78 members attended the convention held on 21/12/08. This was an increase of 38 on last years attendance. As usual our secretary presented a comprehensive report on the year’s activities. Martin must be complimented on his report.
Canice Walsh presented the financial report and whilst we made an operating profit of €30,000 on the year, he pointed out that we would lose some income streams during the coming year. The income from poker events was now at an end. Also transport and physiotherapy costs were too high. Both of these costs would have to be carefully monitored during 2009.
The meeting broke with the normal practice and full accounts for the bar were presented. The treasurer pointed out that the overdraft for the bar was hovering at historically high levels. Remedial action will have to be taken to ensure the bar does not continue to be a burden on the club. The cost of wages for part-time staff was a cause of grave concern.
The chairman thanked Harry Hynes for his contribution. He pointed out that it was the executive’s intention to appoint another bar manager. It is hoped to the appointment would be made in January. The chairman pointed out the bar must not be a burden on the club and it must be relevant to the membership also.
In his chairman’s address, Ger Reidy, began by castigating the Co Board proposal to form another hurling club in Tralee. He pointed out that our club was the only club in the town with any hurling taking place. The previous hurling initiatives all failed and a new club would fail also. He welcomed the fact that indoor training for juvenile hurlers was taking place at the moment. The Co board at last were providing training aids. However we must play our part and endeavour to get more mentors to help run hurling. The decision to designate a specific night for hurling only activities was a step in the right direction.
He congratulated the U21 team and their management on their great success. He pointed out that it was too long a wait for success at that level. With regard to senior football, he said the new fixture programme would help us. It should lead to our inter county players being more available to us. Without doubt that if we had all our players during the Co League we would have been promoted to Div 1. He proposed that we would form a sub-committee to oversee the appointment of the senior team management. This sub-committee will meet early in January and put management in take as quickly as possible.
He mentioned the hurtful rumours that emanated from sections of the club towards him personally. He quoted from an article by Ger Walsh, about the bar room critics. ‘He’s the one that sits at the bar all year long and complains about everything’. The chairman pointed out that there far too much negativity coming from the bar. The atmosphere in the bar has changed. Members of the executive have been approached and received verbal abuse, whilst socialising in the bar. This will have to stop and that kind of activity will not be tolerated anymore.
The chairman mentioned that Club Rockies was the preferred option for fund raising. If more people bought into the Club Rockies idea and spent less time criticising it, we would all be better off. He also dispelled another rumour. All Club Rockies money is lodged into a specific bank account and not of it has been spent.
The chairman thanked our sponsors, Slatterys Travel, Lee Strand, Kerry Gas Supplies, Garveys, Jackie Power tours, Terry Healy and Club Rockies.
He finished by forecasting that with our good young players coming on stream that the future on the playing fields looked promising.
Eamon Scanlan dealt with future developments at the club. His report is published in full on the web site.
On the proposition of Denny long, a review of all football activities will be undertaken. A sub-committee has been appointed and will report in the spring.
Membership fees were increased by €10.
Adult Member €60, Student €40, Juvenile €30 & Senior Citizen €20. Club rockies membership is remaining at €240. The benefits of joining that scheme have been enhanced. Two full memberships will be granted, if desired, to members of club Rockies.
The following people were elected to serve as officers for the coming year;
President Fr M Galvin
Chairman Ger Reidy
Vice Chairman Pat Joe McQuinn
Secretary Martin Collins
Asst. Secretary John king
Treasurer Canice Walsh
Asst. Treasurers Lorraine Scanlon & John O’Connell
Registrar Tadgh McMahon
Asst. Registrar Eamon O’Reilly
Joint Pros Kerry O’Shea & Paudie Commane
Co Board Delegates Brendan Reidy & Paudie Commane
Town board Delegates Kerry O’Shea & Maurice McNamara
Oifigeach Gaeilge Brian Caball
Scor Officer Brian Caball
Players Representative John Slattery