Delanys GAA club look to the future as they celebrate 75 years
Ron Lehane and Gerard Maher from Delanys at the Active Community Awards sponsored by Cork Sports Partnership. Picture: Brian Lougheed
THIS is a special year for Delanys as they get ready to celebrate their 75th anniversary with various projects planned by the northside club.
The Dublin Hill club was named after Jeremiah and Cornelius Delaney, who were killed in their home in December 1920 on the night that was infamously named The Burning of Cork.
For chairman of the last five years Ger Maher, work at the club continues to grow as he reflected on the various teams presently representing them.
"On the underage section our boys have amalgamated with Brian Dillons and for the first time in 20 years we are able to field an U16 team which is incredible news for both clubs,” he said.
The amalgamation will benefit both in the long term and the goodwill factor is certainly evident among the younger players.
“Last season we won a shield at U14 hurling and that was a major boost. We reached the U14 football final but sadly Whitechurch defeated us in the championship final but the main winners were the kids, who enjoyed the experience."
Working with the academy children is crucial and Maher believes families in the community will benefit.
“We have players from U8 to U12 and hopefully our numbers will grow in the coming years."
On the camogie side, Delany’s have amalgamated with St Vincent’s and it's proving to be fruitful for both clubs.
In recent years Delany’s complex has improved with good road access, an issue that held them back for years.
“The road access is crucial and we are seeing numbers increase and all I guarantee parents is they will be impressed with the facilities and the safe environment for their children."
The present set-up among the Cork Development squads is a subject that Maher had some interesting views on.
“I think Cork GAA see there is a problem as this year we have our own Games Coordinator and clubs recently had a meeting in Glen Rovers and northside clubs are not sending enough of players down to the development squads.
“Parents are only finished work and then rushing down across the city and my question is where is the road map to all this."
Maher firmly believes the set-up of the LGFA is something that the GAA could follow going forward.
“The first few weeks are all about coaching and they are too quick to cut the squads."
On the girls' side, Delanys combined with St Vincent’s and that has been a huge move for both clubs.
"We have from U8 to U16, that have won the Shield and also got to a county final before losing to a good Bantry side.
“One of our coaches with the U16 team Conor Quinlan helped Glanmire win the Intermediate All-Ireland football championship and overall the dedicated coaching team at the club are outstanding."
On the adult side of the club, Delanys are competing in the Seandún division and Maher believes hopefully they will have some new blood coming through in the coming years.
"We have adult junior hurling and football teams that compete in Seandún and hopefully we will be competitive in the coming season."
The work done by Delanys' committee in improving facilities should be commended as Ger explained the progress made in recent years.
“We are involved with LGFA who are helping us financially with improving the pitches which is very much appreciated."
On the community side, the Dublin Hill club are very much aware of the community that surrounds them.
“We are trying hard to get the community involved as we don’t want to be looked at solely as a GAA club and we actually won an award two years ago with the Cork City Partnership as they appreciated the work we are doing.
“We have a walking group for women, the Men’s Shed is there each Wednesday and we also have Taekwondo, Karate and Indoor Lawn Bowls so you could say there is a good variety for everybody at our complex.”
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