by Mark Gallagher
THE GAA announced yesterday the 32 county
winners of the AIB Club of the year awards. Each winner will go forward to contest a
provincial final and will also be in the running to become the Club of the Year 2000, the
winner of which will receive a £5,000 development grant.
There will be £1,000 development grants for each of the Provincial winners, while every county representative will be awarded a development grant at a ceremony in Croke Park on January 29.
The Club of the year scheme was launched last summer, and the GAA were over whelmed by the response. GAA President Sean McCague was delighted by the interest, noting the vital role played by the club not only in developing GAA, but in developing local communities all across Ireland. It was important, McCague felt, that some recognition was being given to the part GAA clubs play in the community.
This is reflected in the county winners.
While there are some bigger clubs among the list, such as Crossmaglen and Thomas Davis are
recognised, smaller clubs such as Oranmore of Galway and Melvin Gaels in Leitrim also
picked up awards. In Cork, Nemo Rangers were commended, but surprisingly lost out to a
smaller club in Blarney. Newtownshandrum senior and U21 hurling winners were nowhere. Dr
Crokes took the Kerry title, just ahead of North Kerry champions St Senan’s who were
also given a commendation.
There were four categories the clubs were
particularly judged in: promotion of the games, participation of club officials in
Comhairle, coaching structures and contribution to the local community. Kevin Kelly of AIB
said this competition was the perfect complement to their sponsorship of the club
championships.
“It gives recognition to those dedicated people in every club who ensure the club continues to prosper. Everyone cannot be successful at winning trophies on the field of play,” he said.
County winners:
Antrim Tir naOg; Armagh Crossmaglen Rangers; Carlow Eire Og; Cavan Kingscourt; Clare Wolfe
Tones; Cork Blarney; Derry Sean Dolan’s; Donegal Ardara; Down Clonduff; Dublin Thomas
Davis; Fermanagh Devenish; Galway Oranmore; Kerry Dr Crokes; Kildare Moorefield; Kilkenny
Emerald’s; Laois St Fintan’s; Leitrim Melvin Gaels; Limerick
Doon; Longford Clonguish; Louth St Mary’s; Meath Simonstown Gaels; Mayo Ballintubber;
Monaghan Naomh Mhuire; Offaly St Rynagh’s; Roscommon Kilglass Gaels; Sligo Calry St
Joseph’s; Tipperary Drom Inch; Tyrone St Dymphna’s; Waterford An Ruan Mhór;
Westmeath Naomh Lomaín; Wexford St Anne’s; Wicklow Baltinglass.
© Irish Examiner, 2001
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