Imokilly Notes

  • Nov 28,2022

By Kieran McGann, PRO, East Cork Board.

East Cork Board Convention Wednesday 30th November at 8pm in Dungourney.

The East Cork Board Convention is on this Wednesday evening 30th November at 8pm at the lovely Dungourney GAA Club rooms. Two delegates per club plus two per affiliation per Club can attend. All clubs have been notified by the Secretary so we would appreciate a good attendance as you voice is most welcome. Clubs have some issues to discuss concerning competitions for 2023 and this is a place to have some clarification. This year there are some changes to Board personnel, and they will be inducted at the Convention.  

Our Secretary Daniel Lane – Moves on to County Board Office Administrator.


We are losing our secretary Daniel Lane who moves on to a major role in Páirc Uí Chaoimh as County Board Office Administrator.  He has proved an outstanding administrator in his time in East Cork and, of course, he was secretary of his club, Bride Rovers too. No doubt County Board work will be well suited to Daniel, and he will add a new dimension to the Cork story.  Best wishes Daniel from all in East Cork.

Cathaoirleach Donal O’Keeffe, Lisgoold - term ends. 


Donal’s five years in office could be likened to Dickensian quote in that it was the best of times, it was the worst. Donal was in the chair some good years including two of our three in a row senior hurling titles. He showed great leadership and patience while co-operating with the various restrictions imposed over the course of the COVID pandemic.  He chaired our Board meetings through Google “Teams”, an incorporeal rather than a physical presence as we sat at home on our computers and communicated.  

These were seriously tough years on the community as the pandemic took its toll on health and wellness. It was to the Association’s credit the games were kept going despite being behind closed doors, limited attendances and so on as it continued a meaning in life for supporters and the public during such tough times. Donal was always positive, and we introduced the streaming of semi-finals and finals of our East Cork JAHC and JAFC championships with great success while coping well with tickets, venues, and the limited attendances times.  It may not be over yet, but we are back to normality. Donal you always sprung hope in the times of darkness.  Congratulations on job well done.

Ms Avril Geary, St Ita's to be the next Cathaoirleach.


History beacons for St Ita’s woman Ms Avril Geary as she will shortly be the first ever female chairperson of the East Cork GAA Board taking over from Donal O’Keeffe, Lisgoold, who has completed his term and was excellent in his term of office. Avril was born and reared in Youghal near the famous Copper Alley pitch and attended the all the games at a young age with her dad who was an avid Youghal and Cork supporter. She was educated at the Loretto Convent Youghal and School of Commerce in Cork growing up at a time of great Cork success at national level. Later she met her husband Eamonn, and they now have three in family.  They live in Gortroe with their family and as Eamonn was involved with St Ita’s Club Avril go stuck in too.  She served was on the committee, served as secretary and attended at County Board meetings. 

She was PRO of the East Cork Board but promotion in her job meant she had to leave the position after just a year.  She did remain on the Board and GPC and took the position of vice chairperson last year. She is a Sales Manager with Clarins Beauty & Skincare, and her work takes her about Munster and part of Leinster.  She feels she has now learned on her new job and developed her managerial capacity to suit her social life and that can include using her leadership skills as chairperson in the East Cork Board.

Avril is very positive about the contribution of females in administrative and leadership capacities in clubs and beyond. She is very much influenced by the great work of Ms Tracey Kennedy of the Killeagh club.  She says ladies’ involvement with a committee can bring a very strong dynamic to the table. They have a strong sense of loyalty to the Association, are always willing to learn and relate to other members of the committee well. There are so many roles for females in clubs at a time when we need volunteers and, of course, she is delighted to see so many ladies currently involved with their clubs in the Division.

As I noted in a recent interview with Avril recently, she has the ‘Corkiness’ of a Rebel lady.  She did grow up in a winning era and she says there may be a lull recently but believes winning for Cork cyclical and she is confident success will come again shortly. As supporter she has had great times and enjoyed her work to date as an administrator.  Avril is now ready for Chairperson and is looking forward to the future with great positivity. Áth mór ort, a bhean mhaith.

Patrick Mulcahy, Killeagh to be our next Secretary.


The secretarial vacancy in East Cork is about to be filled by Patrick Mulcahy of the Killeagh Club as he was successful in recent election for the position.  Patrick is PRO of his Club and is well known as a highly competent reporter / commentator with local Radio and RTE.  He has an outstanding knowledge of the the game and it's rules.  He is known about the Division too for compering Cheltenham nights.  So, he is now in the Runaí paddock and if he follows Daniel’s example, he will be a safe bet to do well. Best of luck Patrick.

Cisteoir (Treasurer) - Oliver Loughlin, St. Ita's.

No change here.

Oifigeach Poiblíochta (P.R.O.) - Kieran McGann, Castlelyons.

No change here

Damien Irwin, Killeagh takes up Development Officer.

Damien Irwin of the Killeagh Club has taken over the Development Officer.  Damien, a principal teacher in Scoil Náisiunta an Chroí Naofa, Glounthaune is steeped in the game since his juvenile days winning Cork junior and Intermediate medals with his club and two senior counties with Imokilly, Munster minor and under 21 medals and All Ireland Under 21 and senior medals with Cork, plus a selector on the U21 Cork team.  I even saw him in the Páirc with his school recently as they won a Sciath na Scoil competition.  A serious thinker on the game he will be anxious to do what’s best for Imokilly too.

Willie Ring, Cloyne, moves to Cultural Officer. 

Willie Ring, Cloyne, is set to take up as Oifigeach Gaeilge in place of the outgoing Liam O Laochdha, Youghal. Willie first took up as cisteoir of the Board back in 1975 until 1982 and then took up the Runaí from 1983 to 2010.  He was Oifigeach Gaeilge of County Board 2004 – 06 and again 2010 – 02.  He is the current Chairman of the County Hearings Committee and outgoing President of East Cork. Mar deirtear molainn an obair an fear. A lifetime of service to the Association and more left to do.

Vice Chairman.

The position of Vice Chairperson will be filled by Dick Fitzgerald, Russell Rovers. Dick was a previous Chair of the Board and recruited the management team for the famous three in a row county senior hurling titles. No doubt he will be doing his utmost to influence good times again for East Cork.

Thanks to those who took part in Elections.

A sincere thanks to those who put their names forward for election for some of the above positions as it is good and raises standard.  There are GPC positions to be filled in course and always a great way to get involved.

Original Jamesy Kelleher Cup formally handed to Dungourney GAA Club for safekeeping.

The original Jamesy Kelleher Memorial Cup presented to the winners of the Junior A Hurling Championship perpetuates the memory of an outstanding au time great hurler and horseman who led his home Club Dungourney to three Cork County Senior hurling Championships and captained Cork to Munster and All Ireland Championship glory in the early years of the 20th Century.The idea of a cup to honour dame about a year after his death 1947 when the East Cork Board spoke with Mrs Bridget Kelleher (nee McCarthy) and got permission to use her late husband's name on a trophy. Trophy to be used for the East Cork Junior Hurling Championship. Then on Friday November 21st, 1947, Tom Barry Bride Rovers, and Bertie Murphy Sarsfields, Chairperson and Treasurer of the Board went to Cork and bought the trophy, and the rest is history as the history of Jamesy Kelleher will forever be remembered.The original cup was replaced in 2010 and was about until formally handed to the Dungourney Club for safe keeping at a pleasant function in their Club rooms last week. John Arnold of Bride Rovers gave a talk on the life and times of the great man

Donal O'Keeffe Chair ECB handing the original Jamesy Kelleher Cup to Dungourney Chair Declan O'Callaghan for safe keeping.

Reminder 

Don’t forget the Convention on this Wednesday night November 30 in Dungourney at 8pm.


East Cork Board Sponsors.