Cork Camogie make history by electing first male chairman at their AGM

A busy season drew to its conclusion recently as Cork Camogie reflected on another hugely successful year when they held county convention in Castle Road. 

There was a large attendance representative of all the clubs and also in attendance were former National camogie President Hilda Breslin, Munster chairperson Christine Ryan and Marie Kearney representation national president Brian Malloy.

As Cork look ahead to 2025 history was made at convention when the first male chairman of Cork camogie board was elected as Chairperson Mairead Donovan from the Ballincollig club stepped down as chairman having served four year in the role Mairead did not seek re-election. 

Vice chairman Padraig Treacy from the Nemo Rangers club was elected to taken over to led Cork camogie as chairman.

Padraig is a well-known figure in GAA circles and is an experiences official having served as chairman of the Nemo Rangers hurling and football club.

He also held various other roles within the club and has also served on the Seandun camogie committee as an officer. 

In 2024, he became an officer of the Cork Camogie county board for the first time when he became the first male vice chairman of the board.

Darina Foley from the Midleton club who took over as the secretary’s role in 2024 continues in the role with experienced official Mary McSweeney from the Bandon club continuing in the important role of Treasurer. 

Mairead lynch who has done a huge amount of work on the development side of Cork camogie continues in the role of development offices, and the position of PRO has been filled by Brian O’Regan from the Douglas club and he replaces Dave Harris, who had to step down form the role mid-season due to work commitments.

Eileen O'Brien from the Sliabh Rua who came into the role of registrar in 2024 did not go forward for re-election an and Orla O’Regan from the Ballincollig club who was a member of the boards general purposes committee is the new county board registrar.

The General Purpose Committee consists of Marian McCarthy, St Finbarr's, Sheila Golden, Inniscarra and Cork's delegate to Munster Council Lillian Zinkant, Sarsfields.

Secretary Darina Foley in a detailed report spoke about continued spread of the game whilst also speaking about the restructuring of the championship competition which took place in 2024. 

Development officer Mairead Lynch reported on the inaugural Cork Personal Development programme started this year in association with UCC for the county U14 and U17 panels which was a huge success.

The wonderful facility that is Castle Road continued to be improved and through 2024 the board did a lot of work on developing the facility further with work continued on the pitch and on the dressing rooms with a further two which are now near to completion. 

A big job for the season ahead will include the next project which will be the upgrading of the car park which will include levelling the surface drainage tarmacadam and lighting. 

This will again be a huge cost to the Board as will the plan to install flood lighting but they will continue to push ahead to make Castle Road the superb facility it is.