On the cultural front the club were represented in a numbers of different categories in Scór Sinsear and Scór Na Óg. The most notable achievement in this sector was the Ballad group reaching the final of Scór Na Óg. Our thanks are extended to all those who represented the club in this important cultural event during 2006 as well as our Cultural Officer Martin Donaghy who organised the participants.
During 2006 the club got more actively involved in promoting football in the Primary School. Youth Officer Sean McCartan helped to Co Ordinate the coaching programme, which is scheduled to be run for ten weeks each term. To Sean and his loyal coaches who give of their time freely each Wednesday afternoon, I extend our thanks. The club also purchased a new set of jerseys for the school football team in September and hopefully in the forthcoming year we can continue to maintain our strong links with the local Primary School.
Regarding the new pitch Development project 2006 saw the wall and fence being erected behind the goals adjacent to the Loughmacrory Road. The application that was submitted to the Building Sport programme to assist with the building of the new changing rooms was unfortunately rejected. But at present the Building is being tendered for by a number of contractors and is due to commence early in the New Year. We aim to have it completed for autumn 2007. The club did manage to secure a small grant of €12,000 from the Ulster Council for work already carried out at the new field.
As part of our fundraising activities during the year it was decided to run a festival weekend from 25th – 27th August. Included in this were a teenage Disco, Annual Barbeque, Sports Day and the Harte Memorial Tournament on the Sunday afternoon. This proved to be a very worthwhile venture and raised some much-needed funds for the club. Unfortunately on the Sunday afternoon the Weather played a part and the Sports had to be cancelled. However, the Harte Memorial Tournament did take place with U-12 teams from Loughmacrory, Galbally, Greencastle and Kildress competing with the host team Loughmacrory emerging as the victors after playing some excellent football.
Regarding the future of adult club structures in Tyrone a special Task Force was set up during the year. The main proposal recommended was that the Adult leagues return to three divisions of sixteen teams namely Senior, Intermediate and Junior. Each club then discussed these recommendations and our own Committee decided to vote in favour of the proposals. This general feeling was reflected around the County therefore from 2008 the Adult leagues will return to three Divisions of sixteen.
Coiste Contae Thir Eoghain set up a new Referee’s development panel in 2006 to encourage young Referees from all clubs in Tyrone to get involved in Refereeing from an early age. Fortunately for our club we had two young lads who stepped forward to take on this responsibility namely Declan and Ciarán Donaghy. Their efforts deserve special recognition and hopefully some day we will see them officiating at Adult matches.
The club held its annual Dinner Dance back in January with the Sam
