Paddy retires from Secretary duties.
17 December, 2015
After 50 consecutive terms as secretary of Barryroe GAA club, Paddy Murphy has decided to call it a day. Below is his memorable speech delivered on the night of the AGM, 11th December.
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Gentlemen,
I have decided to retire from my duties as secretary of Barryroe GAA, effective tonight, 11th December, 2015. I was originally appointed to the position by Michael Joe Whelton in a meeting that I did not even attend in October1964. I was 16 at the time. It was meant to be temporary cover for the departing Joe O’Sullivan until the official AGM in January 1965. Joe had to leave the parish for work purposes. Fifty one years later, I’m still in the job and I do believe now is the time to hang up my boots.
In my time as Secretary, I have been lucky to work with some fantastic officers. In all, that would have included 9 Chairmen and 7 Treasurers. I would like to thank them all for their massive efforts. The Chairmen being Mike Joe Whelton, Jack Madden, Vincent Sexton for 18 years, Barry O’Flynn, Paul O’Regan, John Colgan, Neil Whelton, Pat Lawton, Sean de Barra for a year in 73 and of course now our existing Chairman. The position of treasurer was filled in that term by Larry O’Regan, Brendan O’Sullivan, Neil Tobin, Vincent O’Donovan, Peter Mccarthy, John-Joe Holland and our existing treasurer, Michael Coleman. On the public relations side, John Sexton was ever present as our PRO, providing updates via the Southern Star and in more recent years, Eoin Mccarthy and Dave Philpott. Countless others have filled roles as President, Vice-Chairmen, Club Patrons and officiated at underage level and I would be here for a long time if I mentioned them all. But thanks to all for their efforts.
Looking back at the highs in my term as secretary, I would of course identify most with the Championship wins. The first 10-12 years saw very little success. All began really with the evolution of our underage structure in the mid 70’s. The hard work by all those involved eventually saw its rewards in 1977 when we won the Minor A Hurling championship against a heavily fancied Bandon side. There on, the club went from strength to strength with that minor team progressing to Junior A ranks. 4 Junior A West Cork titles were won in the 80’s in 81, 82, 86 and 87. Some of that team were still present in the 94 Championship win against neighbours, Timoleague, which continues to be one of my fondest memories in time as secretary. Arthur Tobin, man of the match that day, was training the underage at the time and little did we know that 13 years on, he would coach many of that same crop at adult level to win the club’s first County Junior A championship. This is without doubt the club’s biggest achievement to date. It’s great to see clubmen of Arthur’s caliber get their rewards for years of continued service. On the football side, we won our first B championship in 1977. Goalie that day Densy Whelton, has continued his involvement in the club since then and overseen Junior B football championships wins in 98 and the County B in 2002 and also of course was involved with the County winning team in 2007. Again, another example of someone who persevered through the tough times and eventually saw his reward. To all the fantastic players and mentors on those championship winning teams at adult level and underage and to the many more who never won medals and yet wore the blue jersey with so much pride, you all have given me endless memories and I thank you immensely for that.
Aside from victories on the playing field, I am particularly proud of how the club grounds have developed during my tenure as secretary. From the time we purchased the existing ground in 1973 to our current exceptional playing facilities, it really has been an amazing story. All the funding required has mostly come from our club members and supporters via bazaars, club draws, church gate collections, private donations and of course now the club lotto. From the initial laying of the pitch to the construction and reconstruction of the dressing rooms, building of the ball alley, playground, second pitch, gym, astro-court and top of the range flood-lights, our facilities really are top-class right now and well done to everyone who helped make this happen. I would just like to pay special mention to Timmy O’Brien, Farmlea, Myah Sexton, John O’Brien Barreragh and Michael Santry all now deceased but who all played instrumental parts in the early stages of this grounds development and gave tremendous service to the club. In more recent years, of course, John Fleming, who has contributed so much to the club both financially and via the work carried out by his construction company, I will be eternally grateful.
While I have spoken about the highs in my time, there were also many baron spells where the club won nothing and spirits were down. Everyone wants to be involved with winning teams but its true club-men who stand up and help rebuild fortunes when the going gets tough. I have also seen the sad passing of many great club-men and characters in my time as secretary, many at too young an age. They have left behind them a lasting legacy and I would like to think their stories will be told for many years to come. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anam.
While our parish has many clubs and societies, the Barryroe name is primarily defined by three main bodies, the National School, the Co-Op and the GAA\Camogie club. I worked in the Co-Op for 49 years and the GAA club for 51 years and my family went to Barryroe school. My sense of identity with Barryroe is thus probably more heart-felt than others. You have to remember there is no village called Barryroe, there is no postal address with Barryroe on it and yet we all identify with it, largely due to these 3 bodies. The future of the Barryroe name thus depends on the continued existence of these. The sense of identity in the National school is great to see. Credit is due to all involved in its running and I have no doubt the blue flag will fly out-front for years to come. The future of the Barryroe Co-Op name is a business decision decided by shareholders. Its fate remains to be seen. But the future of Barryroe GAA club is the responsibility of each and everyone here and the future generations. The club will be 125 years in existence in 2017. In that period, a lot of fantastic people have dedicated their time to the club and identified with the blue jersey with the utmost sense of pride. I would like to think on the 250th anniversary, future generations in this area will continue this tradition, identify with Barryroe GAA and be proud to wear the sky blue jersey whilst gracing the fields of play.
Finally, to sum up, I feel extremely honoured and privileged to have fulfilled this role over the last 50 years and have enjoyed every single minute of it. From the bottom of my heart, I wish the club every success in the near and distant future. Up Barryroe!!
Is mise le meas,
Padraig O Murchú