The A.G.M. of Bord na n-Óg (the underage wing of the Charlestown Sarsfields G.A.A. Club) took place in the Pastoral Centre, Lowpark, Charlestown on Sunday November 17th and the following officers were elected.
Chairperson -Ryan O`Connor
Vice-Chairperson : Donal Healy
Secretary – Dee Haran
Asst. Secretary : Patricia Cassidy
Treasurer -Siobhan Horkan
Asst. Treasurer -Noirin McLoughlin
There was a fine attendance at the meeting with all three officers at the top table presenting very detailed and comprehensive reports which covered all facets and strands of the club.
Chairperson Ryan O`Connor was at pains at pay tribute to the many coaches who gave of their time so willingly to coach all the teams who took part and represented the Sarsfields at all levels from under-8 up to minor in both the boys and girls grades. The club, he pointed out , were lucky to have people of such calibre coaching and training the Sarsfields teams who competed with such honour and distinction on the playing fields in 2019 which brought notable successes for the lads and lassies. The highlight for the boys was their success in the under-14 Division 9 Feile shield final which was a magnificent achievement and due praise was given to Shane Moran and his managament team on a never to be forgotten weekend when the Sarsfields brought great glory and pride to the club at the manner of their terrific success. The Minors also managed to win another East Mayo Minor A title for the second year in a row while the Under-16 Boys won the East Mayo under-16 B title in great style and played some sparkling football in the process. The girls too hit the high notes with the under-16 girls doing the league and championship double which was a brilliant achievement and one which ranks right up there with some of the club`s most stellar succeses over the years. The Under-14 girls and minor ladies also got in on the act and won county titles at their respective grades to complete a fantastic year for club on the fields of play with Ryan quick to point out that the club continues to punch far above its weight and competes and beats clubs with far greater resources on a regular basis at all levels and grades in both codes.
Secretary Dee Haran thanked the many people who helped out with the hosting of teams during the Feile which was a wonderful success for the club on and off the field. This allowed the town to showpiece its facilities to a wider audience and this we did with aplomb thanks to the many volunteers who came on board to help out with catering and providing refreshments for the many people who came through our gates in what was a most memorable weekend at the end of June. Fr O`Hara Park looked tremendous thanks to the maintenance and dedication of people like Ciaran McBrien and the club`s park development committee who invested lots of time and energy to make sure our grounds were looking their very best. Many friendship were forged during the Feile weekend which will remain intact for many years to come as the power of the G.A.A. and its ability to bring people together was never more evident than it was over that memorable weekend at the end of June 2019.
Treasurer Siobhan Horkan was in the happy position of being able to report a surplus in the club`s balance sheet with the finances on a very healthy and sound footing thanks to some shrewd and clever fundraising during the year. Bord na n-Óg have always come up with some very clever and innovative ways of raising money and this year was no exception with the Duck Derby again proving very popular with the general public as it was very well supported as were several other smaller fundraisers during a very busy year for the club`s coffers. Siobhan kept a tight rein on the finances and presented a very detailed and comprehensive set of figures which was very well received by an appreciative and captive audience. The club have to be congratulated for the prudent way they run their business with all teams lacking for nothing in terms of gear and equipment.
Chairman Ryan O`Connor thanked his fellow officers for all their help and support during the year and thanked the senior executive for their backing with both wings of the club working in a very harmonious and co-operative fashion. There was a discussion on the membership fee which is currently under review for the 2020 season with more information to be discussed at the club`s first meeting in the early weeks January. We are lucky to have such diligent, honest and dedicated members running our affairs so to speak and they look forward to many more successes on and off the field in the new season as they set new targets and raise the bar as they look to emulate and surpass the many great achievements they fulfilled in 2019.