February Edition 2005
 
 
 
 

 

Warwickshire GAA Update
By Pat Barry

 

Quiet Period As Clubs Prepare For The New Season

Like most counties, whether they be in England, Ireland or elsewhere, apart from certain activities we are in what is usually described as the “closed season”. In Ireland most activity centres on colleges/universities/schools competition and the National Leagues which have just commenced.

Serious club players will have maintained their fitness levels over the Christmas and New Year periods, with the team manager or mentors often seen in the role of “vigilante”, ensuring that his
club’s star player does not imbibe any mysterious intoxicant that will render him useless to his team in 2005.

Within the next few weeks the team shirts that were carefully aired and ironed after the last match of 2004 will be lovingly checked to ensure that the same number are still in existence, or whether some strange omnipresent being (which exists within all G.A.A. clubs) has eaten or otherwise disposed of one or more of their clubs latest bit of kit.

Boots that were lovingly cleaned and polished after the last campaign will be taken from storage, almost blinding their owners as they reflect the naked sunlight. Indeed most players will be bursting to get “togged off” and show the world what it has been missing since mid November.

Warwickshire GAA News

Memorial Garden
As mentioned in the last issue it is expected that there will be further progress on Memorial Garden in the near future. Most recently measurements were taken for surrounding railings, which will accompany seating, a head for the monument and the commencement of engraving.

Once the weather gets better a formal opening and blessing will take place. We would thank all of those who have donated or helped collect funds to pay for the monument and hope that it will provide something fitting and appropriate for us to remember our past members by when complete.

County Board Meeting
On the agenda for discussion at the first County Board meeting of the year (which took place recently at Pairc Na h’Eireann) was an overview of “Bye Laws” of the Warwickshire G.A.A.

These are addition rules agreed over the years that are particular to the G.A.A. in Warwickshire. These are not permitted to be contrary to the G.A.A. Official Guide and cover a wide variety of areas such as the date that Cups won in the previous season must be returned.

These rules result from motions passed at the annual convention and it was agreed at last years convention that the full list of Bye Laws would be checked and discussed to make sure that they are relevant, within the G.A.A.’s rules and are not contradictory.

Discussion commenced at the County Board meeting, but it was decided that more time would need to be set aside to complete the exercise.

Clubs will have received their affiliation papers at this stage and the format of the competitions in football and hurling for 2005 will be agreed. Clubs will be assessing their strength in numbers as to whether they can run more than one adult team. Interest will revolve around any new players transferred in since the end of 2004.

Any adult who would like to play Football or Hurling may contact the County Secretary George McGuigan, who will put them in touch with a local club. George can be contacted on 01827 59677.

Pairc Na h’Eireann Maintenance
We would remind all of our patrons that the facility, be it the pitch, the clubhouse or the changing rooms, is maintained through the voluntary efforts of a small band of helpers. If anyone would like to assist they should contact George McGuigan on the number advised above. Please note that during certain periods, parts of the facility may not be available for use, for a variety of reasons.


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