Newsletter Issue1

                                                                                                                       November 2016

Dear Club Supporter,                       

These are exciting times for our Club. The development of our facilities at Dromakee is now well under way. O’Neills Crotta has enjoyed a very successful hurling year. The underage teams won various blitz competitions. Féile na nGael qualification was also achieved at Under 14 leading to a great weekend of hurling and fun in Tipperary in June 2016.The highlight of the year came in September 2016 when our minors won the County Championship for the first time in the Club’s history. Going forward, we will continue to inform you about the Club to ensure that all our supporters are aware of what is happening within the Club. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support of O’Neills Crotta. Within this newsletter, please see some of the initial work being undertaken to improve our Club.

New Structures within the Club

Over the last few months, we have looked to see how as a Club we can improve, move forward, and ensure that the Club is managed successfully at all levels, both on and off the pitch. The following committees have been formed with a view to creating and implementing a 5 year strategic plan for the Club.

  •   Field Development Committee
    • This committee has been formed to provide 1st class playing facilities for our players.
  •   Finance Committee
    • This committee has been formed to manage the Club’s finances with responsibility for   general financial oversight, funding and fundraising, financial planning and budgeting as well as book-keeping and financial reporting.
  •   Communication Committee
    •  This committee has been formed to promote the Club within the community. This committee has also been tasked with a number of key initiatives that will improve the communication between the Club and its members, supporters and local community.

Club and Field Development

Phase 1 of our development plan has recently been completed. It consisted of the following:

  •      Increasing the playing area size of the main pitch to a championship standard 145m x 90m.
  •      Installation of an intensive drainage system followed by laser levelling and the application of 3 inches of sand as a top layer which was then re-seeded on the main pitch.
  •      2 additional training areas were developed at the site to prevent over use of the main pitch.
  •      Spectator bank relocated to boundary fence and back drain piped and covered over.
  •      Installation of ducting in the new pitch for the provision of future flood lighting.

All work has been carried out by Allman’s contractors and overseen by Micheal O’Shea (Turf Consultant).

Phase 2 of our development plan will follow in 2017.This phase is currently being finalised. Thus,an update will follow soon. It is envisaged that the main focus will be the development of the ball wall.

Upcoming Events

  •   Monthly Club meetings – these typically occur the 1st Tuesday of every month at 8pm in the Club house at Dromakee.
  •   AGM – Scheduled for Sunday 4th December 2016. More details to follow in local media.
  •   Lotto – Mid November 2016 will see the commencement of an initiative to actively sell Lotto tickets door to door within the local community.