Strategic plan 2026 - 2031 Launch
Man O’War GFC Launches Its Five-Year Plan for 2026–2031
Our future. Our club. Our community.
On Friday, October 9th, Man O’War GFC proudly launched its Five-Year Plan for 2026–2031, marking an exciting new chapter in the life of our club.
There was a fantastic turnout on the night, with club members, volunteers, sponsors, local representatives and members of the wider community coming together to celebrate our club, reflect on our history and look ahead to the future.
The evening was MC’d by John Hussey, alongside Club Chairperson Sean Owens, who welcomed everyone and helped set the tone for an important milestone in the club’s journey.
A particular highlight of the evening was a wonderful and heartfelt address from our Ladies Gaelic Football Chairperson, Bernice Jones Moore. Bernice reflected on the history of Man O’War GFC, the generations of people who have contributed to its success, and the vital role the club continues to play in our community. Her words were a powerful reminder that Man O’War is about so much more than what happens on the pitch. It is about belonging, shared identity, friendship and the people who make this club what it is.
We were delighted to welcome the Mayor of Fingal, our local representatives and our valued sponsors. A sincere thank you to everyone who attended and showed their support for Man O’War GFC and its future.
Looking ahead to 2031
Our Five-Year Plan sets out a clear vision for the next chapter of Man O’War GFC, built around five key areas:
Club Structures – ensuring we have the right structures, leadership and support in place to help our club thrive.
Coaching & Games – providing the best possible opportunities for our players to develop, participate and reach their potential.
Finance & Funding – building a strong and sustainable financial foundation for the future.
Facilities & Development – investing in the facilities and resources our growing club needs.
Connection, Culture & Wellbeing – strengthening our sense of belonging, supporting the wellbeing of our members and protecting the values that make Man O’War special.
Together, these five areas provide a framework for building a stronger, more sustainable and more inclusive club — one that creates opportunities for our players, supports our coaches and volunteers, invests in our young people and continues to play a central role in our community.
As we celebrate 80 years of Man O’War GFC in 2026, we recognise the generations who have laid the foundations for the club we are today. Their commitment and hard work have given us something worth protecting, nurturing and building upon.
Our responsibility now is to honour that legacy while ensuring Man O’War continues to thrive for the next generation and for generations to come.
This plan is about more than football. It is about our people, our community and creating a club where everyone has a place and an opportunity to contribute. It is about setting our ambitions, working together and turning those ambitions into action over the next five years.
The plan is launched. The work starts now. Sign up – Click here
Together, we look forward to writing the next chapter in the story of Man O’War GFC.
Our future. Our club. Our community.
Man O’War Abú!
Closing Remarks
Firstly, a sincere thank you to everyone who has joined us tonight. It’s fantastic to have so many people here to share this important occasion for Man O’War.
I want to acknowledge everyone who contributed to developing this plan over the past number of months — those who participated in our town hall meetings, workshops and subgroup discussions, and everyone who provided feedback, ideas and, importantly, challenged our thinking along the way.
A particular thank-you to our Strategic Review Committee, the pillar leads and everyone who worked behind the scenes to bring the plan together. A huge amount of voluntary time and effort has gone into getting us to this point, and it is very much appreciated.
To our Executive, coaches, mentors the many volunteers across the club, thank you for everything you do, week in and week out. You really are the backbone of Man O’War.
I also want to sincerely thank our sponsors and local businesses. Your continued generosity and support make an enormous difference to what we can offer our players and members. We are incredibly fortunate to have such strong backing from the local business community, and we never take that support for granted.
To our neighbouring clubs, community organisations, schools and invited guests, thank you for being part of tonight and for your continued support of Man O’War.
And finally, to our players, parents and families — this plan is ultimately about you and the generations who will follow.
Eighty years ago, people in this community had the vision and determination to establish Man O’War GFC. Generations since have given their time, energy and commitment to build the club we are so proud of today.
Tonight, it’s our turn to take that legacy forward.
We now have a shared vision, a clear direction and a plan for the next five years. But it will be people, not a document, who bring it to life.
And it’s important that our Executive, and future Executives, see themselves as custodians of this plan. We have a responsibility to keep it alive, maintain momentum and deliver on our commitments. In four years’ time, we should be refreshing the plan and preparing to roll out the next five-year chapter in the club’s development.
I’d also really encourage everyone to take the time to read the detailed plan, digest it and reflect on what we’re trying to achieve. If you have any questions, thoughts or suggestions, please come back to me or any member of the Executive. We’d be delighted to sit down, have a chat and talk through any aspect of it. This is everyone’s plan, and we want everyone to feel part of it.
So I would encourage everyone here tonight to get involved, support the plan and help us shape the next chapter of Man O’War.
Our responsibility is to leave this club even stronger for the generations that follow.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh.
Ar aghaidh linn le chéile — moving forward together.
Sean Owens
Chairperson, Man O’War GFC
