Congress with a difference

The GAA’s Annual Congress is a date many seasoned delegates pencil into their diary, and not just for the business end of matters.

It’s an opportunity to reconnect with delegates from all corners of the country and indeed the world.

Every three years it takes on an added significance when the election for the next President is on the agenda, this now takes place on the Friday night of Congress.

Last year that honour fell to New York-based but very proud Corkman Larry McCarthy. Indeed the incoming President is a fully paid up member of Bishopstown Hurling and Football Club, a fact that the club is very proud of, and rightly so.

Larry was a surprise choice, given that his base is in New York, but his work on various Croke Park committees stood him in good stead and I have no doubt he will make an excellent President.

He assumes office at a very challenging time for our Association, no games at least for another ten weeks and a possibility that crowds will be very limited for the most part of the season, but there has been excellent leadership from HQ all through this pandemic and no doubt that will continue in the weeks and months ahead.

Incidentally, Larry’s mother the late Aedin McCarthy served Cork and Munster Camogie with distinction in various administrative roles and as a player won Cork County Senior Championship medals with St Al’s. She would be a proud woman on Saturday when her son takes over the biggest sporting organisation in the country.

Best wishes to Larry for the next three years, I am sure he will do New York and Cork proud.

A word to for outgoing President John Horan, I am sure he did not see his final year ending the way it did, but he showed great leadership when it was most needed, and we wish him well in his endeavours. At least he got to present Sam to his great friend Stephen Cluxton for the last three years running.

Motions

Of course, this year’s gathering will be held virtually with just two delegates representing each county, but their voting strength will remain the same. In Cork’s case that’s 12 and Central Council is also entitled to vote.

In all, there are 37 motions on the agenda, some of them are of a very routine matter in relation to rules and wording and should pass without undue debate, and a number will be discussed at length.

At a remotely held special meeting on Tuesday night, Cork delegates voted in favour of all 37 motions on the clár. Most of the motions were passed easily by the Cork delegates, including the introduction of the sin bin in hurling, this also calls for a penalty being awarded for fouls that prevent a scoring opportunity, 52 to 12 was the vote for this motion.

The general opinion is that this motion will be passed on Saturday and will come into play when the intercounty season resumes, which will certainly alter the attitude of defenders and coaches heading into the new season. Of course it will also added extra pressure on the referees having to implement another new rule.

The move to abolish the practice of joint captains was that bit tighter if you could call 45-19 close.

Gemma retires

A long and distinguished career in the red jersey ended on Tuesday night when Gemma O’Connor called time after 18 years.

Since making her debut in 2002, Gemma has won every major honour in the game, nine All-Ireland senior medals, 11 All-Star awards, National League and Munster championship medals and a minor All-Ireland medal.

Apart from honours won, she played the game with a spirit and determination unrivalled by any other player, who will ever forget her levelling point in the 2017 final, and then Orla Cotter landed the winner.

Or her emotional on the field interview minutes after another All-Ireland win, a short few weeks after her beloved mother Geraldine had passed away. That tore at the heart strings of all who were present in Croke Park on that Sunday in September.

When I spoke to Gemma a few hours after her announcement she had no regrets but it was a tough decision nonetheless: “Maybe if we had certainty on how the season is going to go it might have been different, but I have had a couple of injuries of late and that helped me make up mind.”

She will leave with great memories and friends, she says: “Without a doubt, friends for life and I’m fortunate to have played with some great players, too many to name, but it’s been brilliant to have had so many good days.”

Having played under several mangers from Pa Finn to Paudie Murray, Gemma was fulsome in her praise for them all: “It’s been great to work with so many good people who helped me so much with my game, and also the County Board who were supportive at all times.”

While her family and partner Aoife have been great supporters, too: “I could not have done it without them, my Dad Donal and brother Glenn have followed my career and are always there, I might not agree with them all the time, but really appreciate their support.”

She also remembered her late mother Geraldine: “Only for her I would not be playing, taking me to the field in Scoil Stiofan Naofa behind our house on Connolly Road and encouraging me every step of the way.”

I have known Gemma a long time and admired the way she played the game, sometimes on the edge but at all times with a strong desire to win. She owes camogie nothing and has been one of the most iconic figures to wear the red jersey.

Best of luck for the future and many thanks for your help over the years Gemma, it was much appreciated.

Moving on

Best wishes to Louise Cashell who is embarking on a new career, I greatly appreciated her help in her role with this paper over the years, and hopefully we will meet at a Bishosptown GAA match in the coming months.

Stay safe and take care.