In these invigorating times for Fermanagh football as a long overdue Ulster Final awaits, it is worthwhile reflecting on the role of the Fermanagh diaspora outside of the county and how they have contributed to the achievements of the current Fermanagh panel.
For many reasons, there have been a steady stream of Fermanagh folk who have made both Belfast and Dublin their home over many years. These people have not forgotten their background and, more specifically their GAA upbringing. h. The longing for an Ulster Final success is as great in these exiles as anyone within the county.
The Fermanagh Association Belfast was formed in February 2002 with the aim of providing a social contact for Fermanagh people in Belfast and supporting the G.A.A in Fermanagh through a series of fund raising events. In Dublin, the Fermanagh Association has had a presence since the 1950's until re-formation as The Fermanagh Association Dublin in 2002 as a GAA-focused unit.
Both have worked closely with Fermanagh County Board since 2004 on a structure to provide a methodology to raise funds in a co-ordinated fashion and to ensure that such funds are spent wisely in an accountable and transparent manner.
Belfast, Dublin and the former Club Fermanagh became Club Éirne, with the full support of Fermanagh County Board and currently are, and will continue to be, key movers in helping develop and promote Gaelic Games within Fermanagh.
Peter Quinn chairs the Club Éirne committee.
In addition to the work taking place outside the county, Club Éirne has developed a strong Fermanagh base since it's formation under the leadership of Frank McManus, Paddy Clarke and Colin Rooney.
There has been a switch in focus to a membership-based scheme which is still backed up by certain fundraising events. If Club Éirne did not raise funds, then the County Board would have no option but to levy the costs of running the county squads directly on to all Clubs within the County. This would impact on clubs who have their own independent development fundraising initiatives in place in many cases.
The following clubs are currently hold core membership of Club Éirne: Aghadrumsee, Belcoo,Belnaleck, Brookeboro, Devenish, Kinawley, Newtownbutler, Roslea, St. Pat's, and Teemore. Three other clubs have committed to coming on board this year: Derrygonnelly, Enniskillen and Lisnaskea.
It is the vision of the Club Éirne committee that all clubs within the county will become members of Club Éirne.
There are a number of membership options, among them, Named Sponsorship. Here, Club Éirne are extremely grateful to Quinn Direct for their generous donation of £100,000 to cover a 3 year period as named sponsors of Club Eirne;
Gold Sponsorship: Gold Sponsors generously contribute £3,500 or ¤5,000 for each 12 month period of sponsorship. There are currently 11 Gold members.
Core Sponsorship: Core Sponsors contribute £360 or ¤500, for each 12 month period of sponsorship. Core membership is currently approaching 200 members.
Detailed costing plans are required to enable Club Éirne to determine the elements for which funding may be considered, and the level of funding required.
Typical examples of financial support approved after the consideration by the Committee have included assistance towards team building initiatives, fitness assessments, individual and team fitness programmes (e.g. gym membership).
Funds have been allocated to Coaching and Games Development within the County. For example, £35,000 of Club Eirne funds were allocated during 2007 to support the work being undertaken by our County Games Development Managers who had submitted detailed costed plans to the Committee.
The majority of the funding was provided to assist with their ongoing work with Development Squads, schools and clubs, with an additional one-off allocation to support the successful (U14) summer camp held at Lissan in July 2007. A contribution of £12,000 was made towards the funding of floodlights for the second pitch at the Lissan Centre of Excellence.
Club Eirne organises a number of high-profile fund-raising events during the year.
The first Club Éirne Golf Classic was held in July 2007 and is being run for the second time on Friday, July 11 next. A limited number of tee-times are available for this event, and tee-times may be booked through any member of the Club Éirne Committee or by contacting Brian McMahon on (00353) 87 418 2014.
A pre-championship function was hosted by Club Éirne on May 20th last in the Brewster Park Complex just prior to the Monaghan game and the launch of the new Brewster Park facilities.
The Club is also launching a new website prior tto the Ulster Final and you can log on at www.clubeirne.ie
Next year, the key event will be hosted at the Ulster Derby Race Meeting on June 9th at Down Royal. Preliminary arrangements and table bookings are being taken for this event.
Clubs, individuals and businesses can help Fermanagh GAA by becoming members of Club Éirne. The Club Éirne Motto is "Be Proud, Be Passionate, Be Part of It!"
The Club Éirne committee is as follows:
Chairman – Peter Quinn
Secretary – Conor McCrystal
Fermanagh Association (Dublin Delegates) Brian McMahon, Kevin McManus; (Belfast Delegates) - Maurice Rooney, Phil Sheridan, Seamus Leonard; Fermanagh County Board Delegates – Peter Carty, Greg Kelly, Vincent Martin; Fermanagh County Delegates – Frank McManus, Colin Rooney, Paddy Clarke, Des Crudden.
