WELL ATTENDED AGM

This year’s club AGM took place last Friday evening, November 28th in front of a large attendance which was fantastic to see, at the meeting room of the new dressing room complex which was kindly opened for the evening by builders KDC, with a number of apologies also received. Upon arrival members received the nights agenda which was printed in both the Irish & English language along with a very detailed Treasurers report. The Clár of the Crinniú Ginearálta Bhliantúil included: Minutes of the 2024 AGM, Secretary’s report, Treasurer’s report, Chairperson’s address, Irish & Cultural Officer’s address, Election of Officers and Members of the Executive Committee, Notice of Motions, and Any Other Business.

The tone of the evening was set from the outset with club Chairperson John Heggtveit opening proceedings by thanking everyone for attending which was followed by a prayer and minutes silence to reflect on all those who sadly went to their eternal rest over the past year.

Next up club Secretary Michelle O’Keeffe read the minutes from the 2024 AGM which was held in the Kilworth Community Hall, and this was proposed and adopted.

This was then followed by an extremely comprehensive secretary’s report as Michelle gave an excellent detailed brief reflecting on the past year both on and off the pitch for Kilworth GAA. The Rúnaí’s report covered over thirty topics which included a brief synopsis on every club game played throughout the past year thanking everyone involved, a detailed report of the clubs current development projects which includes the new club house & community gym complex and the ongoing external pitch upgrade works, off pitch activities, and the clubs ongoing fundraising efforts to name a few. Every aspect of the club was covered, and immense credit is due to Michelle for compiling this absolutely fantastic report and for all her work as club secretary over the past year. The secretary’s report was then proposed and adopted.

Treasurer Shane Tobin then issued a very concise financial report following his second year in the hot seat giving a detailed account of all the clubs income and expenditure for the 2025 financial year down to the last cent with the manifesto also shared amongst all attendees. The Cisteoir then thanked all those within the community who helped in any way with the fundraising efforts throughout the year which included sponsorship, weekly club lotto, rebels bounty draw, golf classic, strong foundations campaign, and the community festival to name a few. The treasurer’s report was then proposed and adopted.

Outgoing Chairperson John Heggtveit then gave a synopsis of the clubs activities over the past year and reiterated on the vast items spoken by both the Rúnaí and Cisteoir. The Cathaoirleach then thanked our very generous club sponsors, the top table along with all the club executive members, and all the various club committees for all their hard work that they did throughout the year stating that their effort and hard work does not go unnoticed. John’s final address before he stepped down as Chairperson included how it was a privilege and honour to oversee the club for the past 4 years to which he received a deserving round of applause. 

John’s leadership, steady guidance, and commitment during his tenure has strengthened the club at every level with his passion and hard work leaving a lasting legacy. John will always be remembered as steering the club through the biggest development it has ever undertaken and all within Kilworth GAA club express our sincere thanks to John for his outstanding and devoted service to the club. Go raibh míle maith agat John.

Joe Ahern JNR our club Irish and Cultural Officer was next to address the meeting and delivered a very accomplished opening speech in our native Irish language. After a cúpla focal as Gaeilge Joe then spoke about some highlights of his year and mentioned simple ways that the club can help to improve our Irish skills and the importance of keeping the essence of the Irish language alive. Joe then closed his address by stating how proud he was to see the new club house signage installed As Gaeilge. 

Patsy O’Mahony then presided over the election of club officers for 2026. Patsy firstly stating how it was a privilege to be asked to officiate the election and again reiterated the importance of fundraising within the club along with how proud he was to see the new dressing room development near completion. The following officers were elected for 2026:

Life President: Bill Hegarty, Vice Presidents: Peg Sheedy, Paddy Whelan, John O’Connor, Michael Dunne, John Twomey, Dave Hogan, Willie Walsh, Patsy O’Mahony, Sean Hegarty, John Hogan, Mick Twomey, John Kenny, John Sheehan, Mossie McNamara, John Heggtveit, Ger Sheehan, Peter Mannix, Liam Kenny, & Fergus Flynn. Chairperson: Tony Sheehan, Vice Chairperson: John Heggtveit, Secretary: Michelle O’Keeffe, Assistant Secretary: Jess Collins, Treasurer: Shane Tobin, Assistant Treasurer: Mossie McNamara, Communications Officer: Kieran Sheedy, Social Media Officer: Sean Magnier, Registrar: Rhona Heggtveit, Development Officer: Alan Kenny, County Board Representative (Football): Liam Kenny, County Board Representative (Hurling): Fergus Flynn, North Cork Board Representatives: John Twomey & Liam Kenny, Insurance Officer: Mike Walsh, Irish and Cultural Officer: Joe Aherne JNR, Club Health and Wellbeing Officer: Deirdre Kenneally, Sustainability Officer: Alan Kenny, Children’s Officer: (Appointed Position) Derek Sarsfield.

Following the election of officers newly appointed Chairperson Tony Sheehan addressed the meeting firstly thanking everyone present for the opportunity and stating how privileged and honoured he was to become the new club Chairperson, he thanked his predecessor John Heggtveit for his steady leadership and commitment to the club over the past 4 years before closing the AGM, wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New year.

GAEILGE SA CHLUB – CLG CHILL UIRD 

I mbliana, rinneamar go leor chun an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn i gCill Uird. An príomhghnó a sheasann amach ná an iarracht ar leith a rinneamar leis na comharthaí don chlubtheach nua. Is céim thábhachtach chun cinn don teanga sa cheantar í seo, agus ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas ó chroí a ghabháil leis an gcumann agus leis an gclub as an tacaíocht leanúnach a thugann sibh chun an Ghaeilge a neartú sa chlub agus sa phobal. Focal ar leith buíochais go hAléin Ó Cionnaithe a chinntigh ár dhílseacht lenár dteanga i dTógáil an chlubthí. Buíochas ach go háirithe le Seán Ó Maignéar as ucht a chuid oibre ar na meáin shóisialta agus as an gcur chun cinn atá á dhéanamh aige don teanga. Is mór againn an tiomantas sin. Tá sé soiléir go bhfuil tionchar dearfach ag tarlúint maidir leis an gcultúr le blianta  beaga anuas. Feictear an tionchar seo go rialta ag traenálacha na mbuachaillí agus na gcailíní, nuair a chuireann na traenálaithe cúpla focal Gaeilge isteach, agus nuair a úsáidtear an teanga go neamhfhoirmiúil, gan bhrú, i measc na ndaoine fásta sa chlub. Tada a chosnaíonn sé iarracht a dhéanamh chun ár dteanga a chur chun cinn agus a chaomhnú sa cheantair. Tá sé i gceist againn ranganna agus ciorcail chomhrá a chur ar fáil sa chlubtheach nua, agus tá sceitimíní orainn an Ghaeilge agus an cultúr a thabhairt chun tosaigh arís.

This year we have achieved a great deal in promoting Irish and culture in Kilworth GAA. The most significant step, perhaps, was our special effort to provide signage for the new clubhouse. This is real progress for the language in our community, and I want to sincerely thank the committee and the club for their support in advancing Irish both within the club and in the wider area. A special thanks to Alan Kenny who was key in ensuring that the clubhouse would reflect our commitment to our native tongue. A particular word of thanks to Seán Magner for his work on social media and for the promotion of the language he continues to drive. We greatly appreciate it. It is clear that a positive influence has been building over the years. We see this influence regularly at training sessions with the boys and girls, when coaches drop in a few words of Irish, and when informal Irish is used naturally among adults in the club. It costs nothing to make the effort to promote and maintain our language within the community. In 2026 we intend to provide classes and conversation circles in the new clubhouse, and we are excited to bring Irish and our culture further to the fore. We also aim to hold local Scór events  & engage our club in this very valuable competition around language, music and arts. Another goal will be to achieve and maintain our Silver Medal for our club house which will take a little effort from a lot of people so please stay in tune with cultural activities that will be advertised for the coming year.

The 'h' in CLG Chill Uird 

To finish, regarding the “h” in the name CLG Chill Uird, and to make effective reference to it in English, highlighting the significance it carries. The little “h” in Cumann Lúthchleas Gael Chill Uird is far more than a quirk of spelling. It is the mark of ownership in our native tongue - grammatically the genitive case tells us this is Kilworth’s Club, belonging to the people and the community it serves. Just as in Irish expresses Mossy’s hurley as camán Mhuiris or Patsy’s pint as pionta Phaitsí, so too does it express that this club is of Kilworth, rooted in her soil and her spirit. To those unfamiliar with the language, it may look unusual, even mistaken. But in truth, it is a proud signal of identity and belonging. It reminds us that our club is not simply a building or a team, but a living part of the community, carried in the hearts of its people. And there is a deeper story here. The reason we have this language today - and the reason our games thrive alongside it - is because of the Gaelic Revival. That movement sought to restore not only Irish words, but Irish ways: our culture, our games, our music, our arts, and our literature. Language was central to that mission, as were the fields where hurling and football were reborn. Even in everyday terms, the language reminds us of community ownership. For example, Ionad Gleacaíochta an Phobail means “Community Gym” - a place that belongs to the community. In the same way, CLG Chill Uird tells us this club belongs to Kilworth, and Kilworth belongs to the living tradition of our language, our games, our music, our arts, and our literature.

Míle buíochas, go n-éirí libh - Cill Uird abú! - Mr. Joe Aherne

CONGRATULATIONS

Comhghairdeas to local Kilworth syndicate “The Golden Spoon” who’s dog “Da Tapper Flynn” recently won the Bar One Racing, Irish Laurels Plate, at Curraheen Park, Cork, by a tight 1.5 length winning margin in 28.21 seconds. We hope ye enjoyed the celebrations lads!

WEEKLY CLUB LOTTO

There was no winner of last week’s lotto jackpot of €19,000 held on Monday November 24th. The numbers drawn were: 05, 24, 25 & 27. The lucky dip winner of €50 was Maurice McNamara c/o Yearly. The lucky dip winners of €25 each were Paddy & Tom Kenny c/o Yearly, Rosaleen McGrath c/o The Village Inn, & Thomas Twomey c/o Online. The jackpot prize on Monday December 01st is €19,200.

Tickets cost just €2 each or three lines for €5 and they are available online, in the local business outlets, or from your usual local sellers. As always, we would like to thank you for your ongoing support.

MAIN CLUB SPONSORS: Mike Walsh Pharmacy, The Village Inn, Aherne’s Pub, KDC Ltd., Kilally Stables, Mitchelstown Dental Clinic, Joe & Trish Bonner, and Centra Kilworth.

Pictured are the 2026 appointed top table at last Friday evenings AGM - Shane Tobin (Cisteoir), Michelle O’Keeffe (Rúnaí), Tony Sheehan (Cathaoirleach), and Kieran Sheedy (Oifigeach Poiblí).