Following the completion of his tenure of office outgoing divisional chairman, Michael O’Brien, was the recipient of glowing tributes from the delegates and county and divisional board officers, for his vast contribution to all aspects of the association during the course of the last five years at the 87th annual divisional junior board convention which took place at the Aghada GAA complex at Rostellan. The Aghada man is replaced by the incumbent former vice chairman, Dick Fitzgerald, a member of the Russell Rivers Club, who decisively defeated GPC member Donal O’Keeffe, Lisgoold, in a contest for the position. The new chairman, who is the 14th person to govern the affairs of the Imokilly division since its foundation in 1924, follows in the footsteps of Paddy O’Driscoll the former great Cork and Munster footballer, who was the first Russell Rovers man to become chairman in 1965, a position he held for a period of eight years prior to his retirement in 1973. Vice chairman, during the course of the last half decade, Dick Fitzgerald a native of Shanagarry is steeped in GAA history, having served his club in various roles of administration, team section etc., in his younger days he wore the black and amber jersey with pride and distinction in both codes, being a staunch defender at corner back on the Rovers team that defeated Whites Cross, in the Divisional Junior B Grade hurling championship final in 1978. In his acceptance speech the new chairman stated that it was a great honour for himself and his family to be elected as chairman of the East Cork Board “I am thrilled and delighted to be given the opportunity to serve as chairman, and I will work to the best of my ability and liaise with all the clubs within the Imokilly Division, throughout the next twelve months. East Cork is a traditionally strong and proudly successful hurling division and I am determined as chairman in liaison with the executive and club delegates to ensure the status quo is viably retained”. Hon secretary, Tracey Kennedy, in a concise and detailed report, covered all aspects and activities within the association in the barony during the course of a busy year, but was sceptical of the lackadaisical approach and seemingly little commitment from the footballers, who failed to field in their second game in the Colleges Divisional Group of the County SFC with the outgoing vice chairman’s accession to the throne, the position of Vice Chairman remains vacant. However, the nomination papers have been posted to all the clubs and the position is expected to be filled prior to the inaugural meeting of the board on Wednesday, 16th January 2013.

Officership-Chairman: Dick Fitzgerald (Russell Rovers). Hon Secretary: Tracy Kennedy (Killeagh); Hon Treasurer: Jerome O’Brien (Cloyne); Cultural-Irish Officer: John Joe O’Regan (Lisgoold). PRO: Derek Kiely (Youghal). Referees-Administrator: Donal O’Keeffe (Lisgoold). President: John Hennessey (Midleton). Vice-Presidents: Jim Sarsfield (Watergrasshill), Dave Hoare (St Catherines), Willie Ring (Cloyne), Tom Joe O’Riordan (Castlelyons), Michael O’Brien (Aghada), Jerry O’Sullivan (Cloyne) and, Ger Lane (Bride Rovers).

Roll of Honour 2012

Hurling

Winners Runners-up

JAHC Carraig Na BhFear Erins Own

J.A.F.C Glenbower Rovers Fr O’Neills

J.B.H.C Midleton Sarsfields

J.B.F.C St Catherines Aghada

J.C.H.C Midleton Dungourney

J.C.F.C Lisgoold Glenville

U21 A.H.C Midleton Erins Own

U21 A.F.C Youghal Erins Own

U21 B.H.C Dungourney (also county champions)Watergrasshill

U21 B.F.C Castlelyons Fr O’Neills

Div’ One JHL Sarsfields Erins Own

Div’ Two JHL Killeagh Lisgoold

Div’ Three JHL Midleton Castlelyons

Div’ Two JFL Midleton Fr O’Neills

Div’ Three JFL St Catherines Carraig na bhFear

Trophy Presentation

A pleasant function took place recently in Ballymacoda Community Centre in the presence of a large attendance, to witness Mary Donnelly in the company of her daughter Carmel, sons Gerard and John, son in law Paul Harrington and grandchildren, present a silver trophy to Bob Ryan, chairman of the Cork County Board, to commemorate and honour the memory of her husband the late Haulie Donnelly, the cup to be the property of the board and to be completed for annually and presented to the winners of division one of the county intermediate hurling league. One of nature’s gentlemen Haulie, a native of Ballymacoda, became totally immersed in all aspects of the GAA from an early age; initially donning the blue and gold sashed jerseys of the O’Neill-Crowley’s later known as O’Brien’s team, prior to becoming involved in the administrative and mentoring side of the club, when the twin parishes of Ladysbridge-Ballymacoda amalgamated to form the present Fr O’Neills club in 1959. Haulie was involved, as wood sourcer, hurley and sliothar manufacturer, committee member and club’s hurling delegate to East Cork Divisional Junior Board, a position he held for a period of thirty years. But his real pride and joy was chief groundsman from the time the club revamped and expanded the community council land at Ahavine, into excellent playing facilities and club complex. A true Fior Gael Haulie after witnessing several lean years supporting the clubs teams, was truly overjoyed when Fr O’Neills won their first A grade division junior hurling championship Title in 1996, followed by annexing an additional four, prior to being crowned county provincial and All-Ireland champions in 2005. Kilworth recently won the cup defeating Ballinhassig in the final.