Rhode GAA Club AGM

The 125 Annual General Meeting took place in Rhode Hall on Friday with a record number in attendance. They were welcomed by outgoing Chairman James Murphy, Fr. Gregg Corcoran started with a prayer which included members of the club who died during the year. The various aspects were then read out and addressed. In the first financial report as treasure Patricia McManus presented a fantastic one and she answered all queries regarding same. The Chairman, Secretary and Minor Club Chairman all gave details reports on the night. A motion presented by the committee executive containing the following was passed by an overwhelming majority and it stated. The Club executive have the power to select a management committee which would always include the chairman, the secretary and three other people be designed the job for selecting all adult team managers. The following committee was then elected.

Patron\’s
Fr. Greg Corcoran and Peter Stephenson. Fr Greg replaced the deceased Fr Edward Kelly at the meeting

Trustees
Johnny Mooney,Greg Ennis, Joe Kellaghan, Brendan Ward,Michael Delaney

President
Christy Darby
Vice Presidents
Thomas McNamee, Joe Kellaghan, Paddy Kerrigan, Paddy McCormack, Martin Heavey, Liam Swaine, John Glennon

Chairman
In the contest for chairman the outgoing chairman James Murphy defeated Eoin Hickey

Vice Chairman
Seamus Mcguire

Secretary
Outgoing secretary Kenneth Garry did not seek re-lection the new secretary is Ger Hynes.

Assistance Secretary
Fionnuala Hickey

Treasure
Patricia McManus

Assistant Treasure
Mary Hannon

Joint PRO\’s
John Glennon and Paul Hickey

Minor Club Chairman
Cathal Swords

Minor Club Secretary
Tracey Murphy (voted in)

Register
Ger Noonan

County Board Delegates
James Murphy, Noel Groome, John Glennon

County Convention Delegates
James Murphy and Seamus Maguire

Coaching Coordinator
Paschal Kellaghan

Child Protective Officer
Marie Fitzgerald

Committee with
Bill Glennon, Richie Glennon, Pat McManus, Oliver Murphy, Declan Gorman, Robert Kellaghan, Declan Nolan, Brendan Leavey

Club Liaison Officer
Richie Glennon

A.O.B This was a very open and frank discussion on many aspects of the clubs activities for the last year. This was a very good and positive meeting brilliantly chaired by James Murphy.

Offaly, Monaghan, Westmeath and Tipperary played a very enjoyable blitz on Saturday in Rhode and Ballyfore GAA Grounds. Each team played each other which meant that each team played three games. Offaly beat Monaghan in the first game in Rhode, a second string Offaly team played Tipperary in the second game in Rhode and Tipperary were the winners. In the final game in Rhode Offaly had a 13 point win over Westmeath in what was a good game. In the games played in Ballyfore Tipperary beat Westmeath and Monaghan. All in all there was great football played and a great learning experience for the players and management. Thanks to all the club members who had everything prefect and thanks to Richard Dowling who had Rhode Hall in great shape for the teams who had their meals there. On the team and panel from Rhode were Ruairi McNamee and Jack Murphy.

The Offaly GAA Award night takes place in the Bridge House on Saturday the 11th of January. It is always a great night and again this year the Rhode GAA Club will have its annual winner. Paul McPadden is the Under 21 Offaly player of the year as he gave some outstanding displays for the Rhode Parish side St. Michael\’s when he captained to Offaly\’s championship win. In his great displays he scored 1-14 in the three games played. 8 points against St Vincent\’s, 3 points against Ballycumber/Tubber in the semi-final and 1-3 against St Patrick\’s in the final. Tickets for the night can be obtained by contacting John Glennon 087 2715 804.

Membership of the club is now due and can be paid to any of the membership officers on or before Monday the 31st of March 2014. The fees are as follows

Family €50

Players and Insurance €50

Single Adult €25

Students €10

O.A.P\’s €5

Best of luck to Ballinamere who play the Great Brittan champions Fulham Geals in the All-Ireland semi-final club hurling championship on Sunday in Birmingham.

O\’Connor Park Tullamore hosted the Leinster club senior football final on Sunday and after a thrilling game St Vincent\’s beat Portlaoise on a 3-12 to 3-9 score line. Thanks to the club members who acted as stewards for the game.

There was no winner of the Rhode GAA Lotto for the week ending 2nd of December for a Jackpot of €15,000. The numbers drawn were 3 5 7 16. The club like to thank all those who supported the draw and thanks to Killeen\’s for the use of their premises and for their help and cooperation. The following matched three numbers and received €40 each
Pat Kilmurray, Tubberdaly Rhode
Declan Cox, Rathcobican Rhode
Nuala Kavanagh, Coolcur Rhode
Mary Hannon, Jogher Rhode
Aishling Killeen, Rhode
The lotto next week takes place in Doyle\’s there will be an extra €1,000 given out on the night for Christmas there will be 5 x €100 for promoters and 10 x €50 draw on books.
The Rhode GAA Lotto is the main source of income the club has and now you can play online though our website. The good news is when you play the lotto online you are entitled to free draws, for example pay for seven draws receive the eighth one free, pay for fourteen draws receive two free and so on. In other words, the more you play the more free draws you are entitled to!!

There was a huge sense of sadness over the faithful county when on Monday last the news came through of the death of Liam Connor. Liam was the first of the brilliant ’82 All Ireland winning team to pass away and the county is still in shock. Liam played full back on that never to be forgotten All Ireland win and he also collected an All Star that year. He was a integral part of that Offaly team that also won three Leinster Senior Titles in ’80, ’81 and ’82. He also won six Senor Championship medals in a row with Walsh Island from ’78 to ’83, he also won two Leinster Club Senior Titles with the Island in ’78 and ’79. He was a gentleman of the highest calibre both off and on the field. A great Offaly, Walsh Island Man, both of whom he was very proud to represent. The Faithful County, Walsh Island Club but in particular the O’ Connor Family have lost a great person. Liam was laid to rest in Co, Waterford last Thursday. May he Rest in Peace.