There was a very large attendance at the AGM of Sligo RFC, which was held in the Glasshouse Hotel on Friday last. Outgoing Hon. Secretary, Michael Storey, reported on a very successful season for the club at underage level and paid tribute to the 2nd Team, of which he was manager, for their spirited performances. Michael, who did not seek re- election, was acclaimed by the meeting for his work in many capacities on behalf of the club.

Development Sub-Committee Chairman, Des Butler, gave a detailed report on the club’s plans to build and develop new facilities at Cloverhill. Des received congratulations from the meeting on his outstanding work, as did the other members of the Sub-Committee.

In his financial report, outgoing Hon. Treasurer, Jimmy Staunton, who did not seek re-election, reported on a very healthy balance, which saw the club declare a surplus for the fourth successive year. Jimmy received many tributes for his excellent work over the past four years, as did Assistant Hon. Treasurer, Clare Storey, and Rory Raftery, who gives so generously of his professional accountancy expertise to the club.

Outgoing President, Tom Gilligan, who was standing down, after two years in office, thanked all who had worked with such passion and commitment for the club during his Presidency. As the club had progressed, the workload had also increased, but this was not matched by extra volunteers, and he felt that some of the present volunteers were in danger of burn-out.

The President paid glowing tributes to the club’s Joint Sponsorship Chairmen, Michael O’Hehir and Jonathan Hill for the very generous sponsorship of their own two companies, The Glasshouse Hotel and Miximo respectively, and for having the club’s other main sponsor, Martin Reilly Motors, as well as the club’s supporting sponsors on board. Jonathan did not seek re-election for the coming season. The President congratulated the trio responsible for guarding the purse strings on their prudent handling of the club’s financial affairs and paid a special tribute to Justin Harte on his superb work in organising the discos, and he also commended the work of Chief steward, Niall Draper and House Chairman, John Kane.

He also congratulated the triumvirate who head up the juvenile section in the club, John Pender, David Murray and Ronnie O’Hara, on the excellent manner in which the section is run, and also congratulated Youth Section Chairman, John Davey on his work. He congratulated the U-12’s,the U-13’s and the U-14’s on winning their respective Connacht Cups, and the U-18 team for winning the Connacht League,and he also congratulated Aaron Spring on his selection for the Ireland Youths team and Aaron, Rory Kerins and Tadgh Power on their selection for Connacht.

He concluded by thanking the outgoing committee for their outstanding work, paying special tributes to Development Sub-Committee Chairman, Des Butler, and Hon. Secretary , Michael Storey, and by wishing a very successful future to the incoming President, Conor Frazer, the new Senior Vice-President, Brendan Leahy, and the incoming Junior Vice-President, John Kane.

The following were elected to serve on the Committee for the 2008-2009 season;
Trustees: Vincent O’Brien, Brian Mullan, Declan Dunne.
President :Conor Frazer, Senior Vice-President: Brendan Leahy, Junior Vice-President, John Kane, Hon. Secretary: Orla Gilligan, Hon. Treasurer: Trevor Sweeney, Chairman Sponsorship Sub-Committee: Michael O’Hehir, House Chairman: Justin Harte, Bar Chairman, Mick Lucey, Membership Secretary: Rory Raftery, Hon. Fixtures Secretary, Eamonn McGowan, Social Committee Chairman: Niall Draper, Connacht Branch Rep.: Michael Storey, Chairman of Development Sub-Committee: Des Butler, Juvenile Chairman: Ronnie O’Hara, Youth Chairperson: Ber Dunne, Senior Players’ Rep.: Jamie Bowes, Joint Volunteers’ Co-Ordinators: Niall Draper ,Declan Lynch, Connacht Branch Delegate: Michael Storey, Kit Officer: John Kane, Members elected from Floor: Clare Storey, Tony Delahunty, Aidan Buckley.

The Development Sub-Committee is Des Butler [Chairman], Conor Frazer, Tom Gilligan, Michael O’Hehir, John Davey, Brendan Leahy, Michael Storey, Rory Raftery.