Digital platform for NEFL annual meeting
It was a first for the North East Football League this evening as the 42nd annual general meeting was convened via microsoft teams. NECSL official Jonathan Purvis hosted the format.
In relation to when play might resume the NEFL secretary Gerry Gorman explained:
"For the moment the only definite we can give is that if training can resume on 7th April (for example) then the league will begin on 7th May - one month later.
"Clubs that are up to date with accounts will be granted a 50 per cent credit based on last year as the season wasn't finished.
"The grading for 2021 will be based on the final placings from the last full season, 2019, but clubs can apply for a different grade and that will be considered by the committee," he added.
The secretary made the traditional appeal looking for new members to join the committee.
In his annual report he highlighted the build up to the 2020 season during January and February last year.
"Indeed right up to the publication of the first few weeks fixtures in were being treated with the normal attention, even allowing for daily news updates during this period of the progression of Covid-19," he said.
"Following the green light to resume football at our level from late July 2020, we swiftly put together a format to reflect the circumstances we found ourselves in at that stage of the year.
"Fixtures were scheduled and played from weekending 10th August to run to end of November, and if necessary, into December.
"No League divisions to be competed for and final positions from end of 2019 season as at December 2019 to determine start up status for 2021 season (March 2021).
"Knock out competitions to take place in which competitions will be seeded, and require qualification in each instance to quarter final level.
"To commemorate 40 years an extra open cup competition called the 40 year commemorative cup was offered to all club first teams irrespective of grading.
"Fixture schedule lasted until weekending 4th October at which point the effects of a second wave of the virus had taken hold, and necessitated further restrictions which included the cessation of group sport activity at our level.
"Hopes for a return to complete the season at some point were dashed with the relaxing of restrictions over the Christmas period which led to a massive surge in cases of the virus which greatly eclipsed anything that went before.
"The roll out of vaccinations from January 2021 will hopefully lead to a steady progression back to normality.
"On the development front at our site the badly worn and decayed 55m x 23m pitch was re-carpeted, with new security fencing and goals installed at a cost of €68,000.
"Meath County Council provided a grant for half the cost of €34,000 to which our League is most grateful for.
"We also received one-off COVI- related assistance from Meath Sports Partnership of €1,300, and €11,400 from the Sports Council,/FAI which were vital to help defray the massive loss of income during the year.
"Although we never got an opportunity to celebrate in any shape or form, the 23rd November 2020 marked a significant milestone in the history of the league, as it marked 40 years on from when the first set of fixtures were played on 23 November 1980.
"It is our intention to mark this event at a later stage," he concluded.
RICHARD SMITH
Newly-appointed Meath FAI development officer Richard Smith was welcomed by secretary Gerry Gorman who highlighted the changes to the FAI coach education pathway.
The FAI development officer delivered a brief presentation and highlighted the following - the Club Mark, a referees' course specifically for NEFL clubs and other coaching courses that are available.
NEW COMMITTEE
The following officials were returned: David Tully, John Gorman, Gerry Gorman, Declan Jordan, Tommy Melia, Damien Smith, Derek Coogan, Steve Laverty, Eugene Lynch, Danny Doyle, Stephen McCabe, Mark McGuinness, Damien Clarke, Brian McCreary.