The AGM of the Park/Ratheniska GAA club took place on Friday night, where the discussion was plentiful on an eventful and successful year for the Club. Outgoing Chairman John Kelly stepped the meeting through our Agenda for the evening, starting off with Secretary Brian Ramsbottom's report on affairs on and off the field. Brian was thanked for his comprehensive report on the years activities, and especially the AGM Booklet which was a pleasure to read through and a great memento of a landmark year.

The Junior and Intermediate Football Championship wins held centre stage, with credit being lauded upon players, management, club exec and supporters for their contribution to such a success. Praise was given to the work done at underage level over the years, and the importance this had in lifting the club into the Senior grade. The links between Juvenile and Adult grades was highlighted, with special mention given to the adult players who were helping in the juvenile grades and the need for this to be expanded on and developed further.

There was a detailed discussion of Park/Ratheniska-Timahoe hurling, which while a disappointing year at adult level had a lot of promise with the performances at underage level standing out. The need to for greater help across the grades was highlighted, especially in ensuring that the numbers coming out of Juvenile were maintained into adult grades. While the club had lost eighteen players from the Junior win 2 years ago, there were upwards of a dozen players coming through next year alone and more to follow, so hopes were high these could be incorporated and drive hurling on once again in the area.

The recent Clubhouse development was now complete, and Chairman John Kelly was especially praised for his work in this area. John outlined that over the past 5 years, some €300,000 had been spent on the Club Grounds, all of which greatly enhanced our facilities for the benefits of our players and community.

Treasurer Christy Fingleton took the Meeting through his 2021 Report, the highlight of which was the County Board Draw in 2021 and how despite the outgoings in the Club due to the finishing of the Clubhouse Development and the success of both Adult and Juvenile teams and the associated costs, the Club could still post a surplus once again for 2021. Christy outlined the need for a large-scale fundraiser in 2022 to assist in replenishing the Clubs savings, while also that new avenues of ticket sales for our Club lotto needed to be investigated. Christy was given wholesale praise for his report once more, especially juggling accounts for both Park/Ratheniska and Park/Ratheniska-Timahoe Hurling Clubs.

On the Juvenile front, Chairman Joe Cunningham, and Coaching Officer Darach Kennedy both outlined the work carried out in 2021 and the plans in place going into 2022. Both they and Brian Ramsbottom emphasised the need for others to step up and help out even further, to allow the Club to go farther and faster. The contributions of the Rascals Coaching Group were given special mention, and thanks was given to all of them, but especially Susan Fingleton and Marie Ramsbottom who were heading up this area in 2021.

Before moving onto the election of Officers, outgoing Chairman John Kelly took the meeting through his final Chairman's Address. Having spent 7 years in the Chair, John's reign had been a remarkable success on both the development and playing fronts and he garnered widespread praise from the meeting for his performance. John thanked all those who assisted him over his tenure, especially his wife Rosie and signed off saying he was looking forward to moving to the backbenches and assisting the new Chairman.

Presidents Har Ramsbottom and Ned Mansworth, along with their Vice Presidents were reappointed en bloc, with both Har and Neddy passing on their apologies for not being able to be at the meeting but stating their immense pride at the Clubs successes on and off the fields in 2021. The Club Executives proposal of adding Johnny Brennan and Brendan Delaney to the Vice Presidents in lieu of their service to the Club over a long number of years received great praise from the floor and we moved onto the election of the Club Officers. Kevin Fingleton was elected unopposed to the vacant Chairman's position and was wished the best by the meeting for his tenure. All the remaining officers were returned to their positions, with Christy Fingleton informing the meeting that he planned to step down from his role in 2022.

Votes of sympathy were passed with all those who had lost loved ones in 2021, while our Intermediate Footballers were wished every success for the remainder of their Leinster campaign, and everyone was wished a safe and enjoyable Christmas.

CLUB POSITIONS 2022

Presidents

Ned Mansworth, Har Ramsbottom

Vice Presidents

Har Fingleton, Sean Conroy, Sean Cushen, Tommy Cushen, Jim Leonard, Liam Wall, Mick Cushen, George Rankins, Alo Corcoran, Liam Greene, Brendan Delaney, Johnny Brennan

Officers of the Club

Chairman:                          Kevin Fingleton                 Vice Chairman:                  John Kelly

Secretary:                           Brian Ramsbottom          Asst Secretary:                  Tomas Moore

Treasurer:                          Christy Fingleton              Asst. Treasurer:                 Pat Brennan

PRO:                                    Barry Delaney                  Asst. PRO: TBC                  

Coaching Officer:             Darach Kennedy

Children's Officer:            Brigid Walsh (TBC)

Cultural Officer:               Fiona Kelly (TBC)

Healthy Club Officer:      Eileen Dunne (TBC)

Irish Officer                      Ciara Nolan

Committee

Barry Delaney, Brendan Greene, Brian Kelly, Brigid Walsh, Darach Kennedy, Eileen Dunne, Ger Ramsbottom, Jim Morrin, Kevin Fingleton, Joe Cunningham, John Ramsbottom, Pat Brennan, Tommy Moore, Tommy O Connell.