Offaly GAA Convention Update
The annual Offaly GAA Convention was held in Glenisk O’Connor Park, Tullamore on Tuesday evening, 12th December 2023. Representatives from all 41 Clubs in the county were present.
County Board Chairman, Michael Duignan reviewed a very busy year for the Faithful County. Among the highlights was the U20 hurling team winning the Leinster Championship and reaching the All-Ireland final. He complimented all the club officers and members of the management committee for their commitment during 2023.
A detailed report by Secretary, Colm Cummins and all the sub-committee reports were included in the booklet and reviewed. The financial report presented by Dervill Dolan showed a surplus for the County Committee in 2023 of €161,492 and when relatively small deficits for the running of O’Connor Park and the Faithful Fields were taken into account, the final surplus for the year was €88,983.
Two members of the outgoing Management Committee, Assistant Secretary Christy Todd (Ballycommon) and Assistant Treasurer Nessa Feighery (Kilcormac-Killoughey) did not seek re-election. Two other members, Central Council delegate Paddy Scales (St Rynagh’s) and Leinster Council delegate Dolores Slevin (Kilcormac-Killoughey) were obliged to step down under the GAA’s ‘five year rule’.
Current Chairperson, Michael Duignan won the vote for Central Council delegate while in a vote for Leinster Council delegates, those elected were Declan Ward and Ciaran Groome. Offaly’s Management Committee for 2024 is:
Chairperson: Michael Duignan (Durrow)
Vice-Chairperson: James Murphy (Rhode)
Secretary: Colm Cummins (Edenderry)
Assistant-Secretary: Vacant
Treasurer: Dervill Dolan (Clara)
Assistant-Treasurer: Vacant
Public Relations Officer: Padraig O’Meara (Clara)
Central Council Rep.: Michael Duignan (Durrow)
Leinster Council Rep. (2): Declan Ward (Crinkle) and Ciaran Groome (Bracknagh)
Cultural Officer: Michelle Hogan (Birr)
Coaching Officer: Carina Carroll (Ballinamere)
Children’s Officer: Elaine Kelly-Dunne (Kilclonfert)
Planning & Training Officer: Brendan Minnock (Shamrocks)
It is expected that the two vacant positions will be filled at the next Co. Board meeting, at which the Coiste na nOg Chairperson and the Demographics Officer will also be appointed.
Offaly’s representatives at Congress 2024 will be Michael Duignan (Chairperson), Colm Cummins (Secretary), Dervill Dolan (Treasurer) and Pat Teehan. They will also represent Offaly at Leinster Convention next January.
