SEAMUS HENRY STEPS DOWN
Seamy
Henry has decided not to sit on the executive committee for the forthcoming year. It is a blow to the committee
to lose someone with such experience and knowledge but it is a decision he has not taken lightly. Seamy has served on the
committee for the last 20 years and put copious amounts of time into running the club as Chairman
for many years and in a lesser role of assistant treasurer for the last year. Seamus is expected, however, to still take
an active part in the club including his role as under 16 mentor and continuing his hard work driving the club forward. The
club would like to thank Seamus for his dedication and hard work he has put into the club, without him the club would not
be in such a prominent position in both footballing terms and within the community.
NEW COMMITTEE NOW IN PLACE AFTER AGM!
The
Annual General Meeting was held in the clubrooms on Sunday 12th of November and its all change this year. After quite a lengthy meeting in which many matters were discussed after a pretty
unsuccessful year for the club on the field members present got down to voting (eventually). The newly elected committee is
as follows:
Chairman-
Gerry McDonald
Vice Chairman- Stephen Graham
Secretary-
Eamon Morris
Ass. Secretary- Kevin
McConnell
Treasurer-
Aiden O’Callaghan
Ass. Treasurer- Liam
Taggart
PROs-
Joseph Donnelly
Gary McGeady
Registrar-
Darren O’Neill
Congratulations
to all those elected and it is hoped that you all can help to drive the club in a forward direction.
A LONG SEASON IS OVER FOR THE SENIORS
The
senior team had a mixed bag this season, winning 8, losing 7 and drawing 1 game finishing in a respectable if not spectacular
fourth place in the league. A valiant effort in the intermediate championship against 2nd division side Davitts
reaped no rewards, which the hard work put in probably deserved. O’ Cahan cup defeat to Division 1 side Creggan by the
minimum meant that it was another trophy-less year for the seniors. However, it is clear to see that progress has been made
under Joe ‘big guy’ Henry and hopes are high for the 2007 season with promotion to Division 2 a realistic goal.
Final league tables are available online at www.gaa.ie/antrim.
GRUMPO LEADS RESERVES TO THE Mc CORMICK CUP FINAL
Aldergrove’s senior reserves have earned a place in the McCormick cup final thanks
to a hard fought victory over Portglenone. The 1-8 to 1-7 scoreline was a fair reflection on the match and the reds shaded
their counterparts by the minimum. Led by old stalwart James Brazier, Aldergrove impressed throughout, with some slick passing
moves epitomised by minor star Cormac Doherty’s major at the start of the second half.
Best performances of the day were had by Gavin Graham, who showed a touch of class at centre half forward and Gareth
Corey, steady at number 6. The boys now await the winners of Rasharkin v Cargin
in the other semi. The final is due to be played on Sunday the 10th December (not confirmed). A bus travelling
to the match is being organised by Stephen Graham (contact 07841353782 for details). This result made up for the disappointment
at losing out in the quarter final stage of the all-county reserve football championship to Rasharkin last week. That defeat was a bitter pill to swallow after not playing a match for over a month due to a poor fixture
schedule. This showed as the team slumped to defeat against a strong side. I’m pretty sure that the boys would like
another crack at Rasharkin in the final to make amends for their championship exit. In the league all was going well until
a couple of unlucky defeats to Ballymena and Creggan left them out of the race. An interview with a buoyant Grumpo leads me
to the conclusion that the final day will be something special win, lose or draw. Good luck to the boys in that match and
hopefully with the support of all members we can bring home the cup.
MINORS ALSO IN THE HUNT FOR A TROPHY
The minor squad are still in line for some silverware this season after their disappointment at being
knocked out of the minor championship by Lamh Dhearg. The lads will host Moneyglass
in the semi-final on Saturday 2nd of December at 2pm. This should be a tough game for the minors who are under the caretaker
management of Anto and Dan Feeney. A trophy-less year would be a major underachievement for a squad of such quality. Let’s
hope that the stars will shine come the match and hopefully the final as well.
A NEW DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE IS ESTABLISHED
A development committee has been established within the club to develop not only the clubhouse and its surroundings
but also develop the coaching and footballing standards of all our players. The aim of the committee is to create a development
plan which the sporting council can evaluate and hopefully supply the funding necessary for these advances to be made. The
committee is as follows:
Kevin McConnell
Gary McGeady
Ciaran Hannah
John Jones
AN Other
REGISTRATION DAY FOR ALL NEW AND OLD MEMBERS.
Registrar
Darren O’Neill is running a registration day on Saturday the 2nd of December in the clubrooms between 10.30
a.m. and 12.30 p.m. Membership is £20 per person for adults and £5 per person for under 16s and minors. Membership forms must
be filled in and returned with the fee before 1st February for insurance purposes and to be eligible to play.
COUNTY STARS
AND AN ULSTER PLAYER
Congratulations
are due to veteran Dairmuid Brown representing Antrim over the last year at over 40s. ‘D-Lo’ made another giant
step when he went on to play for Ulster against Australia in the recent compromise rules series. Called in as a late replacement to the panel he came off the bench in the first quarter. A hopefull ball
was pumped into the box and Dairmuid took the mark and coolly slotted it over the bar. Dairmuid will again be representing
Antrim at this level in the coming year and we would like to wish him the best of luck. Congratulations are also due to Ryan
Maguire who has earned a place in the training panel of the Antrim senior squad. Also representing the club at county level
are minors Daniel Trowlen, Kevin McBride, Marc Meleady and Chris McVeigh. Well done and good luck to all our county representatives.
The top class coaching they receive can only benefit the club.
