Secretary's Report Wild Geese GAA 2025
AGM Thursday 27th November 2025

A chairde,

I once again find myself, for the second year in a row, delivering this report for our amazing

club after yet another unbelievable year for the Wild Geese.

It gives me great pleasure to present the Secretary’s Report for 2025 on behalf of the Wild

Geese GAA Club. This year will go down as one of the most significant and memorable in our

club’s proud history — a year of incredible progress both on and off the field, underpinned

by the passion and commitment of our members, volunteers, and wider community.

In May, we hosted what has now become our annual John Fox and Miriam Tormey Cup, an

event that continues to forge connections with local schools and promote the growth of

hurling and camogie within our community. This year we were delighted to welcome three

local schools to take part, with Kilcoskan National School emerging as the overall winners.

The day was a wonderful celebration of teamwork, sportsmanship, and fun, showcasing the

skills and enthusiasm of all the young players involved. Our links with local schools are a

vital part of the future of our club, and we are committed to building and developing these

relationships even further in the years ahead. We are very grateful to the teachers and

school staff who continue to give their time and support to this brilliant annual event, which

helps nurture the next generation of Wild Geese players.

Flavours of Fingal – Community Engagement and Promotion

This year we also took part in Flavours of Fingal, which proved to be a fantastic opportunity for

the club to promote who we are and what we do to a wider audience. It gave us a platform to

proudly display the growth and development of the Wild Geese, and to highlight the progress

made across all teams and age groups in recent years, as well as fundraising over the 2 days.

The interest and positive feedback we received throughout the weekend was extremely

encouraging and a clear reflection of our growing presence within the wider Fingal area.

We would like to extend a sincere thank you to every single volunteer who gave up their time to

help across the weekend. Without their energy and commitment, our involvement would not

have been possible.

August once again brought one of the highlights of our club calendar — our annual Cúl

Camp. It was a fantastic week of hurling and camogie, packed with fun, energy, and learning

for all our younger players. The camp provided a great opportunity to develop fundamental

skills and make friends.

September was an unforgettable month for our club, beginning with the official launch of

Aidan Lenihan’s new book,

“Grit & Glory”, at Corrstown Golf Club. This event, which featured Jarlath Burns, President of the GAA, as guest speaker, was a wonderful celebration of our club and its story. Grit & Glory is Aidan’s personal take on the past ten years and more within our club and the wider GAA community — a heartfelt reflection on the people,

moments, and spirit that defines Gaa clubs.

The launch was a great success, attended by club members, local supporters, and special

guests. It perfectly set the tone for what would become one of the busiest and most memorable weeks in our club’s history.

Just two days later, we held the official opening of our newly developed home pitch. This

state-of-the-art sand-based facility represents years of hard work, and commitment from

many volunteers and will serve our players and community for generations to come.

The opening was marked with a Family Day that brought together players, families, and

supporters from across the community. It was a day filled with games, treats, and entertainment — something for everyone to enjoy. We would like to express our sincerethanks to all the generous vendors, volunteers, and organizers who gave their time to make this day such a success. The atmosphere was electric, filled with excitement, pride, and hope for the future of our ever-growing club.

In September we also added a new 4m x 2m scoreboard, which perfectly complements our

upgraded facilities and elevates the experience for players and supporters alike.

Amidst the celebrations, we took time to remember our beloved clubmate Ciaran Smith. In

one of the most poignant moments of the day, the ceremony concluded with a Rescue 116

helicopter flyover. It was a powerful reminder of the unity, compassion, and strength that

defines the Wild Geese community.

Looking ahead, we are preparing to finalise our new floodlights and install solar panels in

the new year, reflecting our commitment to sustainability and long-term development.

Our second major highlight was our “Jungle” fundraiser, held at the Pillo Hotel in Ashbourne on

the 24th of October — and what an event it was! It became the biggest single fundraiser in the

club’s history, raising close to €100,000 — a truly phenomenal achievement. Twenty-four brave

contestants took part in live challenges on the night, and the energy, entertainment, and

community spirit were second to none. The scale of this event was enormous, and it would not

have been possible without the tireless efforts of our organising committee, volunteers, and the

support of local businesses and sponsors, both near and far. To each one of you who contributed

— contestants, helpers, sponsors, and supporters — thank you. The success of The Jungle demonstrates the unity, creativity, and commitment that define the Wild Geese.

We would also like to extend our deepest thanks to Glenn Tormey of Oldtown House & Miriam’s

Coffee for his unwavering support for the club. He was our main corporate sponsor for our

Jungle event; not only this, but his continued support through the years has been one of the

biggest helps to the club, and we are forever grateful for his ongoing belief in and support for the Wild Geese.

This year we launched a new club gear supplier in MFC and we have had a superb response to it.

Their professionalism in doing business, great service and support have been brilliant, and we

look forward to our continued partnership with them. We used some familiar faces to launch our

new club gear and we would like to thank Maria, Lorcan, Gavin & Mia for their modelling skills

and help — they represented the club brilliantly.

Our Juvenile Section – A Growing Future

One of the most encouraging developments this year has been the phenomenal growth of

our juvenile section, which has nearly tripled in numbers. This is a testament to the strength

of our club, and above all, the dedication of our mentors and coaches who give their time so

generously. Week in and week out, these volunteers teach and guide our young players —

helping them develop their skills and their confidence, build teamwork, and love for the

game. Any volunteer will tell you that this takes a special kind of person — someone with

deep commitment, patience, and passion for our sport. We cannot thank our mentors

enough for the incredible work they do.

Our Academy continues to be the heart and foundation of our club. Every Wednesday evening,

our youngest players take their first steps in hurling and camogie. This first step is a vital

foundation in building our future pipeline of players.

This year marks an important transition, as Manuel has stepped away from his role leading the Academy due to work commitments. We thank him for his dedication and countless hours in

recent years. Manuel played a major part in developing our youngest age groups and helping so many children take their very first swing of a hurley. This is a key role and as we move into the

year ahead, we are seeking volunteers to help coach and support the Academy. Anyone with an

interest in helping our youngest players learn and enjoy the game will be warmly welcomed.

Our U8s continue to go from strength to strength, with fantastic attendance at training and great

performances throughout the year. The players consistently show excellent skills, teamwork, and

enthusiasm — often matching or surpassing the level of opposition they face. It has also been

brilliant to see children joining us from across the wider community, reflecting the growing

interest in hurling and camogie within the club.

A major highlight this year was the introduction of an U8/9 camogie group. They have already

played several games. It's fantastic that we are now building camogie teams at such a young age.

Looking ahead to 2026, we are planning for more structure to support the development of every

player.

Our U11 hurlers have shown great progress this year, with noticeable improvement from every

player throughout the season. They competed in the two-team All-Dublin group, taking on

strong opposition both northside and southside. Both squads performed brilliantly. In addition to

our regular fixtures, we took part in several friendlies and a well-contested tournament in Louth,where the team represented the club excellently. We proudly hosted our own U11 blitz, which was a fantastic success with our players winning all their matches on the day.

We are very proud of this squad of 28 enthusiastic players as they move into U12s and competitive competition next year.

Our U12 Camogie team, now in its second year, had an exceptional season. This talented group of players has shown huge progression and maturity, displayed teamwork, and have a wonderful attitude both on and off the pitch. Their performances this year were outstanding, with several strong wins and consistent improvement throughout the season.

A real highlight came in June when three of our U12 girls — Saoirse Baier, Evie Kettle, and

Ruby Mitchell — were selected to represent Dublin in the Cumann na mBunscol competition. The girls represented themselves, their schools, and our club with great distinction, with Dublin coming out on top on the day. A special mention to Saoirse, who had the honour of serving as vice-captain. The entire club is incredibly proud of their achievement, and we look forward to following this group’s progress as they move into U13

competitive play next year.

Our U14 Camogie team also enjoyed a great season, showing the same passion and commitment that continues to define our younger teams. This group had a strong start to the year, finishing mid-table in Division 5 before competing in Division 6 for the championship. They won all their group games and made it to the championship final for the second year in a row — a remarkable accomplishment and a testament to their hard work. While they narrowly missed out on victory in the final, the team has continued to improve in all aspects of their game, particularly in

fitness, striking, and overall skill level. Their dedication and team spirit make them credit to the club, and we look forward to seeing what the future holds for them as they move up to U15.

We would also like to take this opportunity to wish Clodagh Kennedy and Alannah Ryan the very

best of luck in the year ahead as they represent the club on the U14 Camogie Development Hub.

The entire club is incredibly proud of both girls, and we are excited to see what the future holds

for them.

Our U15 hurlers have enjoyed another very successful year, competing strongly and improving

with every game. Their commitment to training and willingness to push each other on has been

evident throughout the season. A major highlight was reaching the Féile semi-final, where theynarrowly missed out on a place in the final after a hard-fought battle. Moments like this show

exactly how far this group has come — and how much potential still lies ahead.

This is a talented and dedicated group of young men, and the future is very bright for them as

they continue their journey towards U16 and beyond.

This year marked the welcome return of a minor team to the club for the first time in almost a

decade. The squad brought together players who began at academy level, others who joined

along the way, and four new signings this season — three returning to hurling after several years

away. The group features a mix of 16- and 17-year-olds and is bolstered at times by talented U15

players.

The league campaign opened with a convincing win over Clontarf and closed in similar fashion

with a strong performance against Erin go Bragh on our newly opened pitch. In between, the

team delivered a series of impressive displays against predominantly second-year minor sides.

The momentum continued into the championship. Consistent, improving performances secured

a Shield quarter-final place against Kevin Killian’s, where the players produced an excellent win.

A notable semi-final victory over St Jude’s followed, and at the time of writing, preparations are

well underway for the Shield Final.

Overall, it has been a hugely positive season. All but three players remain eligible for minors in

2026, while eight will also move into adult hurling next year — a significant boost to the club’s

second team panel.

The Men’s first team again had another great year. Following their success in the Junior C

Championship last year, they made it to the quarterfinals this year in the Junior B

Championship, where they were narrowly defeated by St. Pat’s of Palmerstown.

The team worked exceptionally hard right throughout the year and their efforts proved well

founded when, on the 25th of July, they beat Naomh Barróg to win the AHL 6 League and

gain promotion to Division 5 — the highest the men’s team has ever achieved. Massive

congratulations to this team and we look forward to next year.

Mens 2nd Team.

The Men’s 2nd team enjoyed a strong and encouraging season. A hard-fought win in tough

conditions away to Castleknock set the standard from the very start. They picked up several good

results, were competitive in the games they lost and finished mid-table in the league. They also

had a positive championship campaign, narrowly missing out on a quarter-final place.

A real highlight of the year was being the showcase team for the reopening of the home pitch and becoming the first team to win on the officially opened pitch. With new players expected to join next season, the future looks bright — and they are always happy to welcome more players,

including any parents who might like to line out alongside their sons!

2025 was another hugely successful year for our Adult Camogie team. Following their promotion

last season as Junior 6 County Champions, they competed strongly in the Junior 5 League,

finishing mid-table with three wins from six fixtures.

Their Junior 5 Championship campaign included a clean sweep in their round-robin group,

winning all their matches, and went on to beat Naomh Bríd in the Junior 5 Championship Final

on 19th October. Back-to-back county titles within seven years of the team’s establishment is a

phenomenal achievement and a testament to the commitment and progress within this team.

The squad remained strong throughout the season with 26 registered players and 22 active

players involved in the Championship campaign. We were delighted to welcome six new players

to the panel this year, two of whom competed in the Championship — a great sign of continued

growth. As our juvenile camogie players progress through the age groups, the future for Adult

Camogie in the Wild Geese looks very bright.

We would like to extend a very special word of thanks to Laurence Ward for his continued

support & long-term agreement for the use of his field in Fieldstown as the Wild Geese’s

second pitch. With our growing membership, this additional facility has become essential to

the running of our club. His generosity and commitment to the Wild Geese reflect the strong

community spirit that underpins everything we do.

Main Pitch Sponsorship – Sam Dennigan & Co.

We would like to express our sincere thanks to Sam Dennigan & Co. for coming on board as

the main sponsor of our Village Pitch for the next three years. Having such a

well-established and proud local multinational company partner with the Wild Geese is a

testament to the progress we are making as a club.

We are extremely grateful to Joe Dennigan and everyone at Sam Dennigan & Co. for their

belief in and commitment to our club. Their support will play a vital role in the continued

development of our facilities and in ensuring that future generations of hurlers and camogie

players can enjoy the best possible environment to train, play, and thrive.

Beyond the major events, 2025 has been another year defined by teamwork, resilience, and

community. Every player, mentor, committee member, and supporter plays their part in

keeping the Wild Geese flying high.

I would like to extend heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to another remarkable

year — our Chairperson, Executive Committee, and Subcommittees for their leadership and

dedication; our coaches, selectors, and players for their commitment both on and off the

field; the countless volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes.

To our sponsors and local businesses whose continued support drives everything we do

from our record number of Pitch-side signage sponsors,26 and counting, to the

unprecedented amount of advertising sponsors for our Jungle event -in excess of 70

different businesses, in particular to Glenn Tormey-Oldtown House & Miriam's Coffee as our

main jungle sponsor, Stacks Pharmacy & Ballyboughal Pharmacy as our jungle premium

sponsors.

We would also like to thank the Progressive Credit Union for the generous donation to the

club and acknowledge their ongoing support.

We would like to thank Aine in Superior freight for her unwavering support of our Juvenile

camogie teams and her sponsorship of new gear for both u12 & u14 teams this year.

Most importantly, our members and supporters — your passion and loyalty are what makes

the Wild Geese so special.

We are a voluntary organisation and we cannot continue to grow without your help. If you have

a skill or can spare some time, we are always looking for more people to get involved. Whether itis coaching, administration, helping with events or simply lending a hand on match days, every

bit of support makes a huge difference to the running and development of our club.

As we look forward to 2026, we do so with great optimism. With 1st-class facilities, a

thriving underage structure, strong community engagement, and ambitious plans for

sustainability, the future of Wild Geese GAA Club has never looked brighter. Our goal

remains simple — to continue developing our players, supporting our volunteers, and

strengthening the bonds that make our club the heart of the community.

Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir,

Sarah Mc Garvey

Club Secretary

Wild Geese GAA Club

November 2025