people_murray_declanI hope this update finds all our members in eager anticipation of the imminent season of games. Despite the weather, training has continued unabated and hopefully we are in fine shape to meet the challenges ahead. I wish all our teams success in the coming season and thank all the mentors for the efforts to date.

As I informed you a few weeks ago, we are in discussions with Blackrock Rugby Club with a view to purchasing  grounds and utilising the facilities available in Stradbrook. Over the last few weeks, we have set up several task teams to look at
(i) pitch utilization
(ii) ground development to all-weather and
(iii) commercial negotiations and finance.
The commercial team
 are ramping up activities from a funding perspective  via multiple external sources including GAA, sports grants, bank finance and corporate donations. We shall shortly commence contractual negotiations with the Blackrock team.

While no one underestimates the many challenges that are ahead, the opportunity to grow the club by providing world-class facilities provides us with a vision that is worth battling for.  We are committed to  creating a final package that will be fully acceptable to the members.  With this vision in mind, we need to get all the sections more actively involved in the Blackrock initiative and we will be asking the section secretaries and chairpersons to nominate people as coordinators – more on this next week. 

In addition, the Cuala Lottery will be re-launched over the coming weeks. As we go to press, our jackpot is almost €11,000  – more on this in 2 weeks time.

Congratulations, best wishes and continuing pride go out to all of our county players and in particular to Martha Ní Broin who was named Player of the Month following on her performance in Dublin’s defeat of Kerry in the Ladies NFL recently .

Finally good luck to the adults who run their very successful and enjoyable fundraiser next week. The “Take me Out” night promises to great craic so get yourself a ticket before they are all gone. The Senior Football manager has decamped to foreign climes for a holiday before the event so the lads will be letting their hair down even more than normal.

Declan Murray
Cathaoirleach Cuala