Aodh Mairtin O Fearraigh.
BY CHRIS MCNULTY
WITH Aodh Máirtín Ó Fearraigh having to vacate the secretary’s post, having completed the maximum five-year term permitted by GAA rules, all eyes will be on the identity of his successor at next month’s annual county convention.
The Gaoth Dobhair man is ready to hand over the baton after a term that saw him in office during Donegal’s most successful on-the-field period in history.
Five people have been nominated for the secretary’s job with the current PRO, Ed Byrne, the front-runner at the moment. Byrne became PRO last December at convention and has enjoyed that role, although the Killybegs clubman is giving consideration to the secretary’s position.
Former long-time secretary Noreen Doherty – who filled the role between 1991 and 2006 – has also been nominated, but has yet to given it consideration. Nicola Ferry (St Michael’s), Aideen Gillen (Dungloe) and Mary Kelly (Ardara) are also listed and, although neither has signalled their intentions, Byrne remains hotly-tipped to step into the void vacated by Ó Fearraigh.
The next destination for Ó Fearraigh will be interesting to watch. He is nominated for the position of vice-chairman alongside the outgoing Denis Ellis. Ó Fearraigh is also nominated for PRO, but it is thought that the Ulster Council delegate role may be his preferred avenue.
Treasurer Cieran Kelly and Central Council delegate Niall Erskine are the only two outgoing members guaranteed to retain their portfolios for next year, with other positions shaping up for contests as thing stand.
Former Highland Radio Managing Director Charlie Collins is nominated among the candidates for the PRO role and the Letterkenny native has indicated that he is more likely to run than not. Oisin Cannon, who narrowly lost out to Byrne in a vote last year for the post, is nominated again and will let his name go forward.
Ó Fearraigh, Fiona Shiels (Fanad Gaels) and Caitríona Harkin (Ardara) have also been nominated for PRO.
Development Officer Michael McMenamin will vacate his role next month. He and Ó Fearraigh are the only two who have to stand down and there are five nominees for that role.
Anthony Harkin is set to face competition from Brian McCabe (St Naul’s) and Gary Duffy (Buncrana) for the coaching officer’s seat and there is the usual hot contest expected for Ulster with sitting delegates Pat Connaghan and Brendan Kelly running again. Ó Fearraigh could join the race while PJ McGowan and Trevor McBrearty have also been put forward.
THE FULL LIST OF NOMINATIONS
Cathaoirleach
Seán Dunnion, Eddie Gallagher,
Leas Chathaoirleach
Denis Ellis, Aodh Máirtín Ó Fearraigh,
Runai
Ed Byrne, Noreen Doherty, Nicola Ferry, Aideen Gillen, Mary Kelly,
Rúnaí Cunta
Seán McGinley, James Keenan, Jim Quinn, Nicola Ferry, Paddy Mullen, Declan Martin, Fiona Shiels,
Cisteoir
Cieran Kelly
Leas Chisteoir
Frankie Doherty, Aideen Gillen, Paddy Tinney, Brendan Kelly
Oifigeach Caidrimh Poiblí
Ed Byrne, Oisín Cannon, Fiona Shiels, Aodh Máirtín Ó Fearraigh, Charlie Collins, Caitríona Harkin
Oifigeach Forbartha
Terence McShea, Séamus Ó Domhnaill, Paddy Mullen, Diarmuid Keown, Terry Reilly
Oifigeach Gaeilge agus Cultúir
Con O’Donnell, Fergus McGee, Máire Graham,
Oifigeach Oiliúna
Anthony Harkin, Gary Duffy, Brian McCabe
Ionadaí ar Ard Chomhairle
Niall Erskine
Ionadaí ar Comhairle Uladh(2)
Pat Conaghan, Brendan Kelly, Trevor McBrearty, Aodh Máirtín Ó Fearraigh, PJ McGowan.
Teachtaí go Comhdháil Bhliantúil Chomhairle Uladh
Trevor McBrearty, Mick McGrath Séamus Ó Domhnaill, Niall Erskine, Naul McCole, Ed Byrne, Terence McGinley
Teachtaí go Comhdháil Bhliantúil C.L.G
Mick McGrath, Aodh Máirtín Ó Fearraigh, Ed Byrne, Conor McDermott, Pat Conaghan, Michael McMenamin
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