| <span style='font-size:11pt'><span style='font-family:Calibri,sans-serif'><span style='font-size:10.5pt'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><span style='color:#454a6b'>TheAnnual General Meeting of the Munster Branch was held virtually forthe first time tonight before a largeaudience.</span></span></span></span></span> <span style='font-size:11pt'><span style='font-family:Calibri,sans-serif'><span style='font-size:inherit'><span style='font-weight:inherit'><span style='line-height:inherit'><span style='text-decoration:inherit'><span style='font-size:10.5pt'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><span style='color:#454a6b'>Theoutgoing President, Michael Keane, thanked everyone for their helpand support over the season and proposed Seán McCullough,Nenagh Ormond RFC, as the new President of the Munster Branch forseason2020/21.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style='font-size:11pt'><span style='font-family:Calibri,sans-serif'><span style='font-size:inherit'><span style='font-size:10.5pt'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><span style='color:#454a6b'>ANenagh native, Seán joined the Nenagh Ormond RFC Committeein 2005 and served on a number of committees, including finance anddevelopment.</span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style='font-size:11pt'><span style='font-family:Calibri,sans-serif'><span style='font-size:inherit'><span style='font-size:10.5pt'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><span style='color:#454a6b'>“I have lived in Nenagh all my life and wasalways around the rugby club, so it was a special moment for mewhen I became president for the first time in2009/10.</span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style='font-size:11pt'><span style='font-family:Calibri,sans-serif'><span style='font-size:inherit'><span style='font-size:10.5pt'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><span style='color:#454a6b'>“I was president again in 2015/16 and havealso been involved with the Munster Branch for severalyears.”</span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style='font-size:11pt'><span style='font-family:Calibri,sans-serif'><span style='font-size:inherit'><span style='font-size:10.5pt'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><span style='color:#454a6b'>As thefirst president elected from Nenagh Ormond RFC, Seánmaintains strong ties with his home club which made the switch fromjunior to senior rugby in2005.</span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style='font-size:11pt'><span style='font-family:Calibri,sans-serif'><span style='font-size:inherit'><span style='font-size:10.5pt'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><span style='color:#454a6b'>“We were a junior club for years, which wasmost enjoyable and when we turned senior, the first or second yearwas a learning curve but we suddenly found our feet and we havebeen competitive in the All Ireland League eversince.</span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style='font-size:11pt'><span style='font-family:Calibri,sans-serif'><span style='font-size:inherit'><span style='font-size:10.5pt'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><span style='color:#454a6b'>“The AIL means a lot to us, we have madelifelong friends across the country and we hope to stay there,while also continuing to develop the club and attract morevolunteers.</span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style='font-size:11pt'><span style='font-family:Calibri,sans-serif'><span style='font-size:inherit'><span style='font-size:10.5pt'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><span style='color:#454a6b'>“My wife, Mary, is the membership secretaryat Nenagh and my daughter, Colleen, along with one or two formerplayers started up the women’s and girls’ section atthe club a few yearsago.</span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style='font-size:11pt'><span style='font-family:Calibri,sans-serif'><span style='font-size:inherit'><span style='font-size:10.5pt'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><span style='color:#454a6b'>“We now have 80 girls participating acrossfive age-groups and Colleen also coaches the U16s, it’s beengreat to see the development and growth in thisarea.”</span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style='font-size:11pt'><span style='font-family:Calibri,sans-serif'><span style='font-size:inherit'><span style='font-size:10.5pt'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><span style='color:#454a6b'>Seán is looking forward to the new seasonstarting and recognised the commitment from clubs to follow the‘Return to Rugby’ guidelines outlined by theIRFU.</span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style='font-size:11pt'><span style='font-family:Calibri,sans-serif'><span style='font-size:inherit'><span style='font-size:10.5pt'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><span style='color:#454a6b'>“Clubs have adapted well during this time,making any necessary changes to prepare for the season ahead andstaying wellinformed.</span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style='font-size:11pt'><span style='font-family:Calibri,sans-serif'><span style='font-size:inherit'><span style='font-size:10.5pt'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><span style='color:#454a6b'>“I believe there is exciting times ahead forMunster Rugby across the board, with Steven Larkham and GrahamRowntree coming in at senior level and Ian Flanagan making greatstrides as CEO, we have the team on and off the pitch to dopositive things.</span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style='font-size:11pt'><span style='font-family:Calibri,sans-serif'><span style='font-size:inherit'><span style='font-size:10.5pt'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><span style='color:#454a6b'>“The last number of years, I have lovedtravelling to the clubs and meeting volunteers across theprovince.</span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style='font-size:11pt'><span style='font-family:Calibri,sans-serif'><span style='font-size:inherit'><span style='font-size:10.5pt'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><span style='color:#454a6b'>“They are the heartbeat and soul of MunsterRugby and it has been great to see young players coming through, wehave our own Ben Healy from Nenagh, and the likes of Jack Crowleyand Craig Casey alsoimpressing.</span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style='font-size:11pt'><span style='font-family:Calibri,sans-serif'><span style='font-size:inherit'><span style='font-size:10.5pt'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><span style='color:#454a6b'>“The young lads at Nenagh, playing from age8-10, now see Ben at that level and it is what they aspire to, itis super tosee.”</span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style='font-size:11pt'><span style='font-family:Calibri,sans-serif'><span style='font-size:inherit'><span style='font-size:10.5pt'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><span style='color:#454a6b'>Outside of rugby, Seán previously ran hisown tyre business, is an avid fly-fisherman and enjoys swimming inthe ocean, completing the Spanish Point and Kilkee Bay swims everyyear.</span></span></span></span></span></span> |
