A Chara,
This has been one of the most unforgettable seasons that any of us can remember, and in so many ways a massive disappointment for everyone involved in playing our games, not only in our club but across the GAA. However, we must bear in mind the much more devastating consequences that the Coronavirus Pandemic has had on those families which resulted in premature death, and for others with life changing health issues. It has also affected many livelihoods in that the economic crisis has resulted in furloughing or job losses, and this is of great concern to us in the community and demands our help and support.
My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who has lost a family member or friend and to those who are presently in poor health.
Our response to the pandemic demanded both an individual and collective responsibility and conformity to an extremely onerous regime. It was amazing to witness how we as a club had responded – those who were passionate about getting on with playing football stepped up within the Club, once again, and leaders emerged. What transpired during this time was an episode of adaptation and compliance, and we can be extremely proud of how our teams and players reacted to the lockdown regulations with a mixture of non-contact training, contact training and finally, for an all too brief period, we managed to play competitive games.
It would be impossible to do justice to our response to COVID-19 without mentioning the actions of our Covid Officers, who maintained the responsibility of co-ordinating our events.
What did we achieve? Despite the negatives of our experiences and curtailment of club activity due to external guidelines, we ought to be mindful of the positives, especially through good governance and compliance, we were able to take advantage of the window of opportunity presented to us to play our games, which was some reward for those who sacrificed so much to become involved.
Prior to the 1st lockdown our senior men’s squad, along with their new management structures, entered into the 2020 Ulster GAA Football Club League, in which they reached the quarter finals stage. Whilst the pause button has been set on the Tyrone ACFL Leagues we can take great pleasure in recalling the run in the 2020 County LCC Group Championship. What a boost this was to the squad, club and community. This was a massive achievement, enjoyed by generations. Unfortunately, whilst prepared, the full squad did not get the opportunity to compete in Championship, due to the continued restrictions in place.
My hope is that there will be a growing bond within the squad ahead of the 2021 season and a commitment to building on what was a positive, memorable year, on the field. I want to thank you all, a great bunch of lads and ambassadors of the Club.
My highlight of the year was my trip to Garvaghy, each Wednesday, to collect the Championship match day tickets, and saying to myself “I hope I’m doing this next week again”.
Anyone that knows me, knows that I have a special affiliation to our Ladies side.
Whilst it was a shorted league, the senior ladies completed both League and Championship in which the highlight for me was beating Ardboe on our home turf.
A huge amount of work and commitment is required both on and off the pitch to sustain ladies football within any club or county. I want to thank everyone involved, from players to management and parents for the role you play in sustaining the code within our club and county.
Congratulations to our Gaelic for Mothers and Others in celebrating their 10th Year. This cohort also requires commitment and dedication, with the benefits evident from both a health perspective, as well as connecting with the community and club activities.
I wish to thank our Youth Committee and Youth team managers for their commitment and the giving of their time for the good of our Youth within the community. This year, more than ever, we need to learn from our experiences and understand what it’s like to be part of Drumragh Sarsfields. We also know we will have to continue operations in these challenging circumstances moving forward into 2021.
Again we had a worthy run in the League with our U14 boys reaching the Grade 2 Final. For me, probably the best game of football I’d seen all year, a credit to the lads and management.
With the start stop season and with Féile 2020 cancelled, some teams were unable to complete their season. Hopefully there will be brighter days ahead. The work at Gaelic Start has been the foundations of our teams and adds overall to our club ethos. A lot of committed parents have taken this group and in turn have welcomed newcomers to the club.
Congratulation to all our members who represented our Club at County, College and Schools levels, may it be in a playing or administrative capacity.
At all levels and disciplines we had our fair share of injuries. I wish a speedy recovery to all and I hope to see you back up and running in 2021.
I wish to acknowledge the contribution and dedication of our 2020 main committee officers and remaining sub-committees, which will be evident within their various reports.
It has been energising to see some new faces to the administration end of the club. They have been a great asset and we hope they, and others, will continue to remain involved in all aspects of Club life.
A word of thanks goes out as well to our volunteers, the Fields Committee and our Young Adults for their continuous upkeep of our grounds. A huge amount of manpower and hours were dedicated, which is evident by the capital work done. We are very grateful and will be reaping the benefits of their hard work for generations to come. What we have as a club at Drumragh is special, it’s a dedication and commitment to a community outside of our own families. This passion cannot be bought, however it’s there and ever present, and it makes me so proud to be part of the Drumragh Sarsfields Family.
I would like to thank our sponsors and funders that have supported us throughout this difficult year, as well as those who have subscribed to Club Drumragh and have partaken in our lotto and fundraisers. Without their external support, we would not have been able to provide the standards and facilities that we at Drumragh pride ourselves on.
In May 2020, the club raised more than £12,000 for Trocaire with the Solo Re-Run. This gave everyone something to focus on during the beginning of the lockdown, and raised awareness within the community for both our own ability to work in unprecedented times and in our compassion and willingness to help those less fortunate. I’d like to thank and congratulate all who took part and the organisers of the event.
We have a large membership of youth and young families within the club, which gives great hope for the future.
My thoughts and best wishes are with all our family and friends who are overseas presently, a warm welcome awaits you at Drumragh on your return.
I have administered both inward and outward transfer requests within the year and wish our Gaels success as they continue to be involved in the association.
We at Drumragh would also like to extend our best wishes to those who eventually were able to have their special Wedding day.
Congratulations to those families who have had new babies in 2020.
Best wishes also to Mary Campbell, our Ladies President, who turned 90 this year! Happy Birthday Mary!
It has been a privilege for me to be in post as Club Secretary for 2020.
My father, Johnny Campbell, played for Tattysallagh back in the early 1950’s, winning the Trillick tournament. My girls, Ellen, Clare and Orlagh, have played from a young age and have won many trophies over the years. The archive of pictures at the club and match reports galvanises my bond to Drumragh. The GAA is in my blood, like so many of us within the Club.
Finally, I want to thank you for your continued hard work during this exceptional period as we look forward with renewed hope for 2021. We will continue to focus as a club for the community and what we need to do to support each other to ensure we can get through the many challenges ahead. Take care and keep safe.
Go raibh maith agat!
Jacqueline McSorley
Rúnaí
