‘We need to sell ourselves to our community, we are the right club to get involved with’ 

For new Mayfield GAA chairman Brian Walsh getting the club operating at full tilt is his priority.

The Walsh name is renowned within the club.

“My father Mossie was involved with the club all his life, playing for a number of years and chairman back in the ’70s and ’80s. His role in refereeing made him well known in the sport.”

The Walsh bloodline flowed through the club as brothers John, Martin and Bernard all made huge contributions on and off the pitch.

“To be honest I was never interested in committee work as I preferred looking after juvenile team’s but I suppose there comes a time when you feel the time is right,” added Walsh.

The lack of numbers coming into clubs like Mayfield has affected the pool of players coming through the system and Brian is well aware this is a huge challenge for many fellow northside clubs.

“Lack of housebuilding is a major problem but look you play the cards you are dealt, and we will keep the fight up as long as it takes to get it right.”

Mayfield GAA club members Michael and Darragh Sheehan, Will and Donagh Cleary, Sarah and Cohen Gore at the launch of Cork GAA Northside Coaching Project. Picture: Jim Coughlan.

The structures of Rebel Óg came in for criticism from Walsh.

“Not so long ago, we had teams you could field in every age group now they only run U12, U14, U16 and minor, which to me is not right.

“Having no U13 and U15 grades is a huge problem for all clubs because parents do not like their kids playing in a grade up from their age. There is a lot of flaws that is affecting many clubs.”

Mayfield are based in Rebel Óg East. Walsh believes this is not the way forward for young players.

The city clubs no longer have the cushion of derby games and to me that’s crazy as players and supporters loved those days.”

After getting elected chairman, Walsh knows there is plenty of work ahead for him and his committee.

“In the last few year’s I was fundraising for the club from the Golf Classic to the Rebel Bounty Bounty County Board Draw and my final task was trying to increase the membership.”

Organising committee members Tom Searles, Seamus and Eddie McCarthy, Brian Walsh and Sean Long, at the Mayfield GAA Club teams reunion celebrations. Picture: David Keane

When you are put in the hot-seat, there are priorities for the job.

“Well, I have two ambitions with the number one task trying to do something better with the juvenile section as we have lost a number of young players to other clubs and we need to find a solution to keep them playing in their own community.” 

The second priority for the Mayfield chairman is getting the club values out to the community.

We need to sell our club to our community as we have some brilliant facilities with three superb pitches, and we need to be relaying that message to parents that we are the right club to get involved with.” 

The relegation last season from the IAHC grade was a huge blow to all concerned at the club but Walsh believes the time is right to reset.

“Last season was a huge disappointment as we lacked fitness and hunger, but I have to say it is back big time for the coming Premier Junior championship.

“The lads have been training for the last five or six weeks, getting 27 players. Our new coach Jim McCarthy has certainly brought a newfound energy to the squad.” 

PRIMED

Getting the attitude right and having the players primed for action is a job the new coach will guarantee the club.

“We know Jim is passionate as he also brought a new strength in conditioning coach so the lads are enjoying it. We are hoping there will be huge improvement in this year’s campaign.” 

Having a good complement of players is crucial.

“We have two players back from travelling and some more returned having missed last season with a few promising minor players coming through you would expect improvement.” 

There is certainly a goodwill factor back in Mayfield. Chairman Walsh will leave no stone unturned in his bid to restore the former glory days but the task is going to take a mighty effort.

“Losing St John’s school was a major blow as Mayfield now has no school to feed from where we can look to in our bid to attract players so that makes our job that bit harder but let’s put in the extra effort and see where it takes us.”