Déise chairman admits drug fear

WATERFORD chairman Pat Flynn appealed to every GAA member to halt drugs from weaving “their evil way” into Irish society.

Said Flynn: “The growth of substance abuse is now a major threat to life and living in every village, town, city, parish, and community in today’s Ireland and before too long, it could have serious consequences for our clubs and our games.

“Let us, as an association, play our part in eroding what is becoming known as the cocaine culture,” said Mr Flynn.

“Let us through the promotion, organising, and playing of our games aim to encourage young people to do something worthwhile with their time while also creating a healthy and drugs-free lifestyle.”

Mr Flynn said that the GAA, as a community-based sports organisation, is in a unique position to take a leading role towards curtailing, at least, the ever spiralling drugs problem, and he was now making an urgent appeal to clubs and club members to become involved with the alcohol and substance abuse prevention programme which Croke Park will be promoting in 2008.

On the playing fields, Mr Flynn described 2007 as one of Waterford’s greatest years. The highlight, he said, was the winning of a third Munster SHC title in five seasons and the National Hurling League for the first time since 1963.

“Our eventual elimination from the All-Ireland championship at the semi-final stage was heartbreaking,” said Mr Flynn, “but the team’s exciting brand of hurling made Waterford the ‘people’s champions’ of 2007, a title well deserved.”

Mr Flynn went on to pay tribute to everyone involved in the “gigantic” effort which was made to try end that All-Ireland championship famine.

The chairman made no reference to the controversial players’ grant scheme or the row in Cork between the board and players over management teams. Instead he lauded the efforts being made at Croke Park level to have more streamlined All-Ireland senior championships, and he gave an especially warm welcome for the removal of the league format in the All-Ireland qualifier series.

Mr Flynn said that should create more opportunities for extra club activity, but warned it will not completely resolve the current imbalance between inter-county and club games during the height of the summer season.

“I believe that this can only be achieved by having a uniformed structure for all inter-county activity where all are competing on the same level and therefore creating a balanced timeframe for club fixtures.”

Despite record expenditure of more than €1.5 million, board treasurer Michael Hogan reported a small profit of €38,500 for the year. Overall the board is in an extremely healthy financial position, with net assets of almost €2.6m.

County Executive: Patron: Bishop W Lee; President: P O Fainin; Chairman: P Flynn (Passage East); Vice do: T Cunningham (Stradbally); Secretary: J O’Leary (Ballyduff Lower); Treasurer: M Hogan (Old Parish); PRO: J Cleary (Abbeyside/Ballinacourty); Development Officer: G Fives (do); Youth Officer: P Moore (do); Oifigeach Gaeilge: D Ó Murchu (Ring); Munster Council representatives: P Joe Ryan (Fourmilewater/Nire), T Hennessy (Kill); Central Council: S O’Brien (Abbeyside/Ballinacourty).