There were a number of changes to the Executive Committee following our Annual General Meeting held last Thursday Night in the Community Centre. A good turnout witnessed a number of new faces take up positions which was very welcome as we always need fresh voices and opinions. Starting at the top Emmett O’Brien takes over as Chairperson from Damien O’Brien with Geraldine McMahon assuming the role of Vice Chairperson from Tom O’Connell. Brian Barry, grandson of the legendary John Barry who hurled with Limerick in the 1950’s, is our assistant secretary while Pat McGarrigle, who set up and runs the club website, is the new PRO.

In her report the Treasurer gave details of all the income and expenditure from the past year with much money being spent on pitch drainage and development, team expenses and also on insurance. Our greatest sources of income were the club lotto, which was won twice this year, and the Limerick GAA Development Draw, where we also had a nice few winners. Trish thanked all our sponsors and supporters who helped out throughout the year and encouraged more people to get involved in promoting the club lotto.

The secretary gave a detailed account of the season just gone for all teams from U8’s to juniors. There was encouraging results for the junior hurlers who entered the Junior A C’Ship for the first time only missing out on a semi final spot by virtue of scoring difference. The Bord Na nÓg came in for praise as they entered a new era with the Lifting the Treaty taking over from the old Divisional set up. All our teams did well with both U12 hurlers and footballers getting to play in the Gaelic Grounds. The Family Fun Day/LÁ Na gClub was a great success with all players, members and supporters getting involved. Once again Killulta Gaels provided the greatest success on the field getting to four county finals and winning one. Our U16 footballers won the County Shield while the Minor Hurlers were unlucky to lose both the City/East C’Ship Final and County ‘A’ Final. Both the U21 hurlersand footballers claimed city titles this year but unfortunately lost out having made it to their respective county finals. Ger thanked all the management teams, players and supporters for their great work throughout the year and looked forward to more success next year.

On the Bord Na nÓg front Tom O’Connell thanked all the coaches, parents and players for the commitment shown and gave details of all the teams’ progress and also thanked all from Kilcornan for their help and support. It had been a longseason for the Bord Na nÓg with the increased games from Lifting The Treaty and he welcomed the changes as we got to play different teams at a higher level. The Bord Na nÓg undertook a number of events during the year including a trip to Croke Park for the All Ireland Hurling Semi Final, a sponsored cycle to Beagh Castle, Parish Hurling Leagues, Summer Hurling & Football Camp and Lá Na gClub.

In his final address as chairman Damien O’Brien gave thanks to former Chairmen Pat O’Connell & DJ Daly for their help and support over the previous three years and stated that the setting up of Killulta Gaels along with the continued developments on and off the field were what pleased him most. He thanked all those that had helped in anyway from players & mentorsto committee members and supporters. Damien will continue to be involved with the club as a committee member and selector for the Junior Hurling team and his experience and enthusiasm will be called on again no doubt.

Guest speaker on the night was Noel Hartigan, Games Development Manager with Limerick GAA. Noel spoke on the season gone by in relation to the new underage structures and gave details of changes to be made next year including increasing the number of blitzes for U8’s & U10’s and improving the way referees were appointed for games. Noel informed the meeting that emphasis needed to be placed on the School Liaison Program with coaching in schools to be more closely linked to the local club. To this end it was announced that Vinnie Fitzgerald would be take up the role of schools coach giving three hours of coaching a week to the school children. There would also be more visits from the full time coaches based in the county to our club sessions to assess and improve our coaches.

Incoming Chairman Emmett O’Brien praised both Damien and the outgoing Vice Chairman Tom O’Connell for their hard work and effort and hoped that the success of Killulta Gaels would continue during his tenure. He praised the great work being done at underage level and looked forward to the coming season with hope and expectation of more success. Off the field he thanked all those who kept the club going particularly those who continue to promote and support the club lotto and development draw.

The following officers were elected to serve the club for 2010:
President: John Barry.
Vice Presidents: Tommy Clarke, Pat O’Connell, Davy Gleeson.
Chairperson: Emmett O’Brien.
Vice Chairperson: Geraldine McMahon.
Secretary: Ger O’Dowd.
Ass Secretary: Brian Barry.
Treasurer: Trish O’Dowd.
Ass Treasurer: Geraldine McMahon.
Draw Coordinator: Geraldine McMahon.
PRO: Pat McGarrigle.
Players’ Representative: Adrian Guerin.
Alcohol & Substance Abuse Prevention Officer (ASAP): Paul Nunan.
Youth Officer: Tom O’Connell.