Tourmakeady GAA
Tourmakeady GAA Club, which is thirty years in existence this year, has once again completed a busy year of competition in all age groups both in men's and ladies football. Unlucky to be defeated in a number of important games by debatable official decisions. It is totally unfair to our footballers especially at underage to loose out on a doubtful decision. It is difficult enough to organise and run a club, which entitles you to a right game result. Finishing up in the top half of the league table is an improvement and with a little luck could be in a promotion battle. Our managers deserve great credit, day after day having completed a day's work, spending hours of travelling and managing totally voluntary with our footballers of Tourmakeady. These men deserve some recognition for their time. It is also a difficult time for any rural club to survive.
Having a glance at a well prepared balance sheet by outgoing treasurer, Frank Lally medical expenses, £1,300; travel, £1,100; affiliations and insurance, £1,500 plus £2000 for maintenance, upkeep, repairs and other items, it is a lot of money to have on hand before any other matters arise.
The G.A.A. club wish to thank the people of Partry and Tourmakeady for supporting the only income which is "The local Lotto." The join forces with the G.A.A. are the Tourmakeady Swimming Club who are doing excellent work for the youth of the parish. Many people may ask where all the money of the G.A.A. goes. One must remember £5,000 is only a comfortable sum to keep a rural club like Tourmakeady mobile.
We must thank all our sponsors for the year and are delighted with their promises of 1997. The plans of Tourmakeady G.A.A. are to erect a stand for the comfort of their supporters. The entire playing area must be developed and fenced off. Develop the clubhouse with a possibility of a small sport hall. The dream plan may run into a cost of £40,000 or £50,000. A lot of money but would be money well spent. Anyone reading this article having a few pounds, dollars to spare would be most welcome by the Tourmakeady G.A.A. who are delighted to be associated with the Waterfall Magazine for the last ten years.
Here's wishing all G.A.A. folks who read Waterfall'96 a happy season and lots of luck in 1997 on the green fields of Mayo, London, U.S.A. and other parts of the world.
Elected officers for 1997 in Tourmakeady- President - John Callan Chairman - Tommie Heneghan Vice-Chairman - Fr. Padraig Standun Secretary - Brian Gibbons Asst. Secretary-J Ó Se Treasurer - Martin O'Neill Asst. Treasurer - Cathy O'Malley Registrar - Frank Lally