1977

Officers for 1977

President- Bro. Mark

Vice President- Fr. Richard Phelan C.C.

Chairperson- Denis Wall

Vice Chairperson- John Cuddy, John Costigan

Secretary- Christy Phelan

Assistant Secretary- Billy Doocey

Treasurer- Oliver Dunne

Committee - Mick Peters, Tom Finlay, Joe Dunne, Jimmy Hanlon, Jack Bergin, Con Wall, Paddy Killeen, Kieran Dunphy, M Lalor, Donie Dunphy, Tom Ferns

Selection Committee- T Fitzpatrick, Percy Phelan, Kieran Dunphy, Paddy Killeen and Captain

Delegates to Football & Hurling Boards- Mick Peters, Denis Wall, John Cuddy, Billy Doocey, Christy Phelan. 

Secretary's Report 1977

Mr. Chairman,

It gives me great pleasure once more to present to you my fourth annual report. I have in my past three reports gave you a detailed account of each game played during the year under review but in this report I am not going to revive memories of our championship exits in 1977. It was the only year since we were formed that a trophy failed to come our way but had the 2nd leg of the O' Donoghue Cup with Erin's Isle been played that record with a little luck would have been held and we can look forward, if our players get themselves fit, to winning a valuable set of plaques. 

Our Junior B Hurling team are still in with a chance in the Trumera tournament. 

Our Minor Hurling team gave the holders Rathdowney the best game they got. Rathdowney went on to win the trophy again. With a little luck this championship would have been ours and I consider that we have a good chance of winning this title this year. 

Our Juvenile Teams, although not successful, gave excellent displays especially when pitted against some of the big towns. It's these young players who will be carrying our banner during the years ahead and I appeal to our older members to give their support to the juvenile committee when required during the year ahead. Bro. Mark was transferred to a new teaching post in Dublin and I would like at this stage to pay a tribute to him for the excellent work he did for the GAA during his short stay with us. 

Our Treasurer Oliver Dunne has recently started business in Abbeyleix and leaves the first gap in our officers ranks. As one who has worked with Oliver since club was formed- while he may have been fond of taking in money he also had great ideas of making money. The successful 600 club which we ran during the year was his idea and he did most of the organising of it. He also placed rooms in his house at our disposal for meetings for which we offer our thanks. 

Our thanks also to those who supplied free transport to players to get them to training and games. To our ladies committee for catering for the Erin's Isle team and also at card drives. To Joe Dunne, Frank Doheny and others that kept our playing pitch in trim. To those, especially those outside the club, who acted as promoters for our 600 Club and to the many others that helped we offer our thanks. 

There was no field development during the year except that we bought fencing material and have it in cold storage since!

Our financial position at the start of the year was very low but thanks to the 600 club although we did not receive the full support of all our members it was very successful. We had six buffet and disco dances although not giving the results of previous years never the less everyone helped. We also had three 25 drives. You will get a detailed Financial Report from the Acting Treasurer later in the meeting. 

A number of our members suffered bereavements during the year and to them we offer our sympathy. 

What are our prospects of Championship honours in 1978? What I would like to see No. 1- Elect the officers and committee that you the players are prepared to obey. Make up your minds that the officers you elect are the government of the club. We fellows at the top table are only figure heads and all our players are the back bone of the club. Elect the lads you want and when elected stand behind them and don't, as some of you have done in the past be abusing them outside of club meetings. 

This year's Senior Hurling Championship is being played on a league system and there will be plenty of games. Go and get yourselves fit. I consider we have plenty of experienced players and youthful players. All that is wanted to make our presence felt is good leadership and example by all. 

Action, and not talk, let it be or motto from this meeting. 

I will conclude by thanking all from the chairman down for all assistance you gave me during the year and also the previous three years. It may not have been a busy one on the field but trying to get our financial position in order meant paying a visit to a few different courthouses during the year. 

Again, thanking all. Go and get your "Guinness in the local" with the motto "This is the Village's Year" and a united Parish Team may yet come!

    Christy Phelan

    Secretary

Other Events during 1977

The 600 Club raised over £1000 in total over the year and a 25 Drive with a Raffle in March raised £30.

A major fundraiser involving a "Marquee Dance" was suggested and discussed over several committee meetings. Eventually in a vote a proposal by Mick Peters (seconded by Tom Finlay) not to proceed with this event defeated a proposal by Jack Bergin (seconded by Donie Doheny) to hold it.

The following were appointed to manage teams;

Senior- Denis Wall, Jimmy Hanlon and Seán Brophy

Junior B- Mick Peters and Percy Phelan

Bro. Mark was transferred to Ballyfermot mid year. The club presented him with a watch as a token of appreciation for the work he had done for Castletown GAA. 

At a committee meeting on Monday September 19th the following were agreed as nominees to be submitted to the Laois Hurling Board for selectors for county teams in 1978;

Senior- Denis Wall, George Conroy, Michael Donoghue, William Phelan (P/Laois)

Under 21- Denis Wall, Frank Ryan, Jimmy Lyons, Pat Connell

Minor- Frank Ryan, Pat Connell, Mick Peters

Tom Ferns took charge of training for the O' Donoghue Cup V Erin's Isle with training beginning on Thursday September 22nd. 

A Dinner Dance was held on Sunday December 18th in conjunction with the ICA and the Gun Club in the Leix County Hotel, Borris in Ossory. 

For Match Reports from 1977 please click here.

1976                                                                                       1978

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