Report from P.R.O on A.G.M held 24th Nov 2006
Bandon Athletic
Club's held its Annual General Meeting in the Munster Arms Hotel in Bandon
recently. Secretary Tom Laffan read the minutes of the previous AGM which were
then adopted, he then presented his report on the year and reflected on the many
activities both on and off the field. Treasurer Carmel Lucey then presented her
financial report for the year, she noted that the club had large expenditure
during the year mainly on new equipment. She noted that the previous sponsorship
agreement with the Bandon Credit Union had expired but the club had been
fortunate to secure a new sponsor for a number of years. Catriona McSweeney in
her PRO's report noted the many successes for the club in the previous 12
months. Aisling Everard won an All-Ireland 'A' medal in Cross Country
competitions at the end of 2005. The club once again held its annual New Years
Day road which was run off very successfully. The club awards night in March was
a great night was had with many athletes’ achievements being recognised. In
Track and Field/Indoor competitions the club featured prominently in Open
Sports, West Cork, County and Munster competitions while the following juvenile
athletes won All-Ireland 'A' medals; Promise Okafor, Laura McSweeney, Lynn
Bradfield, Great Okafar, Tracy Bradfield, Patrick McSweeney, Sipke
O'Shaughnessy, Joan Healy, Conor Pullin, Sarah Bradfield and Rachel Roche while
there were 5 relay teams amongst the medals at national level. In representative
competitions Joan Healy and Sarah Bradfield competed for Ireland in the Celtic
Juvenile International in Waterford, while Timmy Harrington who has recently
joined the club from Courcies A.C also competed in this event.
In the Junior, Senior and Master’s age groups we had a number of medals being
won at County and Munster level. Sarah Bradfield won an All-Ireland medal at
junior level, while in the Master’s age group All-Ireland medal winners were Liz
Coomey, Carmel McCarthy, Anne Kelly-McCarthy, Collete Hurley-Tuthil, Tom Laffan,
Liam O'Reilly, Gerry Healy and the men’s relay team won Gold. There is also a
strong road running section to the club with 6 senior members completing the
Dublin City Marathon in Oct while Tom Laffan and Joe O'Sullivan among others
have figured prominently in a number of prestigious local races.
The Club again entered a women’s team in the National League and they qualified
for the final of the Premier division where they just missed out on the medals.
The club also entered a Men’s team for the first time in a number of years and
they qualified for the final of the First Division.
The Cross Country season began in Sept and in the Juvenile Counties the club won
7 individual medals while 7 teams were among the medals. In the Munster Juvenile
Cross Country we had 1 team among the medals, 3 individual medal winners with 8
medals being won as part of Cork teams. The club also had the individual winner
in the County Novice Men’s and Women’s races, while Novice women’s team and the
ladies Junior team both won County Gold. There was also a number of medals won
at County ‘B’ and West Cork Cross Countries.
Chairman John O'Donovan in his address thanked the coaches and committee members
for the time they put into the club and he applauded the many successes of club
members in the preceding 12 months. He reflected sadly on the passing of the
club's President Mr Denis Collins who was a long time member of the club and the
Chairman noted that shortly before his passing Mr Collins had received the Hall
Of Fame Award at the club awards night. Incoming committee for the year include
John O'Donovan (Chairman), Finbarr Harrington (Vice-Chairman), Tom Laffan
(Secretary), Carmel Lucey (Treasurer), Catriona McSweeney (PRO), Liam Fleming
(Assistant PRO for Senior/Masters) Michael Haydon (Hon. President), Catherine
Duggan (Juv Registrar), Liam Fleming and Liz Coomey (Senior Registrar's), Pat
Mulcahy and Anne McCarthy (Child Officers), Catherine Duggan (Head Coach) while
a new position of Fund Raising Officer was created and Kate Coveney was elected
to this post. Vice Presidents include Flor Griffin, Paddy O'Brien, Gerard
Coughlan, P.J. O'Neill, Michael O'Reilly, Billy Good, Mons. Kevin O'Callaghan,
Catherine Duggan and Brendan Crowley with Diarmuid O'Neill being a Hon Life
Member of the club.