Ulster Club Conference

[Seany]

Just got back.  Great day.  Excellent presentations and three ministers in tow.  All kept well together by Jarlath burns, MC who got a great dig at Edwin Poots about last weeks decision on the Irish Language, saying that given Ulster GAAs spport of him during the summer ont he stadium issue, it was 1-0 and he owed us one and there was still time to change his mind on the Act.  he also suggested a couple of words of Irish he could put into his speeches, Tiocfaidh Ar La.  All ingood humour, but well put.  A great day.  Well don Ulster Council.

[Denn Forever]

Just saw on the news that Minister Poots was there.  Brilliant.  It seems he got a good reception.  And understtod the irony  of him being there.  Great.

[Frank Casey]

Poots at a GAA conference. Paisley has no problem if the pope wants to visit.

These times they are a changing.

[sabhallphadraig]

Just got back.  Great day.  Excellent presentations and three ministers in tow.  All kept well together by Jarlath burns, MC who got a great dig at Edwin Poots about last weeks decision on the Irish Language, saying that given Ulster GAAs spport of him during the summer ont he stadium issue, it was 1-0 and he owed us one and there was still time to change his mind on the Act.  he also suggested a couple of words of Irish he could put into his speeches, Tiocfaidh Ar La.  All ingood humour, but well put.  A great day.  Well don Ulster Council.

Yes - agree totally - a great day well organised and certainly a lot of takeaways for the clubs. The participation of the 3 ministers and the fact that it all took part in the Stormont Hotel really shows how far we've all come on.

Seany, or anyone else there, do you know what the attendance? One of the speakers said 300, another 400.  I'd be interested to know the attendance county by county and clubs represented within that.I could be wrong but I fear that attendance from my own county (An Dun) could've been a lot better - maybe a sign of things that need attention at grass roots - I'd love to be proved wrong on that of course but anyway my club have a lot of things to build on from today.

[Norf Tyrone]

Our 2 reps at it said it was very good.
Plenty to be learnt.

[Seany]

Not sure how many, but the hall was set out for around 400 and certainly at the start there were very few empty chairs.  it read like a who's who of the GAA.  I'd say Christy Cooney and Nicky brennan are going home with a fair view of how far ahead of the rest of the provinces Ulster is.  A boy John O Neill from Donaghmore spoke very well, but I'd have to say all the speakers were brill.  Short, sharp, snappy, no one more than 15 mins.  And very well organised.  And some great moments of humour.

[orangeman]

What did ONeill from Donaghmore say ?

[Orior]

Just saw on the news that Minister Poots was there.  Brilliant.  It seems he got a good reception.  And understtod the irony  of him being there.  Great.

I'm very dubious about his being there. He's no friend of gaelic culture or sport.

[Rossfan]

a fair view of how far ahead of the rest of the provinces Ulster is. 

In what way exactly Please elaborate.

[Seany]

I'd reckon for ability to plan, the amount of dynamic staff, the projects it's involved in, the way it has linked up with statutory health bodies, govt. departments in pursuit of a healthy living promotion of lifestyle.  I know this may be a bit removed from the games, but this conference wasn't about that.  it was about showing clubs how to do their business better, how to get grqnts, how to put their best foot forward.  And then there's Club maithl, which is a sort of charter mark award from the Sports Council which puts you at the forefront for grant aid.  You have to show evidence of forward planning, strategic management etc.  There's no way the other provinces could be up to speed as well as that.

[Rossfan]

  There's no way the other provinces could be up to speed as well as that.

So it's just your opinion then - not a nailed on fact that will have Nicky Brennan gasping in amazement.