Consultation over structures to continue as demographic challenges loom into view

County Board chairman Mark O’Rourke used his annual address to Cavan GAA Convention in St Patrick’s Hall, Shercock, to range widely across fixtures, structures, demographics, games development, finance and facilities, while also reflecting on a demanding year on and off the field and setting out the scale of the challenges facing the association locally in the years ahead.

O’Rourke referenced the stark findings of the recently published Croke Park demographics report and linked them directly to the pressures already being felt within Cavan. He noted that Ireland’s population now exceeds seven million but that 62 per cent live on the eastern seaboard, with 52 per cent of zero to five year-olds located in Dublin, Belfast, Down, Kildare, Galway and Cork. Against that backdrop, he said, 78 per cent of GAA clubs are in rural areas experiencing population decline, while urban clubs face overcrowding, stretched resources and difficulties with player retention.

That context, he said, made the ongoing review of Cavan’s competitions structure and fixtures unavoidable. O’Rourke confirmed that three forums had already been held with club officers, coaches and players, with further consultation ongoing across the CCC, Youth Board, schools and Coaching and Games.

“Some very good ideas and suggestions have been put forward,” he said, adding that submissions remain open via a Microsoft form circulated to clubs and on social media, with a player questionnaire also to issue.

He pointed to clear evidence that change is required, revealing that 49 per cent of Reserve Division 3 league games and a number of U20 fixtures were conceded during the 2025 season. O’Rourke urged clubs to keep an open mind ahead of what he acknowledged would be difficult decisions and thanked the review workgroup of Kevin Shiels, Angela Hamilton, Susan Brady, Kieran Fitzpatrick and Ronan Carolan for their work.

Turning to inter-county football, O’Rourke described Cavan’s opening-round All-Ireland series victory over Mayo in Castlebar as “a fantastic and deserved victory”, one which gave the county “a huge lift and a good chance of progressing to preliminary quarter-final”.

While Cavan’s championship run subsequently ended against Kerry in Killarney, he said the travelling support were buoyed by a strong second-half performance and noted that Cavan were unfortunate to face Division 1 opposition throughout the championship.

He thanked Raymond Galligan and his backroom team for their efforts over the past two years, confirmed Galligan’s decision to step down in August, and wished Raymond, his wife Niamh and their family every success.

Looking ahead, O’Rourke said preparations for 2026 were already under way and wished new senior manager Dermot McCabe and his management and backroom team the very best, stating that he knew they would “leave no stone unturned to ensure Cavan can be the best they can be”.

At underage level, O’Rourke paid tribute to the county minors, describing them as unlucky to lose by two points to Kerry in the All-Ireland quarter-final. He thanked Larry Reilly, Ed O’Hanlon and their respective backroom teams for their work and commitment, noted that Reilly and his management team had stood down, and wished them and their families well. He also extended best wishes to Chris Conroy, Ed O’Hanlon and their backroom teams for the year ahead.

In hurling, O’Rourke said Cavan’s senior hurlers once again put in a huge effort in their pursuit of a first Lory Meagher title. He outlined how Cavan recorded victories over Warwickshire, Monaghan, Lancashire and Longford to reach the final with a game to spare, before losing out to New York in the decider following a Congress motion that allowed the American side to enter the competition at semi-final stage.

While New York proved too strong on the day, O’Rourke praised Cavan’s spirited display and thanked Ollie Bellew and his management and backroom team for their work. He also congratulated Liam O’Brien on receiving a Champion 15 Allstar Award, finishing as the competition’s highest scorer and being named Lory Meagher Player of the Year.

A major structural development in hurling came with the election of a county Hurling Officer for the first time. O’Rourke thanked Susan Brady for her work in developing structures and raising the profile of hurling and welcomed Seamus Ryan as Hurling Promotion Officer.

Along with Patrick Delaney and Bo Last, Ryan is working with schools and clubs to develop players and teams, with O’Rourke describing this as work in progress whose benefits will be seen in 2026. He acknowledged the small but committed hurling community in the county and asked clubs to actively seek people within their membership and communities who might help grow the game. He also thanked Pat Flaherty, Micheál Boyle, Thomas Leonard, Patrick Delaney, Bo Last and Keith Greene for their work with underage and academy teams.

O’Rourke congratulated all club competition winners across league and championship at every level, naming Kingscourt as senior champions, Cuchulainns as intermediate champions, Munterconnaught as junior champions and Cootehill Celtic as hurling champions. In Ulster competition, he commended Munterconnaught’s run to the Junior semi-final and praised Cuchulainns for reaching the Intermediate final, the third Cavan club to do so in successive years. He said the county must continue striving for a breakthrough at senior level. He also congratulated Cavan Gaels ladies on winning the Junior club title and wished Knockbride ladies the very best ahead of their All-Ireland Intermediate club final in Croke Park.

In Coaching and Games, O’Rourke highlighted significant growth under Head of Games Dermot McCabe, with the number of full-time coaching staff now standing at 10. He welcomed the appointment of Talent Academic Lead Liam Brady, who is aligning and monitoring player workload, athletic development and skills across schools, academies and clubs. O’Rourke reported positive feedback on the FDO model, with over 700 coaches and almost 1,900 players attending 90 sessions.

Schools engagement has increased, he said, although it was unfortunate that a combined schools team was not allowed to enter the MacRory Cup, as has been the case in Donegal.

“It was disappointing that an application to field an amalgamated schools team - Virginia, Bailieborough, Cootehill and Kingscourt - in the MacRory Cup was rejected by Ulster Schools,” he said.

Plans are in place to appoint a full-time Head of Athletic Performance in the coming year, and he thanked Shercock clubman Jody Clarke and all involved.

On referees, O’Rourke said Cavan is in “a good position” numerically but remains stretched given that more than 3,000 games are played annually across men’s, ladies and underage competitions.

“When you look at the number of games we are often tight on referees. We always need more. We ask clubs who are without a referee to please place this as a priority,” he said.

He thanked the Referee Advisory Committee and all officials, and paid particular tribute to Joe McQuillan, who stepped down after 24 years as an inter-county referee, officiating at 178 games including four All-Ireland senior finals.

Addressing integration, O’Rourke said that while the 2027 target date for GAA, LGFA and Camogie integration is approaching, many details remain unclear around structures, finances, fixtures and facilities. He said Cavan is in a strong position due to positive working relationships, shared facilities and effective communication, and described the Memorandum of Agreement as a milestone, particularly with the Polo Grounds development commencing next year.

On that development, O’Rourke confirmed that the Regional Sports Campus received €15 million in Peace Plus funding in October, adding to €19 million already secured and ensuring the full €39 million phase one project will proceed. Stage one tender has been published, with a contractor expected to be appointed by June 2026. Cavan GAA’s contribution will be €2.075 million over three years, with further fundraising required to cover additional costs including upgrading the 3G pitch. He thanked Cavan County Council, the Royal School, elected representatives and the Infrastructure Committee.

Financially, O’Rourke said it was pleasing to show a profit despite limited fundraising, though significant fundraising will be required in coming years. Gate receipts and monthly draw income increased, with a Volkswagen Golf provided by Brady’s Arva to be raffled on December 29. He thanked ClubSpot, Kingspan, new sponsors Rudden’s Service Stations and Callaghan Electrical, and all sponsors for their continued support.

Cavan GAA’s charity partner for 2025 is North West STOP, with O’Rourke acknowledging the work of Tom O’Reilly and confirming that a donation has been made. He also addressed changes to the Player Injury Fund process and thanked Hugh Reilly for assisting clubs with the transition.

Volunteers, he said, remain the backbone of the association, with more than 160 involved across committees alone. He praised a recent volunteer information night organised by Kieran Callaghan and Ulster Council and stressed the importance of clear roles and responsibility in attracting help. He thanked the CCC and Youth Board committees and acknowledged the Hearings Committee, Communications Committee and PRO Mark Gilsenan for a “stellar” first year.

In closing, O’Rourke thanked Health and Wellbeing chair Eamonn O’Reilly and his committee, highlighted Cavan’s 20 Healthy Clubs status, acknowledged media partners, fellow officers and staff, and paid personal thanks to his family. He concluded by wishing everyone a happy and peaceful Christmas and a successful 2026.