Low key North Tipp GAA Convention
Bar the election of a new Assistant Secretary, there was little of note from one of shortest ever North Tipperary GAA Board Conventions when club delegates met at The Hibernian Inn, Nenagh last Monday night to review the activities of 2024.
Outgoing chairperson Brendan Shanahan presided as Toomevara’s Patsy Hanley was elected as assistant secretary, succeeding Lorrha’s Michael Kennedy.
In his address, Brendan Shanahan began by thanking all his officers for their help in his first year as chairperson in 2024. He had a special word of thanks for Secretary Philip Delaney and Treasurer John Delaney.
The Portroe clubma thanked the CCC for their work in organising fixtures, and the referees whom he said were a very small pool but were a hard working group. He added that “Give Respect Get Respect” posters were distributed to all clubs in the division earlier this year and they heightened awareness of referees and what they do. The board will continue to look for more referees as they do at the beginning of each New Year.
He went on to thank the local media as well as Clubber TV for the work done to promote the games and had a special word of thanks for PRO Michael Quinn.
County Chairperson Jimmy Minogue addressed the meeting and began by praising the North Board committee for their work. He said that the Board was never found wanting when it was called on to help out the county board. He also thanks the clubs for their assistance throughout the year.
Secretary’s Report
Philip Delaney’s comprehensive report covered all 186 games played in the division from under 19 to the adult grades with four county titles being won by North champions, Moneygall – Intermediate Hurling, Kiladangan – Junior ‘A’ Football, Burgess – Junior ‘B’ Football, and Kilruane MacDonaghs – Under 19 ‘B’ Hurling.
The Borris-Ileigh clubman complimented the clubs for ensuring that all competitions were completed to meet county championship deadlines with the CCC scheduling 186 games which started on March 24th and will finish in December with the under 19 football divisional finals.
“It is vital that we keep to our fixtures calendar to have our own divisional championships completed before County dates,” he said.
However, one of the big issues with enduring this level of smoothness in terms of fixtures continues is having enough referees to officiate matches.
“We got all our fixtures played but the volume of games compared to the pool of referees available is making it harder to get games played,” Delaney warned.
The division has 24 registered referees from fifteen clubs with three clubs having no active referee.
“We will need to recruit five referees minimum every year for the next three years so we will have referees to keep up with the number of games played.”
He added: “Going forward will be a struggle and the Bord and Clubs will need to look at alternatives that can ensure we can continue to get our fixtures played which marries into the number of referees available.”
However, North Tipperary does have a high number of quality referees with Conor Doyle (Silvermines) and Alan Tierney (Shannon Rovers) now on the national panel, Burgess duo Peter Carroll and Ciaran O’Donovan are on the Munster panel, while Portroe’s Mark Gennery has been added to the Munster Academy panel.
Ciaran Timmons spoke on behalf of the referee’s committee. He said that the onus is on clubs to find and recruit new referees. The age profile of the current referees is rising and pretty soon the number will be very small and won’t have them to cover the games with a minimum of five new referees required each year.
County referees coordinator Philip Kelly revealed that two new referees came on board in the division in 2024, including the first female referee Aishling McGlinchey from Newport.
Treasurers Report
Treasurer John Delaney reported a deficit for the year of €2,627. This was despite an increase in income to €101,395 with gate receipts making up the majority of €84,460, up €8,000 on 2023.
The deficit was largely due to the rise in expenditure to over €104k from €75,000, however, most of that was due to a €25,000 contribution to Tipperary County Board.
North Board Officers 2025
President - Matt Hassett (Toomevara); Vice President - Donie Nealon (Burgess); Chairperson - Brendan Shanahan (Portroe) Year 1 of 3 Complete; Vice Chairperson - Micheal Ryan (Nenagh Eire Og) Year 1 of 3 Complete; Secretary - Philip Delaney (Borris-Ileigh) Year 4 of 5 Complete; Assistant Secretary - Patsy Hanley (Toomevara) New; Treasurer - John Delaney (Newport) Year 1 of 5 Complete; Assistant Treasurer - Pat Murray (Moneygall) Year 1 of 5 Complete; Public Relations Officer - Michael Quinn (Kiladangan) Year 4 of 5 Complete; Trustee – Vacant; Registrar – Vacant: Children’s Officer - Cora Moroney (Newport); Officer for Irish Language & Culture Vacant; Coaching Officers - Paudie Malone (Portroe) & Pio Kennedy (Templederry Kenyons); Development Officer - Vacant