Clonakilty Special Olympics AGM report
Clonakilty Special Olympics Report
The AGM of Clonakilty Special Olympics Club was held recently, with a good attendance present. Manager and Chairperson, Rose Dempsey welcomed everyone, and thanked everyone who made the club so successful over the last year. Top of the list were the athletes who make being in the club so enjoyable and make all club members so proud of them. “They are a lovely bunch who are so polite, good humoured and a credit to their families”, she said. She also thanked the volunteers and committee members who are the backbone of the club, especially Secretary Mary O’ Donovan. She thanked all in the community who fundraise and donate money to the club, and she singled out club member Anthony McDermott, who along with Declan and Nathalie O’ Driscoll ran another successful rings tournament again in 2009, which raised €3,000. The co-operation and generosity of the host pubs, all the participants, sponsors and players was astounding. Joan Stapleton and her friends ran in the Cork Women’s Mini Marathon and donated €900 to the club, and the Children’s Project, Spillers Lane donated €1,000 and Scoil na mBuachaillí gave €750. Lisa Hayes and friends from Sacred Heart Secondary School also raised €560 for the club. Looking forward, the club is proud that three athletes will be participating in the Ireland Games in June in Limerick. Denis O’Donovan has been accepted as a chaperone for the games. Golf Coach Mark Tobin left the club during the year and was replaced by Christy O’ Donovan, golf pro. 2009 also saw Basketball commencing as a second club sport, and Rose thanked Fiona McCarthy, Rosemarie Lahiff and Rachel Dempsey for their training skills. Club athletes will be participating in a Code of Ethics course, and new tracksuits are on order for the basketball players. Rose concluded by thanking Geoff and Mary Wycherley of Ross driving Range and Mairead and Jane in the Sports Complex for all their support and assistance during the past year. Secretary Mary McCarthy gave a detailed month by month account of activities over the last year. Her 10 minutes report showed how vibrant and busy the club has been. Included were: Volunteers Code of Ethics Course; Golf Affiliates Meeting; Golf Skills training; Basketball Skills commenced; participation in the St Patrick’s Day Parade; First Aid Refresher Course; Aoife McMahon competed successfully in Equestrian on 28th May and secured a place in Dressage on the Munster team for the Ireland Games; The Regional Munster Golf competition held in Charleville on the 8th June. Eleven athletes participated, accompanied by volunteers and supporters. Medals won included 5 Silver, 2, 4th Place ribbons and 1 each of 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th place ribbons; Anthony McDermott organized free tickets to the circus, where the group had ringside seats with a lot of special attention from the clown; Christy O’ Donovan, replaced Mark Tobin as golf coach; Cal O’ Mahony qualified for the Munster Golf Skills team and will be competing in the Ireland Special Olympics Games in Limerick in June; a Social Outing to a Michael Jackson show; Athletes entered their first Basketball Skills competition and all did incredibly well with gold, silver and bronze medals together with 1 ribbon; Athlete Wayne O’ Sullivan has been offered a place on the Munster Golf skills team and together with Cal and Aoife will be competing in the Ireland Special Olympics Games in Limerick; Anthony McDermott once again ran fundraising Rings tournament with the final held in Brewery Bar which was attended by a number of the athletes. Treasurer John Brosnan outlined the financial position of the club, detailing all expenditure and income during the year which at year end sees the club in a healthy financial position. However, being the efficient treasurer that he is, he cautioned about being complacent about fundraising, as there are many costs coming in 2010 as the club and its athletes become more professional and successful. PRO Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin thanked the local print, broadcasting and internet media who have always been very positive in carrying news from the club that he submits. The election of officers resulted as follows: – Manager/Chairperson: Rose Dempsey; Secretary: Mary O’ Donovan, Treasurer: John Brosnan, Athlete Protection Officer: Marie Walsh, Sports Officer: Denis O’ Donovan, Health and Safety Officers: Joe Markley and Richard Tyndall, Volunteer Officer: Patricia Markley, P.R.O.: Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin, Fundraising and Social Sub Committee: Anthony McDermott, Jean Farrelly and Noreen O’ Donovan. Delegates to Regional Council: Rose Dempsey and Mary O’ Donovan. Anyone wishing to find out more information about Clonakilty Special Olympics Club should contact Manager Rose Dempsey on 086-8844087.
Submitted by Cionnaith O Suilleabhain on Friday, February 26th, 2010