SECRETARY’S REPORT AGM 2024
The year began on a sad note. We had the passing of Joe Abbott (past Captain) and Peter Moore, (serving Trustee at the time and a past Captain & Club President). Both Joe and Peter and indeed their wider families put in huge work for the Club over the years and they will be greatly missed. May they both Rest in Peace. The Club would also like to extend our sympathies to families of past members and members who have had family bereavements this year.
The weather didn’t bring much respite either in the early part of the year but there was some good news. Mary Farrell won the Leinster Volunteer of the Year award and not long afterwards would follow this magnificent achievement up with winning the All-Ireland award outright. These awards were very much deserved and are a testament to the work Mary (along with Kevin, Ken, Deirdre and the other members who dedicate their time) to the Juvenile/Junior and Golf4All members. This is something that we should all be very proud of. The Club were also presented with a Gold Standard Award in 2024 at the Golf Ireland AGM for the Ladies Section. The Women in Golf Charter was also achieved by the Club this year.
The work that has gone on around the club/course since last year’s AGM is hopefully evident to all members. In particular, there has been huge investment in the course and the course staff. Ultimately the club is judged by the quality of the course and I think everybody will agree that Head Greenkeeper Will and his team, assisted by Alan Maher and the Course Sub-Committee, have overseen huge progress.
I wish to thank Captain Greg for giving me the opportunity to serve the club as Secretary. I have been on the main committee for a number of years but 2024 has been an eye-opener in terms of the work that goes on behind the scenes. One of Greg’s main objectives was to see if we could improve the club’s performances in inter-club competitions in 2024. Meetings were held during the early part of the year and there was ongoing communication between team managers. This yielded positive results with most teams playing well into the Summer months and culminating in the success of the Duggan Cup team. The gauntlet had been thrown down by the success earlier in the year of The Fred Daly Boys team whose success in Leinster propelled them to the All-Ireland stage and generated great excitement around the club in general in the weeks leading up to the event.
Thanks to Ken for setting up the prizes for Presentation nights and thanks to all members and winners who came to collect on each night. It is very much appreciated by the sponsors and competition committee.
Personally my job was made a lot easier due to the volume of work done by Deirdre Feely, Mary Farrell, John Sheehan and Siobhan O’Callaghan who were always on hand to offer advice. Just a word on Siobhan in general, Siobhan has been on the main committee for 12 years and is stepping aside after this year. Siobhan will continue to work on the Accounts side of things and her ongoing input and all round commitment & dedication to the club is absolutely invaluable.
The club continuous to progress in all areas and one can only hope that this continues into 2025 and beyond.
I wish incoming Captain’s Ciaran, Deirdre and Gavin the best of luck for 2025.
Eoin Osborne
Hon Secretary