Ulster GAA Convention

March 1st, 2011

Armagh city was the venue for this year’s Ulster GAA Council’s Annual Convention, which took place on Saturday past.

GAA delegates from all nine counties of Ulster descended at St Patrick’s Cathedral on Saturday morning last for the annual Ulster GAA Mass officiated by Cardinal Sean Brady. Music and song came from a strong Scór Club Madden Raparees from County Armagh in the form of Catherine Grimley solo singing and the McCusker Family on instrumental. Armagh County Chairman and Pearse Og’s Clubman Paul Duggan also sang at the service.

The official business of the day got underway in the nearby St Patrick’s College where all officers of Ulster GAA Council presented their reports looking back on the work of the council over the last year.

Successes celebrated in 2010 included: Tyrone Minor Football All Ireland Victory, Down’s achievement in reaching the All Ireland Football Final, Antrim’s ongoing dominance of hurling in the Province and Armagh’s progression in hurling winning the Nicky Rackard Cup. Notable achievements at club level were also highlighted: St Gall’s winning All Ireland Senior Club Title and Fr Rock’s Club in Cookstown winning the Intermediate Club All Ireland title. Tribute was also played to the schools and colleges who won silverware in 2010: St Colman’s College, Newry, Cross and Passion Ballyacstle, Holy Trinity College and St Malachy’s High School who narrowly missed out in the final. The high standard of handball in Ulster was profiled with special mention of Cavan man Paul Brady who continues to add title after title to his accolades.

Concluding his comprehensive report Ulster GAA Provincial Secretary Danny Murphy stated, “The Association is working in difficult times and we can see hurdles and the impact of recessionary times around its affairs. It was born in much more difficult times and it survived. It lived through difficult and dangerous times and it expanded. We are living in challenging times but the core strengths, the aims and ideals of our Association should be utilised to regenerate our nation and build the confidence of our people because we must have the vision of a better future based on endeavor, fairness and mutual respect if we are to achieve our full potential.”