The County Committee met via Teams on Tuesday 24 November 2020. The minutes of the previous meeting November 3rd were taken as read, having been sent out to clubs previously.
The Runaí began the meeting with correspondence including the following queries:
· Paul McCarthy (Kinsale) asking if an appointments committee had been set up. The chairperson reported that the Executive had not met since the defeat of the Cork footballers last Sunday but that she expected that this issue would be examined in due course and reported back to the County Committee.
· John O’ Flynn (Freemount) asked what type of accounts would be presented for the stadium at Convention and the Runaí said that full accounts were to be presented.
· John Feeney (Dripsey) asked about Rebels’ Bounty and inability to put forward questions during the meeting. The Runaí said questions submitted were being answered, and that the Rebels’ Bounty would come up later in the meeting. The Chairperson explained the difficulties of an interactive meeting on Teams with such a large group of delegates but said it was planned to have a fully interactive convention taking place on December 17th.
The Runaí reported that were no motions for County Convention, and that in relation to correspondence received, there was no election for Development Officer or Children’s Officer as these were appointed positions.
The Runaí then spoke about the new One Cork group which will be launched on Thursday. He explained that it was 12 months in the works and was the coming together of Cork GAA, Chairde Chorcaí, the stadium board and the financial advisory and planning sub-committee. It would be dealing with the stadium finances, with games and with the County Board finances. It is a sub committee and would be a support structure under Cork County Board. It has been approved by Executive . The Cathaoirleach welcomed the new initiative, which had been approved by the Executive and thanked all involved in its development and reported that the launch would take place online on Thursday evening.
The Runaí spoke about the Rebels’ Bounty and the correspondence that had been received. A number of objections had been raised by approximately 20% of clubs, while much positive feedback had also been received. A support committee had been set up to support those clubs who had reservations, and the Executive felt that the time was right to move on with the project. The brochure was complete and had been approved. The website would be live on the first weekend December and this model would be in place for 3 years. The Cathaoirleach described the Rebels’ Bounty as a fantastic opportunity for clubs and hoped that both County Board and clubs would soon reap the benefits.
The Runaí read out the reports on Inter-County teams. The Chairperson said that the exiting of the Championships were disappointing for everyone but that she felt certain no-one was more hurt and disappointed than the players and management, and thanked all players, managers and backroom staff for their efforts throughout a very challenging year.
The Chairperson thanked Richard Murphy, Niamh McCarthy, Eoghan Brennan and Michael Byrne for all their hard work in ensuring the games passed off in a safe manner and that the stadium was in a condition we could all be proud of.
The Runaí said he was hoping to see the Cork Minor teams and Under 20 hurling team in action before Christmas, but that this would become clearer in the next few days.
The Runaí briefly mentioned SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh and the legal case involving an outstanding issue and OCS which had been reported in the media, and while not being able go to into any details, he assured the County Committee that there was an excellent team working on it, including the best professionals and the best volunteers.
The Runaí spoke about the county championships. He said there would be no change in the resumption dates of the 2020 championships in early 2021. The 2021 championship draws would not take place until there was national calendar in place for 2021. He said the minor changes made in 2020 would remain in place for 2021, but the structure approved by the clubs in 2019 would remain in place for 2021. In relation to Independent teams, these would be vetted by CCC.
The Chairperson said that County Convention would take place on Thursday December 17th and that it was planned to be fully interactive. The count for the election of officers would still take place on Friday December 4th and that count team was still being finalised.
In relation to bye-laws, the Runaí delivered a clarification from Croke Park in relation to finance-related sub-committees. As the Executive is the Finance Committee according to general rule, other finance-related committees can still be set up by the Executive and the County Committee but need not be enshrined in bye-law.
Ahead of County Convention it was confirmed the following had been appointed by the Executive as incoming officers: President – Brian Barrett (Nemo Rangers), Development officer – Noel O’Callaghan (Clonakilty), Children’s Officer – Eoghan O’Connor (Erin’s Own), Rebel Óg Chairperson – Michael O’ Mahony (Blarney), Referees’ Administrator – Niall Barrett (Carrigtwohill), IT Officer Terry Brady (Ballygarvan).
The schedule of meetings for the year ahead was agreed. The first meeting will take place on Tuesday January 12th 2021 followed by meetings on the first Tuesday of every month.
The votes of sympathy were read out and a moment’s silence observed.
As it was her last County Board meeting, the Chairperson thanked the delegates for their help, support and friendship over the three years of her term but also the nine years of her time as an officer. She said she would never forget the support offered to her by delegates during her illness some years ago, and through all the difficult times. Meetings were often tough, but exchanges were always characterised by respect and courtesy. She concluded by wishing them all well for the years ahead.
