Officers elected for Mid Tipperary GAA after convention in Horse & Jockey last Tuesday

The Mid Tipperary GAA Board at its annual convention in Horse and Jockey Hotel last week ratified the appointment of Martin Bourke, Boherlahan-Dualla as chairman of the board in succession to Moycarkey Borris’ Joe O’Sullivan who stood down on completion of his three-year term.

The new chairman, who was an out-going vice-chairman, and who was unopposed for the chairmanship, brings a wealth of experience at the administrative level to the position garnered at the club and juvenile board level, and in a brief address spoke of his pride in representing his club in the chair. He assured delegates that he would do his best for the division and hoped he would have their support during his term.

He paid tribute to the outgoing chairman, Joe O’Sullivan, for his great work during his term of office and wished him well in whatever role he assumed in the future.

In his outgoing address, Joe O’Sullivan wished the incoming chairman every success and added that 2023 was the second year of the split season between inter-county and club championships. “Overall it is a step forward even if some aspects of it are not to everyone’s liking”, he added.

Referring to the year just past he said it was a year of noteworthy progress for some clubs and a tale of what might have been for others. Mid clubs were county finalists in six championships, winning four of them, and he congratulated the Boherlahan-Dualla (Intermediate), Drom & Inch (Junior  B) Holycross-Ballycahill (U19A), and Gortnahoe-Glengoole (U19B) on their successes.

He thanked the clubs in the division for their hard work and commitment to their communities. “The mutual respect of our club representatives at our meetings is the foundation for this board’s teamwork”, he said.

Thanking the clubs for making their facilities available for games and their work in stewarding them he added that,  “The voluntary efforts and financial costs of preparing teams, maintaining and developing club facilities, etc is an ongoing challenge. It is understandable during the playing season that the pressure can be intense. However, it was regrettable to see too many football games being conceded and teams withdrawing from the championship. Let’s reverse that trend.”

The outgoing chairman urged clubs to prioritise the recruitment of new referees. He said that referees played a critical and essential role in getting games played in an orderly, fair, and safe environment.

“Too often we take them for granted. While we all acknowledge the importance of our referees and the support and respect for them is improving, there is still some way to travel on this journey. He added that All board committees and clubs must prioritise the recruitment, training, and support of referees”.

In a brief address, county chairman, Joe Kennedy complimented the board officials and members on their work, adding, “The Mid has always had a proud history of how it does its business. He welcomed the improvement in club facilities in the division which he described as phenomenal.”

He saluted the commitment of club volunteers which had grown significantly and hoped this would continue. He welcomed the appointment of additional GDAs in the county, hoped this would lead to a rise in standards, and encouraged clubs to avail of their services.

Officers elected for the coming year below.

President: Liam Hennessy (Moycarkey Borris)

Chairman: Martin Bourke (Boherlahan Dualla)

Secretary: Catherine Dunne (Moyne Templetuohy)

Assistant Secretary: Michelle McKelvey (Moycarkey Borris)

Treasurer: Trish Gavin (Moyne Templetuohy)

Assistant Treasurer: Paddy Kenny (Durlas Óg)

PRO: Mark Dunne (Moyne Templetuohy)

Semple Stadium Representative: Paddy Flanagan (Thurles Gaels)

Vice chairman position to be appointed at January meeting.