*Pat Fitzgerald. Photograph: Natasha Barton
Clare GAA’s year just gone was “more memorable for developments in the boardroom rather than performances on the field of play,” the county secretary has reflected.
In his annual report to County Convention, Pat Fitzgerald detailed the efforts in creating a Strategic Plan for Clare GAA and efforts on the field of the men in saffron and blue.
Beginning his address, Fitzgerald praised teams, managements and officers at both club and county level for their adherence to guidelines throughout the year.
Croke Park’s decision to follow a split season for a successive season brought “more structure” and gave the fixtures committee “more defined parameters enabling them to streamline their secretary,” he stated.
“Admittedly, the year was more memorable for developments in the boardroom rather than performances on the field of play. The major discussion and debate centred on the production of the ‘Saffron and Blue Plan’, a radical blueprint for progress of the Association in the county over the next five years. Contrary to a misconceived perception in some quarters, I fully endorsed the production of the strategic development plan even if it may have presented a critical overview as to how the board has been operating as regards governance, efficiency and delivery”.
He added, “Truth be told, I’ve never had an issue with constructive criticism. We all share a common goal, trying to achieve what is best for Clare GAA. The greater good has always been my motto since I became secretary thirty years ago and it very much remains that way”.
Fitzgerald commended Éire Óg who tabled the proposal to start the plan and lauded the nine person committee who drafted the review in the space of nine months.
Of the findings, the secretary commented, “the plan will enable us to take a seismic step down the professional road it envisages for Clare GAA over the next few years. It represents a comprehensive body of work and while it may be an ambitious and aspirational plan, it is one that is imminently achievable”.
Caution was voiced by Fitzgerald that the recommendation of creating thirteen full-time positions “will place a heavy burden on the board which is already cash strapped. I say that as a word of caution and it should not be construed as anything other than that. Working our way around that potential financial obstacle is one that can be successfully negotiated”.
An investment of €2.4m in Caherlohan is proposed in the plan which prompted the Sixmilebridge man to acknowledge the “tremendous work” of the Caherlohan Workgroup appointed by the Board and chaired by Simon Moroney.
A report completed by this working group in 2021 recommended a €1.925m investment in a flood-lit all-weather pitch, €331,000 to surface and mark the entrance to the clubhouse and car park, €120,000 to recruit staff to develop a systematic maintenance programme, €286,000 to reconstructure the floodlit pitches 1&2 and €430,000 for pitch drainage and surfacing on pitches 3 and 7.
Looking at matters on the field, the secretary felt Brian Lohan’s senior hurlers were “decidedly unlucky not to have at least reached the last four in the championship”. He recounted that their exit from Munster to Tipperary “swung on a controversial refereeing decision”.
Reference to Clare’s disappointing exits in the U20 and minor campaigns were also included in the report. “Undoubtedly the darkest hour for Clare hurling in many a year came in the minor championship. They were annihilated by Cork in a rebel rout, 6-28 0-06”.
On the football front, he said Colm Collins’ seniors “drew the short straw” with an away tie to Kerry which resulted in “possibly their most disappointing performance of the year” after reaching the Division 2 National Football League semi-final. Both the U20s and minors “fell at the first hurdle”.
Appreciation to the “continued and loyal support” of Clare GAA’s main sponsor Pat O’Donnell was voiced by Pat who also paid tribute to the staff at Clareabbey, fellow officers, club delegates, local media, Clare Supporters Club, Club Clare and Clare Football Supporters Club.
