St Josephs GAA Notes 5/12/2021

Successful AGM held on Sunday 28th November:

Our Annual General meeting which was held on Sunday 28th November was arguably one of our most well attended in many years as the Executive and committee for 2022 was elected at last Sundays meeting held at the Horseleap Streamstown community centre. The reports of the Chairman,Secretary and Treasurer were outlined to those present and the election of officers for 2022 took place with little change overall. A full committee of 18 was put in place and the main officers elected were as follows;

Chairman: Billy Kelly

Vice Chairman & Underage Chairman: Ronan Mc Donnell

Secretary: Aidan Walsh

Assistant Secretary & Underage Secretary: Padraic Seery

Treasurer: Ronan Farrell

Registrar: Josie Boyle

Childrens/ASAP Officer: Tommy Sheerin

Players Representative: Alan Farrell

The meeting was very positive with many views being expressed on the current way our club is working and as we head into our 40th year, the general consensus was that there are many positives to take into 2022. Senior team Manager Stephen Sheil informed the meeting that he was standing down from his position and he was thanked by the Chairman for his efforts where he guided the team to the Quarter finals losing narrowly to St Lomans in mid October. The meeting remembered those we have lost since our last AGM with special mention of club members Jack Farrell(RIP) and Johnny Hannify(RIP) who sadly passed on earlier this year.

Under 19 Championship Final:

Our Under 19 footballers were unlucky to come out on the wrong side of a 2-13 to 1-10 loss to St Marys Rochfortbridge at Milltown on Saturday 27th November. A tight game saw our very young side often look likely winners in this match against a physically more robust St Marys team but in the end a final spurt of 1-3 in the last few minutes swung the game to our opponents. Thanks to both local papers for the great reports on the game last week and despite the loss, it shows how far we have progressed in recent years with this being our 7th final from U14 to U19 in three seasons at underage level winning four and losing three. Plenty to be positive about as we head into 2022.

St Josephs at 40!

2022 is a big year for St Josephs GAA as we celebrate our 40th Anniversary this coming year. In March 1982, the current club was founded as a sole Underage club and in 1986 we first fielded at Adult level which we have done every year since then continuously. Many clubs preceded us up to that time under many different badges such as Streamstown, Ardnurcher and Boher to name but three of the former clubs. Those clubs all had interesting and varied histories which would fill far more that many large books on more famous clubs and perhaps someday a time will come to collate all the details of the former clubs that now make up St Josephs. No formal plans have been put in place yet as to how to mark the 40th Birthday but initially if we could source as many photos as possible over the years, it would be a help. Any thoughts and ideas can be emailed to secretary.stjosephs.westmeath@gaa.ie

Ladies AGM:

St Josephs LGFA held their AGM on Friday 3rd December at the Community Centre and like the GAA AGM held the previous Sunday, the turnout was very good. The new committee was put in place ad we wish the club the very best for 2022. St Josephs Minor Girls are in the County final next weekend and we wish them well against neighbours Loughnavalley in that final.

Community Draw:

The Community Association have a New Years draw with a first Prize of €5000 of which funds raised will go directly towards the ongoing pitch developments at the Community field. All support for this draw is appreciated and we in St Josephs GAA encourage all our members to buy tickets for the project which will greatly aid our club in the coming years. The last major development at the Community field was the building of the current Community Centre which dates back to 1992. Apart from some minor works over the years, the main field has remained the same and the new enlarged facility is badly needed. Tickets are on sale locally through Community committee members and online through the following link. https://onlinefundraiser.ie/horseleap-streamstown/