Year In Review III - Logistics Man

Lads being lads, they need a bit more minding than the ladies and so the amount of work that goes into organising the team is significant. It's all so straight forward at home because the pitch never moves and the venues for matches are well known to all. You might get the odd text with an update on meeting times but that’s it. Here, the need to keep everyone in the loop is constant. Hotels need booking, flights need arranging, money needs collecting and numbers need confirming.

We used over 50 players this year and help was going to be required to coordinate everyone. I'd be very hesitant about bringing too many people on board because it makes things messy with many opinions flying about. However, Conan and I knew we needed help. We wanted to fill the position of Football Officer (on the committee) with someone other than ourselves. We drew up a responsibility matrix and went after Colin Byrne. He joined the club in September 2008 and has been a constant ever since, in all senses; training, playing and socially. He was happy to support so we brought him in to help with communication and logistical issues.

He was an ideal candidate because he was organised and respected by all. Maybe more importantly, he lives over by Rue Bailli which is in the heart of the girls football camp. From there, he could monitor their activities and pull them into line when they needed to be! His patience was also key as dealing with myself and Conan was always going to test him. In the early days, he used to gather splinters in his arse cause he sat on the fence so much. However, as he found his way to navigate through the often heated debates, he climbed off the fence and would freely offer his valued two cents.

In addition to that, he liaised well with the committee on all matters. Conan and I appreciate greatly the efforts the committee put in and the difficulties they have keeping everyone happy. We maybe aren't the best lads to be in the thick of it though. Colin can filter what we want to say well and knows how to deliver news we may not like, adjusting the tone and the message to appropriate levels. He also provides a different angle of attack to allow us prick the conscience of the players. It worked well this year. It’s a job that fills a part of each day. There is that amount of organising, liaising and cajoling involved.

As with everything though, you need to do it at least twice. The first time to learn and the second time to use your learning to improve things. With that in mind, I hope we can keep him on board in 2010.

Just as I finished this blog I received a mail from one of the lads. Plenty of fellas would always be very quick to say thanks, but for others it’s just not their way but it doesn't mean they don't appreciate it. A line in the email just received summed it up; "Remember, we're all Irish, so gratitude is normally expressed inversely - the more whines and slaggings, the more lads are trying to say cheers! So Freud says anyway in his chapter on GAA." There can be no doubt; the work of the Football Officer this year didn't go unnoticed.

PS Of course, for every Football Officer, there is a Hurling Officer. Although this was officially Martin, the job I describe above was largely carried out by Adrian. So Mr. Hiel, we salute you too!!