Walsh: Munster show must go on
He was responding to recent speculation about the introduction of an open draw in the Liam MacCarthy Cup when he addressed representatives from the various counties at the formal launch of the Council’s ‘Strategic Vision and Action Plan 2009-2015’ in the company of Association President Christy Cooney.
“The message must go out loud and clear that the plan and vision for this province will include the Munster Hurling Championship for the foreseeable future,’’ he stated.
“The successful delivery and implementation of the Strategic Vision and Action Plan is dependent on the financial base of the council where the revenues generated from the hurling championship are the basis for our commitment to the projects that we support annually, such as grant aid to clubs, schools, field rent, coaching projects, third level scholarships and bursaries, the player’s injury scheme and Gaeltacht scholarships and our ever expanding Coaching and Games Programme.
“The players want the Munster Hurling Championship, the counties want the Munster Hurling Championship, our supporters and patrons want the Munster Hurling Championship. None of us assembled here this evening can envisage asummer without the Munster Hurling Championship. It is part of our culture, part of our heritage.’’
Walsh, who will take over as chairman next February, said that they would ‘contribute to the debate on a hurling format’ when and if it takes place. !
In his foreword to the Munster plan, Christy Cooney wrote: “The stark reality is that we cannot expect to drift along and hope to be successful.
“We need aims, goals and measurable targets and these are the kind of barometers that feature in our strategic documents.
“We are operating in challenging and competitive times and with this in mind it is incumbent on us to put our strongest foot forward at every opportunity.
“The plan is a living document and with the strategic implementation committees in place at both provincial and county levels, it is envisaged that suggested modifications and ideas received by these committees will be acted on and the plan, if required, will be modified.”
The National Strategic Vision and Action Plan will examine volunteers, urbanisation, games schedule, games development, communications, funding opportunities, financial excellence, inclusion and integration, club, culture and community, planning, officer support.
A specific Focus Team will be developed in each of the urban areas to facilitate a review of Association structures and operations to ‘grasp the opportunities that population growth will present in key urban areas’.
The plan was formulated by Munster CEO Pat Fitzgerald and former Deputy CEO Daniel Nelligan, along with the provincial Games Managers Pat O’Shea and Joey Carton, who was chairman of the steering committee.
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