the All Ireland Senior Hurlingtitlein1968.DuringtheseventiesTonyDoranwon seven Railway Cup medals with Leinster,qualified for three more All Ireland S.H. FinalsandwonfourLeinsterS.H.titles, includingtwoasCaptain in1976and1977. In1976hewonhisonlyAllStarAwardandinthesameyearwasselectedasTexacoHurleroftheYear.

Mostdefinitely,TonyDoranisaworthyentranttotheLeinsterHallofFame.

PEIL - Sean Boylan (Meath)Leinster Football Final Day has had manymemoriesforSeanBoylanbutin2006itwasalittledifferenttohispreviousvisits-thistimeit was to accept the Leinster Football Hall ofFameAward.

In a managerial career of almost a quarter ofa century Sean Boylan managed Meath to winfourSeniorFootballAllIrelands,threeNationalLeague titles, eight Leinster S.F.C. titles andnumerousotherawards.

His work away from the playing fields hascontributed greatly, also, to the betterment ofhis community, county and country. In 2006he was honoured as the first ever Freemanof County Meath and later that year he wasappointed Manager of the Ireland team in theInternationalSeries.

The ‘DunboyneHerbalist’ is a truegreat andamost appropriate addition to the Leinster HallofFame.

Tony Doran receiving his Hall of Fame award from Liam O’Neill and Taoiseach Bertie Aherne.

Sean Boylan receiving his Hall of Fame award from Liam O’Neill.

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CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS – RESTRUCTURINGThe Leinster Council decided during the yearthat some of our Club Championships werea bit unequal and so decided on a policy ofregrading.Thebiggestchanges,naturally,camein hurling and, in particular, the Senior ClubHurlingChampionship.

For 2006 the AIB Leinster Club Senior HurlingChampionship was confined to the championsof six counties viz., Kilkenny, Offaly, Dublin,Laois,WexfordandCarlow.ItwasdecidedthatthechampionsofWestmeath,Wicklow,MeathandKildarewouldbegradedtotheIntermediateClub Championship while the champions ofLouthandLongfordweredesignatedtotheClubJunior Hurling Championship. Further changesthenensuedfortheIntermediateChampionsincountiesnolongergradedSenior.

The end result was that we had three verycompetitive Club Championships in hurling.Gone were the painfully one-sided gamesof previous years while counties who werepreviously deemed also rans in hurling nowfound their champions competing at thebusiness end of Leinster Club Championships.The best example, probably, of this was theLeinster Intermediate Club Championship Final

which featured Raharney (Westmeath) andArdclough(Kildare).LikewiseintheJuniorClubChampionship-wehadthefairytalemarchofKnockbridge(Louth)totheFinal.

We had some initial misgivings from countieswho felt they were being downgraded, but,overall, the logic of the exercise was clearlyvisible where it mattered i.e. on the field ofplay.

TherewasmuchlesstinkeringwiththeFootballClub Championships as standards there havehistorically been much more even. The onlyreal regrading came with Kilkenny (Senior andIntermediate to Intermediate and Junior) andCarlow(IntermediateRunnersUptoJunior).

We continue to have complaints about theeligibility clause attached to the Intermediateand Junior Club Championships i.e. that theparticipantsmustbetrue Intermediate/ JuniorClubs. Likewise there is still the contentionsissue of group or divisional teams not beingeligible for the Senior Club Championships.However the point must be made that theLeinsterCouncildoesnothavetheauthoritytochangetheseregulations-thatisthebusinessofAnnualCongress.

COMHAIRLELAIGHEANAWARD

John Duffy of Longford (centre) is pictured receiving the 2006 Comhairle Laighean Award for his County Senior Football Final Programme from Leinster Chairman, Liam O’Neill and Pat Toner, PRO, at our recent Presentation Night in Tullamore.

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WhilerecentlytearingmyhairoutinanattempttocomeupwithsomenewideasforanAnnualReportafriendcynicallysuggestedthatIrewritewhatIhadproducedtwentyyearsagoandthatnobodywouldnoticethedifference! ThissentmebacktomyAnnualReporton1986andtheexerciseprovedinteresting.HerearejustafewofthetopicsIaddressedinthatReport.

A THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES (THEN KNOWN AS THE AUSTRALIAN SERIES).

I referred to the violence and thuggery inthat year’s contests but also noted the overalldisappointment at the non-physical nature oftheThirdTestthatyear.Thesectionconcludedwithmysuggestionthatwethinklongandhardbeforewesetoff‘downunder’again.

B FIXTURES WORK GROUPTheyhadpresentedaReportthatyear.Inotedthat the proposals appeared to legislate forinter-county players only. The retention oftheUnder21Gradewasaboneof contentionwith me while I also seriously questioned thevalue of the then Railway Cup Competitionsandwhether,asanAssociation,wewereseriousaboutkeepingthemalive.

C CONCERTS IN CROKE PARKThiswasarealboneofcontentionatthattime,intheaftermathofthedamagetothepitchontheoccasionoftheSimpleMindsConcert.

D REFEREESAswithtoday,theissueofconsistencytraining,assessmentetc.,ofrefereeswasaveryhottopic.We may have come a long way in this areabut,tojudgefromrecentmediainterviews,thepooroldrefereeisstilltoblamewhenthingsgowrongforteams.

E DISCIPLINEBefore somebody else brings it up, I also notefromthe1986ReportthatmyownbelovedClubhad some serious disciplinary issues with theLeinsterCouncilinthatyearalso!

F TICKETS / MARKETINGThatyearwasthefirstinwhichweticketedtheStands for Leinster Finals and I bemoaned thefact that so many were unsold. I argued thatweneeded tomarket thesegamesmuchmorestrenuouslybecause, I contended,wewerenotgettingourmessageacrosstothepayingpublic.

I think you will agree that twenty years on,we still have many of the same problems.Interestingly I do detect one major change inapproachtothingsfrom1986.JustasatpresenttherewasageneralelectionintheairandG.A.A.unitshadmajorissueswith(a)V.A.T.onhurleys(b) Rates Tax on G.A.A. properties and (c)D.I.R.T. on bank deposit interest. To highlightthesegrievanceswebannedallpoliticiansfromtheV.I.P.areasatourmajorgames.Asthesongsays‘Theywouldn’tdoitnow’!!

FICHE BLIAIN AG FÁS -TWENTY YEARS A-GROWING

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SENIOR INTER COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS

Congress 2007 will again debate motions onchangingtheAll IrelandChampionship formatsinHurlingandFootball.Letshopethatwhateverdecisionsare reachedwillbegivenaminimumoffiveyearstosettledown.

In all this talk of change of systems very littlereference is made to the effect on ProvincialSenior Championships. These once greatflagshipsoftheAssociationarefastdiminishing.The introduction of the Qualifiers has had adetrimental effect on these Championships.This is neither a criticism of the Qualifiers nora plea for another change of direction - it ismerelyastatementoffact.

In Leinster the Provincial Senior HurlingChampionshipispracticallyextinct.TherecentdominationbyKilkennyisonlypartlythereason.There is virtually no incentive for any of ourother counties - apart from localpride - toconcentrate on anything but the Qualifier andAllIrelandSeries.

The Leinster Senior Football Championshiphaslost much of its charm. The emergence, afew years ago, of a couple of new LeinsterChampions proved to be a false dawn -they were immediately swallowed up in theextended Qualifiers by counties who had beenalready knocked out of their own provincialchampionships. Nowadays, apart from Dublingames in Croke Park, the general public areapathetic about our games. The frighteningthing about this is that if Dublin hit a trough,or go out early, it will have serious financialimplicationsforourCouncil.

Do I exaggerate? Consider this - there wasa bigger crowd at the first round O’ ByrneCup game on January 6th between Wicklowand Carlow than there was at the S.F.C. gamebetween the same two counties last Summer.

Whatwasthedifference?-O.K.itmighthavesomething to do with the team managementbut another major difference was that the O’ByrneCupgamewasknockout!!

County Boards may not dwell too deeply onall of this but perhaps a word of caution isnow inorder - if theLeinsterCouncil incomedrops it will have a knock on effect on gamesdevelopmentandphysicaldevelopmentsupportinourcounties.

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DISCIPLINARY JURISDICTION/NEW STRUCTURES REGULATIONS

With all the publicity in the past year aboutindisciplineingames,brawlsinclubandcountygames, abuse of referees and match officialsandanapparentbreakdownoflawandorderinthe Association one would have been forgivenfor thinking that stringent measures would beintroducedtostampout,oratleastdiscourage,theseindiscretions.Thatlineofthoughtwouldhavebeenwayoffthemark.

The new disciplinary code, amazingly, hasdrasticallyreducedtheminimumsuspensionsinmanyinstances.Justafewexamples:-

(a) Strikingwith thehurleyorkickingnowhasaminimumpenaltyoffourweekscomparedwith the previous twelve weeks. Thereis a distinction between ‘with force’ or‘withminimalforce’intheseinfractionsbutthis immediately puts pressure on refereesand Disciplinary Committees - historyand human nature tells us which of thesedescriptionswillapplyinbothinstances?

(b) Minor physical interference with a matchofficial now has a minimum sentence oftwelveweeksratherthantwentyfour.

(c) Abusive language to a match official nowcarriesapenaltyof fourweeks rather thaneightheretofore.

Perhaps the greatest surprise comes in theextension of the clause dealing with ‘Level’and ‘Code’. It now appears that players willonly ever be completely suspended if theyare found guilty of physical interference with,threatening or abusive conduct or threateninglanguage towards match officials. It has beenestimated that players could conceivably besentoff-forveryseriousinfractions-onsixsuccessive days and yet be eligible to play inparticularcompetitionsontheseventhday.YesIknowthisisanextremeexamplebutitsurelyhighlights how lenient our penalties have nowbecome.

Naturally we will only see the fruits of thesedecisions as the competitions progress thisyear.Alreadytherearedisturbingsignsthatthereferees’ decisions will not be accepted whenput under scrutiny. This is a dangerous trendand must be monitored carefully by CentralCouncil.

We have a whole new set of structures fordealing with disciplinary matters. These mustbe given time to find their optimum level ofefficiency before having judgment passed onthem.ItisobviousthatOfficersatalllevelsarestillabitconfusedbutIfeelallthewrinkleswillbeironedoutbeforetheyearismucholder.

It is vitally important that all our decisionsare made within our own official structures.The emergence of ad hoc groups like countymanagers must be resisted in the area ofadministration of our games. Their recentinterventiontooverturnthedecisionsofCentralCouncil on Match Regulations is disturbing.Likewise, they now seem to be focussing ontelling referees how they should do their jobs.That is not their responsibility and any furtherattemptstoinfluencethisarea-oranyotheroflikenature-mustberesisted.

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DEMOGRAPHICS

The preliminary census figures published in2006 show that thepopulationof Leinsterhasincreasedsignificantlyinthepasttenyears.Thepopulation of 1,924,702 in 1996 increased by9.4%to2,105,579in2002.Therewasafurtherincreaseof8.9%between2002and2006whenthe population grew by 187,360 to 2,292,939.This isacumulative increaseof368,237which

represents an increase of 19.1% over the pasttenyears.

The preliminary figures illustrate that 54% ofthepopulationofthestateresideintheLeinsterregion.Theaccompanyingtablealsoshowsthat39%ofthepopulationliveintheGreaterDublinArea (GDA) comprising Dublin, Kildare, Meathand Wicklow. The population of this area hasincreasedby18.2%from1,405,671 in1996to1,661,185in2006.

Population Percentage of Population Population 2006 population 2006 2002 1996

Munster 1,172,170 27.70% 1,100,614 1,033,903Connacht 503,083 11.90% 464,296 433,231Ulster(3) 266,733 6.30% 246,714 234,251Leinster 2,292,939 54.10% 2,105,579 1,924,702 4,234,925 100% 3,917,203 3,626,087 Leinster Dublin 1,186,159 1,122,821 1,058,264Kildare 186,075 163,944 134,992Meath 162,621 134,005 109,732Wicklow 126,330 114,676 102,683GDA 1,661,185 39.2% 1,535,446 1,405,671

Carlow 50,471 46,014 41,616Kilkenny 87,394 80,339 75,336Laois 67,012 58,774 52,945Longford 34,361 31,068 30,166Louth 110,894 101,821 92,166Offaly 70,604 63,663 59,117Westmeath 79,403 71,858 63,314Wexford 131,615 116,596 104,371 2,292,939 54.1% 2,105,579 1,924,702

All the counties in Leinster increased theirpopulationbetween2002and2006.Thefastestgrowing local authority areas were Fingal(+43,400or22.1%),Meath(+28,616or21.4%)andKildare(+22,131or13.5%).Thepopulationof all counties/ local authorities in Leinsterapart from Dublin City (+2%), Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown (+1%) and Dublin South (+3.4%)grew by more than the national average rateof 8.1%. Taking a ten-year perspective (i.e.1996-2006),threeLeinsterlocalauthorityareasaccountedforabout29%ofthe609,000growthin population at State level. They were Fingal,MeathandKildare.

Inaddition to theabove theRegionalPlanningguidelinesfor2004expectsthatthepopulationfor the Greater Dublin Area could be as highas1.75millionpeopleby2010. If this increasematerialises this would be an increase inpopulationinexcessof100,000overafouryearperiod.

The above figures demonstrate that theadvancementoftheAssociationintheLeinsterregionisvitalfortheoverallgrowthandsuccessof the Association in future years. In addition,they confirm that the Association both at ArdChomhairle and Comhairle Laighean must

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examine ways to assist counties with largepopulation increases to advance and grow thegamesinthesecounties.

ComhairleLaigheanhascommissionedareportonhowthechangingdemographicswillimpactontheactivitiesofthetwelveCountyCommitteesandclubsinthefifteenLocalAuthorityRegionsin theprovince.The reportwhichwill examine

theplansofbothlocalandregionalauthoritieswillmakerecommendationsonwhereComhairleLaighean and Ard Chomhairle should makethe necessary investment in order to ensurethat the County Committees and clubs in theprovince have the necessary facilities to meetthechallengesofthegrowingpopulationwhileat the same time increasing the Association’s“marketshare”.

GAMES DEVELOPMENT

GENERALThe amount of activity in this area is mind-boggling.Thereportsarecontainedinthesecondhalf of this booklet and should be consideredcarefully. The inter actionof full timeofficersandvoluntaryofficialsisafascinatingonewhilethe link between the National Committee andourProvincialCommitteeisthevitalcoginthewhole operation. Under the baton of GamesManager,PatDaly,thisaspectofourAssociationisthriving.

As in all big spend operationswemust alwayskeepaneyeonthevalueformoneyaspect.IamsatisfiedthatthisisbeingaddressedatNationalLevelbutperhapscloserattentionmightbepaidatProvincialandCountylevel.

HURLINGTheLeinsterHurlingDevelopmentPlanhashadasteadystart-nomorenoless.Itiscurrentlybeing reviewed with particular attention beingpaidtothecompositionandroleoftheSteeringCommittees and, perhaps, a re-alignment ofthe areas. Some counties still remain to beconvinced of its value but we will continue topreachthegospel.

CAMOGIEDuring the year we met with the LeinsterCamogie Development Committee whopresentedaproposedprogrammeof initiativesaimed at developing their game in Leinster.Their main areas of concentration are Schools,Target County, Administration, Marketingand P.R. Our Management Committee wassufficientlyimpressedastosetasideagrantofover €100,000.00 for this project, over threeyears.

LADIES FOOTBALLNot to be outdone, our colleagues in theLeinsterLadiesGaelicFootballAssociationhaveindicated that they, too, are currently workingondevelopmentplansfortheprovince.Intheirowntime,nodoubt,theywillalsobeseekingameetingwithourManagementCommittee.

41

The Leinster Council recently received noticethat one of the Workshops at Congress 2007will consist of Provincial Councils presentingan assessment of the current state of theAssociation in its constituent counties. Thisassessment is to be based on a discussion ofthis topic at our Provincial Convention. Sincethe task of presenting this report is likely tofalltotheProvincialSecretaryIdecidedthat itwouldbeappropriatetogeneratesomedebateon the matter at our own Convention so thatI might get a framework in place to presentmy assessment. To facilitate this, I thought Imight pose some questions directly to countydelegations in order to get an accurate handleon the real situation in the twelve counties.TimerestraintsatConventionwillnotallowallquestions to be answered by all counties butI would hope to establish enough informationto get the report started. The Officers of theCouncil could then complete the assessmentthrough their own insight on the state of ourcounties.

Thequestionsarenotinanyparticularorderofimportanceandarenotdesigned toembarrassany county delegation. They are merely anhonest attempt to get an accurate pictureof how the Association stands in each of ourcounties. Apart from the chore of having topresent the report to Congress it would behoped that the replies would give the LeinsterCouncil a true guideline on how to assist ourcounties,and,perhaps,theymightalsoprovideanopportunityforcountiesto learnfromeachother.

Heregoeswiththequestions:-

Q.1 Does your County Board have a CountyPlan?

Q.2 Does your County Board prepare anAnnualBudget?

Q.3 (a) Is player welfare (county teams) apriorityofyourCounty

Board?

(b) Are county players, of both codes,treatedequally?

Q.4 DoesyourCountyBoardhaveprideinitsMainCountyGrounds?

Q.5 Is your County’s Fixture Scheduleaspirational or a genuine effort at goodplanning?

Q.6 In relation to the proposed MatchRegulationspassedbyCentralCouncil inlate2006didyourCountyBoard:-

(a) Brief its Central Council delegatebeforethemeeting?

(b) ConsultwithCountyTeamManagersabouttheproposedRegulations?

(c) Ignorethedocumentcompletely?

Q.7 DoyourCountyTeamManagersinfluenceyourCountyBoard

(a) IntheareaofexpenditureonCountyTeams

(b) In the alteration of club fixturesschedules?

Q.8 DoesyourCountyhave:- (a) AnofficialSupportersClub? (b) AnunofficialSupportersClub?

Q.9 DoesyourCountyBoarddiscuss,orhavetheexpertisetodiscuss,theproposedsaleofproperty

(a) ByClubsintheCounty? (b) TheCountyBoarditself?

COUNTY BOARDS SURVEY

42

Q.10 DoesyourCountyBoardhaveapolicyontransferofplayerseither:-

(a) Fromweakclubstostrongclubsinthecountyor

(b) To/Fromclubsoutsidethecounty?

Q.11 DoesyourCountyBoarddiscussorhaveapolicyon:-

(a) The formation of new clubs in thecountyor

(b) Theamalgamationofexistingclubsinthecounty?

Q.12 How does your County Board view thefive year limitation of terms of Officerswithinthecounty?

(a) HasitthepotentialtocostyourCountysomeofitsbestadministrators?

(b) Isitanexcusetokeeppeopleinofficeforuptofiveyears?

(c) Isitjustright?

Q.13 How would you describe your CountyBoard’s relationship with Provincial andCentralCouncils?

Q.14 (a) Does your County Board discussInsurancematterse.gProperty,

PublicandEmployersLiabilityetc. (b) Why the reluctance to appoint a

CountyInsuranceOfficer?

Q.15 HasyourCountyaroleforaCommercialOfficer?

Q.16 How are internal relationships in yourCountyBoard-dotheOfficersactasateam?

Q.17 Are you thinking - ‘Who is he to askthesequestions?’

Q.18 WhatisyourCountyBoard’strackrecordwithPrimaryandSecondLevelSchoolsinthecounty?

(a) Aretheylefttotheirowndevices?

(b) Does the Board make token gesturestothem?

(c) Does the Board take an active andconstructive interest in gamespromotionintheschools?

Q.19 DoestheCountyBoarddiscussCoachingandGamesDevelopmentintheCounty-dotheyeverdiscusswhetherornottheyaregettingvalueformoneyinthisarea?

Q.20 Would a fulltime County Secretary /Administrator make a difference to theeffectiveness of your County Board? Iftheansweris‘yes’howwouldit?

Q.21 Is your County Board strong in dealingwithdisciplinarymatters? Doallclubs/individualsgettreatedequally?

Q.22 WouldyourCountyBoardusealoopholeortechnicalitytogetaCountyPlayeroffaseriousdisciplinarycharge?

Q.23. What isyourCountyBoard’sattitude totheD.R.A.?

Q.24 Has your County Board a good record/ reputation in the area of MatchProgrammes/Publications/Websites?

Q.25 Dosomeofthesequestionsmakeyoufeeluneasy?

Q.26 What is your County Board’s attitude /relationship/trackrecordwith

(a) Scor (b) Handball (c) Rounders

Q.27 Is ProvincialConventionand /orAnnualCongress irrelevant to most members ofyourCountyBoard?

43

Q.28 Does your County Board feel that theProvincial and / or Central Councilinterferes too much in the internalworkingsoftheCounty?

Q.29 DoesyourCountyBoardhavealoyaltytotheLeinsterCouncil?

Q.30 HastheauthorityoftheProvincialCouncilwaned over the years? - or is it nowjust perceived as a cash cow by CountyBoards?

Q.31 Does your County Board make a serious/ genuine effort to sell match ticketsin advance of Leinster Championshipfixtures?

Q.32 DoesitmattertoyourCountyBoardwhoispresidentof theG.A.A.orchairmanofLeinsterCouncil?

Q.33 Would your Board Officers feelcomfortable in phoning up LeinsterCouncilorCrokeParkforadvice?

Q.34 Does your County Board have a goodrelationshipwiththelocalmedia?Ifnot,whynot?

Q.35 Doesthephrase‘TheHurlingCrowd’/or‘The Football Crowd’ ever surface whenCounty Officers are discussing matterspertainingtotheCountyBoard?

Q.36 Describe in fifty words your CountyBoard’s attitude towards, or relationshipwith,refereesinthecounty?

Q.37 Would your answer to any of thesequestions be different if you wereguaranteedanonymity?

Q.38. Does the weaker code in your countygetafaircrackofthewhip? Is itsimplya question of throwing a few fixtures atthemtokeepthemhappy?

Q.39 DoyouthinkCentralCouncilshoulddividetheextrarevenue(fromopeningupCrokePark)?

(a) BetweentheClubs? (b) BetweentheCountyBoards? (c) Insomeotherfashion?

Q.40 Does your County Board ever set asidetime to discuss provincial or nationalpolicyonmatterslike:-

(a) HurlingDevelopmentPlan (b) Changeofpopulationtrends (c) Appointmentsoffull-time

employees?

Q.41 Do you think the questioner has justone county in mind as he poses thesequestions?

When the Officers tabulate all the answers tothesequestionswewillthenbeinapositiontopresentourassessmentoftheAssociationinthecountiesoftheprovince.Whetherwehavethecouragetodothisonacountybycountybasisremainstobeseen!

NEW STAFF MEMBERIn 2006 we welcomed a new member of StaffontotheArasLaigheanteam- inthepersonofJohnCotter.

John has been with us, in a partime capacity,foranumberofyearsnow.HisdecisiontojoinusonafulltimebasisshouldaddgreatlytoourservicefromthisOffice.HistitleofCommercialandMarketingManagerisbroadlyusedtocovermanyfacets.Programmeproductionwillremainaprioritywithhimbuthewillalsobeinvolvedinthefollowingareas:-

A. EVENTMANAGEMENT

lPresentationandFunctions

lLaunches

lCorporateHospitality

lAnnualConvention

lSpecialEvents

B. MATCHPROGRAMMESALES

C. ADVERTISING

D. SPONSORSHIP

E. MEDIAANDPUBLICRELATIONS

F. MARKETINGANDPROMOTION

G. P.R.SUPPORT

WelookforwardtoalongandfruitfulassociationwithJ.C.

RETIRING OFFICERSAtthisyearsConventionwebidfarewelltotwoofourOfficersfromtheircurrentposts-JohnByrne retires from the position of Treasurerwhile Pat Toner’s term as P.R.O. also comesto a conclusion. Both men have put in a verydedicatedstintofserviceand,onbehalfofallofComhairleLaighean, Iextendasincerewordofgratitudetothem.OnapersonalnoteIfoundbothofthemtobeablecolleagues,helpfulandco-operativeinourdealings,andgoodcompanytoboot.

SYMPATHYOn behalf of Comhairle Laighean C.L.G. I wishtoextendmysinceresympathytoallmemberswho suffered bereavement during the year. ANovena of Masses has been offered for theirintentions.

BUIOCHASComhairleLaigheanC.L.G.hashadasuccessfulyear,evenifitwasalittlelesseventfulthaninsomeformertimes.Itisanextensiveoperation,madeupofmanyparts,gellingintoonesmooth(we hope!) operation. This is due in no smallpart to the loyaldedicationofmanyunitsandindividuals. May I sincerely thank all thoseonbehalfofourCouncil.

COUNTY COMMITTEES:Theydiffergreatly inpersonalityandapproachbut all work with a common goal - thepromotion and development of our games intheircounties.Weneedthem-theyneedus.Itisagoodprescriptionforsuccess.Manythanksinparticulartothetwelvecountysecretariesfortheir continued support and, through them, totheothercountyofficersalso.

LEINSTER SUB-COMMITTEES:These groups work at the coalface, doing theunfashionable tasks which are so important toour everyday projects. Their reports appear inthesecondhalfonthebookandIwouldappealtodelegatestoperusethemintheirowntime.

REFEREES AND MATCH OFFICIALSI have made reference elsewhere, in the bodyofmyReport, tothe increasingpressurewhichreferees and match officials may encounterthisyear.Theymustbestrongandsticktotheprinciplesofintegritywhichtheyhavedisplayeddowntheyears-Iamconfidentthattheywilldoso.

OnbehalfofComhairleLaigheanC.L.G. Ithankthemsincerely for their contribution toall ourgames and join with them our assessors andcounty administrators. Sheamus Howlin andPierce Freaney spearheaded a number of new

44

initiativesinrefereeingcirclesandIcomplimentthem, and their coterie of assistants, on theirforesightandpositivereturns.

Pierce Freaney has just put his feet under anew desk in Croke Park. It is a brave step byhimbutawiseonebythosewhoselectedhim.ComhairleLaigheanwisheshimwell inhisnewcareerandwe feel surehehasn’tgone too farawayfromus.

PLAYERSItmaybeclichedatthisstagebutourAssociationisall aboutplayers - ofeveryageandgrade.We compliment them on their performances,in victory and defeat, and congratulate themontheirselectionofourgamesastheirchosenpastime.

Wecanonlyendeavourtoimproveourservicetothemintheprovisionofbettergameschedules,facilitiesandwelfareissues.

P.C.T. AND ARD CHOMHAIRLEComhairle Laighean wishes to place on recordonceagain,ourappreciationofthehelp,advice,direction and courtesy we get from Pairc anChrocaighTeo.andtheArdChomhairlestaffinPaircanChrocaigh.

Anumberoffamiliarfaceshavemovedonfrombothteams inCrokePark in the lastwhileandwe thank them for their help to us down theyears. Some others have gone into differentareasofresponsibilityandwewishthemwellintheirnewroles.

VOLUNTARY OFFICIALS / WORKERSItcontinuestoamazemehowsomanypeoplearepreparedtoputintheirsparetimeinsupportofourAssociation.Weekin,weekoutthousandsofmenandwomencarryoutavarietyofchores,inadedicatedway,whichenhancesourgames,membersandethos.Wethankthemsincerely.

HURLING DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATORSTheLeinsterHurlingDevelopmentPlanisalmosttwelve months up and running at this stage.Therewereteethingproblems,asexpected,butI

amfairlysatisfiedthatthesystemisnowfindingits even keel. The H.D.A.’s have approachedtheir duties with admirable enthusiasm andI would like to pay tribute to Lester Ryan(Laois/Carlow), Michael Neary (Wicklow/NorthWexford),DeclanPower(Kildare/Meath), NoelDelaney (Westmeath/Offaly), George O’Connor(Wexford),TomODonnell(Louth)andShane Flanagan (Longford). In Dublin MichaelConnollyputinatremendouseffortbuthehasnowchosenadifferentcareerpath.

The Report of the Administrators appearselsewhere.

MEDIAIt is a cut throat business judged by sales,viewership and listenership numbers. Goodnewsstoriesdonotsellsowellbutcontroversydoes.Henceourshareofbadpublicityin2006.

Nevertheless our games were high profile allyearandweareindebtedtothevariousstrandsofthemediafortheircoverage.

OFFICERS OF COMHAIRLE LAIGHEAN C.L.G.OurOfficersworkedextremelyhard,individuallyand as a Team. I compliment them on theirdedication and efficiency. Similarly I wantto extend my personal thanks to the Councilmembersfortheirsaneandsensiblecontributionsduringthepastyear.

STAFFThe Aras Laighean team had a tough yearbut carried out their duties with courtesy andefficiency. I thank them together with thepartimeandtemporarymembersofoursquad.

RathDéOraibhgoLéir

Micheál Ó Dubhshláine

45

48

Sub-Committee Reports 2006

LEINSTER COACHING AND GAMES DEVELOPMENT REPORT

a Chairman’sandSecretary’sReport b CoachingandGamesManager’sReport c HurlingDevelopmentAdministrators’Report c LeinsterTutorGroupReport d CumannnamBunscoilLaigheanLaighean e ComhairleIarbhunscoileannaLaigheanReport f LeinsterThirdLevelCollegesReport g LeinsterHandballReport

LEINSTER REFEREES ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

LEINSTER I.T., MARKETING AND P.R. COMMITTEE REPORT

LEINSTER GROUNDS & FACILITIES,HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE REPORT

LEINSTER CLUB & COUNTYPLANNING COMMITTEE REPORT

COISTE SCÓR LAIGHEAN

COISTE GAEILGE LAIGHEAN

49

Coaching & Games Development CommitteeJohnHoran(Cathaoirleach)

JohnMcCarthy(Rúnaí)

PaulKinsella(CumannnamBunscol)

MichaelReynolds(SecondarySchools)

MichaelFarrell(VocationalSchools)

MartinMaher(ThirdLevelColleges)

CyrilKevlihan(TutorsGroup)

TomWalsh(Handball)

PaddyKelly(Hurling)

MichaelMcHugh(Football)

TomásMacConMidhe(Lú) BrianCarberry(AnMhí)

BrendanHarpur(ÁthCliath) JimmyDunne(CillMhantáin)

JustinBrowne(LochGarman) PatDunney(CillDara)

GerLennon(Ceatharloch) ValMalone(CillChainnigh)

JohnnyDalton(Laois) PadraigdeScala(UibhFháilí)

PatCasserly(IarMhí) MichaelCasey(Longford)

ThelevelofactivitywithinCoachingandgamescontinuestoincrease.Therecentestablishmentof a National sub-committee to valuate thisarea is a comment in itself on the numberof personnel monies and activity in the area.The roleoutofGNPhashelped focuspeople’smindsonthepurposeofCoachingandGames.Theprioritiesbeingtheprovisionofgames,theimprovementofskillsunderpinnedbyeducation.

GAMES MANAGERShaneFlanaganhassettledwellintohisnewjobatatimeofchange.Hehasbroughtwithhimahighlevelofenergyandcommitment.

Personnel have undertaken a large amount oftrainingunderhisguidanceduringtheyear.Thenewinitiativeofengagingwithlocalcouncilsforthe funding of development projects into thefuture has to be commended as has the Rath

CairnprojectinconjunctionwiththeDeptoftheGaelteachtandRuralaffairs.

Along with Gerard O’Connor, Shane also rana very successful football seminar which waspracticalbasedsoastocomplimenttheNationalCoachingConference.

Shane is tobecomplimentedonhisworkoverthelasttwelvemonthsandhisavailabilitywentaboveandbeyondthecallofduty.

Appreciation must also be expressed to KevinO’Shaughnessy and Ger O’Connor in Dublinfor their support in running the Coaching andGamesdepartment.

SUMMER CAMPS2006sawthestartoftheNationalVHISummerCamps. This major project did encounterdifficulties such was the large scale of the

Coaching & Games DevelopmentCommittee Report

50

exercise. Forums have been provided since forpeople to highlight these problems and it ishoped to have them sorted for 2007’s camps.The financialbenefitsdidn’taccruetocountiesas it might have due to the large number ofreturns, this hopefully will not be a problemthisyear.JimmyDwyerhastakenontheroleofnationalcoordinatorandTonyWateneistobethankedforhisworkin2006.

Moving forward counties should look at usingsummer camps as a means of funding otheractivitieswithinthecountyandtheappointmentof an individual outside of the GDA/GPOstructuretoactasacoordinator.

COACH EDUCATIONBrendan Harper’s committee presented theresults of their review highlighting the needswithin the province in this area. Acting onthis a re-structuring of the courses provided isbeingundertaken.Thishasalsobrought toourattention the need to revamp our tutor groupintermsofrequiringagreaternumberoftutorsandspreadthroughouttheprovince.

Itisplannedtomakeamajorrecruitmentdriveintheautumn/winter2007toaddresstheaboveand successfully deliver on the findings of thereview. Again Brendan Harper has undertakenwiththeassistanceofGerardO’Connortodrivethe initiative forward. The revamped deliveryofcoacheducationwillbedoneonthebasisofsplittingtheprovinceintothreeregions.

Iwould to thankall themembersof theTutorGroup for theirworkthroughouttheyearas itgoesonwinternightswelloutofthespotlight,howeverprovidinganecessary foundationtoalotofourGAAwork.

HURLING DEVELOPMENT ADMINSTRATORSThis group has taken on the task of driving animprovement inHurlingwithsomevigour.Theoriginal grouphasbeenexpandedwithGeorgeO’Connor coming on board for Wexford, TomO’Donnell taking over from Shane Flanagan inLouthwhilstShanecontinuestocoverLongford.

The increased number of games being playedandanimprovedstandardwillbeameasureof

thesuccessofthisproject.TheU-14exhibitiondayinCrokeParkandtheseminarinAthyweretwonewpositiveinitiativesatprovinciallevel.

GO-GAMESThis initiative is making progress throughouttheprovince. It allows for flexibilitywithin thenumbers per side and the rules applied oncethe underlining principle of everybody gets agame, the rules don’t allow the game to bedominated by a few strong players and thatdifferent skills are being developed. We wouldconsidertheinitiativebyDublinPrimarySchoolsof organising their Junior competitions on aregionalbasisusingGo-GamesandgivingupontheirfinalsdayinCrokeParkasthetruespiritofgo-gamesbeingtakenonboard.

GDA’s/GPO’sThis was the first year of the new GDA/GPOstructure within counties. Concerns havebeen rightly expressed about the amount ofpaperworkthathasdevelopedwithinthisareainrecenttimes.ThisisduetothedemandsplacedonusbytheIrishSportsCouncilandCrokePark;it is justacoincidencethat thepaperworkandShaneFlanaganarrivedatthesametime.Shaneisveryconsciousofthisdifficultyandisworkingon the introduction of computer systems toresolvethematter.

TwonewGPO’SwereappointedduringtheyearColin Gaskin in Wicklow and Patrick O’Toolein Longford. TJ Ward has left his position inLongfordandistobethankedfortheservicehehasgivenusovertheyearsinthejob.

HURLING and FOOTBALL SQUADSWecontinuetoprovidecompetitionatProvinciallevelforthesesquads.ThehurlingcompetitionswillbetheresponsibilityoftheHDA’s intothefuture. It is a matter for concern the quantityandqualityofworktakingplacewithanumberof squads- the number of sessions and thecontent has to be questioned. We plan tosupplysupportingguidelinestohelpaddressthissituation.

Thementorsofthesquadsaretobethankedfortheirtimeandeffort.

51

OTHER AREAS COVEREDHandball,PrimarySchools,SecondLevelSchools,Third Level, Hurling Development and TutorGroupallhavereportedindependentlyontheiractivities and deserve to be congratulated ontheworktheycontinuetodoonourbehalf.

CONCLUSIONWe would like to thank Liam O’Neill and theCouncilforalltheirsupportandencouragementduring the year. The quality given of supportgiven by Michael Delaney, Michael Reynolds,Patricia,JulieandHannahmakeslifeeasierandtasksmoreachievable.

WewouldalsoliketoacknowledgetheworkofJohnCotterinmakingtherunningofnumerousfunctionssosuccessful.

ThanksmustalsobeexpressedtotheCoachingandGamescommitteesineachofthecountiesfortheleadershipshownbytheminimplementingourvariousprogrammes.

WearegratefultoPatDalyandhisstafffortheirsupportthroughouttheyear.

Ittakestheeffortsofalargenumberofpeopletokeeptheprovincialflagflyingattheforefrontofgamesdevelopmentwithintheorg

John Mc CarthyJohn Horan

O’Neill’s Leinster GAA Football Conference 2007 at NUI Maynooth. Co. Kildare.

L to R: James Lovett, O’Neill’s, Kevin Heffernan, Former Dublin & Ireland Manager. Cormac Farrell, O’Neill’s and John Horan, Chairman. Leinster Coaching & Games Development.

52

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53

COUNTY COACHING & GAMES PROMOTION OFFICERS LOUTH JohnByrne MEATH DudleyFarrell WICKLOW ColmGaskin WExFORD JoeKearns,LukeO’Hanlon KILDARE DavidMurphy CARLOW JohnNevin KILKENNY JamesMeagher LAOIS CiaranMuldowney OFFALY CarinaCarroll LONGFORD T.J.Ward,NoelBoyce(Hurling),EndaWilliams

THIRD LEVEL COLLEGES DundalkI.T. MichaelHeeney AthloneI.T. GarrySammon CarlowI.T. ValerieCrean U.C.D. DaveBillings D.C.U. TomO’Donnell(toAugust2006) D.I.T. DaraBiddlecombe TrinityCollege GavinKerr St.Pat’sCollege TomFitzpatrick BlanchardstownI.T. RonanKeaskin TallaghtI.T. GerryAnderson Maynooth TomMaher

COACHING ADMINISTRATORS GAMES&STRUCTURALMANAGER ShaneFlanagan COACHINGDIRECTOR(DUBLIN) GerO’Connor

HURLING DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATORS LAOIS/CARLOW LesterRyan OFFALY/WESTMEATH NoelDelaney KILDARE/MEATH DeclanPower WICKLOW/WExFORDNORTH MichaelNeary LOUTH TomO’Donnell LONGFORD ShaneFlanagan WExFORD GeorgeO’Connor

COUNTY GAMES DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATORS KILKENNY BrianRyan CARLOW BrendanHayden WExFORD JimmyFurlong WICKLOW HughKenny LAOIS ColmClear KILDARE NoelMooney OFFALY JohnLeahy LONGFORD NoelBoyce WESTMEATH MichaelMcHugh MEATH ChristineOBrien LOUTH MaireadMcGahon

SECOND LEVEL SCHOOLS LEINSTER MichaelReynolds DUBLIN TomO’Donnell,JimDonovan SOUTHLEINSTER PatHenderson NORTHLEINSTER FergalGiles

IMPLEMENTATION OF GRASSROOTS TO NATIONAL PROGRAMME (GNP) The focus in recent months has been on theimplementation of the GAA national gamesdevelopmentstrategy.Tothisendwehavebeguntoplacegreateremphasisonprojectmanagementandplanningtoensurethepoliciessetoutunderthe GAA’s Grassroots to National Programme(GNP)arebeingadheredto.

The process whilst in its infancy is working wellthanks to the efforts of the full-time personnelinconjunctionwiththeCo.CoachingandGamesDevelopmentCommittees.InaccordancewiththenationalstrategycountyplansarenowfocusingontheimplementationoftheKey1,2,3oftheGNPi.e.(1)Games,(2)SkillDevelopmentand(3)CoachEducation.TheotherareaaccountedforisTalentIdentificationandPlayerDevelopment.

Through the completion and submission of theGAA/SportsCouncil approvedproject applicationformsforprojectstobeimplementedinthefirstquarter of the year we are now in a position toidentify what is happening, where its happening,the number of games involved, participants andvolunteers related to specific projects in eachcounty.Inadditiontothiseachprojectisbudgetedenabling us to show on a quarterly basis wherefunding is spent. Overall this is a far moretransparentandaccountablesystem.

Fromaplanningperspectiveitgivesthefull-timestaffandCo.Committee’sanopportunitytoplantheir year better and focus on areas that are inmostneedofattention.ItwouldbetheCouncil’sintentiontomeetwithallcountiesinthecomingmonths to commence a process of developingspecificCo.GamesDevelopmentPlans.

GO GAMESTheemphasishasbeenon the introductionFirstTouch U-8/9 Go Football and Go Gaelic. Theresultsofacountywideauditconductedthisyearshowed that the vast majority of were runningGoGamesinsomeformatorotheratFirstTouchU-7/8andQuickTouchU-9/10.Ouranalysisalsoidentified that whilst these fun games are beingimplemented – they have not quiet caught theGAApublic’simaginationdueto:

1 Areluctancebyclubcoaches/parentstodeviatefrom the traditional league championshipformat

2 A lack of awareness regarding rules andprinciplesbehindthegames

3 ThelackofaveryrealconcertedprogrammetoraisetheprofileoftheGoGames

4 Poorpenetrationwithinprimaryschoolslevel

Intheshort-termifwearetorealizethepotentialoftheGoGamesandtherebymaximizeparticipationits incumbent upon all of us charged with theresponsibility of developing our games to findsolutionstothesechallenges.WeneedtoraisetheprofileoftheGoGamesandchangethemindsetsof parents/coaches and that can only be donethrougheverychildunder12yearsofagegettingtheirgame.

AsregardsgoalsettingIthinkweshouldbeaimingtohaveatleastoneagegroupatprimaryschoollevel playing gaelic games through Go Gameswithinthenexttwoyears.

Atclublevelcountiesshouldconsiderapportioningsome of the club related project funding toprovideincentivesforclubstoorganizeGoGamestournaments.Theincentivescouldbeintheformofequipmentgrantsoralternativelycountiescouldidentify some of the better qualified Cul Campcoaches to also conduct Go Games workshopsthroughout the summer months when there ismost activity in the clubs. This approach wouldguarantee some level of follow-up in the clubaftertheCulCampsandprovidemuchneededtosupporttotheclubmentors.

Coaching & GamesManager’s Report

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Coaching & Games Development Committee Report

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CÚL CAMPS2006markedthefirstyearofthenationalsummercamps,theVHICúlCamps.Whilstparticipationlevelsweredownonpreviousyearsthisshouldhavebeenexpectedinhindsightduetotheobviouschallengesassociated with going national, a change of brandandnot leastsignificantcompetitioninthemarketfromothercamps.Despitethisover17,500childrenparticipatedinthecampsaroundtheprovince.

Othermorecounty specific reasons fora fall-offinnumberswerehighlightedinourreviewoftheCúlCamps lastautumn–areportonwhichwassubmittedtoCrokePark.Theseincluded:

1 Changeofbrand

2 Issueswithbrochure

3 Lackofmarketingatalocallevel

4 Lateproductionofgear

HavingsaidthatIstillbelievetheGAAprovidesthebestqualityproduct in termsofvalue,coaching/organizationandgear.

Likewitheverythingnewittakestimeforpeopletobecomeaware.ThedifficultylastyearwasthatfamiliesdidnotconnectorrelateVHICulCampswiththeGAAespeciallyatalocallevel.Withtheright marketing policy and the judicious use ofa cohort of county star players to promote andmarket the initiative from an early stage in theyearIbelievewe’llbebackontrackin2007.

Theappointmentof JimmyO’DwyerasNationalCul Camp Coordinator has already made asignificant difference to the planning process.Atthispoint I’d liketoacknowledgetheworkofTonyWateneinCrokeParkwhowasthrowninatthe deep end last year who coordinated the CulCamps from Croke Park in conjunction with hisotherroles.

IN-SERVICE TRAININGWiththeappointmentoftheGamesDevelopmentAdministrators (GDA’s) theemphasis in termsoftraining was focused on developing the group’smanagement, planning skills and a workshopdeliveredbyPatDalyinCrokeParkwasdesignedtogivethemabetterunderstandingoftheGNP.WiththeassistanceofCoachingNIandCrokeParkthe full-time staff participated in the followingcourses:

• EffectiveProjectManagement

• EffectivePlanningandDelivery

• GrassrootstoNationalProgramme(GNP)

The courses were structured in such away thatthe GDA’s got the opportunity to identity areasinwhichtheyfelttheyneededadditionaltraining.Requests were recorded and we’ve endeavoredto cover those areas in this years in-serviceprogrammeofactivity.

SUPER 7’SAs a province we’ve lead the way in providingadditional games and the benefits thereof tosecond level school students in first and secondyearclasses.Thisyearwasnodifferentwithblitzdays and tournaments being organsied by ourGDA’sandGPO’sacrosstheprovince. I thinkwecan take this initiative to another level with thesupport of the second level schools bodies andCountyBoards.BythisImeanprovidemoregames– not necessarily competitive but recreationalgamesboth internallyandexternally tostudentswhocannotperhapsmaketheschoolsfirstteam.

I firmly believe we need to look at ways ofincreasingtheplayingopportunitiesofstudentsofnonexamclasses inparticular andprovidemoremeaningful games to the smaller second levelschoolsdottedacrosstheprovince.

Whilst its noble and well appreciated thedistributionofgeartostudentsiscostly–Iwouldcontend that it would be far more practical andworthwhile rewarding the school through theprovisionofgearifitmeantwegotthemtobuy-inintoamoresustainableprogramme.

BURSARY AWARDS In conjunction with the Third Level GAADevelopmentOfficersrecipientswereselectedforbursary awards for 2006/2007. The presentationofawardswasheld inCrokeParkonWednesday12th December. Each of the recipients waspresentedwithachequeforthesumof€400(firstinstallment) to support them in their educationand a Leinster GAA jacket by An CathaoirleachComhairle Laighean Liam O’Neill and AnCathaoirleach Coisde Forbatha na gCluichi JohnHoran.

A special word of thanks to MC, for the nightJohn McCarthy and John Cotter for coordinatingproceedings.

LEINSTER UNDERAGE FOOTBALL & HURLING TOURNAMENTSTo enhance the process of talent identificationandplayerdevelopmentLeinsterGAAprovidedaprogrammmeofappropriategamesforCo.Schoolsof Excellence and Development Squads. TheadministrationoftheprogrammewascoordinatedfromLeinsterCouncilwiththesupportofMichaelMcHugh(Football)andPaddyKelly(Hurling).Thetournaments were also an ideal outlet for theLeinsterAcademyRefereestogetsomeinvaluablerefereeingexperience.

Football • U-14Football(tournament) • U-15Football(blitz&tournament) • U-16Football(tournament)

In the region of 100 games were provided withapproximately 1250 players participating and140 mentors involved with the coaching andpreparation of teams.The table below showsaccumulative Co. Football Academy Activity inLeinsterfor2006;

Participants Games SessionsU.14 503 100 207U.15 409 117 204U.16 354 93 188

Hurling • U-15Hurling(blitz&tournament) • U-16Hurling(twoblitzdays)

In the region of 80 games were provided withapprox.1200playersparticipatingand80mentorsinvolvedinthecoachingandpreparationofteams.The tablebelowshowsaccumulativeCo.HurlingAcademyActivityinLeinsterfor2006:

Participants Games SessionsU.14 454 120 212U.15 426 104 195U.16 374 108 180

In addition to the above tournaments LeinsterGAAorganized the LeinsterMinorHurlingShieldprimarilytogiveLongfordandLouthmoregames.Thetournamentwasranoverthesummermonthsand was a robin tournament involving ClonkillGAA club from Co. Westmeath and Cavan also.ClonkilldefeatedLouthinthefinal.

Overallthetournamentsranoffverywell.Howeverwedidexperiencesomeproblemswiththetournamentsheld later in the calendar such as U-16 FootballandU-15Hurlingdue inmostpart to club fixtures,

non-participation and bad weather. Conscious ofthis,wehavebroughttheU-15Hurlingtournamentforward to July of this year. For the moment theU-16 football tournament will remain during theHalloween mi-term break. This is a tournament weshould consider doing more with because countiesare expected to play over such a short period oftime.Neverthelesswemustconsiderschoolsfixturesbeforemakingchanges–but I thinkwecouldbringthe tournament forward- stagger it over a longerperiodtherebyplacingmoreemphasisonthegames.

For talent identification purposes counties shouldconsider entering at least two or more teams ifpossible in tournaments designed for Schools ofExcellencesquadsU-14/15therebybroadeningtheirbaseandexposingmoreplayerstoanenvironmentwherethey’lltrainandplayatahigherlevel.

I would like to acknowledge Michael and Paddy,GDA’s/GPO’s, referees, host clubs/venues, Co.Officers and team mentors for their work andcooperationthroughouttheyear.

TY PROGRAMME The records show that year on year ComhairleLaighean through our full-time staff deliversFoundation Level Football/Hurling courses tohundreds of TY students. However, consideringvery few of the graduates actually go on toparticipate in coaching at a meaningful level itsonly right we ask the question are we getting areturnforourinvestmentandinputs.

To counteract this imbalance a workgroup hasbeen established to focus on this area. Theirterms of reference are to design a one weekintensivecoachingcourseforacohortofstudentsidentifiedfromschoolswithinthecountywhohaveimpressedthetutorduringaonedayintroductoryTY course delivered in each school. Our goal isto produce effective coaches with the capacityto participate in county organized programmesinschoolsandclubs.Essentiallywewanttostartfosteringthenextgenerationofcoachesbygivingthebestpossibleeducation.

Thecoursewillbeverymuchpracticalinethos-moduleswithin the proposed course will include: coachingmethods and communications; micro coaching; Codeof Best Practice, Foundation Level; Skill DevelopmentforChildren;RefereeEducation/RulesAppreciationandDesigning/Planningacoachingsession.

OurhopeistohaveaproductinplaceforMayofthisyeartopromoteamongsttheTYcoordinatorsintheschools.

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O’NEILL’S LEINSTER GAA FOOTBALL CONFERENCEOn 3rd February 2007 the inaugural O’Neill’sLeinsterGAAFootballConferencewasheldinNUIMaynooth. The conference was targeted at Co.Academysquadcoacheswhowillbeworkingwiththecriticalunder14,15and16agegroupsofwhichover140participatedfromalltwelvecounties.

The aim of the conference was to introducethe attendee to best practice in coaching GaelicFootball. Essentially we wanted to give thecoaches what they wanted - in line with therecommendations setdown in the2006LeinsterGAA Review of Coaching Development whichshowedthatcoacheswantedtoseebestpracticeinaction.Morespecificallyweachievedinprovidingworkshopsintacklingandevasion,scoring,physicalconditioning with the ball and team play whichwereallidentifiedbytherespondentsinthereviewas being areas where coaches felt they neededmoreeducationin.

Theworkshopsweredeliveredexpertlybyarangeof nationally respected coaches that includedComORourke,ValAndrews,JohnTobinandJohnMorrison.FittinglythekeynotespeakerwasDublinlegendKevinHeffernan.Hispresenceprovidedanappropriate link to what we understand was thefirstsuchseminarofitskindheldinGormanstown

Collegewaybackin1973whichwasorgansiedbyKevinandJoeLennonofCo.Down.

OverallthedaywasanoutstandingsuccessandwasinmanypeopleseyesanidealfollowuptotheNationalCoaching Conference held last November in CrokePark.

OnbehalfofComhairleLaigheanIwishtothanksO’Neill’s for theirverygeneroussponsorshipandsupport,NUIMaynoothforuseoftheir facilities,Tom Maher NUI Maynooth GAA DevelopmentOfficer,GerOConnorforhiswealthofexperience,Goalpost Ireland for providing goalposts andallowing us to raffle a set and finally the manyGPO’sandGDA’swhorolleduptheirsleevesandgotstuckinatvariousstages.

O’Neill’s Leinster GAA Football Conference 2007 at NUI Maynooth. Co. Kildare.

The Art of Goalkeeping. Activity Session supervised by Mickey O’Se, Kerry Goalkeeping Coach.

O’Neill’s Leinster GAA Football Conference 2007 at NUI Maynooth. Co. Kildare.

Developing Forward Play. Activity Session supervised by Colm O’Rourke, Meath & Former Ireland Manager.

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CLUB SCHOOL COACHING LINKAn audit of Club School Link programme wasundertaken last year in the province. In variousguises we had in the region of 200 volunteersactively coaching children in primary. Since thenthis number has increased considerably due toan expansion of the programme in a number ofcountiesincludingLongford,Kildare,Meath,LouthandLaois.At this stagewewouldarguethatwenowhaveinexcessof300clubcoachesenteringschools on a regular basis. With the support ofthe fulltime coaching personnel the programmeswouldappeartobeworkingverywell.

Where counties have the capacity in terms ofvoluntary support thegoal shouldbe tohaveanestablishedprogrammeoftwoeightweekperiodsofcoachinginschools–oneblockduringautumn/winterandtheotherinspring/summer.

What this work highlights is the necessity forclubstohaveastronglinkwiththelocalschoolsand not have a situation where activity in theschools is happening in isolation of that in theclub. In counties where it has proven difficult toget volunteers perhaps an alternative frameworkcouldbeusedtofosterlinksbetweentheclubandschool.

Irecentlydiscussedthismatterwithaschoolteacher.Theteachersuggestedthatitwouldbeverybeneficialif a club unable to provide a coach simply had aliaisonofficerwhofromtimetotimepromotedand

increasedthepupil’sawarenessofclubactivities.

Another solution successfully working elsewhereinvolvestheestablishmentofasteeringcommitteemade up of club representatives and supportedby the Co. Board. The committee agrees on theappointment of a suitable voluntary person tocoachintheschoolsassociatedwithalltheclubs.

Finally, children want to play games – so whynot organize more games internally within theschoolsforthem.Itissurelynotbeyondtherealmsof possibility for a club in conjunction with theteacherstoplanablitzintheschoolonceamonthorwhateverisappropriate.

Goingforwardtherewillalsobeaneedtoprovideadditional training for these coaches especiallywith thearrivalof theU-CanSkillAwardswhichwillenableustomeasureplayerdevelopmentasaresultofskilldevelopmentprogrammesinschools.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to thank Games DevelopmentAdministrators, Games Promotions Officers, ThirdLevel Officers, Co. Coaching Officers all of whomwere integral to implementation and delivery ofprogrammes throughout the year. In particular I’dlike to pay special thanks to John Horan and JohnMcCarthyandteaminArasLaigheanfortheirsupport.

Shane Flanagan

Pictured at O’Neill’s Leinster GAA Football Conference 2007 at NUI Maynooth. Co. Kildare.

Kevin Heffernan, former Dublin and Ireland Manager and Conference keynote speaker and Colm O’Rourke former Meath Footballer and Ireland Manager.

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In February 2006 the new positions of HurlingDevelopmentAdministrators(HDAs)werecreatedbytheLeinsterCouncil.HDAswereappointedtofour regions in Leinster, namely, Noel Delaney (Offaly/Westmeath), Michael Neary (Wicklow/-North Wexford), Declan Power (Meath/Kildare) and Lester Ryan (Carlow/Laois). Theseappointments were subsequently followed bythe appointment of an additional two HDAs,Shane Flanagan (Longford/Louth) and George O’Connor (Wexford). Towards the end of 2006Tom O’Donnell took over the role of HDA forLouth.

The job purpose of the HDA is to provide thedirection and leadership required to maximiseparticipation and maintain the highest possibleplayingstandardsinHurling.

The HDAs report to a steering CommitteecomprisedofpersonnelfromeachoftheirCountiesand a chairman (which sits on the ManagementCommitteeoftheLeinsterCouncil).

FromtheirappointmentdatetheHDAshavehad

amajorcontributionintohurlingactivitiesbothatCounty and Provincial level, the following list ofactivities gives a snapshotof the typeofhurlinginitiativeswhichtheyhavebeeninvolvedin.

Croke Park Hurling Exhibition – U/14 County PlayersThe Hurling Exhibition on June 1st (includingTour of Museum and Guest Speakers) was animportant day for young aspiring Inter CountyU-14 Hurlers from across the Province. WiththeexcellentfacilitythatisCrokePark,thiswasagreatopportunity for theseyoungplayers toplay in one of the finest Stadiums in Europe.Combined with playing, there was also a Tourof the Stadium and contributions from guestspeakers who guided them in best practiceand in termsmaximising theirpotentialwithinthe team and also as an individual. This wascomplemented by Inter County Players EoinKelly and John McCaffrey who offered theirexperiencestothegroups.

From the activity last year, players (andmentors)involvedwithCountyHurlingSchoolsof Excellence were in a privileged position andno doubt it has given them motivation andencouragement-andalsocreatedagreatfocusfor Club players to strive to become involvedwithCountySquads.Ourhopeisthatasplayers

becomeinvolvedinSchoolsofExcellencethey will have the opportunity to visitandplay inCrokePark andwe feel thisis huge in terms of the promotion ofHurling.

Hurling DevelopmentAdministrators’ Report

Coaching & Games Development Committee Report

Guest players John McCaffrey (Dublin) and Eoin Kelly (Tipperary) with Declan Power and Sheamus Howlin at the recent Hurling Exhibition in Croke Park [with the Leinster Minor Trophy - John McCaffrey captained the Dublin winning side in 2005]

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Special Guests Paudie Butler and Brian Cody meet the players at the D.J.Carey School of Hurling.

D.J. CAREY SCHOOL OF HURLING – JULY 2006TheD.J.CareySchoolofHurlingisaresidentialhurling school held in St. Kieran’s College,Kilkenny for two weeks every July. The Schooltargets County U14 Development Squads. Thetwelve Leinster counties are divided into twogroupsofsixandeachgroupattendstheSchoolforafourdayperiod.

The2006Schoolwasofficiallyopenedon11thJuly by Liam O’Neill, Chairman of LeinsterCouncil, John Horan, Chairman of LeinsterCoaching&Games,Fr.Kennedy,PresidentofSt.Kieran’sCollegeandthemanhimself,D.J.Carey.

Theactivitiesinclude:

• Allaspectsofhurlingcoaching

• Intercountygamesandmixedteamgames

• Skillscompetitions

• Workshops in diet and nutrition; hurlingrulesandhurlmaintenance

• AttendanceatKilkennySeniorHurlingteamtraining sessions including meeting theplayersandQ&Asession.

Eachyearwetryto improvetheSchooland in2006weintroducedaS.A.Q.TrainingWorkshopforbothplayersandcoachesandaprofessionalteambuildingexercise.

TheSchoolisanexcellentandpositiveexperiencefor the selected boys and one which providesnumerous development opportunities in amostenjoyable,entertainingandprofessionallyorganizedmanner.

LEINSTER HURLING SEMINAR‘Learning to Compete’Thereisanoldproverbthatsays‘thatthosewhodrink water should remember with gratitudethosewhodugthewell’

The Leinster Hurling Seminar held in Athy, Co.Kildareandtitled‘LearningToCompete’aimedto acknowledge, support, up skill and provideeducation to a new breed of ‘well diggers’ theunderageinterCo.coach.

These coaches are not only active within theirrespective clubs but are also pro-active on theinterCountysceneinwheretheyplan,organize,implement and evaluate coaching programmesthatwillenhancetheperformancepotentialoftheunderage inter countyplayeratSchoolofExcellence and Development Squad level withthese players having a roll on effect to futureMinorandSeniorInterCountyHurlingteams.

The ‘Learning To Compete’ Hurling Seminar,conducted over a weekend (Nov 10th & 11th)got into the ‘swing’ of things on the Fridayeveningwhencoacheshadachoiceofattendingawiderangeofparallelworkshopsi.e.Flexibility

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& Core strength, hurling analysis, and hurleymaintenance.

Withtheworkshopssettingthetonefortherestoftheweekend,theywerefollowedbyanopenforumwithaguestpanelthatboastedMichealO’Muircheartaigh,RTEGAABroadcaster,TomasMulcahy, former Cork Hurler & TV pundit,Michael ‘Babs’ Keating, Tipperary Manager,PaudieButler,NationalHurlingCo.CoordinatorandJimWilliams,formerMunsterRugbyplayerandnowontheMunstercoachingstaff.

Thepanelofexpertsspokeopenlyandansweredquestionsontopicsi.e. ‘Dealingwiththeprimadonna’,‘celebratingsuccess’,and‘Bondingwithplayersandmanagement’,

With the talking shops now over, Saturdaywas always going to be about the Hurling.Top Hurling coaches such as Martin Fogarty,Kilkenny, Paudie Butler, National Hurling Co.Coordinator,GerCunningham,CorkandDamienFox, Laois provided expert coaching sessionsto players from Hurling development squadsfrom Kildare, Wicklow and Wexford while theCountyDevelopment squadcoachesaswell asobservingweretakingnotesatafranticpace!

LiamO’Neill,ChairmanofComhairleLaigheanCLG, in his opening address sent out a clearmessage,‘LeinsterisseriousaboutHurling.’

With ‘Learning To Compete’ Hurling Seminarbeen the first and a successful one in theprovincewewaitinanticipationforthenextone.

SHINTY COMPETITIONIn September 2006 the HDAs were offeredtheopportunity of taking chargeof theShintycompetitiononbehalfoftheLeinsterCoachingand Games Development Committee. A trialgamewasorganisedforU-21sandSeniors,withplayers from Counties who participated in theChristy Ring and the Nickey Rackard leagues,invited to attend. This was followed by twomore national trials, leading to the selectionof a Senior and U-21 Irish team. Leinster wasrepresentedbysixplayersontheU-21teamandsevenplayersontheSeniorTeam(Squadswerelimitedtoeighteenplayers).

The finals against Scotland took place the 4thNovember(under21sinRathoath)andthe5thNovember (Senior in Croke Park). Both gameswereverycompetitivewithahighlevelofskillondisplay.Overall theShintyCompetitionprovedvery successful and above all was thoroughlyenjoyedbyalltheplayerswhoparticipated.TheprideinwearinganIrishjerseywasveryevident,as was the fact that many of the participantsweregracingthepitchofCrokeParkforthefirsttimeasplayers.

Guest Speakers; Thomas Mulcahy (Ex Cork Hurler), Declan Power (HDA), John Horan (Chairman Coaching and Games Development Committee), Jim Wiliams (Munster Rugby), Michael Babs Keating, Liam O’Neill (Cathaoirleach, Comhairle Laighean), Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh

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BANAGHER CONCRETE LEINSTER WALL BALL COMPETITION

An initiative piloted in 2005 has been furtherdeveloped over the last twelve months withconsiderable activity generated - revolvingaroundskilldevelopment inanalleyoragainstawall–effectivelyhandball,butwithahurley!

First Years in Post Primary Schools are thetargetgroupfortheinitiativeandCountyFinalswererunacrosstheProvince inAprilandearlyMay. This culminated with the Leinster FinalinKilcormaconThursdayMay18th–theBoysFinalbeingwonbyPaddyMurphyfromColaisteCiarán, Leixlip, with Patrice Delaney from St.Brendan’sCCBirr,takingthegirl’stitle.

Alleyworkasameansofskilldevelopmentforhurlers is becoming increasingly more popularandasaresultinterestintheBanagherHurlingWallamongstClubs isdeveloping-withmanyerecting the wall to complement existingfacilities.

Tony Murphy from Banagher Concrete presents Paddy Murphy from Kildare with his winner’s trophy at Leinster Final in Kilcormac in May 2006

Players and Officials from the Leinster Final in Kilcormac

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LEINSTER GAA MARTIN DONNELLY POC FADA FINAL For the second consecutive year the MartinDonnelly Leinster GAA Poc Fada, Leinster Finalwas held in the picturesque surroundings ofThe Curragh, Co Kildare. The course acrosstheCurraghPlain, incorporatingtheMcDonaghplaying field, isapproximately2.2km in length.Thewinneristhepersontocoverthecourseinthe least number of pucks. Reigning championCiaranMuldowney(27Poc’s)fromKilkennywasbacktodefendhistitle.

Thisuniquecompetitionwasexpandedthisyearto include U-14 boys and Camogie sections.Overall, the event was very competitive anddespitethestrongwindssynonymouswithTheCurragh all players enjoyed the experience tocompeteatanindividuallevelforachange.

Thefollowingplayersrepresentedtheircounties:

The three competitions were very competitiveandthefollowingweretheresults:

BOYS U-14Winner DiarmuidO’Keeffe Wexford 29PocsR-Up VivianO’Dwyer Meath 31Pocs

CAMOGIEWinner MaryHenry W’meath 31PocsR-Up TeresaBennett Laois 32Pocs

SENIORWinner ShaneO’Connor Offaly 23PocsR-Up MarkRyan Carlow 24Pocs

Trophies to the winners and runners upwere presented by Martin Donnelly and AnCathaoirleach CLG Comhairle Laighean LiamO’Neill.

Both the senior winner Shane O’Connor andCamogie winner Mary Henry representedLeinsterintheNationalPocFadaintheCooleyMountains.CongratulationsMarywhowentontothewintheAll-IrelandtitleonAugust5th.

The competition was coordinated by theLeinster Hurling Development Administratorswith assistance on the day from GPO’s andGDA’s who helped steward the course, thevolunteers family members/mentors of playerswho assisted with score keeping. We wouldto acknowledge our Sponsor Martin Donnellyfor his continued support, Lieutenant CiaranBrennan of the Irish Defence Forces and DenisGoreyforcateringtheevent.

The twelve Senior competitors from the Pac Fada Finals last June

SENIORJimmyDonnelly(Kd)TomFinn(Ww)LeonO’Connell(Wx)NiallHackett(Mh)JohnClooney(Ls)ShaneO’Connor(Oy)MarkRyan(Cw)StephenSmyth(Lh)CiaranMuldowney(Kk)EannaDaly(Ld)AlanNolan(Db)PatBurke(Wm)

CAMOGIERhonaMulhall(Kd)MaryMurray(Ww)UnaLeacy(Wx)SharonRalleigh(Mh)TeresaBennett(Ls)EmmaCarey(Oy)

LyndseyCondell(Cw)VoreenQuigley(Lh)KayRyall(Ky)MaryHenry(Wh)SarahCullanan(Db)

BOYS Fé-14PatLaide(Wh)JamesGeraghty(Oy)KealanCox(Ld)VivianDwyer(Mh)PatrickMurphy(Kd)AaronMurphy(Ww)DiarmuidO’Keeffe(Wx)BrianCorcoran(Lh)JasonCorcoran(Kk)AlanMcDonald(Cw)GearóidGaughan(Ls)

The following players represented their counties:

In addition to the Provincial initiativespreviously outlined the Hurling DevelopmentAdministrators have been organising variousinitiatives within their own Counties, thesewouldincludethefollowing;

• U-14 Cross County Club League: Piloted in2006 with a total of 31 games played and18 Clubs (9 from each County) involved –playedinJune,JulyandAugust

• Post Primary Amalgamations: Forming ofCountyandRegional teamswithaview toexposingplayerstoahigherlevelofhurling– working closely with Teachers and beingmindful of existing competition so as toensureonecomplementstheother

• NumerousCoachingClinics/WorkshopshavebeenorganisedwithinLeinsterbytheHDAsto target specific areas of developmentforClub,Developmental squadandCountyCoaches

• Under15underlightsTournamentinvolvingClubsfromtwoCounties

• ClubCoachesmeal– inappreciationofthework carried out at Club level throughouttheyear

• CountyCoachingForum–Numberofguestcoaches meeting with Club Coaches andMentors,toshareideasandopinions

• Schools of excellence, Developmentalsquads – The HDAs very closely involvedin all aspects of the organising, running,monitoring and training of the variousCounty Developmental Squads within theirownCounties

• STEPS(SportThroughEducationProgramme)AHurlingEducationprogrammefor13&14year old players. Emphasis based on skilldevelopmentandplayerwelfare

• Inter County Hurling Academy (Schoolsof excellence, Developmental squads) Allweather&FloodlitGamesonhighstandardsynthetic pitches. Involved squads U13-Minor

• Juvenile club winter games programme. Allweather/Floodlit/Indoor

• Second Level: 1st year ‘Hurling 4 FitnessProgramme’ 250 1st years, 11 secondaryschools,45gamesallplayedonhighstandardsyntheticpitches.

• Primary school/club coaching and gamesdevelopment programme. Programmeinclusive of coach identification, coachtraining, Club/school launch, Sessionprogramme, coach package of gear andequipment,programmemonitoring

• ASH (After School Hurling) programme tobe piloted in 2 areas. Hurling coaching &games, Homework club, Nutritional packs,communityeducation.

• HurlingCoachEducationProgrammes:21

• The introduction of cross border blitzes/coaching workshops for U8s and U10s.This group was not catered for prior toappointmentofaHDAinthesecounties.

• County Colleges Team - This gave post-primarystudentsanopportunity toplayatahigherlevel.Therewaslimiteddisruptionto school time as the team trained inconjunction with the County DevelopmentSquad

BUÍOCHASTheLeinsterHurlingDevelopmentAdministratorswishtothankallwhohaveassistedthemintheirworkthroughouttheyear.

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Leinster Tutor Group

Itwasagreathonourtoacceptaninvitationtobecome chairman of the Leinster Tutor Groupat a time when the Leinster Coaching andGames Committee commissioned a full reviewofCoachingandCoachDevelopmentinLeinster.Ilookforwardwiththecontinuedsupportofthetutorgrouptotakingonthechallengesfacingusoverthenextfewyears.Iwouldliketothankmypredecessor,CyrilKevlihan, forhis supportandencouragementandforallhisdedicatedserviceinpromotingournationalgames.

Level 1 courses were delivered throughout theyear in Meath, Dublin, Louth, Westmeath andKildare.

Level 2 courses were delivered in Dublin(H)and Westmeath(F). It is estimated that 120levelonecoaches,20leveltwocoachesand15foundation tutors will be attending the annualpresentation of Coaching Certificates on 9thMarch 2007, in the Ashe Suite, Cusack Stand,CrokeParkat7.30pm.

TheTutorgroupwouldliketoacknowledgethework of the Coaching Officers throughout theprovince as well as the coordinators of all thecourses for their work in providing excellentfacilities and support to the tutors throughoutthedurationofthecourses.

John Horan (Leinster Coaching and GamesCommittee) addressed the tutor group inDecember and thanked them for their timeand commitment to the group over the years.He stressed the need for the recruitmentand training of new tutors to support three

operationalgroupswithinLeinster.Thissupportsrecommendations made in the review groupreport.BrendanHarpur,chairmanofthisreviewgroup is confident that there is the energyand commitment to follow through on all therecommendationsofthereport.CongratulationstoBrendanandhiscommitteeforthemannerinwhichtheyaddressedthechallenge.

Brendan Harpur:

lFacilitated a special meeting of all tutors,on Saturday 20th Jan in Parnell Park, toreviewcoursecontentandstandardisecoursematerialsforlevelonecourses.

lLeads the Training and RecruitmentProgramme.

We would like to thank John Horan, staff ofComhairle Laighean, Leinster Games Managersand Games Promotion Officers for theircontinued support. We are also indebted toGerardO’ConnorfortheTrojanworkhedoesassecretary of the tutor group. Together we canfacethechallengeofthefuturedevelopmentofourgames.

Declan SmythCathaoirleach

Coaching & Games Development Committee Report

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Publicity /P.R.Coverage of our Games Programme wasextensive. We featured in Scoilsport, LárPáirce, The Star, Leinster Match Programmes,and many Provincial Newspapers. Coveragewas also available on Website of Cumann namBunscolNáisiúntaandLeinterG.A.A.website.

St. Patrick’s CollegeThe trainee teachers acted as referees in ourmatches during the year. Others helped withthe organization on the day. This partnershipis indeed an important one and will hopefullybearfruitwhenthesestudentsbecomeinvolvedin promoting gaelic games in the schools inthenearfuture.Wesponsoredkitbagsforthecollegehurlingteam.ThankstoTomFitzpatrick.

County Units;Theco-operationwithallcountyunitsisthekeyto success for Cumann na mBunscol Laighean.I thank thesecretaries ineachcounty for theirwork. However it is disappointing to reportdifficultiesingettingasmallnumberofcountiestogetinvolvedinour‘GamesProgramme’.

Go GamesAttended National Go Games Launch in CrokeParkonSeptember14th2005. Leinster launchtook place in Portlaoise on October 3rd 2005.Facilitated Go Game s during Leinster HurlingFinalonJuly2nd2006.

Young Whistler Scheme:Cumann na mBunscol Laighean utilized theyoung referees of this scheme during the minigames.Thanks to JerryGroganAndCoisteÁthCliathfortheirsupport.

Inter Provincial Finals.TheMartinDonnellysponsoredsemifinal/finalwereplayedinParnellParkwithaminigameathalf time facilitated by officers of Cumann namBunscolLaighean.

Coaching & Games Development Committee Report

Cumann na mBunscolLaighean

Date Venue Promotion Co-ordinator

Dec13th Tallaght IndoorFestival GerryO’Meara

March25th Kilkenny HandballDay PaulKinsella

May14th CrokePark MiniGame TomFitzpatrick

May28rd CrokePark MiniGame GerryO’Meara

June9th Carlow Lift&Strike LiamShinnors

June16th Celbridge GroundHurling TomRyan

June11th NowlanPark MiniGame P.Kinsella

June25th CrokePark MiniGame D.Finnegan

July2nd CrokePark GoGames G.O’Meara

July16th CrokePark WarwickshireVisit T.Fitzpatrick

The following games activities took place involving over 300 children from Leinster Primary Schools

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Roadstone Awards 2005Entered in two categories (Football & Hurling)butdidnotreceivenomination.AttendedAwardsCeremonyinBerkeleyCourtonDecember10th. Leinster Counties did well (Dublin, Wexford,Wicklow).

Gaelic Telecom Awards 2006SubmissionswerepreparedinAugust2006in2Categories.

Coiste NáisiúntaAttended September General Meeting in StPat’s. Met with Coiste in Club na Múínteoirí(Sept.10th2005)gavereportofyearsactivities.The rúnaí represented Leinster at NationalA.G.M. in Wexford on weekend of 24/25thFebruary.MeetingwithNationalP.R.O.deferreduntilalaterdate.

C.L.G.LaigheanThesupportfromComhairleLaigheanthisyearwas again excellent. Our mini games on fiveSundayswereverysuccessful.AwordofthankstotheofficersandstaffinÁrasLaighean.GameswerealsoplayedatNowlanParkKilkennyandPortlaoise.

Buíochas1.Runaígachcontae&múinteoiríuilig.2.ComhairleLaigheanC.L.G.3.CelbridgeG.A.A.4.CarlowHurlingClub5.NowlanPark6.“YoungWhistlers”7.MicléinnColáistePádraig8.CoisteNáisiúnta9.FellowOfficers.

Gerry O’MearaRunaí

February 2007

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Coaching & Games Development Committee Report

BUATHÓIRÍ AGUS NEASÓIRÍ 2005/2006

COMÓRTAS BUATHÓIRÍ NEASÓIRÍ

PEILCollegesS.F.“A” St.Pat’s,Navan GoodCounselCol.Voc.Sch.S.F.“A” St.Peter’s,Dunboyne CastleknockC.C.CollegesS.F.“B” NaasC.B.S. PortmarnockC.S.Voc.Sch.S.F.“B” BorrisV.S. LucanC.C.Voc.Sch.S.F.“B”Sh. AshbourneC.S. CarlowV.S.SchoolsS.F.“C” OatlandsCollege KillinaPres.Sec.SchSchoolsS.F.“D” SkerriesC.C. MountmellickC.S. Jun.F.“A” St.Mel’s,Longford St.David’s,ArtaneJun.F.“B” NaasC.B.S. ColaisteEannaJun.F.“C” KillinaPres.Sec.Sch. OldBawnC.S.Jun.F.“D” OatlandsCollege OaklandsCollege Voc.Sch.Jun.F.“A” St.Peter’s,Dunboyne AshbourneC.S.Voc.Sch.Jun.F.“B” KillinaPres.Sec.Sch. ConfeyC.C.

Juv.F.“A” StDeclan’sCBS,Cabra St.Peter’s,WexfordJuv.F.“B” St.Mary’s,Drogheda StFintan’sHS,SuttonJuv.F.“C” AshbourneC.S. SkerriesC.C.Juv.F.“D” OatlandsCollege StFaran’s,Prosperous

InterCounty“A” CillMhantain AthCliathInterCounty“B” Laois LochGarman

IOMÁINTCollegesS.H.“A” KilkennyC.B.S. DublinCollegeCollegesS.H.“A”LgeSt.Brendan’sC.S.,Birr KilkennyC.B.S.CollegesS.H.“B” Pres.DLS,Bagenalstown F.C.J.,BunlcodyCollegesS.H.“B”Sh. ColaisteEoin PortlaoiseC.B.S.

Voc.Sch.S.H.“A” St.Fergal’s,Rathdowney St.Rynagh’s,BanagherVoc.Sch.S.H.“B” StAengus’PP,Mountrath BridgetownV.C.

SchoolsS.H.“C” NaasC.B.S. Salesian,CelbridgeJun.H.“A” St.Kieran’s,Kilkenny St.Peter’s,WexfordJun.H.“A”Shield CastlecomerC.S. StBrendan’sCS,BirrJun.H.“B” F.C.J.,Bunclody Col.Mhuire,Johnstown Voc.Sch.Jun.H.“A” Sc.Aireagail,Ballyhale St.Rynagh’s,BanagherVoc.Sch.Jun.H.“B” KillinaPres.Sec.Sch.RamsgrangeC.S.

Juv.H.“A” St.Kieran’s,Kilkenny DublinSouthJuv.H.“A”Shield St.Peter’s,Wexford CastlecomerC.S.Juv.H.“B” St.Mary’s,Enniscorthy StRynagh’s,Banagher

ÁTH CLIATHJuv.H.“A” St.Declan’sC.B.S. ColaisteEoinJuv.H.“B” St.MacDara’sC.C. ScoilAodhainJuv.H.“C” BeneavinCollege StMark’sCS,Tallaght

Juv.H.“D” OatlandsCollege TempleogueCol.Juv.H.“E” St.Fintan’sH.S. SkerriesC.C.

TomQuinlanCup ArdscoilRis St.DeclanC.B.S. TomQuinlanShield SkerriesC.C. OatlandsCollegeTomQuinlanPlate Col.CoisLife BalbrigganC.C.

Jun.H.“A” St.David’s,Artane ColaisteEoinJun.H.“B” St.ColmcillesC.S. ClonkeenCollegeJun.H.“C” CastleknockC.C. ScoilChaitrionaJun.H.“D” St.Fintan’sHS,Sutton ColaisteCoisLifeSen.H.“A” ColaisteEanna ColaisteEoinSen.H.“A”Shield St.Declan’sC.B.S. ArdscoilRisSen.H.“B” Salesian,Celbridge ScoilAodhainSen.H.“C” LucanC.C. StFintan’sHS,Sutton Juv.F.“A” St.Declan’sC.B.S. ScoilAodhainJuv.F.“B” StFintan’sHS,Sutton Salesian,CelbridgeJuv.F.“C” SkerriesC.C. St.Mark’sC.S.Juv.F.“D” OatlandsCollege Col.dehIdeJuv.F.“E” PobalscoilNeasain LucanC.B.S.

Jun.F.“A” StDavid’sCBS,Artane CastleknockC.C.Jun.F.“B” ColaisteEanna CoolmineC.S.Jun.F.“C” OldBawnC.S. H.F.C.S.,RathcooleJun.F.“D” OatlandsCollege ScoilChatrionaJun.F.“E” Pblsc.,Rosmini O.L.M.,DrimnaghSen.F.“A” ColaisteEoin MalahideC.S.Sen.F.“B” PortmarnockC.S. ColaisteEannaSen.F.“C” OatlandsCollege OldBawnC.S.Sen.F.“D” SkerriesC.C. GreenhillsCollege

LAIGHEAN THEASPEILCol.S.F.“B” NaasC.B.S. ColIosagainPortarlingtonSch.S.F.“C” WicklowD.L.S. PresDLS,BagenalstownSch.S.F.“D” Gaelcholaiste,Ceatharloch DuiskeCol/GrennanColCol.S.F.“B”Shield Sc.Eoin,Athy St.Mary’s,EnniscorthySch.S.F.League KnockbegCollege CarlowSchools

Jun.F.“A” PortlaoiseC.B.S. GoodCounselCol.Jun.F.“B” NaasC.B.S. F.C.J.,BunclodyJun.F.“C” PresDLS,Bagenalstown Col.Bhride,CarnewJun.F.“D1” RamsgrangeC.S. BlessingtonC.C.Jun.F.“D2” ColMhuire,Johnstown St.Farnan’s,Prosperous

Juv.F.“A” St.Peter’s,Wexford GoodCounselColJuv.F.“B” St.Kieran’s,Kilkenny St.Mary’s,EnniscorthyJuv.F.“C” BridgetownV.C. WexfordC.B.S.Juv.F.“D1” Col.Abbain,Adamstown ArklowC.C.Juv.F.“D2” St.Farnan’s,Prosperous St.Paul’s,Monasterevin

IOMÁINTSch.Sen.H.“C1” NaasC.B.S. KnockbegCollegeSch.Sen.H.“C2” GrennanCol/DuiskeCol ColCoisSiuireMooncoinSch.Sen.H.Spes. MountmellickC.S. Sc.Dara,KilcockJun.H.“B” F.C.J.,Bunclody StMary’sCBS,EnniscorthyJun.H.“C1” Sc.Aireagail,Ballyhale PresDLS,BagenalstownJun.H.“C2” NaasC.B.S. PresCarlow/GaelcholaisteJun.H.“D1” BunclodyV.C. NewRossC.B.S.Jun.H.“D2” St.David’s,Greystones MuinebheagV.S.Jun.H.“D”Spes. ScoilMhuire,Clane ScoilDara,Kilcock

Comhairle Iarbhunscoileanna Laighean

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Juv.H.“B” St.Mary’s,Enniscorthy BridgetownV.C.Juv.H.“C” BorrisV.S. WexfordC.B.S.Juv.H.“D1” St.Farnan’s,Prosperous St.Mary’s,EdenderryJuv.H.“D2” RamsgrangeC.S. WicklowD.L.S.

LAIGHEAN THUAIDHPEILCollegesS.F.“B” St.Mary’s,Edenderry Sc.Dara,KilcockSchoolsS.F.“C” KillinaPres.Sec.Sch. BoyneC.S.,TrimSchoolsS.F.“D” MountmellickC.S. LanesboroC.C.

Sch.S.F.League“A” St.Pat’s,Cavan St.Pat’s,NavanSch.S.F.League“B” St.Mary’s,Edenderry ColChoilm,Tullamore Jun.F.“A” St.Mel’s,Longford Col.SanFroinsiasJun.F.“B” St.Mary’s,Edenderry DunshaughlinC.C.Jun.F.“C” KillinaPres.Sec.Sch. CnocMhuire,GranardJun.F.“D” OatklandsCollege St.Oliver’s,Oldcastle

Juv.F.“A” Marist,Athlone St.Pat’s,NavanJuv.F.“B” St.Mary’s,Drogheda MoateC.S.Juv.F.“C” AshbourneC.S. St.Mary’s,DundalkJuv.F.“D1” O’CarolanCol.,Nobber StOliver’sPP,OldcastleJuv.F.“D2” BallymahonSec.Sch. ClonasleeV.S.

IOMÁINTSch.Sen.H.“C1” BallymahonSch. KillinaPres.Sec.SchSch.Sen.H.“C2” St.Peter’s,Dunboyne BoyneC.S.,Trim

Jun.H.“B” Col.Mhuire,Johnstown Cistercian,RoscreaJun.H.“C” KillinaPres.Sec.Sch. DunshaughlinC.C.Jun.H.“D1” St.Oliver’s,Oldcastle St.Fintina’s,LongwoodJun.H.“D2” MullingarC.C. MountmellickC.S.

Juv.H.“B” StRynagh’sCC,Banagher CistercianCol.,RoscreaJuv.H.“C” Col.Mhuire,Mullingar CastlepollardC.C.Juv.H.“D1” DundalkD.L.S. KellsC.S.Juv.H.“D2” MoateC.S. Mercy,Kilbeggan

HANDBALL - BOYSCOLLEGES – 60 X 30U-19Singles St.Kieran’s,Kilkenny GoodCounselCol.U-19Doubles St.Kieran’s,Kilkenny BridgetownV.C.U-17Singles KilkennyC.B.S. BridgetownV.C.U-17Doubles Sc.Aireagail,Ballyhale Col.Bhride,CarnewU-15Singles Sc.Aireagail,Ballyhale BridgetownV.C.U-15Doubles St.Mary’s,Enniscorthy Col.EamannRis,CallanFirstYr.Singles CastlecomerC.S. StKieran’s,KilkennyFirstYr.Doubles St.Kieran’s,Kilkenny St.Peter’s,Wexford

COLLEGES – 40 X 20U-19Singles St.Kieran’s,Kilkenny GoodCounselCol.U-19Doubles St.Kieran’s,Kilkenny KellsC.S.U-17Singles KellsC.S. Pres.CarlowU-17Doubles Pres.,Carlow St.Mary’s,EnniscorthyU-15Singles Col.EamannRis,Callan Sc.ChaitrionaU-15Doubles Cistercian,Roscrea St.Mary’s,EnniscorthyFirstYr.Singles Col.EamannRis,Callan ConfeyC.C.FirstYr.Doubles St.Kieran’s,Kilkenny KnockbegCollege

VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS – 40 X 20Sen.Singles EnniscorthyV.C. Sc.Aireagail,BallyhaleSen.Doubles Sc.Aireagail,Ballyhale Col.Bhride,CarnewJun.Singles Col.Bhride,Carnew Sc.Airegail,BallyhaleJun.Doubles Sc.Aireagail,Ballyhale Col.Bhride,Carnew

HANDBALL - GIRLSCOLLEGES – 60 X 30 U-19Singles St.Mary’s,NewRoss Sc.Aireagail,BallyhaleU-19Doubles CastlecomerC.S. BridgetownV.C.U-16Singles Col.Bhride,Carnew KilkennyCollege

U-16Doubles St.Mary’s,NewRoss BridgetownV.C.FirstYr.Singles Bridgetown V.C. v Kilkenny CollegeFirstYr.Doubles St.Mary’s,NewRoss BridgetownV.C.

COLLEGES – 40 X 20 U-19Singles CastlecomerC.S. BorrisV.S.U-19Doubles BorrisV.S. BridgetownV.C.U-16Singles Col.Bhride,Carnew KilkennyCollegeU-16Doubles St.Mary’s,NewRoss MaynoothP.P.FirstYr.Singles KilkennyCollege St.Joseph’s,ClunyFirstYr.Doubles St.Mary’s,NewRoss MaynoothP.P.

Tuairisc an RúnaíFifteen years after Jimmy Grey (IarCathaoirleach, Comhairle Laighean) establishedthe Leinster Schools Council G.A.A. (ComhairleIarbhunscoileannaLaigheanC.L.G.),theAllIrelandPost Primary Schools Council was establishedduringtheSchoolYear2006/2007.

Like the Leinster module the New Council’smandateistodealwiththeadministrationofboththeSecondLevelSectorsatNationalLevel.

Similarconcept isalso implementedatProvincialandCountyLevel.

The County Post Primary Committees canand should have a positive input in the affairswithin each County. The representatives on suchCommittees should reflect the various strandswithinaCountyparticularlyJuvenileaffairs(U-18).

Year after year much debate is given to fixturesat all levels,Competitions (toomany,wrongagegroups etc..) The restriction of Juveniles playingwas passed a number of years ago. After somefalsestarts2007istheyear.

Hopefully the restrictions as in the present formwill assist in the completionof the JuvenileClubCompetitions particularly Championships by midSeptember thus allowing the Schools to get onwiththeirprogramme.

Recentlytherehasbeenconsiderabledebatewithregard to the provision of All Weather Pitches.The School year dictates that many games areplayedduringtheperiodofhighestrainfallandtheresting of pitches. The use of Astro Turf PitchestogetherwiththePruntyTypePitcheswilleasethedifficultiesconsiderably.

InthepresentSchoolyear,SchoolsJuvenileHurlingatthelowerlevel(outsideofDublin)isunderthecontroloftheH.D.A.s.Theintentionisthatmorelocalisedactivitywillbeofgreaterbenefitthanthesystemhere-to-fore.

Perhaps the concept will be extended in thecomingyear.

Micheál Mac Raghnaill

Leinster Third LevelColleges Report

Comhairle Ard Oideachais Laighean hasresponsibility for the development of Gaelicgames in over twenty 3rd level institutions inLeinster. The support of Comhairle Laigheanis invaluable and has enabled a number ofinitiativestobedevisedandimplemented.Funding received from Comhairle Laigheanwas distributed to colleges in the form ofvouchersfromO’Neills.Thesevoucherscouldbeexchangedfor: 1Setofjerseysor 2Sliotarsand/orFootballs.Thetotalcostofthisschemewas€20,000.

In addition to this the following expenditureoccurred:1 Medals €499.502 MeetingExpenses € 37.503 RefereeExpenses €100.00

Competition ReviewThetwopremiercompetitionsinthethirdlevelsectoraretheSigersonCupfootballchampionshipandtheFitzgibbonCupchampionshipinhurling.

DCU hosted a very successful SigersonCup weekend. DCU was the only Leinsterrepresentativeinthefinals’stagesoftheSigersonand eventually won its first ever title whenbeatingQUB.Thefinalwasplayedunder-lightsfor the first time in Parnell Park and televisedlivebyTG4.Bothsemi-finalsweretelevisedbySetantaandtransmittedlaterthatevening.

Trinity College beat St Pat’s College in theDivision2TrenchCupfinal.TwoLeinsterteams

wereinoppositioninthethirddivisionCornnaMac Léinn also, where Col de hÍde overcameMarinoColinthatfinals

The Fitzgibbon Cup weekend was hosted byUCC. The hosts were beaten in a tremendoussemi-final by UCD. In the second semi-final,WIT overcame NUIG and ended up eventualwinners of the competition. In the Ryan Cup,NUIMwasedgedoutbyMICLwhiletheKingsInn, competing in the competition for the firsttimedefeatedholders,Tallaght IT intheFergalMaherfinal.

Leinster colleges achieved the following All-Irelandsuccessesoverthepastyear:

Division2HurlingLeague StPat’sCollegeDivision2FootballLeague ITTallaghtDivision3FootballLeague UCD3IntermediateFootball UCDFresherDiv.1FootballShield NUIMFresherDivision2Football DkITFresherDiv.2FootballShield ITTallaghtFresherDiv.2HurlingShield DCUFitzgibbonShieldSen.Hurling AthloneITCornnaMacLéinn MarinoColFergalMaherCup ITTallaghtInladiesGaelicfootball,DKIThostedasuccessfulchampionshipweekendinMarch.UCDcapturedthedivision1championship,theO’ConnorCupbybeatingULinthefinal.DCUwontheDiv2Lynch Cup by overcoming British champions,JohnMoore’sUniversity.

Incamogie’spremiercompetition,theAshbourneCup,ULcaptureditsthirdsuccessivetitlewhenbeatingUCD in the final,whileUUJedgedoutAIT in theDiv2championship finalwhichwassuccessfullyhostedbyTCD.

At provincial level, CAO Laighean organises anumber of competitions/blitzes to cater forplayers from all grades and thereby broadenparticipation. DCU and DIT reached the finalof the intermediate football competition. Thisfinal, like the final of the intermediate hurling

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between UCD and GMIT was not played. It isproposed to run these games off as a doubleheaderinthefirstsemesterofthisyear.

This year saw continued participation of thirdlevel colleges in the O’Byrne Cup and Shieldfootball competitions. UCD, DCU, Athlone IT,DIT all played and their participation certainlyexposedabroaderrangeofplayerstothislevelof competition. In addition, UCD participatedagain in the Walsh Cup, while Athlone IT, DITandCarlowITplayedintheKehoeCup.

BursariesThe Comhairle Laighean third level bursaryschemehasgrown in strengthandprofileoverthepastsixyears.TheschemealsohelpstoraisetheprofileofGaelicgamesinthirdlevelcollegesthroughouttheprovinceandisfurtherevidenceof Comhairle Laighean’s commitment to thissector. Chairman, Liam O’Neill, presented theawards to recipients from around the provinceatareceptioninCrokeParkinDecember.Thesestudents are in their first year of third leveleducation in colleges throughout Leinster andhavebeenrecognised for theircommitmenttotheGAAandachievementstodate.

The Year AheadAnumberofchallengesfacesCALaigheanintheyear ahead. The restructuring of competitionsat national level will have an impact on howtheComhairlewillorganise itscompetitions.AproposalwasputtoCAduringthesummerthatstressedtheimportanceof“provincialising”themajor competitions, especially in the case ofLeinster.Suchastructurewould

• Reducecostsofrunningtheclubs

• Reducethetimelosttocollegebystudentsarising out of travelling long distances togames

ThisproposalwasnottakenonboardbyCAanditisnowlikelythat:

• Stand alone Leinster intermediate footballandhurlingcompetitionswillhavetobeputinplace–probablyinthesecondsemester.

• Dependingonthetimetableforthenationalfreshers competitions, it may be possibleto run off Leinster blitzes early in the first

semester.Thiscouldbeusedbycollegestoassess the intake of players in preparationfor the CA competitions in mid to lateOctober.

• A number of third level colleges in theprovince have floodlit pitches and thesecould be made available to enable Leinster“floodlit”competitionstobeorganised.

Other issues that might be considered duringtheyearaheadbyCALaighean:

• Support for Ladies Gaelic and Camogie intheprovince

• Circulation of a newsletter to highlightachievements/developments etc in thevariousclubsinLeinsterthirdlevelcolleges.

• Seeking commercial sponsorship for CALaighean and its competitions (wouldprobablyneedtheapprovalofCA/ComhairleLaighean)

BuíochasThe help and co-operation of the followinggreatly facilitated the organisation of Gaelicgamesactivitiesduringthepastyear:

(i) GAAOfficersinthevariouscolleges.

(ii) LeinsterCoachingandGamesDevelopmentCommittee and in particular its chairman,JohnHoran

(iii)Michael Delaney, Michael Reynolds, LiamO’NeillandthestaffinÁrasLaighean

(iv)CAOLaigheanCommittee

(v) Cora Weldon in Páirc an Chrócaigh andLeinsterrepontheCAO,MikeMcMahon.

(vi)In particular, thanks to CAO LaigheanSecretary, Dave Billings, for his help andall those who participated in our meetingsduringthepastyear.

In conclusion, I would like to acknowledge thesupportofComhairleLaigheanandtheLeinsterCoachingandGamesDevelopmentCommittee,forthethirdlevelsectorinLeinster

Tom O’Donnell Cathaoirleach,CAO Laighean.

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Leinster Handball Report

The highlight of the year for the majorityof handballers was the World HandballChampionships in Edmonton, Canada wherethere was huge Irish and particularly Leinsterparticipation.TheChampionshipswerehonouredto have Uachtarán Cumann Lúithchleas Gael,NioclásÓBraonáin,inattendancewhileanotherLeinsterman, and former Leinster HandballChairman,ConMoore,wasappointedTreasurerofthataugustbody.

A major attraction to handball fans was theperformanceofLeinsterHallofFamer,MichaelDucksie Walsh. In the Masters grade where heshowedmuchofhisoldskillbyeasilydefeatingalloppositioninsinglesandthenbycombiningwith Dubliner, and former Meath player, EganJensen,towinthedoublestitle.

In fact many Leinster players at all gradesshowed the strength in depth of the gamewithin the province by defeating the manynationstakingpart.

Anotherhighlightof2006forLeinsterHandballwas the ease with which former LeinsterHandballChairman,TomWalsh(Wicklow)tookon the role of Uachtarán Comhairle LiathróidLáimhenahÉireannandthehugeabilityhehasshowninfacingmanyproblems.

CHAMPIONSHIPS

Oncemore,LeinsterHandballCouncilorganisedthe plethora of Championships from Under 11toOver60withall12countiestoagreaterorlesserdegree.

We once more organise 4 championships ineach grade—singles and doubles in both sizedcourts.Onlythefittestmanagetomakeacleansweepofall4titles—onlyoneplayermanaged

thatdifficultfeat.OncemoreitwasthepeerlessMichael Ducksie Walsh who dominated theMasters Grade. In fact In Minor, he showedabilityanddedicationinanotherareabyrunningintheDublinCityMarathonandraising€50,000forAiséirí.

COISTÍ

Our Coiste Forbartha continues to functionunderthechairmanshipofTomWalsh(Wicklow)who is joined by Martin Clancy (Carlow), LiamMahon(CillChainnigh)DesLyons(Kildare)BillyLove (Kilkenny) Pat Ryan (Áth Cliath) SeamasBuggy(LochGarman)PatsyDowling(Laois)andRobbieMcCarthy(Westmeath).

Seán Ryan (Cathaoirleach—Ceatharlach) andLiam Mahon (Rúnaí—Cill Chainnigh) look afterjuvenile affairs with a delegates from eachcounty.

Comhairle Liathróid Láimhe Laighean is oncemoreverygratefultoMichaelReynoldsforthevery profession manner in which the LeinsterCollegeschampionshipsareexpertlyorganised.

LOOKING FORWARD

Handball promoters are pleased to note thehugeriseininterestshowninparticipation.Over350playerstookpartinthe2006Nationals—arecord number—and looks forward to 2007where hopefully, there will be a further rise ininterestandparticipationinourgame.

Tomás Ó BriainRúnaí

Coaching & Games Development Committee Report

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Leinster 40x20 Champions 2005

WINNER RUNNER-UP

MinS RichardHogan(Kk) NicholasAnthony(Kk)

MinD RichardHogan ParaicTownsend NicholasAnthony(Kk) DavidDonovan(Cw)U21S JeromeWilloughby(Ww) PaulMoran(Ke)

U21D JeromeWilloughby DiarmuidSmyth RichardWalshe(Ww) ThomasMoore(Wx)

JunBS NoelO’Brien(Oy) MichaelLennon(Ww)

JunBD TrevorDonovan MichaelLennon JamesFreeman(Wx) MartinO’Neill(Ww)

JunS PaddyDonovan(Ls) PatO’Donnell(Ww)

JunD BrianManogue PatO’Donnell FrankManogue(Kk) NedKealy(Ww)

IntS RobertMcCarthy(Wh) TimmyClifford(Kk)

IntD EddieBurke GavinBuggy EamonnLaw(Kk) TonyBreen(Wx)

MAS MichaelWalsh(Kk) BillyBourke(Kk)

MAD MichaelWalsh BillyBourke PatMaher(Kk) JohnnyBrennan(Kk)MBS PechelliEnglish(Wx) DonalDoyle(Wx)

MBD PechelliEnglish FrankMaddock JohnBail(Wx) DonalDoyle(Wx)

SMAS JohnnyBrennan(Kk) BennyDoyle(Wx)

SMAD BennyDoyle/ptr(Wx)

SMBS RichieCulleton(Wx) PaulRuane(Ke)

SMBD FintanDoyle TadhgForan RichieCulleton(Wx) NickyCurran(Wx)

GMAS TonyBreen(Wx) BillyMullins(Oy)

GMAD BillyMullins OllieDeegan JimGuilfoyle(Oy) PatCoffey(Ke)

GMBS JimmyHeffernan(D) GerryMurphy(Kk)

GMBD JimmyHeffernan GerryMcGrath EamonnO’Brien(D) TomO’Malley(Ww)

EMAS VinnieFarrelly(D) EugeneKennedy(D)

EMAD VinnieFarrelly RichardWilloughby EugeneKennedy(D) PatDoyle(Ww)

EMBS PaddyMurray(D) JimmyNeary(Kk)

EMBD JimBergin JohnBarton TomDonovan(Wx) PaddyMurray(D)DMAS JohnMolloy(D) NedFlynn(D)

DMAD PaddyLennon PatRyan DickDoyle(Ww) JohnMolloy(D)DMBS GerMcWilliams(Wx) SylvieO’Dowd(D)

DMBD SylvieO’Dowd JohnSomers MickFitzgerald(D) GerMcWilliams(Wx)

LMinS LeonaArchibold(Wh) ClaireLove(Kk)

LMinD ClaireLove MTO’Neill(Kk)

LJBS SusanKeegan(D) ÁineGorman(D)

LJBD SinéadCowman TracyHutchinson AnneBoland(Wx) SusanKeegan(D)

LJunS CiaraMullins(Cw) CliodhnaDaly(D)

LJunD CiaraMullins PatriciaDoyle MiriamRyan(Cw) ptr(Ww)

Leinster 60x30 Champions 2005

WINNER RUNNER-UP

MinS NicholasAnthony(Kk) KirkGreene(Kk)

MinD NicholasAnthony MartinO’Neill KirkGreene(Kk) JohnRogers(Ww)

U21S MichaelBerry(Wx) DiarmuidSmyth(Wx)

U21D PaulLambert DiarmuidSmyth NiallMaher(Wx) ThomasMoore(Wx)

JunBS SeanMaher(Kk) DarrenO’Toole(Wx)

JunBD SeamusPhelan SeanMaher MichaelFalsey(Kk) ThomasCampion(Kk)

JunS PaddyDonovan(Ls) PatO’Donnell(Ww)

JunD ChristyDonnelly PatO’Donnell IanGriffin(D) JamesGregan(Ww)

IntS RobertMcCarthy(Wh) TimmyClifford(Kk)

IntD RobertMcCarthy TimmyClifford LiamCassidy(Wh) MichaelClifford(Kk)

MAS MichaelWalsh(Kk) EginJensen(D)MAD MichaelWalsh MartinLalor PatMaher(Kk) EugeneDowney(Kk)

MBS RichardFalsey(Kk) ChrisDunne(Kk)

MBD BrendanBarnwell ChrisDunne AidanSinnott(Wx) SeamusClifford(Kk)

SMAS PatCleary(Wx) RobertMcCarthy(Wh)

SMAD PatCleary FrankDaly BennyDoyle(Wx) JohnWard(D)

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SMBS FrankKearns(D) SeamusO’Mahony(D)

SMBD FrankKearns MartinWard KevinMcKenna(D) FrankSemple(D)

GMAS TonyBreen(Wx) JohnWard(D)

GMAD TonyBreen SeánRyan JimmyGoggins(Wx) AndyRyan(Cw)

GMBS BrendanMurphy(Wx) PaddyKelly(Ww)

GMBD JimmyHeffernan GerryMurphy EamonO’Brien(D) LiamMahon(Kk)

EMAS PaddyReilly(Kk) VinnieFarrelly(D)

EMAD VinnieFarrelly SeamusReade EugeneKennedy(D) PaddyReilly(Kk)

EMBS PaddyMurray(D) PaddyClerkin(D)

EMBD PaddyClerkin PeterMcTiernan JohnBarton(D) PaddyMurray(D)

DMAS PaddyLennon(Ww) PatMasterson(Oy)

DMAD PaddyLennon JohnMolloy DickDoyle(Ww) PatRyan(D)

DMBS GerMcWilliams(Wx) ---------------

DMBD GerMcWilliams/ptr(Wx) ---------------

LMinS LeonaArchibold(Wh) ClaireLove(Kk)LMinD MarieTO’Neill --------------- ClaireLove(Kk)

LJBS LorettaMurphy(Kk) ---------------

LJunBD KatieO’Rafferty/ptr(Wx) ---------------

LJunS ----------------- ---------------

LJunD AnnBoland --------------- SinéadCowman(Wx)LIntS CiaraMullins(Cw) MiriamRyan(Cw)

LIntD CiaraMullins --------------- MiriamRyan(Cw)

Junior B Team of 4O’Loughlins(JohnMorrissey,KirkGreene,Coolgreaney(SeamiePhelan,MichaelFalsey,JimmyLong)

Junior Team of 4Clogh(MichaelMaher,ColmLove,DanielLove.)Castlebridge(DiarmuidSmyth.ThomasMooreWilliamLove,AndrewLawlor)

Open Team of 4O’Loughlins Coolboy

Juveniles- Boys

U11D JimO’Leary BrianKeogh AdamNolan(Cw) PatrickFoley(Wx)U12S DanielO’Leary(Cw) StephenO’Dwyer(Kk)U12D CianLawler DylanWalsh AndrewBeaton(Cw) EndaMorrissey(Kk)U13S DeanCorrigan(Wx) PeterFunchion(Kk)

U13D CoryMurphy CianRyan RossLynch(Wx) AndrewO’Dwyer(Kk)U14S KeithKavanagh(Kk) EoghanHennessy(Kk)

U14D LukeGreene MartinDeane KeithClifford(Kk) JamesMurphy(Cw)

U15S JasonMurphy(Wx) MichaelO’Brien(Kk)

U15D PeterHughes DavidDelahunty MarkMaher(Wx) PatrickFunchion(Kk)

U16S GaryMcConnell(Mh) AdamKenny(Cw)U16D EricDavitt DanBreen GaryDonohue(Ww) DylanClifford(Kk)

U17S PadraicRyan(Cw) CiaránO’Sullivan(D)

U17D CiaránNeary ColmNolan StephenDawson(Kk) ShaneRedmond(Cw)

Juveniles - Girls

U12S MaryPhelan(Kk) SiobhánCloke(Wx)

U13S DianaimhGreene(D) ShaunaRedmond(Wx)U13D LucyCollins RoseanneBoland LisaMcKenna(D) NiamhMurphy(Wx)

U14S AoifeMcCarthy(Wh) NaomiMordaunt(Wx)

U14D NicolaMoore SandraKelly LauraMoore(Kk) MaireadElmes(Wx)

U15S RebeccaMulholland(Kk) LouiseWalsh(Ke)

U16D ShaunaHilley MichelleBoland SandraBarnes(Ww) AmandaKelly(Wx)

U12D RachelHogan/CiaraMahon(Kk)

U15D AnnetteReddy/RoseHolohan(Kk)

U16S NatashaMordaunt(Wx)

U17S CiaraBreen(Wx)

U17D ClaireMoore/JulieWalsh(Kk)

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Leinster RefereesAdministrator’s Report and

Leinster Recruitment & Training Officers Report

Leinster Referees Administration Committee

Chairman SéamusHowlin(Wexford)Secretary AidanShiels(Dublin)Recruitment PierceFreaney(Kildare)& Training Officer

Committee LiamONeill(Louth) JoeHarlin(Meath) AodhanMacSuibhne(Dublin) TomByrne(Wicklow) TomRowe(Wexford) MichaelFennin(Kildare) PadraigO’hAileagain(Carlow) TommyDuggan(Kilkenny) BrianAllen(Laoise) TimmyGrogan(Offaly) JimmyWhelan(Westmeath) EamonnHiggins(Longford)

When we look back on 2006 I think we cansay that it was another very successful yearwith regard to our games and I would liketo acknowledge that our Referees played amajor part in that achievement. There was asignificant increase in the number of gamesplayedagainthisyearwithgreatinterestintheChristy Ring, Nickey Rackard and the TommyMurphyCups.ThechampionshipsfortheJuniorand Intermediate clubs in hurling and footballagainprovedagreatsuccess.TheinterestinourO’Byrnecupseemstogroweachyearandmostofourcountiesnowtreatthistournamentasaveryseriouscompetition.

Thecommitteemetonfiveoccasionsduringtheyearandthemeetingswereverywellattendedandconstructive.TheroleoftheCountyRefereeAdministratorcontinuestobeadifficultone,asIbelieveatCountylevelwealljustexpecttohaverefereesavailablewithoutthinkingofhowthisisachievable.In each County we need a strong and activeReferees Administration Committee workinghardtorecruitnewrefereesandensurethatourexisting referees get the support and trainingthatisrequiredonanongoingbasis.ThereisanneedtoraisethestandardofclubrefereesinallourCountiesand IknowthatsomegoodworkisbeingdoneinthisareabutIfeelwemustdoa lotmoretoensurethestandard ismovedtoa higher level. There is also a need to acceptthat our games must be controlled accordingtotherules,thismeansalltherulesparticularlythose in respect of rough and dangerous play.It is very important that all referees strictlyapplytherulesatourunderagegamesbecauseit isherethatgoodandbadhabitsareformed.To promote our games in a correct mannertoouryouthwemustat all timesensure thatthe people charged with this task understand

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the responsibility that is placed in their hands.However I think we are making some progressin this area and the quality and fitness of ouryoung referees is very encouraging for all whoareworkingsohardtoimprovethestandardofrefereeing.

AcademyThe recruitment of new referees is becomingmore difficult and most of our counties arein trouble with numbers. With that in mindwe set up a Leinster Referee Academy duringthe summer of 2005 and continued with theAcademy in 2006. We pitched the age for2006 at 30 years and had 13 participantsfrom 7 counties. The calibre of the refereeswas excellent and the course, judging by thefeedback was both informative and enjoyable.I would like to thank sincerely Tom Fitzpatrickwho was course director, tutors Aidan ShielsandNoelODonoghue,ShaneFlanaganLeinsterCouncil,RefereesBarryKelly,RayHoulihanandplayers Brian Kavanagh (Longford) and RoryStapleton(Laoise)fortheircontributions.

Recruitment and TrainingThe past year has been very busy particularlyon the Recruitment and Training front. PierceFreaney was appointed to Coiste Na ReiteoiriwithaspecialbriefofRecruitmentandTraining.He and the committee decided to launch aNationalRecruitmentdrive.Topreparecountiesin Leinster Pierce, Aidan Shiels and myselfdecided to visit the counties in the province.Ouraimwastoassistthemwithsomeideasandencourage them to put the structures in placeto recruit, train and monitor new referees. Wecertainly felt that those visits were beneficialtousand Ihopesomebenefit to thecounties.The National Launch was a success and withsome courses still going on we will have upto 150 new referees in the province. I wouldlike to acknowledge our course co-ordinatorNoel O Donoghue who organised the tutorsfor all the county training courses. I thankour Chairman and Comhairle Laighean for itscontinuedsupporttoallourtrainingandfitnessprogrammes.

Development RefereesThe Leinster Development referees playedtheir part in officiating at our early seasoncompetitions. Their performances resultedin some promotions to the national panel. A

trainingnightwasheldinJanuary2007tokeepthem up to speed with recent directives andinstructions. They also completed their fitnessandrulestestsinApril2006

StructuresIt isvitalthattheproperstructures i.e.CountyRefereeAdministrationCommitteesareinplacein each county to look after all aspects ofrefereeing.Withoutdedicatedpeoplespecificallychargedtodothisworkboththestandardandnumberswill fallawaymaking itmoredifficulttofulfiltheincreasinggamesprogramme.

Night of Honour TullamoreComhairleLaigheanorganisedanighttohonourour victoriousProvincialHurlingTeamandourFinalistRefereesandtheirpartnerswhichIknowwasverymuchappreciated.Thiseventwasheldin Tullamore recently and all concerned had averyenjoyablenight.OntherefereesbehalfandonmyownIwouldliketothankourChairman,Liam O’Neill for hosting the night and allmy fellow officers of Comhairle Laighean whosupported it. A special word of thanks to JohnCotter, Paddy Flanagan andPROPat Toner fortheefficientwaytheeventwasorganised.

ThanksMythankstoalltheCountyAdministratorsfortherehelpandsupportduringtheyear.Iwouldliketosincerelythankalltheprovincialassessors who play an important part in thedevelopment of young referees. They go toall kind of venues, low profile games on ourbehalf and theirwork ismuchappreciated.Mythanks to our national tutors, Tom Fitzpatrick,Tony Jordan, Aidan Shiels, Pat Casserly andNoel O’Donoghue who play a major role inspreading the referee cause throughout theprovinces.SpecialthankstoAidanShielswhoisalongservingsecretarytotheLeinsterRefereeAdministrators Committee and who does atremendousamountofworkonseveralfronts.I sincerely thank Pierce Freaney for his help,advice and guidance during the year. Piercehasatremendous interestandknowledgewithregard to all refereeing matters and I want toacknowledgethesupporthehasgivenmeover the last twoyears.IcongratulateandwishPiercewellonhisnewlyappointedpositionasourNationalMatchOfficialCo-ordinatorinCrokePark.

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National Referee Panelists - Laighean (Iomáint)

Contae 3.2 3.1 Provincial

Louth

Meath FergusSmith MartinBartley

Dublin EamonnMorris DavidO’Donovan MichaelButler DannyHarrington EadhmonMacSuibhne

Wicklow

Wexford DickeyMurphy SeanWhelan FrancisMorrissey JoeKelly JamesOwens

Kildare FergusDevereux AlanLagrue RayHoulihan Carlow

Kilkenny JohnGuinan DominicConnolly SeanCleere EddieCrowley

Laoise AnthonyStapleton

Offaly BrianGavin TonyCarroll CiaranGroome TomAnderson

Westmeath BarryKelly RobCornally JamesMcGrath ShaneCorcoran

Longford

Total 9 8 11

Comhairle Laighean The support for refereeing and referees atLeinster Council is second to none and this,I know is very much appreciated by all thereferees, IthankourChairmanLiamO’Neillforgivingmethepositionandthenallowingmethespacetogetonwiththejob.SinceLiamtookupthepositionhehasalwaysbeenmostsupportive,interested and kept himself well briefed on allmatters affecting referees and refereeing atprovincialandnational level.This jobwouldbeimpossible without the day-to-day back up ofAras Laighean. Their support is excellent and IthankHannah,PatriciaandespeciallyJuliewhodeals so efficiently with all of the refereeingcorrespondencesonanongoingbasis.Mythanks

also toMichaelDelaney,MichaelReynoldsandShaneFlanagan for their support andguidanceduringthepastyear.

OurrefereesplayahughpartintherunningofallcompetitionsfromSchoolandunderagerightuptoseniorlevel.IthankthemallmostsincerelyforwhatIfeelwasanotherexcellentyear.

Sheamus O hUilinCathaoirleach Leinster Referee Committee

Pierce FreaneyRecruitment & Training Officer

78

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Contae 3.2 3.1 Provincial

Louth PaulFinnegan AlanMcKenna GabrielMcKenny PaulKneel

Meath SeamusMcCormack JoeCurley DavidColdrick CormacReilly Dublin ShaneFarrell JoeMurray GarryMcCormack EoinOCeallachain BrianOShea NoelCocoman PaulFaughnan

Wicklow EddieCraul DeclanGreene Wexford ThomasQuigley SeanO’Shea SylDoyle

Kildare MickMonahan FintanBarrett NiallCronin Carlow PatKehoe Kilkenny

Laoise EddieWhelan EddieKinsella MauriceDeegan

Offaly ConCostelloe DamienBrazil PatConlon

Westmeath PatrickFox PeterDaly MichaelMannion SeanCarroll

Longford JohnBannon PeterReilly T.P.Pettit EugeneMurtagh DerekFahy

Total 12 13 14

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80

Information Technology, Marketing & Public Relations

Committee Report

Committee MembersPat Toner (Cathaoirleach), Pat Teehan (Runai),P.J. Geraghty Jimmy Walsh, Seamus O’Leary, PaulHourican, LizHoward,PaddyFlanagan,AlanMilton,JohnCotter,andJimThornton.

In accordance with changes in Leinster Council byelawsthePublicRelations,Marketing&ITCommitteeswere recently amalgamated and I have thereforeamalgamatedthereports.

Websites: LeinsterIt is generally agreed, although the site has servedus well over the years that the time has comefor a total revamp and a change of direction. Theamountofactivitythatistakenplaceintheprovincenecessitatestheneedforustogetthemessageoutfastandalsotobeabletoaccessinformationatthepushofabutton.Aswellasprovidinginformationawelldesignedwebsitehasthepotentialformarketingourgames,onlinethe sale of merchandise and match tickets and theintroductionofanElectronicNewsletter..Shane Flanagan and Patrica Clear are presentlyworking with the committee on the production ofa new site, which we hope to launch before theopeningroundsoftheLeinsterChampionship.

County & ClubManyofourclubsiteshavealsobecomeoutdatedareinneedofa revampthesamealsoapplies tosomecounty sites. At present a least five counties havesitesthatareoutofdate.Itwouldbebettertohaveno web site than to have one that is not regularlymaintained. However it is also acknowledged thattherearealsosomeexcellentCountyandClubsitesatpresentinoperation.

E-MailsIn line with policy all counties in Leinster are nowusing e-mail as their main form of communication.WhilesomeareusingtheOfficialGAAE-Mailmostprefer to use their own personalised addresses.Efforts are ongoing to get counties to gravitate

towardstheuseoftheofficialGAAE-Mail.Membership RegistrationMany of our Clubs have not yet mastered the useof the on line membership registration. In order toensure that all clubs have registrations completedon line this yearweare requesting clubs to submitacopyoftheirregistrationsonanexcelspreadsheetandthecouncilwillthenundertaketouploadthemto the on line registration system. This will get allclubsintothesystemandafterthatayearlyupdateofmemberswillsuffice.

Fixtures Management SystemIn the past year following the distribution of aquestionnairewemetwithcountiestodiscusstheirneeds in relation to whole area of IT. This processprovedtobeveryinterestingandinformative.Apartfromonlinemembershipthemainboneofcontentionwas the urgent need for the implementation ofa Fixtures Management system incorporating anelectronicresultsservice.ThelackofprogressionwiththeOfficialGAAFixturesManagementSystemisdisappointing.Howeverthereare a number of companies who can offer such aservice and a number of counties have gone thisdirectionandthefeedbackisverypositive.

County IT Committee’s / TrainingWhile all counties appear to have IT Committee’sin place its fair to say some are not very active.HowevertherearepersonnelinallcountieswithaninterestinITandinprogressingmattersandtheywillhave to be given every assistance, encouragementandtraining.

Presentation of Games and Match Programmes.Wehaveimprovedimmenselyinthisareainrecenttimesandtheemphasisshouldbenowonmaintainingand improving standards. The ongoing emphasison health and safety leaves those involved in thepresentation and hosting of our games with extrapressures. The increase in all ticket and floodlightgamesalsohasimplicationsforgamespresentation.The venues regularly used around the provinceare well accustomed to what is required for thesmoothrunningofourgamesbutonecannotoveremphasizetheneedforvigilance.ThesingingoftheNational Anthem at our finals has if nothing elseresulted in our anthem receiving due respect fromourpatrons.Thankstoallassociatedinanywaywiththepresentationofourgamesatcountyvenuesandinheadquarters.ProgrammesforourSeniorChampionshipsandmostotherfixtureswereoftheusualhighstandardsthat

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our patrons have come to expect. The introductionof club championships at Intermediate and JuniorlevelinrecentyearshasresultedinincreasedactivityforourPRO’sat the latterendof theyearand theFinals of these competitions also deserve a matchprogrammeworthyoftheoccasion.Once again we presented an award for the bestcountyfinalandthisyear’sawardwenttoJohnDuffyLongford PRO who produced an excellent A4 sizedpublication.Ihavetosaythestandardofpublicationsthisyearwasexcellentanditprovedverydifficulttopickawinner.JohnwasrecentlypresentedwiththeComhairleLaigheanAwardforhisefforts.

Press & Media Facilities. Modernisationbringswithittheneedforchangeandthisalsoappliestofacilitiesforourfriendsinthepressand media. Lap tops are now the order of the dayratherthantheold“PeannLuaidhe”WehavestateoftheartaccommodationinCrokeParkandit’sgoodtoreport that facilitiesandhospitalityatourprovincialvenueshave improved immensely in thepastcoupleofyears.Theemphasisshouldbenowonmaintainingand improvingstandardsandwhennewfacilitiesarebeingplanned itmightbenoharmtoget theviewsof the press in relation to their requirements. Thefacilities now in place in Tullamore are a credit andperhapsmightbeamodelforotherstofollow.

Marketing TheareaofmarketingandtheproductionoftheCrokeParkprogrammesfallsontheshouldersourMarketingand Commercial Manger John Cotter who as everprovidesanexcellentservicetoComhairleLaighean.The whole area of Marketing and Sponsorship isalways open for the exploration of new initiativesandnobettermanthanJohntosourcethese.A Provincial Launch for our Senior Hurling andFootball Championships and the introduction ofa section in the Leinster Programmes called WebWatch, which will profile GAA websites are ideaswhichareunderconsiderationatpresent

County PRO’s / SeminarA very successful workshop for county PRO’s tookplace in Portlaoise during the past year. NationalJournalist Alan Milton and Brendan Cummins fromLM/FM gave an excellent presentation and insightinto how to deal with the media both at nationallevel and on local radio. Again It was disappointingthat we had not representation for all of our 12counties however those who did attend did gainsomebenefit.As mentioned last year a number of our moreestablishedPRO’sarenowintheirfinalyearofofficethusanumberofourcountieswillbeelectingnewPRO’scometheendoftheyear.Itwouldbeessentialthat training and assistance should be provided forthesenewofficers.Judging by the Monday morning papers and Aertelall counties all well advanced when it comes topublishingresultsandmoderntechnologynowallowsfor results to be published immediately through awebsiteortextmessageservice.

Functions / Events / AwardsAsinthepastwewereagainassociatedwithanumberof functions, presentations and launches. PaddyFlanaganandJohnCotterwereaseverinvolvedwithorganisingtheseeventsandtheirattentiontodetailwasacredit.Their brief also included today’s arrangements inconjunctionwithLongfordCountyBoard.

Publications Some of the club and county publications as everwereexcellentandtheyprovideinvaluablerecords.

Plans for 2007 AsIbowoutofofficeIshouldnotreallyburdenmysuccessor with plans for the year ahead. Howevermostof the followingareongoingandwillneed tobeaddressedinsomeformorother.

lAprioritytherevampingoftheLeinsterWebsite

lConstant appraisal of Public Relations, IT andMarketinginitiatives.

lContinuationofComhairleLaigheanAwardforthebestCountyFinalProgrammeandalsoanawardfortheBestClubandCountyWebsite.

lProgress the implementation of a FixturesManagementSystem.

lWorkShop/SeminarforCountyPRO’s

lCompletionoftheonLineMembershipRegistration

Summary IwasprivilegedandhonouredtoserveasPROoftheCouncil for the past three years and I hope I havemade somesmall contribution towards the runningofComhairleLaigheanoverthatperiod.Iwouldliketorecordthanksto

lMembersofthePRandITCommitteesforalltheirworkandassistance.

lMembers of the Council for all their help andsupport.

lThe staff of Aras Laighean Michael Reynolds,ShaneFlanagan,Julie,HannaandPatricafortheirassistanceandguidanceatalltimes.

lMyfellowofficersLiamONeill,SeamusÓhUilinand Sean O Broin for their help guidance andfriendshipoverthepastthreeyearsandmore.

lMany thanks to Micheal Ó Dubhshlaine for hisguidanceandsupportwhichwasmuchappreciated.

lCounty Officers especially County PRO’s for alltheir work in the promotion and presentation ofourgames.

lNationalandLocalPressandMedia.

Mile Buiochas

Padraig Ó Tomhnair

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CommitteeCathaoirleach,JohnHealy(CillChainnigh)MichaelDelaney(C.E.O.ComhairleLaighean)MichealReynolds

(RunaiandLeasC.E.O.ComhairleLaighean)JohnByrne(Ceatharloch)P.J.Murphy(Iarmhi)AndyGallagher(UibhFhaili)MartinMurray(AnMhi)KieranKeeneghan(UibhFhaili)

2006broughtanumberof important issues totheforeotherthanGrantAllocationsatCounty,ClubandSchool.

Developmentcontinuedapaceduring2006-79Clubs and 7 units in the Educational Sectorsreceivedgrants.

Just short of €1.2 m was allocated ofwhich €750,000.00 was contributed by ArdChomhairle. The Club/School Expenditure was€16.5m.Clubsborrowed€9mduringtheyear.

During the past year there was a noticeableincreaseinenquiriesconcerningthedevelopmentof All Weather Pitches including Astro TurfPitches.

All Clubs should and must examine the AllWeather Pitch scenario. Our climate is notgettinganydrier. Thedemandsonourpitchesiseverincreasing(inmostareas).

Theassociationinthenextfewyearsmustset-a-sidearealisticbudgetforthedevelopmentofAllWeatherPitchesparticularlyatlocationsthatareaccessibletoasmanyunitsoftheassociationas possible. Such funding must come from a

National Budget – Provinces/Counties do nothavethesurplusfundsrequired.

The installation of Floodlights (as a number ofClubshavediscoveredtotheircost)canattimesbeablessingindisguise–onceinstalledeveryonewants to use them but in some situations thequalityofthepitchisnotsatisfactory.

In line with National Policy of two floodlitgrounds in each Province – Pairc Ui Mhordha,Portlaoise and Pairc Tailteann, Navan havefulfilled the Leinsterobligation. TogetherwithPairc an Chrocaigh and Parnell Park, DublinLeinster has sufficient has sufficient floodlitvenuesforthepresence.

SinceJanuary2005someClubshavefoundthatthe cost of “running” Floodlights is expensive.Clubswhohaveyettoinstallfloodlightsshouldgive careful consideration and seek advicebeforeproceeding.SuchadviseisavailablefromComhairleLaighean.

In 2006 the Energy Regulator did reduce thetarrff by 30% but the tariff is still 70% abovethe2004level.

In 2006 - 86 Clubs in Leinster were grantedjustover€8mintheLotteryFundingfromtheDepartment of Sports, Tourism and The Arts.Presentlythenextallocationisawaited.

Allourunitsappreciatethefinancialassistancereceived from the Government. When seekingLotteryFundingClubswouldbewelladvisedtohavetheAllWeatherPitchconceptasapriority.

The projects undertaken by Coiste na Mi andCoisteLuatDungannyandDarvorrespectivelyareprogressingsatisfactorily.BothCountiesareto be complemented on their initiatives. Bothprojectswhencompletedwillendthenightmareof seeking training facilities for County Teamsand Development Squads. In addition Schoolgames under threat because of inclementweathercanbefacilitatedalso.

TheWexfordProjectwillhaveasimilar impactintheSouthEast.

Grounds, Facilities, Health& Safety Committee Report

OtherthanpurchasinglandfortrainingpurposesCounties and Clubs also should examinepossibilitiesofsharing/leasingfacilities.

HealthandSafetyisaveryimportantaspectinthewelfarestatusofeveryunit.GenerallywhenwementionHealth&Safetyitisinthecontextofgamesattractinglargeattendances.Ifonlyitwasthatsimple!

EachClubisexpectedtohaveaSafetyStatementthat issitespecific. SimilarlyCountyGrounds.TheCommitteetowardstheendof2006draftedaSafetyStatementTemplateforClubs.

On 7th September, 2006 the Committee metwith the respective Safety Officers and EventControllersfromtheCountiestoprepareEventManagementformatforgameswithanexpectedattendanceof5,000plus. It is anticipated thatproposed legislation will insist that Stewardsmustattendarecognizedtrainingcourse.

Comhairle Laighean through this Committeerequested a Stewards Course (F.E.T.A.C.recognized) to be held in early Spring ’07unfortunatelyduetocircumstancesbeyondthecontrolofComhairleLaigheanwasnotpossible.

County Safety Officers and Event ControllersattendedaonedayseminarontheirrespectiverolesinPaircanChrocaighon22.01.07.

Itisaprioritythatallpersonnelinvolvedinthestaging of games at our County Grounds aretrained, that no Steward would be on duty ataneventwithoutaproperbriefingbeforehand,and that they would be fully aware of theirduties and responsibilities and who the seniorpersonnelonthedayare.

County facilities benefit financially fromComhairleLaigheanFinances:

O’ConnorPark,Tullamore€135,000.00

PearsePark,Longford €100,000.00

PearsesPark,Arklow €50,000.00

Dr.CullenPark,Carlow €1,500.00

12xCountyGrounds@ €6,350.00(each)

Plan for 2007

• TohaveacommonapproachintheProvincetoallHealth&SafetyIssuesinvolvedinthe

staging of games at the Province’s CountyGrounds.

• Toadviseandup-daterelevantpersonnelonrelevantlegislation.

• TodeveloplinkswithNationalInfrastructure&SafetyCommittee(ArdChomhairle)

• ToprovideadviseandassistancetoCountiesfor Pitch Development/Improvementat County Grounds and improvement tospectatoraccommodation.

• Explore with the Counties the possibilityof County Committees purchasing anddevelopingCountyTrainingGrounds.

• ToadviseandassistClubs/Schools/Collegesas here-to-fore Re: development, grantapplicationandloanapplications.

Buíochas

ManythankstoClubandCountyBoardOfficersfortheircourtesyandhospitalitytoCommitteeMembersduringvisits.

Sincere thanks to theCommitteeMembers forthededicatedworktheyputinduringtheyearandthetimetheyforfeitedtowardshelpingthemanyG.A.A.units.

A special thanks to Micheal Mac Raghnaill forthewayhesimplifiedeverybody’sworkandtotheStaffofComhairleLaighean.

Thefuturehasnumerouschallengesahead.TheCommitteewillendeavourtoensurethatwealloperateonaCodeofBestPractise.

Seán Ó hÉile

83

Leinster Club and CountyPlanning Committee

Committee Members for 2006

Albert Fallon (Cathaoirleach - Longphort) Noel Tierney (Runai - Iarmhi) An Lú - Tomás Ó hEochaidh An Mhí - Enda Smyth Baile Átha Cliath - Susan Naughton Cill Mhantáin - Andy O’Brien Loch Garman - Rory Murphy Cill Dara - Christy Morrison Ceatharlach - Liam BarryCill Chainnigh - Barry Hickey Laois - Tom O’Loughlin Uibh Fháili - Michael Noel Byrne Iar Mhí - Billy Flanagan Longphort - Frank TiernanShane Flanagan (Áras Laighean)

Continued delivery of club planning courses throughout the province in addition to a very heavy involvement in county plans was the main focus of the committee during 2006.

The county development officers throughout the province have invested a lot of time in promoting the programmes on offer. In some counties, clubs have participated very enthusiastically in the programmes, while in others the uptake has been very low. In almost 100% of cases, clubs will acknowledge that the facilitator led workshops are very beneficial, often giving the club renewed momentum, as well as attracting new members with fresh ideas who are prepared to help out in day to day club affairs. It’s a pity that more clubs don’t take participate in the programme, and in counties where uptake has been poor, all county board officers might make a special effort to promote and sell the positive aspects of engaging in

club planning. This problem has been well highlighted in national executive reports in recent years, and we appeal again this year to all County Board Officers from Chairpersons, Secretaries to County Development Officers that they show leadership and fully support the drive to ensure that the clubs in their county are aware of and understand the benefits of the Programme.

During 2006 committee members facilitated workshops and provided other assistance with county plans. Putting a county plan together demands a lot more time, personnel and other resources than are required to produce a club plan. In all the counties that have started the process, the commitment of the clubs, and of county board officers has resulted in a lot of soul searching, hard work, and late nights – but the delivery of very comprehensive county plans make the whole exercise very worthwhile. Offaly and Meath have completed very realistic and attainable plans their county plans, while Kilkenny and Wexford are at an advanced stage. The documents produced in Meath and Offaly are very comprehensive and address a very wide range of issues. Having plans in place gives current and future officers at county board level a framework to guide and reassure them. The involvement of members of the national committee in encouraging and guiding the completion of the county plans must also be acknowledged.

The output from the committee depends very much on the commitment of the development officers and facilitators throughout the province who are very generous with their time and very professional and competent in organising and delivering the courses. Active facilitators aren’t very well distributed throughout the province, and some of the busiest counties are drawing from a small pool of personnel. Without facilitator flexibility and willingness to travel long distances to deliver the courses, the future of the initiative would be under a cloud.

In the earlier years of the club planning

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programme, participation typically meant that a club would need to request its members to commit to two or three nights of workshops in order to be in a position to draw up a club plan. 2006 saw further refinement of the club planning programme in an effort to make it more effective and to encourage more clubs to participate. The new format requires the club to organise one night with facilitator led workshop, and one or two more meetings afterwards to compile the plan for consideration and ratification by the club executive.

A very well attended workshop in Autumn in Aras Laighean marked the launch of the revised programme. The revamped programme has been delivered to clubs since October 2006. To date, the workshops have been more intensive and probing and a lot more of the raw material for the club to draw up its plan can be identified. Consequently, at the end of the meeting, club members have a clearer picture of the areas of club activity that will drive the development and implementation of their club plan. The new format requires two facilitators to ensure that the workshop can be well managed within a two hour slot.

Increasingly, our clubs have opportunities to seek assistance and financial aid from the state, the national lottery and from other schemes. In order to avail of this aid, clubs need to adopt as professional an approach as possible in order to justify their application for such help.

Clubs are also under much more scrutiny from a variety of sources – health and safety and child protection are just two such areas that spring to mind. Engaging in the club planning process is usually a great opportunity for clubs to reflect on all of these issues and devise approaches to addressing them.

THANKSIn a province the size of Leinster, initiatives such as the Comhairle programme require dedicated people at the coalface. Sincere thanks to all those people who have helped during the year:

• Michael Ó Dubhshlaine and the Staff of Áras Laighean for their advice, and assistance.

• The county development officers who encourage, prompt, and sometimes pursue clubs to participate in the programmes and organize venues for the workshops.

• The facilitators who deliver courses in premises as diverse as hotels, parish halls, clubhouses, and the odd cold and bare dressingroom!

Albert FallonNoel Tierney

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Coiste Scór LaigheanReport

TasedephribhleidagamantuarascailgearseoachurfaoibhraidnandaoineatabailitheanseooCuigeLaighean.

When Scor was introduced in the late sixtiesit helped to establish that Cumann LuthchleasGael was more than merely another sportsorganization and that we had a duty andresponsibility to harness the cultural talentsof traditional Ireland. It was seen as a winteractivityforourclubsand italsohadas itsaimthepromotionofourIrishlanguage,music,songanddanceandotheraspectsofIrishculture.

WecanfeelhappythatScornanOgisholdingits own after so many years and is proving anexcellent outlet for young people. Senior Scorhasbeenslippingandchangesareneeded.

2007istheyearfortheholdingofScorCongressand every unit is asked to play its part andsuggest changes that are necessary for theimprovementofScor.

Have we all got Scor Committees within ourCounty?HasitthesupportandgoodwilloftheCountyOfficersandCountyBoard?Whatpartdoes Oifigeach na Gaeilge and the OifigeachOgraplaywithineachCounty?

ThereliesagreatresponsibilityoneachCountyChairmantoensurethatScorisactivewithinhisorhercounty.

I appreciate that in many counties there maybe only a small group of people prepared toundertake the promotion and organization ofScorandtothesepeoplewesaythankyouforyourefforts.

TotheOfficersoftheLeinsterCouncil-Liam,ONeillandMichealODubhshlaineIwouldliketothank for their support and help over the pastyear.

Sincere thanks toallCountyScorCommittees,Adjudicatorsandtoallwhohelpedwithprovidingvenuesandstewards.

Finally, I wish to thank the members of theLeinster Scor Committee, Chairman MichealO Mairtin, Leas Runai I Aodhann Breathnach,Tomas OMurchu (Ceatharlach), SeanOLaoire(AnMhi)

Ta se de pribhleid agam mo bhuiochas aghabhaillegacheinneachabhraighliom.

Mise le Mor-Mheas,

Micheál Ó MáirtínCathaoirleach

Dómhnaill Ó hIcéadhaRúnaí

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Leinster Scór na nÓg Winners 2006

RINCE FÓIRNE (Ceili Dancing)CillDara MaighNuad

AMHRÁNAIOCHT AONAIR (Solo Song)Iarmhí SineaddNicantSionnaigh (lannhi) JenniferFox (Coralstown,Kinnegad)

CEOL UIRLISE (Instrumental Music)Co.naMhí ClannnaGael

AITHRISEOIREACHT / SCEALAIOCHT (Recitation / Storytelling)UibhFháilí SeamusOColgan (AnTobar)

BAILÉAD GHRUPA (Ballad Groups)Iarmhí NaShamrogai MuileannCearr

TRÁTH NA gCEIST (Question Time)CillDara FiodhAluine

NUACHLEAS (Novelty Act)UibhFhaili NaShamrogai

RINCE SEIT (Set Dancing)Iarmhí NaDunta

Leinster Senior Scór Winners 2006

RINCE FÓIRNE (Ceili Dancing) Iarmhí NaShamrogai MuileannCearr

AMHRÁNAIOCHT AONAIR (Solo Song)Iarmhí SineadNiicConMidhe (NaDunta)

CEOL UIRLISE (Instrumental Music)AthaCliath DochasEireann

AITHRISEOIREACHT / SCEALAIOCHT (Recitation / Storytelling)AthaCliath RisteairdOBraonain CaisleanCnucha

BAILÉAD GHRUPA (Ballad Groups)LochGarman NaomhSeamus

TRÁTH NA gCEIST (Question Time)Longphort Legan

NUACHLEAS (Novelty Act)CillMhantáin EimeadCornanBhua

RINCE SEIT (Set Dancing)Iarmhí NaDúnta

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Anuraidh chuireamar romhainn suíomh idirlína bhunú chun an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinnI gCúige Laighean. Tá an urraíocht tagtha óFhoras na Gaeilge agus tá an tsuim chéannatagthaóChomhairleLaighean.Beidhansuíomhféin á sheoladh I gceann cúpla seachtain nuaira bheidh data cuí faighte again a oirfidh donChomhairle. Uaidh sin ar aghaidh beidh obairchothabhálaádéanamhagainaransuíomh.Táséarintinnagainníaleathnúchomhmaithagusscéal an tsuímh a chraobhscaoileadh. Tá súilagaingogcabhróidhséledaoineatáagiarraidhan Ghaeilge a úsáid I gclár do chluiche nó agcruinniúnóagcluiche.

Máire Ní CheallaighCathaoirleach

Coiste Gaeilge