The Quinn’s Corner Ulster Club Football League commences this weekend. The 42 Teams are divided into Senior & Intermediate grades with 18 teams in Senior and 24 teams in Intermediate.
Each team will play five games respectively within its group, with 2 points for a win and 1 point for a draw.

In Senior, the top team and the best runner up from the three groups will qualify to the semi finals.
In Intermediate, the top team in each group will qualify for the semi finals.

Commenting on the launch of the leagues Ulster GAA Vice President Martin McAviney said: “The Ulster Leagues have been developed to give Clubs the opportunity to play fixtures against teams from outside their County competing at their level. The Leagues have been a great success in recent years and the new sponsorship from the Quinn Family will help enhance the competition even further. I am grateful to both Paudge & Carmel Quinn for their ongoing support of Gaelic Games”

Ulster GAA Vice President Martin McAviney and PRO Oliver Galligan launched the new sponsorship deal in Quinn’s Corner on Thursday 2nd February.

It was a great privilege to welcome Rev Dr. Norman Hamilton to the Ulster GAA Club and Community Conference in October, to both engage with and challenge the GAA as a friend and fellow Christian.

Since January 2011 Ulster GAA and I have enjoyed an open and constructive friendship with Dr. Hamilton and the Presbyterian Church. That friendship was forged in the midst of tragedy, as it was during our first meeting with Norman in Ulster GAA headquarters that news reached us that Michaela McAreavey had died. In the moments that followed the delivery of that terrible news Norman did what any good Christian and Pastor would do he offered words and comfort and also a prayer. As I sat and listened to Norman pray for Michaela, her husband John and the Harte family I was overcome with emotion at the loss of the young woman who was the embodiment of everything that was good about the GAA. I also was deeply touched at the compassionate words of a man who represented a Church who traditionally had no link with the GAA. As with so many things in life it is in the darkest hours of despair and tragedy that we find hope for what the future of this island can be.

When I invited Norman to attend our Conference I asked him to come and share with us his views and also act as critical friend to the GAA, in particular our membership wanted to hear his views on how all of us can work together to build a better and shared future.

Norman offered us some challenges and I am privileged to be allowed a platform to respond to them in this article. The first challenge was on how we can de politicised or “de football” the Irish Language. Norman highlighted that Irish has been used and abused as part of a political game. I strongly welcome this challenge and agree with him that we need a mature debate at both political and community level about how we both use and respect the indigenous language of this island. As Norman pointed out the Presbyterian Church itself had a strong affinity with the language right up to the 1900’s. It is my strong view that an appropriate Irish Language Act that respects the right of those who do not use or want to use Irish. As an organisation who promotes the use of the Irish Language we must also show confidence and leadership when it comes to its ongoing use, our language should never been used to mark territory or to show disrespect to the different cultural traditions that share this island.

Queen Elizabeth rightly showed Irish language respect when she addressed President McAleese in Dublin Castle during her recent visit and several high profile leaders within the Unionist Community have signed up to the Loifa project with the aim to learn Irish by 2015. The Good Friday Agreement states it is the birthright of the people to identify themselves and be accepted as Irish or British, or both. Respect for each other’s different identities is vital in building a new shared future but does not mean that we cannot work and live together as one Community. No one should fear the language or Irish Culture nor should anyone fear British and Ulster Scots Culture. It is vital that both the Irish and British identities, which share this island, are shown respect.

Norman rightly pointed out that the GAA is an organisation that has a strong sense of place and community our volunteer ethos and our strong sense of Irish identity are core values that our 1 million members hold dear. However I do recognise that for many different reasons that there is a level of suspicion and mistrust from elements of the Unionist Community towards the GAA and it is our duty to educate everyone to what the GAA is and does and combat the misinformation campaign that has been directed towards the GAA by various interests.

We have since 2007 engaged strongly in a community outreach programme in order to develop friendships and partnerships with individuals and groups who traditionally never had any linkage to the GAA, this engagement is built on openness and respect. The proposal that the GAA establish or be involved in a forum in order to engage with the wider Unionist Community has merit, indeed the GAA Director Paraic Duffy and I have recently had meetings with Cooperation Ireland to discuss widening our Community Engagement and Outreach programme and I hope in the coming months that I will be in a position to make further comment on this initiative, to quote my hero Dr. Martin Luther King, “the time is always right to do what is right”.

Finally as we enter a decade of commemoration I want to state emphatically that the GAA will play it part in ensuring that over the next 10 years each commemorative event is shown respect. I have in the past and I will again call for the next ten years to become a Decade of Reconciliation were we educate each other to our different traditions and historical perspectives and if the GAA is invited it will send a representative to every event that takes place over the next decade. The events of a century ago still resonate in the Ulster and Ireland of today and I agree strongly with the comments made by Norman in October when he said we must dispel the myths and let the facts no mater how uncomfortable surface to be properly interpreted.

The GAA will continue to be vibrant and confident organisation, willing to play its part in building a shared and better future for everyone on this island, we are committed to respecting and engaging with all the different traditions on this island and we will never walk away from the challenge of peace.

In conclusion I want to pay tribute to Norman Hamilton, a true man of God, we share a common bond as Ulster men and a vision for a shared future that is built on tolerance and mutual respect, our friendship is a constructive one that allows us to challenge each other constructively and respect our sometimes differing views. The relationship and friendship between the GAA and the Presbyterian Church is strong and I hope it will continue to grow as we engage and challenge each other constructively. In the words of Winston Churchill, Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.

They were then divided into two groups as follows:
Slemish Group: St Mary’s Divis, Knock Lagan, St Mary’s Glen Road, Rathmore, Colaiste Feirste, and La Salle Edenmore (teams in this group played 5 games each)
Blackmountain Group: La Salle Casement, Slemish College, Knock East, St Patricks Bearnageeha and Glen road Clubs (teams in this group played 4 games each)

After the group games were played, many of the schools played challenge matches, as the players were enjoying the experience of playing in this excellent indoor facility.

Thanks to La Salle pupils, Conor Sterrett, Declan Mc Greevey and Jordan Kane for refereeing all games and their assistance with the running of the blitz.

We had a total of 119 players taking part. Thanks to all the teachers; Mr Brendan Mc Comb, Mr Donal Armstrong, Mr Ciaran Magee, Mr Peter Kane, Miss Lisa Mc Alister, Mr Terry O Neill, Mr Declan Mc Larnon,, Mr Mark Devlin and Mr Neil Cunningham.

Six schools in all took part Scoil Iosagain Buncrana, Gaelscoil Bhun Cranncha, Scoil Naomh Brid Muff, Whitecastle P.S Muff, Scoil Naomh Aengus Bidgend and Saint Muras Tooban. The schools played a round of 7-a-side matches against one another in Go Games format.

The standard of hurling was very good with some excellent individual talent on display. A word of thanks must go to all the schools who attended for their continued support with the promotion of hurling in the Inishowen area. We hope to see all the schools competing again in the Spring and Summer months at the Inishowen league and championship competitions.

The project will enable the club to:

• Play an important role in community outreach as a community and parish based organisation
• Introduce new children and their families to Gaelic sports and the All Saints club
• Develop and widen the juvenile membership base within the club

 The Project Details:

• Based in the Ballymena North Centre for an 8 week period (Sat 21st Jan – Sat 10th Mar) from 10.00am – 12.00noon
• Boys & Girls Football for first 4 Weeks and Hurling/ Camogie for second 4 weeks
• For children aged 7 yrs – 14 yrs

Primary 2 teacher Mrs Roisin Moane has transformed the schools GAA Wall in the Foyer of the school. The school has been in GAA overload over the past 11 months with the local club Lisnaskea Emmetts having claimed 2 All Ireland Intermediate Titles in Men’s and Ladies Football.

DENI Ulster GAA coach Owen Mooney who plays for the Emmetts, coaches in the school as part of the Sport In Schools Programme and is a former pupil was delighted with the work that the staff and children put into their pictures.

Praising the Live to Play Colouring Competition Mrs Moane said, “This competition is a fantastic testament to the work being done by Ulster GAA. It also compliments the work that Owen is doing by linking Road Safety into his PE lessons as this is our theme. With the dark mornings and evenings we would have a lot of children walking home and this has really emphasised the importance of being seen if you want to grow up and play GAA”.

In 2011 Ulster had successes and narrow defeats at national level. Armagh led the way winning the Nancy Murray Cup, and an All-Ireland Minor title. Monaghan Camog’s won the All-Ireland Junior B title. Down U16’s also were victorious at national level with the Ulster Colleges All-Star team winning an historic All-Ireland Inter Provincial Championship. In Croke Park, both Antrim and Down were narrowly defeated at Intermediate and Junior Level. Here’s hoping both counties can go a step further in 2012.

All delegates in attendance were very proactive throughout the day, discussing all reports, and lively debate on the motions put forward. Uachtaran Tofa Aileen Lawlor took the delegates through the proposed rules changes and Ard Stiúrthóir Sinéad O’Connor informed all delegates on the One Club Model proposals that will be brought forward for all clubs to consider. Ulster Camogie were also lucky to have Ulster GAA Uachtaran, Aogán O’Fearghail on hand to speak of the increased relations between all GAA codes and how the One Club Model should benefit all clubs if that is the route that they would like to go down

At election time, there was only was change in office, Cavan delegate, Maura McGurren succeeded Catherine O’Hara as Leas Cathaoirleach. Catherine has stood down after many years of dedication to Camogie across the province and Ulster Camogie are eternally grateful to Catherine for all her work over this time. All officers are listed below.

Ulster Camogie Positions:

Chairperson- Kathleen Woods
Vice Chair- Maura McGurren
Secretary- Breige McGilligan
Assistant Secretary- Mary Herald
Treasurer- Rosemary Hughes Merry
Registrar- Colette Lambe
P.R.O- Cóilín Duffy
Delegate to Ard Chomhairle- Bridghidin Heenan
Integration Officer- Jennifer Cultra
Development Officer- Mary Connolly
Children’s Officer- Kathleen Woods

“Assisting county board and club units to build and improve facilities to provide the best possible platform for the development and promotion of camogie is of paramount concern to the Association.

Despite the challenging economic circumstances, it is of significant importance that funding is made available to invest in our county and club units.

The applications to the Capital Funding Scheme were extremely competitive and of an impressive standard. It also provided an excellent snap shot of the huge commitment of volunteers at county and club level to promoting and developing camogie in their respective areas and the level of foresight and planning which goes into this.”

This once off Capital Funding Scheme was announced by President Joan O’Flynn at Congress 2011. Applications were invited from units at all levels of the Association.

Ulster Schools Chairman Louis O Donnell welcomed over 100 guests and after a wonderful meal the large gathering was entertained by the Cill Iseal Scor Ballad Group. Mary Keegan acting as MC for the evening then invited Louis back to the stage and he formally welcomed the guests which included Martin Mc Aviney (Ulster Council), Neil Patterson (sponsor Kukri Sports) and Joe Lagan (Ulster Ladies GAA).

Louis delivered a very entertaining speech paying tribute to the trial organisers, coaches/teachers, school management and numerous clubs which had provided their facilities. The Crossmaglen clubman finished by wishing the squad well at the inuargal inter-provincial shcools competition and reminded everyone that the innovation for such a tournament came from Ulster and in particular Sheena Kelly and Mary keegan.

Ulster Administartor Mary Keegan then took the opportunity to congratulate the All Stars on their achievement and reminded everyone that there was over 1000 girls playing schools football at U20 level in the province and that we were in the presence of the best 25. Mary also thanked Ulster Council for their assistance and singled out Sheena Kelly, Ryan Mellon, Tony Scullion and Gary Mallon for their dedication and support of the All Star initiative. Praise was then heaped on the new sponsor Kukri Sports. Mary indicated her delight with the top quality gear they had provided and also thanked Ulster Ladies GAA for supplying the girls with Kukri hoodies. All guests received a key ring compliments of Fernaloy Sports while each of the players keyrings had their All Star number on it. Before handing over to Sheena for the presentations Mary also thanked Martin Mc Aviney for his continued support of our game, all the teachers, the girls families and the numerous volunteers who help. Special presentations were then made to a very unsuspecting Paul Swift and Jock Groogan in recognition of their help with the schools competitions.

Sheena Kelly assisted by Lucy Groom and Eileen Jones then overseen the presentation of the awards. Louis O Donnell presented the statuettes, Neil Patterson the jersey’s and Joe Lagan the Hoodies.

The Kukri Sports Ulster Ladies Football Schools All Stars for 2012 are:

Fiona Callan – Inver College, Carrickmacross
Ciara Mc Dermott – St. Louis, Carrickmacross
Danielle Morgan – St. Catherine’s, Armagh
Nicole Mc Laughlin – Loreto, Letterkenny
Alana Mc Shane – Holy Cross, Strabane
Ruby Marie Rice – St. Mary’s, Magherafelt
Siobhan Mackle – St. Catherine’s, Armagh
Fionnuala Mc Kenna – St. Catherine’s, Armagh
Eimear Gallagher – Loreto, Letterkenny
Niamh Henderson – St. Michael’s, Lurgan
Niamh Mc Laughlin – Thornhill College, Derry
Jessica Foy – Our Lady’s and St. Patrick’s, Knock
Rose Boyle – Loreto Letterkenny
Amber Barrett – Loreto, Milford
Aimee Mackin – St. Paul’s, Bessbrook
Niamh Mailey – Deele College, Raphoe
Aine Turbidy – St. Genevieve’s, Belfast
Erin Robinson – Our Lady’s and St. Patrick’s, knock
Joanne Mullen – St. Catherine’s, Armagh
Eva Hicks – Loreto, Omagh
Cailin Duffy – St. Catherine’s, Armagh
Aideen Traynor – Loreto, Omagh
Laura Kilpatrick – St. Patrick’s Academy, Dungannon
Dara Kelly – Loreto, Letterkenny
Barbara Ward – St. Louis, Monaghan

Alongside this training, Ulster GAA is now rolling out its annual Club Officer Development Course which is being held in all nine counties of Ulster.  Armagh was the first county to receive this training and feedback was extremely positive.

In February it will be the turn of club officers from Derry (4^th February in St Patrick’s School, Dungiven), and Tyrone (18^th February in Loreto College) to receive this training from 9:30am to 1pm.

The Club Officer Development Course is to develop the skills and knowledge base of all club officers in Ulster.  All clubs are required under Club Maith to have representatives at this course, we recommend at least 5 representatives per club.

The  Course will explore the key issues facing GAA Club official including:

• Integration – the One Club Model,
• Developing a Club Plan,
• Respect & Discipline

Workshops:

• Applying for Club Maith,
• Club Finance,
• Club Insurance,
• Club Health Matters,
• The role of Designated Officers in Child Protection

PLEASE NOTE: This training course is always very popular and registration is essential.  To secure your place at these events please email sharon.haughey.ulster@gaa.ie or phone 02837517180

Club Maith requires all clubs to attend these training courses, which are free to access and will include a light lunch, compliments of your county board.