AGM

There was a good-sized turnout for our AGM which took place in the Scoil an Chlochair GP Room last Sunday evening.

Members took the opportunity to reflect on another busy year while looking forward to 2025. Excellent and detailed reports were provided by chairperson Adrian Carroll, secretary James Claffey, treasurer Mel Kiernan and juvenile secretary Sabrina Nannery. Entering his third year as chairperson, Adrian noted how it was a successful year both on-and-off the field. Our intermediate men’s team comfortably preserved their status after coming up from junior, while pitch improvement works have commenced on the back of receipt of CLAR and Sports Capital grants totalling almost €200,000.

“Our main objective last year was to be more connected to the community and that has continued into this year, although the grant applications have kept me and the team a little busier. I wish to thank the grants sub-committee for their huge work here,” the chairman said.

“Overall, it was a brilliant achievement to hold our intermediate status for another year,” he added before thanking departing manager Niall O’Brien and his backroom team for their efforts over the past two years.

In his secretary’s report, James Claffey recalled how the club received national attention last January when it hosted the Ad Break Challenge on RTÉ’s Operation Transformation. He also referenced our Mothers and Others’ successful trip to New York in October and welcomed the return of our adult ladies football team, and wished Brendan Nannery and his management team the best of luck for the season ahead.

Juvenile secretary Sabrina Nannery reported a very positive year for our underage boys and girls’ teams, while Mel Kiernan’s treasurer’s report showed the club to be on a firm footing financially. He thanked all our sponsors for their continued support as well as Evonne Lamar and James Claffey for their work in securing grant aid.

With Damian McLoughlin stepping down, the position of assistant secretary remains unfilled, but all other positions on the executive were filled with Sinead McMahon succeeding Martin Dowdall as assistant secretary and Aoife Finn replacing Christy Maloney as Children’s officer.

2025 management committee – chairman: Adrian Carroll; vice-chairman: Paul Daly; secretary: James Claffey; assistant secretary: unfilled; treasurer: Mel Kiernan; assistant treasurer: Sinead McMahon; PRO: Randal Scally; county board delegates: Shaun Pidgeon and Adrian Carroll; Children’s officer: Aoife Finn; registrar: Shaun Pidgeon; underage chairperson: Martina Rochford; underage secretary: Sabrina Nannery; Designated Liaison Person (DLP): Evonne Dunne;  Other committee members: Ann Dixon, Brendan McDonnell, Bernie Barrett, Colin Draper, Dermot Smith, Damian McLoughlin, Conor Delaney, Kelly-Ann Mealiffe, Nigel Scally, Gillian Heeney, Jill Brabazon, Emily O’Brien and Niall Carey.

New intermediate manager

It was announced at our AGM that Nigel Adamson has been appointed as our intermediate football manager for 2025.

A Leinster MFC winner with Westmeath in 2000, Nigel lined out in attack for his beloved Moate All-Whites for many years before taking his first steps into management in recent years. He managed Naomh Ciarán to an Offaly senior ladies football title this year, having been assistant to current St Malachy’s manager Tom Browne last year when the Ferbane-based club contested the Leinster final against Kilmacud Crokes.

Nigel is a young and ambitious manager who is wished every success in 2025. His backroom team will be announced in due course.

Lotto

Last week’s lucky numbers were 2, 5, 15 and 19. There was no jackpot winner; the Match 3 winners were Mai Cunningham and Sheelagh Connor. All proceeds from the draw go to SWEETS Kilbeggan who kindly provide us with their facilities for monthly meetings.

This week’s jackpot is €12,400. Make sure to buy tickets online or at Centra, Mace and Whelan’s before Tuesday, December 17.

St. Stephen's Day fun run / walk

Club stalwart Dermot Smith’s annual Kilbeggan 6k fun run / walk in support of CHI at Crumlin takes place on St Stephen’s Day.

Starting time is 12 noon, with registration taking place in the Kilbeggan Parish Centre. You can also register online or make a donation by logging onto www.myrunresults.com. Entry costs €10.

Open to all ages, the event is a great way to work off the festive feastings.

Happy Christmas

We wish all our members and supporters a Happy Christmas and Prosperous New Year. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank the local media for carrying our notes every week.