Waldron and Regan take over St. JamesÕ

Date Published: {J}

ST. James’ GAA recently held their AGM in Teach Pá Grealish and reviewed what was considered a successful year. After a long run in the previous year’s Intermediate championship, the senior team maintained their senior status and were only one win away from been promoted to Division 1A.

Seven club players also represented Galway in the last year, while the management team of Seamus Burke, Pat Burke, Michael Deacy, Derek Duffy and Tony Hanley, assisted by Gerry Long and Tom Frain, were praised for all of their work over the years with this squad.

The outgoing mamnagement have stepped down with David Waldron and Terry O’Regan taking over the reins.

The Junior A team were drawn in a hard group in the championship but managed to avoid the relegation battle by beating Na Piarsaigh. The early exit from the Junior A championship along with some regrading of players and others returning to the club saw the Junior C team as the success of the year.

Some clubs often debate about putting in a Junior C team as a third team but St. James’ did not want to give any member an excuse not to play football. Under the management of Martin King and selectors, David Hatton, Michael Acton and Sean O’Donovan, the Junior C’s went on to win the West Board Championship and League finals and narrowly lost to Caherlistrane in the County Final.

That loss will see them remain in Junior C next year. The squad with an age gap of over 25 years between some players bonded well over the year and some of the younger players who might have had the speed advantage picked up some valuable experience from the older players.

The Under 21s exited on the first round of the championship early in the year and went into the Shield competition where they have reached the County Final against Monivea/Abbey. That match will be on in the New Year. Sean Conroy has stood down from managing this team and Seamus Burke and Terry O’Regan have taken over.

The continued hard work of the Juvenile Committee and Coaches was acknowledged. An opportunity to play in Croke Park and reaching the Feile Football Final were picked out as highlights. The running of camps during all the school breaks is going from strength to strength.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.