Mick McGrath signs off as chairman after five-year tenure

Mick McGrath has delivered his fifth and final Donegal GAA Convention address. 

The Aodh Ruadh clubman will now hand the reins over to Fergus McGee, St Eunan’s, who defeated Buncrana’s Paul McGonigle 87/77 in a straight head-to-head contest at the Mount Errigal Hotel, Letterkenny. 

Taking to the podium to address the county’s clubs, McGrath said: “My five-year term has had its moments of sadness, joy, fun and disappointment. 

“It’s had moments of great memories and challenges, and it’s been a great honour for me to have worked with some great GAA Gaels, through good and sometimes difficult times in both our county and country. 

“We remember all members who suffered bereavements during the year and especially we remember the terrible tragedy in Creeslough and sympathies to all families involved and the St Michael’s Club”. 

Covid -19 

“There was evidence produced all through the pandemic of Covid-19 that the largest sporting organisation in this country, the GAA, was the connecting point for assistance and support of communication, with the aged and vulnerable in our club areas. 

“I highlight and congratulate the clubs of Donegal for showing our elders that they matter. They matter to our communities and they matter to our association. 

“We especially remember the 12,888 people who have died on our island since Covid-19 arrived. 

“In particular I recognize the front- line workers who faced the consequences of dealing with the medical and stress on a daily basis. We the GAA in Donegal thank them for that”. 

County Officers 

“I congratulate all the county officers and sub-committees who have presented reports for this evening. It’s a true reflection on the standards and work that goes on within their committees. 

“Furthermore, I acknowledge Cora Harvey who stands down as chairperson of the Health and Well-Being Committee, Daireann McMenamin, who stands down as chairperson of the Child Protection Committee, and John McEniff who stands down as chairperson of the PR and Marketing Committee. 

Thank you for your professionalism in your roles over the last few years. 

“I thank the efforts also of officers who held positions throughout the last few years that are currently not in office, all your efforts are appreciated”. 

Scór 

“Once again Caitriona Sweeney has managed all the Scór activity with great ease and having a few winners at Ulster level highlights the good work being done at this level. 

Provincial and National Committees 

“Thanks to Brendan Kelly and Fergus McGee who represented our county on the Ulster Council and Sean Dunnion on Central Council in Croke Park. 

Hearings Committee 

“Again, another busy year for this committee and I note that there was an increase in the number of cases brought before this committee in comparison to 2021. 

“This is a totally impartial committee and is the final arbitrator on all matters of discipline arising out of our games in the county. 

“Their decisions can be appealed to Ulster Council, and it is interesting to note of all cases dealt with by the Hearings Committee, none were appealed. 

“I thank Aodh Mairtin Ó Fearraigh, chairman, Fidelma Doherty, secretary and the members of the committee for their work. 

CCC

“Our games are the main vein of our association and both the Minor Board CCC committee under Marc Brown and Sharon McGinty and Senior Board under David McLoone and Ed Byrne are to be commended on delivering a workable programme of games at underage and adult competition level in 2022. 

“I would also recognise Manus O’Donnell and Stephen Doherty of the Hurling Committee. It has been agreed by County Executive in recent weeks that a more transparent and cohesive planogram of dates and fixtures are required around our Gaelic Games programme in hurling and football, inclusive of the training of inter-county squads and academy squads, divisional board, minor board and senior board. 

“Clubs require this to programme LGFA, Camogie, and school games into an increase on our pitch facilities. 

“I did emphasise to clubs at our last county committee meeting to purchase all connected lands where it becomes available. We must always be prepared to expand. 

“There has been a tremendous amount of good thinking and forward planning by CCC committees over the last few years, and with the right cohesive planning we can achieve a satisfactory inclusive programme of games activity going forward inclusive of and advance in the integration with the LGFA”. 

Team Managers

“I wish all our recently appointed managers all the best in 2023. 

“Senior football manager Paddy Carr, U-20 Leo McLoone, U-17 Luke Barrett, senior hurling manager Mickey McCann, U-20 Paul Burns and U-17 Aidie Gaffery. 

“I also take this opportunity to thank Declan Bonner and all his backroom team for his input to his period of management to Donegal. 

“That you managed teams to win Ulster titles at U-16, U-17, Minor U-21 and two senior titles is a credit to your contribution, and we thank you for that”. 

Referees Committee 

“I’m delighted that St Mary’s, Convoy’s Enda McFeely has been selected onto the National Football Referees panel for 2023. 

“This is a boost to all club referees in Donegal and I wish Enda and those on the provincial panel at Ulster level the very best in 2023. Thanks to Referees Administrator Pat Walsh and all our club referees who assisted our games again this year. 

“It’s an annual request, but I ask the clubs not supplying referees, please continue to encourage a member of your club to assist the refereeing of our games. 

Three-Part Plan

“Working as Minor Board Chairman in the past it became very clear that a structural coaching roadmap was required around our preparation of underage inter county teams. 

“There was a good review of this in 2014 with solid football teams winning Ulster Minor football titles in 2014 and 2016 and the Ulster U-21 title in 2017. 

“One of the biggest drawbacks was the lack of facilities, student players scattered all over the country at university, and the lack of qualified backroom personnel for our squads. 

“I proposed to County Executive my intentions to drive a three-part plan to support new reviewed Infrastructure plans at Convoy, arrange fresh meetings through the then Coaching Officer Conor McDermott with LYIT (now ATU Donegal) and ask Ulster Council and Croke Park to assist in an overview of our coaching structure in the county. 

“These were major issues that required immediate attention. Four days after becoming chairman in December 2017 I arranged to meet the then Development Officer David McLoone in our training centre to sketch what was needed. 

“I asked him to forget about cost, let’s look at what Donegal can needs. 

“He came back with a building in and around €3m. I said I was willing to go to County Committee with €2m, and he trimmed his design accordingly. 

“On April 9 2018, the County Committee authorised the Executive to begin negotiations to borrow €1m with Bank of Ireland and in March 2019 after ten months of meetings with Michael Melly from Bank of Ireland, County Treasurer Alan Boyd, and our Administrator Noreen Doherty, it was approved. 

“We were still a million short and in July 2019 the County Committee approved the running of the House Draw. This was a big undertaking and the House Draw team that came on board made that happen. 

“I was just part of that team, I want to thank that team publicly tonight for raising €817,000 profit for our county in December 2019. Covid-19 arrived in March 2020 which I have already referred to. 

“David McLoone concluded his term as Development Officer in December 2020 and Charlie Kerr was selected under the new title of Planning and Physical Development Officer. 

“We continued with our infrastructure development and with the planning of the new Donegal GAA Academy and spoke with Karl Lacey and he was engaged as the Academy Leader at the beginning of 2021. 

“On his appointment he was informed that we were working off a blank canvas on design, and after finishing year two this year we can now sit down and discuss work, cost, contracts and budget details going forward. 

Hurling Development

“We appointed Marty McGrath as hurling coach to the Academy in January 2022, and great strides are taking place in the development of hurling. This was discussed at the Donegal Hurling AGMs in 2021 and 2022, which I attended. 

“I thank Manus O’Donnell, the chairman of the Hurling Committee, for his continued work for Donegal hurling. 

“This year has seen the introduction of a new Coaching Officer, Michael McGeehan who has also chaired the Coaching and Games Development Committee and was Chairman of the 

Minor Board 

“Michael has undertaken his role well and has been a good professional addition to our Executive. 

“That the Executive has spent €250,000 on the Academy in 2022 is a big step forward and we look forward to County Committee discussing its budget for 2023 before it recommences on March 1. 

”It’s an area that requires the involvement of the new Audit and Risk Committee’s experience and total governance and accountability is the standard demanded by all involved. 

“The third part of the plan was to keep as many of our players going to college in Donegal and a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) was partnered with ATU Donegal. 

“We thank the professionalism shown by Paul Hannigan, Henry McGarvey and Michael Murphy on ATU representation. 

“We have agreed that many of our club members attending who are Third Level students shall receive college scholarships where they are associated with Gaelic games, and many benefits for both sides are included in the partnership. 

“Since early 2021 infrastructure materials have escalated in price, but the Executive correctly decided to conclude our fifth pitch in Convoy in 2022. 

“I thank Charlie Kerr for his attention to detail with the project, and we have been fortunate that both our applications for a Government Sports Capital Grant for €300,000 and a GAA Infrastructure grant of €200,00 have been successful. 

“We thank the Minister for Sport Jack Chambers and GAA President Larry McCarthy for their support with these grants. 

“The Executive have agreed to name our Centre “The Donegal GAA Centre”. 

Sponsors 

“I wish to thank all our sponsors who have continually stayed on board with us over a number of years. 

“We are indebted to these companies who are prepared to pledge finance and resources for the promotion and development of Donegal GAA. 

“In conclusion I wish to thank all who supported our voluntary work on so many different levels of our association. 

“I want to thank the support of the County Secretary Declan Martin and Treasurer Alan Boyd who worked well with me over the last year and of course Noreen Doherty our County Administrator who keeps us all on our toes”.