A Chara, 

Mí na Nollaig is ‘ea ann agus tá seasúir na Nollaig nach mór linn. Bhí slua ollmhór againn in ár gcruinniú cinn bhliana, óiche stairiúil a bhí ann, a bheidh á phlé agam thíos. 

Over the last few weeks Rostellan has been a hive of activity OFF the playing field with Aghada GAA club, Aghada Camogie club and Aghada Ladies Football club AGM’s taking place. It was brilliant to see such a big crowd attend the GAA AGM last week. I think it would be fair to say it was one of the largest crowds that have attended our AGM in a long time. It was fantastic to see our members at the meeting and it was also particularly pleasing to see both young and old along with men and women in attendance. Hopefully the crowd will grow even more next year. Of course, there was much to discuss at the AGM as this was our first in person meeting since the covid pandemic. It turned out to be a very special night in the history of Cumann Lúthchleas Gael Áth Fhada which you can read about below.  

One Club: 

Well, let’s call a spade a spade, if you haven’t heard about this proposal at this stage, you must have been living under a rock! The concept and idea of Aghada GAA, Aghada Camogie and Aghada Ladies Football clubs operating under the One Club model started when the Aghada GAA executive set up a committee to explore the possibility of the model working in Aghada. This group was led by our secretary John Murphy on behalf of the club. The committee met on several occasions throughout the year and after much deliberation, discussion and numerous hours of planning, a document was produced with the pros and cons of operating under the One Club model along with how the club would function if we were to choose to operate under the said model. On the night of our AGM, this document and the model of operating under a One Club with Aghada Camogie Club and Aghada Ladies Football Club was proposed. We had a counter proposal on the night to not proceed with the One Club model. This provided the large crowd with the opportunity to voice their opinions on the subject. As the discussion progressed, it was clear that the majority of speakers on the night were highly in favour of the proposal. It was brilliant to see how passionate members were to allow the women and members of our ladies clubs become members of Aghada GAA club. As mentioned above, there were some members who highlighted concerns with the model but after a long debate a vote took place with the proposal being endorsed by an extremely large majority of our members. Club chairman, Anthony Connolly then spoke on the importance to recognise this night as being a historic moment in the history of Aghada GAA club which was met with applause. This proposal has since gone before the Ladies football club and the One Club model was unanimously endorsed. The final piece of the puzzle will be when the proposal goes before the camogie club members in the coming week. Should the camogie club choose to endorse the model, the club will then operate as One Club. Will there be many visible changes to our players, members and supporters? No. Will our ladies members and players be members of Aghada GAA Club? YES.  

Our AGM night would fill anyone in the room with pride and excitement for what is to hopefully come. A special word of thanks to all the volunteers of the three clubs who sat on the One Club committee. Well done to Vera Terry, Elaine Counihan, Brendan Crowley, Lar Collins, Richard Good and last but not least John Murphy who worked hard all year to make an idea a reality.  

Vice Presidents: 

One could say that the One club motion was enough excitement for one night. However, there was some very special business to take care off at the end of the AGM. Three special members of our club were ratified as vice presidents of our club. These individuals being Pat O’Connell, Gerry Crowley and Tommy Foley. A momentous night for the three lads and their families which is an extremely well-deserved honour. I won’t even go through each man’s contributions to the club because I would be here until next year if I was to write a paragraph on each. Well done to Pat, Gerry and Tommy who join Anthony Cashman as our club Vice Presidents. On the night, Club President John Motherway congratulated Pat, Gerry and Tommy on their prestigious honour.  

U16 Hurlers: 

Getting away from the AGM, well done to our U16 hurlers who played Sars in the U16 Premier 1 Hurling Final last Saturday evening in Bishopstown. Unfortunately, our opponents got a great start and it was always going to be an uphill task to get back into the game. Credit must go to our lads though as they fought all the way to the final whistle but unfortunately were unable to recover from a poor start. A disappointing end to a great U16 campaign for these lads. Well done to the players and management on reaching the final and there’s no doubt there is bigger and better things to come in the not too distant future.  

Santa visit: 

Last Friday night, we had a great event in Páirc Liam Uí Riain when Santa Claus came to town to visit Aghada GAA, Camgie and LGFA boys and girls. Santa arrived in style thanks to a special escort from Irving Oil’s fire engine. Every boy and girl received a selection box from Santa whilst also having a chat with the man himself. Santa had a very important message for every boy and girl which was to make sure they are in bed early on Christmas Eve as he expects to visit Aghada very early on the night.  

Well done and thanks to all the organisers and especially John Connolly who ensured Santa’s safe arrival and exit on the night. Rumours circulated the following day that Santa placed fire men on the night Paul Kilbane and Sean Norris on the naughty list for eating too many selection boxes! 

Junior C Football: 

Our Junior C footballers played Glanmire in the Junior C East Cork Final two weekends ago but unfortunately came out on the wrong side of a low scoring game. Well done to all the players and management who put in a great effort all year and of course they still have something to celebrate having captured the league title earlier last month.  

Lotto: 

Our lotto jackpot continues to rise with this week's coming jackpot €16,250. A massive sum of money that is up for grabs and all you have to do to be in with a chance of scooping the jackpot is purchase a lotto ticket online here at https://bit.ly/3bWAiqD or in any of the usual outlets. Christmas could come early this Thursday for someone so make sure you’re in the draw to have a chance of winning!  

Of course, over the last two weeks we had a very special broadcast with Club President John Motherway going live all the way from America. Head over to our Facebook page if you missed these broadcasts and have a look at the craic that was had by Johnty and his audience.  

Rebels Bounty: 

The November and December Christmas draws for Rebels Bounty took place over the last few weeks and I’m delighted to report that we had two lucky winners of €250. Congratulation to Niamh Callanan who won 14th prize in November. Congratulations also to Tim Garde and family who won 23rd prize in last nights December draw. This draw has been a huge fundraising source for the club in 2022 and we would like to thank everyone who supported it this year.  

East Cork Board: 

Last Wednesday evening the East Cork Board held their 2022 convention in Dungourney GAA Club. It was a special night as Avril Geary from St. Ita’s was elected as Chairperson of the East Cork GAA Board. Avril becomes the first female to hold the office. Congratulations to Avril from all in Aghada GAA Club and we wish you well in your very important role.  

Motto: 

At our AGM, we endorsed a new club motto that has been carefully taught of and worked on by our culture committee. The motto decided upon was: Ár nDícheall Go Deo (Our Best Always). 

Our club motto is inspired by all past members who gave selfless service to our great club. 

Through their contribution, they have left their spiritual strength for us to draw on to keep our club moving forward together. The motto evokes the deep strength, determination and uncompromising commitment to excellence that our past members demonstrated to us throughout their lives. It calls on all of us to continually commit ourselves to the highest possible standards in the pursuit of club success both on and off the field of play. 

Well done to all involved in developing this fantastic motto that we will be able to implement in all aspects of Aghada GAA Club.  

Cork Hurlers visit Aghada GAA: 

A massive thanks to the Cork Senior hurling team and management for coming to train in Aghada GAA Club this morning. A great morning was had by all in bitterly cold and wet conditions. A special thanks to all the players who were incredibly generous with their time by signing autographs for all our young boys and girls. Poor Patrick Horgan was swamped from the minute he arrived and to his credit, gave up his time to sign numerous jerseys and hurleys to make the young boys and girls day! Just as the training began, a rainbow appeared above our forest pitch where the team was training. As the saying goes, there’s a crock of gold at the end of every rainbow so here’s hoping it’s a good omen for the year ahead! 

A special word of thanks to Fergal “Rasper” Condon who is selector with the team in 2023. After the training session, Fergal and Cork Hurling Manager Pat Ryan, presented our club vice president Pat O’Connell with a signed jersey on behalf of the team.  

Everyone in Aghada GAA Club would like to wish the team and management the very best of luck for the year ahead. Hopefully it will be a long and successful season. 

A big shout out and thanks to Pat O’Connell and PJ Hurley who made sure our grounds and facilities were in tip top shape ahead of the Cork hurlers visit.  

Sin é don tseachtain seo. Bíoch seachtaine deas agaibh.  

Slán,  

Uinsionn Ó Ruacháin

Oifigeach Caidreamh Poiblí

Vince Rohan

PRO - Aghada GAA

Ár nDícheall Go Deo

Website for most up to date fixtures news and results -http://www.aghadagaa.com/

Website for Pitch Bookings - http://www.gaabookings.sailin.ie/