President’s Blog June, 2009

Its been another busy month as we all turn our attention now to the Gala All Ireland Camogie Championships. These were launched very successfully last week. We had a great day in Croke Park on Wednesday 10th June.  27 team captains were in attendance along with Senior Camogie Team Managers Ann Downey (Kilkenny), Stella Sinnott (Wexford), Liam O’Donoghue (Galway), Bertie Sherlock (Clare), Pheilim Macken (Limerick) and Fr. Peter Brennan (Tipperary).

We were delighted that Denise Lord, Gala Customer Services Manager, representing our sponsors; Christy Cooney President of the GAA, Erika Murphy from the Irish Sports Council and Glen Killane, RTE Group Head of Sport all joined us.

The Gala Senior Championship action moves to the pitch next week Saturday 20th June when defending champions Cork will host Dublin in Pßirc UÝ Rinn and National League title holders Wexford take a trip to Limerick.

I am delighted that many of this year’s Senior championship games will be played in GAA county grounds. These provide excellent facilities for players and supporters alike.

Attending matches is one of the most important ways of giving recognition to our players and increasing attendances is something we can improve on at all levels, local to national. Make sure to support Camogie  by attending games as much as you can. 

I am also delighted that The Sunday Game will provide highlights from one match in each round of the Senior Championship. There will also be delayed web broadcasting from that game on www.rte.ie. On Sunday next Cork v Dublin will feature.

Its not just the players who’ve been training hard for the championship. Thirty four referees have already passed the All Ireland Championship fitness tests. This means that our efforts to improve refereeing standards is heading in the right direction. Grading and assessment of referees is currently under discussion as well.

Since my May Blog, I’ve continued to undertake visits to various counties. At this stage I’ve had the pleasure of meeting clubs and County Boards in each of the four Provinces. As well as earlier visits to Cork and Galway, visits over the last month have included Westmeath, Waterford, Clare, Down, Kilkenny and Wexford. Several more are in the diary and at the end of the month I’m heading to London for a seminar on the development of Camogie there.

I’ve commenced an ideas log from the visits. This will be very useful in helping to finalise the drafting of a new National Development Plan for Camogie. This is being worked on at the moment and the aim is to present a new Plan to a Special Congress at the end of the year.

I’m looking forward to the annual FÚile na nGael in Offaly/Laois next weekend. The parade, the games and the hospitality of local clubs and families make this a special event. Good luck to all the participants and I look forward to meeting you.

Slan go f¾ill
Joan O’Flynn
15 Meitheamh 2009

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