Boston Prepares for 2013 GAA Season

By Rory O'Donnell

The last weekend of August marks the end of the GAA season in Boston, and what a year 2012 was.  High standards, close games, and finals that lived up to the potential of the games that came before them.  2012 is in the rear view mirror now, but hardly seems like it ended 6 months ago.  It is hard to believe that the long break, which represents a rest from the rigors of working on the board or on the club committee, is already over and we are on the brink of the 2013 fray.  Clubs have held their AGMs, the board has already had the annual convention and continuation meeting, and we are but 6 weeks, give or take, from the beginning of this year's games at the Irish Cultural Center.  Many clubs will begin training outdoors in the next week or two.  Having spent time since the new year playing indoor soccer to get the blood pumping again, St. Patricks Day serves as the marker for weather that allows for training outdoors and a chance to tread the sod with the boots on and recover from the strains of some physical training exercises with deep breaths of the dark, cool early spring Boston air.

It is also a time when rumor abounds about which clubs will be strong, which are struggling, who is in shape, who is not looking after themselves, and what clubs are "going all out" this year.  There is already one big change for 2013.  There will be an intermediate competition.  Details have yet to be worked out  as to what format the competition will take.  The senior championship will also be affected as it is looking like instead of the 11 team championship, it will be made up of the top 8 teams from the 2012 league table.  

All but 3 of the 2012 board officers were  returned to their positions.  Paul Ryan, who had put in 3 years of service as Registrar, John McDevitt who had served as Treasurer, and 2012 Trustee Laura Burns, did not return for another year.  Fr. Tom Burke’s Kevin Mooney, who comes on to the board for the first time, stepped up to take the Registrar position.  Francie Foster, who had served as assistant Treasurer in 2012, was promoted to Treasurer.  Bernie Reilly filled the position of assistant Treasurer.  Caroline Heraty and Gerry Prior accepted Trustee positions for 2013.

2013 Boston Northeast Divisional Board

Honorary President – Bernie Reilly

Chairman – John Farrell

Vice Chairman – John Cunningham

Secretary – Sharon O’Brien

Assistant Secretary – Dan O’Connor

Treasurer – Francie Foster

Assistant Treasurer – Bernie Reilly

Registrar – Kevin Mooney

PRO – Rory O’Donnell

Youth Officer – Ray Brady

Trustees – Gerry Prior, Eddie Feeley, Caroline Heraty.