TYRONE CONVENTION

“There must be a focus on club football in Tyrone in 2008” The words of the returned Tyrone ladies chairperson Ann Marie Meehan at last weeks county convention at Cappagh. Despite the success of the counties senior footballers it had been evident that club football had suffered with players missing out on league football for long periods of the year just past. The Convention that was well attended heard that the county board will indeed embark on a route that will enable club football to continue while developing the inter county sides enabling them to challenge for honours.

In her speech to delegates the chairperson spoke of the great feeling of joy that the seniors brought to the county and she paid tribute to the management and players, she also congratulated the minors, under 14s and clubs that enjoyed Ulster success.

Meehan accepted though that there wasn’t enough club football and that clubs suffered, she hopes that a new look fixture committee and with the emphasis on the clubs things will improve in the year ahead, her last, she says in the hot seat.

Business was brisk at the meeting with several changes in personnel and in terms of motions and recommendations. There was plenty of active debate too over several proposals.

A new look disciplinary committee will be set up and affiliation fees have increased to £25 per team or £100 for all age groups. A recommendation that will see a formal  break between club and county games both before and after fixtures will be revisited after a meeting between executive, fixtures and team management goes ahead.

Several other recommendations were passed to the fixtures committee for discussion while a motion will be forwarded to congress on behalf of An Charraig Mhor in relation to the cost of registration, this contentious issue has been a regular coming from Tyrone and the hope is common sense will prevail and some change will be made.

There was an emotional exit from the county board too for two long standing members. Treasurer Jo Lynch has opted to take a break from the role while after some fourteen years, secretary Teresa Kelly has finally called time on her tenure. Both executive members came in for a host of tributes from fellow members and from the floor,

“Their contribution over the past years was unbelievable, long hours away from meetings, endless phone calls and a professional manner that kept Tyrone’s football heartbeat ticking” said Ann Marie Meehan.

Sadly a new secretary could not be found on he night and another meeting has been reconvened to elect a successor to Mrs Kelly, clubs tasked with going out and finding a worthy replacement.

In the election of officers there was little in the way of major change, the 2008 executive are then,

Chairman Ann Marie Meehan unopposed

Vice- Chair  Patsy McCrory    

Secretary  to be filled

Asst Sec      Eileen Connolly  

Treasurer      AntionetteMcCusker

Asst Treas     Maura Corr

Registrar      Kellie McGaughey

PRO             Paddy Hunter

AsstPRO      Aoife  McReynolds

Development  Paddy Donnelly

Children’s Officer Cathy Richardson

Integration Pauric McConnell

FIXTURES COMMITTEE

Kevin Cassidy, Tommy McSorley, Alan Richardson, Brenda Mellon Aisling Doyle

After the election of officers and committees Ann Marie Meehan thanked all for their support but pointed out there was hard work to be done at all levels. She also thanked Cappagh for hosting the meeting and for the refreshments served.

The meeting will o ahead again at Cappagh on January 29^th at 8pm sharp. In line with a recommendation from delegates the meetings will indeed start sharp at the designated time, delegates should be in attendance at least ten minutes before the start.