London GAA News

The 104th London GAA convention was held on last Sunday at the Emerald Rooms, Ruislip before a very representative gathering.

The convention started with a Mass celebrated by Fr Jerry Kivlehan, OMI Director Irish Centre, Camden for the deceased members.

Treasurer Larry O'Leary gave an excellent report and confirmed that the Board was heading in the
right direction financially. He was happy to tell the delegates that last years deficit of �65,275 has
been plucked back to a surplus of �30,000 for this year despite the fact that this years trading period
is for 10 months as opposed to the normal 12 months.

He went on to highlight the areas that were responsible for the turnabout citing sponsorship, the golf
classic, All Ireland draw and the advertising boards as being the main contributory factors.

On the expenditure side the biggest drain is the repayment of the bank loan which has been reduced by the intervention of Croke Park by �300,000 making the repayments �70,000 per annum in three instalments and that the positive thing is that these repayments are being met.

He stressed that matters must continue with this trend and he recommended that membership cards
for admission to the ground be introduced at a viable rate for members saying that 'our gate receipts
are liable to VAT and that if membership cards were in operation over the past ten months it would
have saved the County Board a further �10,000'.

James O'Riordan, of O'Riordan O'Sullivan & Co Accountants congratulated and thanked Larry
O'Leary for the professional way he managed the County Boards financial affairs.

John Lacey, Chairman, said that he was pleased that the Board was now going in the right direction but warned against complacency.

Frank Sheehan, trustee said that there was a need for partnership and that the top table was working well and he urged the clubs to act likewise.

Noel O'Sullivan, Chairman of the Minor Board said he was very happy with the progress at underage level and that the school coaching initiative is a great innovation.

Willie Duggan (St Annes/Eire Og) stressed that enough was not being done for club development and that the County Board should address the problem of clubs in South London.

Bill Reilly, Bros Pearses complained that his Senior Hurling team had no game for seven weeks and that it was most unfair on his club who are competing in the All Ireland Senior Hurling Club Championship on Sunday and that the problem was further compounded by there being no Provincial Final. He asked that the situation be addressed by the fixtures committee. John Lacey, Chairman wished them well in their encounter.

Joe Friday (St Annes Eire Og) said that he would like to see some camogie and ladies games at Ruislip but Tommy Donoghue (Neasden Gaels) who is also Chairman of the Ladies Football Board said that the County Board always granted their requests when possible.

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Page Links Senior Football Senior Hurling Intermediate Football Intermediate Hurling Ladies GAA SFC Roll of Honour SHC Roll of Honour History of London GAA Clubs London Main Page	LONDON GAA CONVENTION 1998 The 104th London GAA convention was held on last Sunday at the Emerald Rooms, Ruislip before a very representative gathering. The convention started with a Mass celebrated by Fr Jerry Kivlehan, OMI Director Irish Centre, Camden for the deceased members. Treasurer Larry O'Leary gave an excellent report and confirmed that the Board was heading in the right direction financially. He was happy to tell the delegates that last years deficit of �65,275 has been plucked back to a surplus of �30,000 for this year despite the fact that this years trading period is for 10 months as opposed to the normal 12 months. He went on to highlight the areas that were responsible for the turnabout citing sponsorship, the golf classic, All Ireland draw and the advertising boards as being the main contributory factors. On the expenditure side the biggest drain is the repayment of the bank loan which has been reduced by the intervention of Croke Park by �300,000 making the repayments �70,000 per annum in three instalments and that the positive thing is that these repayments are being met. He stressed that matters must continue with this trend and he recommended that membership cards for admission to the ground be introduced at a viable rate for members saying that 'our gate receipts are liable to VAT and that if membership cards were in operation over the past ten months it would have saved the County Board a further �10,000'. James O'Riordan, of O'Riordan O'Sullivan & Co Accountants congratulated and thanked Larry O'Leary for the professional way he managed the County Boards financial affairs. John Lacey, Chairman, said that he was pleased that the Board was now going in the right direction but warned against complacency. Frank Sheehan, trustee said that there was a need for partnership and that the top table was working well and he urged the clubs to act likewise. Noel O'Sullivan, Chairman of the Minor Board said he was very happy with the progress at underage level and that the school coaching initiative is a great innovation. Willie Duggan (St Annes/Eire Og) stressed that enough was not being done for club development and that the County Board should address the problem of clubs in South London. Bill Reilly, Bros Pearses complained that his Senior Hurling team had no game for seven weeks and that it was most unfair on his club who are competing in the All Ireland Senior Hurling Club Championship on Sunday and that the problem was further compounded by there being no Provincial Final. He asked that the situation be addressed by the fixtures committee. John Lacey, Chairman wished them well in their encounter. Joe Friday (St Annes Eire Og) said that he would like to see some camogie and ladies games at Ruislip but Tommy Donoghue (Neasden Gaels) who is also Chairman of the Ladies Football Board said that the County Board always granted their requests when possible.