I want to begin by thanking everyone who has given up their time to help Wolfe Tones this year, whether that be as a coach, an administrator, a player or a parent. This club is greater than the sum of its parts, and indeed we are in a stronger position than many other clubs with a more illustrious history and their own facilities.
We have reached that illusive five-year milestone, but it is not time to rest on our laurels, indeed now is the time to push on. Opportunities which we have carefully cultivated over the past five years are beginning to bear fruit, but form just a small part of our overall journey.
The GAA, the LGFA and the Camogie Association remain separate bodies, but that will change in the coming years as we move towards integration. My one wish for 2025 is to see Wolfe Tones become more integrated. We build each other up and we hold each other up. I want to see an end to the days where there are two or three supporters standing on the sidelines for both men and women’s fixtures. I would like to see parents of juvenile players bringing their children to our adult games to provide a tangible link to their futures.
For both our senior football teams, it is not about making excuses for results which did not go our way. It’s about acknowledging the challenges which the teams faced – for the men it was a change in leadership halfway through the season, for the ladies it was the presence of opposition which was clearly well beyond the ability of all teams in the division.
However, I am confident that, going forward, the opportunities outweigh the risks, and with a renewed sense of purpose there is no reason why both teams cannot push on in 2025. Success is not measured for us in trophies and medals, we need to look at a new way to define what our success is, whether that’s fielding in every game, improving on last year, building each other up and holding ourselves to account. The race is long but, in the end, it’s only with ourselves.
The hurlers had an incredible season, putting it up to well established teams in the South Antrim League. Next year will see us commit to further development by entering the Junior B championship, with an eye on the All-County Leagues further down the line.
The Rounders Team too achieved amazing success, reaching an All-Ireland Quarter Final and winning the Ulster Junior Mixed Shield. Rounders provides an excellent pathway for those who still want that competitive edge with the necessity for contact sports.
My highlight of the year was not watching Armagh win their second All-Ireland title in July. It came back in March, watching my daughter line out for the Under 8 girls.
A week after the men’s All-Ireland Final, I was back at Croke Park for the LGFA finals with my daughter. I was able to share with her that all the women who were playing on the pitch that day started their journeys in very much the same way that she had, and if she applied herself she might one day find herself walking out onto that hallowed turf.
That is the opportunity that all the children in our club have. The road to Croke Park starts at 11am on a Sunday morning.
Before finishing, I want to thank my predecessor Stephen McCourt and our former secretary Angela McIvor. It is no exaggeration to say that without them there would not be a Wolfe Tones, we would not have made the five year milestone and we would not be in as strong a position as we currently find ourselves.
And finally, I want to appeal to everyone to get more involved in the club. To our senior players I ask to consider taking on a coaching or mentorship role with our juveniles, for our parents too to make that extra effort to get children to games, and to anyone who has professional or technical skills which can drive the club forwards to make yourselves known.
We are now thought to be at the beginning of a second Gaelic Revival; there is increased visibility of our language, of our games and of our mythology. In 2025, we will seize those opportunities, developing Irish, strengthening our games and learning about our distant past and the people who brought us to where we are today.
Nothing happens in isolation and I am excited for the journey ahead.
More Stories
Ar Scáth a Chéile – Stephen McCourt
Mallusk GAA Pitches
Fógra: Resignation of Club Chairperson Stephen McCourt