Munster Branch AGM

The Annual General Meeting of the Munster Branch was held on June 2nd at the Midleton RFC complex before a very large attendance.

Before the meeting the President Cyril Fitzgerald asked for a minutes silence in memory of past club members who have passed away.

A long discussion took place on tickets with different views expressed.

The out going President Cyril Fitzgerald in his address thanked everyone including all the sponsors for their help and cooperation over the season. He was disappointed with performances in the Heineken and Amlin Cups and also that the development at Musgrave Park did not start. However the big highlight was the victory over newly crowned Heineken Cup champions Leinster, to win the Magners League trophy. He thanked all the squad members and backroom team for all their efforts during the season.

He proposed Midleton’s Denis Kelleher as the new President of the Munster Branch for season 2011/2012 and this was seconded by his club.

Denis had given great service to Midleton RFC both on and off the field. He played with the club for over 15 seasons as a second row and was also capped by the Munster Juniors. The highlight of his playing career was in 1978 when a last minute drop goal denied Midleton victory in the Munster Junior Cup Final against Thomond, a game they lost 17-15. He won several medals in the eighties and nineties when Midleton dominated the County Cup.

On retiring from playing Denis coached the club to victory in the Munster Junior League, Munster Junior Cup, Munster Junior Clubs Challenge Cup and the O’Neill Cup in season 1996/97, but alas they missed out narrowly on winning promotion to the All Ireland League.

The following season he was again at the helm as Midleton achieved All Ireland League status winning the Munster Junior League, Munster Junior Cup, County Cup and O’Neill Cup.

He than went on to serve as chairman of the club and was the East Cork club’s first Branch representative a position he held for twelve years until his elevation as Junior Vice President in 2009/10.

In accepting the nomination Denis said he was humbled to be the club’s first representative as president of the Branch but he was not the first Midleton man as T.R. West held the position in 1962/63 as a Schools representative and he went on to spell out the long association between Midleton College and the club.

He thanked everyone for their efforts and said he would be available at all times to meet clubs and fight their cause. His one wish was that we would continue to do what we do best and that is playing rugby.

The other elections at the meeting were –
Senior Vice President: Stan Fuller (Munster Association of Referees),
Junior Vice President: John Hartery (Thomond),
Honorary Treasurer: Jim Riordan (Old Crescent),
Honorary Secretary: Frank Byford (Sunday’s Well),

Senior Club Delegates:
Bruff: Ger Malone,
Cashel: Peter Silke, Clonakilty: Jim Downey,
Cork Constitution: Wally Morrissey,
Dolphin: Michael Magner,
Garryowen: Jim Gibson,
Highfield: Mick Carroll,
Midleton: John Levis,
Nenagh Ormond: David Kennedy,,
Old Crescent: Ken Lyons,
Shannon: John Sheerin,
Sunday’s Well: Nicholas Comyn,
Thomond: Christy Healy U.C.C: Denis Keohane,
U.L. Bohemian: Martin O’Sullivan,
Young Munster: Gerard Quaid.

Junior Club Delegates:
North:
Bobby O’Brien (Thurles),
John King (Ennis),

South:
John O’Brien (Ballincollig),
Maurice Walsh (Castleisland).

Munster Schools Delegate:
Damien Philpott (P.B.C.),

MunsterAssociation of Referees Delegate:
Tony Wallace,

Youth Committee Delegate:
Dermot Kelly (St. Senan’s),

Other Committee Members:
Hon Secretary Junior Committee: Paul Griffin,

Hon Secretary North Munster Sub Committee: Christy Ryan,

Hon Secretary South Munster Sub Committee: Owen Dinneen,

Other Business:
Niall O’Driscoll gave details of the update position with regards to Musgrave Park. A temporary stand will be in place for the new season.

Denis Kelleher, President and Frank Byford, Hon. Secretary, Munster Branch IRFU