Annual General Meeting
For the first time since 2019 we returned to an in-person AGM and the wonders of Microsoft teams was dispensed with as the clubs AGM was held on Thursday 24 November in The Clubhouse with the Tailteann Cup on display as a reminder of Westmeath’s historic first.. For the club’s key officers it was a historic occasion as David Nohilly, Garrett Doyle,David Coghlan and Ciara Keegan were presiding at their first club AGM. To say it was short and sweet is not to exaggerate a development made possible by the detailed reports prepared by the various office holders. Someone commented that the entire AGM was shorter than some of Pat Collins’s underage presentations delivered to previous pre-Covid AGMs.
Club Chairman David Nohilly in his address thanked all those who had helped to make 2022 a memorable year for the club. “The income generated was of record proportions with spending to match,” David stated, “and a record proportion of spend to match chiefly on upgrading the facilities of the club and there was still capital expenditure required for the 2023 season.” David informed the members that acquiring additional grounds was now a priority for the club and it was essential that an examination of all viable options take place during the year. Nothing could be ruled out; “satellite pitches were of doubtful value”. In the search for viable alternatives the possibility of “leaving our superb facilities in Springfield” would have to be considered. “We have to move independently and stop relying on the local authorities who are prepared to forget about the club or independent landholders to help. We are desperately running out of space.”
All the outgoing officers agreed to volunteer their services to the club for what will be a 2023 season of celebration for the club as its members recognise 70 years of excellence. David Nohilly (Chairperson), Debbie Noonon (Vice-Chairperson), Garrett Doyle (Secretary) joint treasurers David Coghlan and Ciara Keegan continue in office as does Tom Hunt (PRO) and Joan Ormsby (Healthy Club/Green Club Officer). Maria Carroll, Karen Hegarty and Óisin Masterson form the Registrars’ team. Des Maguire continues as cultural officer with Barry Kelly and Pat Collins, the Chairperson and Secretary of our Under-Age Committee respectively. Adrian Buckley and Margaret Donoghue hold similar positions on our Ladies’ Football Committee. Detty Cornally remains unchallenged as President and two additional Honorary Presidents, Marie Burke and Patsy Rylands were appointed to recognise their service to the club.
A significant appointment was that of Paul Aherne as Coaching Officer replacing Liam O’Reilly who has become part of Enda Monaghan’s senior football management team.
Our list of honorary presidents now reads: Terry O’Dowd, John Kelly, Eamonn Byrne, Peter Glennon, Gabriel Clancy, Mick Greene, Dan O’Dowd, James O’Dowd, Paddy Cole, Colm Connaughton, Ritchie O’Donoghue, Professpor Kevin Nugent, Marie Burke and Patsy Rylands, .
The following were elected. President: Detty Cornally; Chairman: David Nohilly; Vice-Chairperson: Debbie Newman; Secretary: Garrett Doyle; Assistant Secretary: Ritchie Daly; Joint Treasurers: David Coghlan, Carmel Keegan; PRO: Tom Hunt; Healthy Club-Green Club Officer: Joan Ormsby; Cultural Officer: Des Maguire; Children's Officer: Sophie Hegarty; Registrar: Karen Hegarty; Maria Carroll, Óisin Masterson. Under-age Committee, Chairperson: Barry Kelly; Under-age Committee, Secretary: Pat Collins; LGF Committee, Chairperson: Adrian Buckley; LGF Committee, Secretary: Margaret Donoghue. Coaching Officer: Paul Aherne
