Martin Byrne appointed new Chairperson of Leinster GAA

Huge congratulations to Arles-Killeen and Laois’ Martin Byrne on his appointment as the new Chairperson of Leinster GAA.

This is a fantastic achievement for Martin and a hugely proud moment for both his club and county. His dedication, leadership and commitment to the GAA over the years has been clear to see, and this is a well-deserved honour.

Photo credit: Leinster GAA & sports file.

Incoming Leinster Cathaoirleach Martin Byrne inauguration address to Convention.

A Iar Chathaoirligh, agus a chairde , Lá brodúil atá ann inniu do mo Chlann, mo chlub, Ard Lios–Cillín, agus do mo chontae Laoise.

It is a great honour and privilege for me to be the 37^th Chairperson of Leinster GAA.

In doing so I become the fourth person from Laois to hold this role following in the footsteps of three great Gaels

Bob O’Keeffe (even if Nicky might dispute this one)

John Conry

Liam O’Neill

I can only hope to represent Comhairle Laigheann with the same distinction as they did.

I would like to thank all the counties of the province for putting their faith and trust in me and I promise you that everyone will be treated with openness, honesty and as equals over the next three years.

This is a particularly proud day for my family, my club Arles Killeen and my county.

On a personal level, I could not do what I am doing today without the support and sacrifices of my wife Sandra and my children Oisin, Saoirse, Ennae and Siun.

It is also great to have my parents Brendan and Kathleen and my brother Henry here tonight.

My introduction to Gaelic Games came through my parents, my brother and I spend our weekends in the GAA pitches of Laois where my father would be either playing, refereeing or supporting.

One such day I remember, I made my first communion on 23^rd May 1976. When most people were going off to dinner or to the zoo, all I wanted was to go the Leinster Senior Football championship that afternoon Laois v Carlow, which we duly did as a family.

To my club, Arles Killeen GAA, the foundation of my involvement with The GAA – thank you for the opportunities, support, encouragement and the grounding you all have given me. Everything I have learned about the Association began at club level and it is an honour to represent a club with such pride, tradition and community spirit.

Like many clubs up and down the country we face our challenges. Dwindling numbers, overworked volunteers and fundraising to name a few, but I continue to be encouraged by how everyone in the club rallies to meet and overcome the challenges. Our clubs should never be just measured by trophies! for what they give to their members, players and community can not be measured. In our club we have a long forum at the dressing room wall where young and old sit while teams train, here all the problems of the GAA and others are regularly solved.

I started my administrative journey with the club, where I served in many roles. I was lucky to have great support from many club members Mick O Sullivan, Tom McDonald, John Keightley, Kathleen McDonald and the late Danny Brennan to name but a few. Danny in fact, was the man who encouraged me to put my name forward for the county board. We had some good evenings together travelling to and from meetings.  The problem was when you went to a meeting with Danny, we rarely got home the same day.

I first served as Assistant treasurer, before moving on to treasurer for a number of years, which in turn led to me serving on National finance and Provincial Management and latterly as Central Council Delegate.  In my time as treasurer in Laois, we worked as an executive to turn around our finances and develop our training centre in Portlaoise. Gerry Kavanagh in particular worked tirelessly to ensure that Laois had extensive facilities for years to come.  I would like to sincerely thank my many colleagues on Laois County Board both past and present. It has been an enormous privilege to work alongside such dedicated volunteers who give so generously of their time for the betterment of our games.  To the county chairmen I worked with Dick Miller, Brian Allen, Gerry Kavanagh, Peter O Neill and PJ Kelly, I thank you for your support and I know the many lessons I learned from each one of you will stand me in good stead as I take on this role.

To our county secretary, Niall Handy and  former Treasurer, Paschal Mc Evoy, I thank you both for your diligence, commitment and sheer determination in ensuring that we carried out our roles and duties professionally and ethically. Standards were and are always maintained and competence and efficiency were always to the fore.

Your guidance, friendship and commitment to Laois GAA have played a significant role in my journey and I am grateful for your support.

As I move forward in my role as Leinster chairman for the next three years, the following areas will be of significant interest to me.

COACHING & GAMES

For me Coaching and Games Development is about developing people and supporting the volunteers to provide a positive experience of the GAA for all they engage with. To achieve this there are a number of areas I would like to focus on over the next three years.

One size does not fit all, so continuing to work with and support counties to review their Coaching and Games practices is key. I want to ensure each county have the optimum staffing structure for their own individual needs that will address their priority areas.

As a society, we have gotten used to having everything more convenient and easily accessible to us. We need to acknowledge this by having an appropriate workforce and volunteer base that can support clubs and their coaches by providing formal and informal Coach Education opportunities out in their own clubs. Developing clubs and coaches in turn helps to develop better players.

All players should be provided with an appropriate games programme that provides playing opportunities throughout the year to help their development. To achieve this there needs to be a balanced Talent Academy and Club Games Programme which enables both to coexist and gives all players the opportunity to develop at different levels throughout their teenage years within the GAA.

VOLUNTEERS

Another priority is that of the volunteer. The spirit of volunteerism that lies at the very heart of the GAA. Without the people who mark pitches, coach teams, wash jerseys, balance books and organise our clubs, our Association simply could not function. I firmly believe that if we are to secure the future of the GAA, we must provide realistic and meaningful supports for those volunteers. Bodies such as ourselves in Leinster have a duty to help, not to hinder, and I hope that during my term we can offer practical assistance rather than adding work that only increases the pressures on people who already give so much of their time and energy. The sign of the pressures and workload being placed on volunteers is that number of counties including my own could no fill all their positions at the last convention.

REFEREES

As the saying goes without referees we can’t have games. If we are being honest we are now getting to a crisis point with our referee numbers. To that effect the referee academy set up this year is very important. It is something that we must build on and expand. Over the next three years I hope we can provide further legitimate supports for both new and existing referees and work closely with our counties on recruitment and retention. If we do not address this issue collectively and proactively, our games at all levels will suffer, but I believe that with cooperation and commitment we can make real progress.

ATTENDANCES AT GAMES

One of the key areas I hope to focus on during my term is attendance at our games and in particular what we can do for the younger generation of match goer. I firmly believe that any child who wishes to attend a Leinster fixture should be given every opportunity to do so. The excitement of championship days, the colour, the noise and the sense of belonging that our games bring are experiences that stay with young people for life. It is where my love for the GAA developed. I want to work closely with our counties, and our clubs to remove barriers, to make our fixtures accessible and affordable, and to ensure that Leinster GAA remains a place where the next generation can see their heroes, dream their dreams and feel part of something bigger than themselves.

STRATEGIC PLAN

Today we also launch our new Strategic Plan. A tremendous amount of hard work has gone into this, involving consultation, analysis and honest conversations about where Leinster sits within the wider GAA landscape. This plan will help us chart our direction, future-proof the province and ensure that we continue to support our counties and clubs in the best possible way. It is not simply a document for a shelf, but a roadmap built on our values and designed to strengthen Leinster GAA for the years ahead.

INTEGRATION

Integration will also be a significant project in the years ahead. We like all in the association are committed to seeing this process through. To working with the steering committee, with our counties and clubs here in Leinster, to implement whatever structures are ultimately agreed. There is no doubt that this will require time, consultation and a realistic understanding of what can be achieved on the ground. While views differ on pace and approach, it important that we proceed thoughtfully and in a manner that genuinely supports our games and all our members.

DEMOGRAPHICS

We are all aware of the ongoing demographic shifts within the GAA. As Benny Hurl, outlined so clearly earlier this evening, now is not the time for talk alone but for action. We must consider what these changes mean for our clubs, our counties and our competitions, and how best to plan for the future. If we face into this challenge together, I am confident we can adapt, innovate and ensure that Gaelic Games continue to thrive in every corner of our province.

TWINNING PARTNERS

I would also like to acknowledge our Twinning Partners – Middle East GAA, Australasia GAA and Gaelic Games Europe, whose chairperson Rory Conway is here with us today. The work you do in growing our games overseas and providing a home and a refuge for so many of our people who now live abroad is truly remarkable. Your efforts keep the GAA spirit alive far beyond our shores and for that we are deeply grateful. I hope that over the coming years we can build on the strong relationships that have been developed and continue to support one another in promoting our games across the world.

Sincere thanks to my fellow officers for the past three years.

Chairperson Derek Kent, Treasur Eddie Byrne and PRO Brendan Minnock. They have all shown great commitment to the province during their tenure in office.

To Brendan I would like to thank you and wish you the very best as you leave us, you are an example to all of us in how to deal with issues and decisions with dignity, openness and integrity. I will certainly be calling on you in the future for your guidance and assistance.

Derek, I would like to sincerely thank you for the experience I have gained working with you these last three years. What I may have lacked in  experience you certainly gave me over the last three years. Your style is frank and direct but always fair and measured, your commitment was never less than 100% to Leinster and its 12 counties. On both a personal level and behalf of everyone here wish you the very best of luck in your bid to become the next President of the Association.

Eddie, I congratulate you on your election as Vice Chairperson, your experienced as treasurer for the past three years and your wealth of experience and knowledge gained  previously at county level will stand you in good stead in this new roll. I look forward to working with you once again

Likewise I wish to congratulate Dermot Howlin (Wexford) on his election as treasurer, a person with a very good handle on all things GAA and many years of experience

I also wish to congratulate Bob Doheny (Louth) On becoming the new PRO, this is a roll you more than qualified for and I know you will relish.

To the staff of Aras Laighean under the guidance and leadership of CEO Michael Reynolds thanks for all the wonderful work you do on behalf of our province and each of our counties. I thoroughly enjoyed my last three years working with you and look forward to the next three years.

To the management and staff of the Killeshin Hotel, a heartfelt thank you for hosting todays event.

Tonight as I take up my position I am aware I represent all 12 counties of the province. All with different objectives, targets and issues I hope to work with each and every one of you in achieving your objectives and targets and dealing with your problems. I can assure you that I will give everything to this role as I try to repay your faith and confidence in me.

Faoi Dheireadh, leanamis go léir ag obair an son Laighean. Go raibh míle maith agaibh.