Quigleys active association with mayo league comes to an end

Pat Quigley's 43-year active association with the Mayo Football League came to a disappointing end last night (Tuesday) as he was voted off the league management committee.

Quigley, a former president of the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), is still a president of the Mayo Football League - an honorary position - but his involvement in the day to day running will cease as a result of the vote at an otherwise uneventful annual general meeting at Milebush Park, Castlebar.

There are 10 positions on the league management committee (LMC), with one automatically filled by secretary John Durkan, who was re-elected unopposed on the night, meaning there were 10 candidates going for nine remaining positions.

The votes were counted by Joe King, chairperson of the Mayo Women's League, and Martin Halligan of the Mayo Branch of the Irish Soccer Referees' Society, overseen by independent adjudicator Eamon Naughton, who was special guest at the meeting. Mr. Naughton is chairman of the Airtricity League and a member of the FAI board of management.

Following the result, Mr. Quigley said it was a very sad night for him, his family, and the clubs who supported him down through the years. “I want to thank all of you for what you have given me over the years. Thanks for your support – I know I have the support of the clubs.”

He said he felt his contacts within the game could have been put to good use but 'other people had other ideas and are obviously very happy tonight'.

Each club has one vote at the meeting, although only clubs with all outstanding fees and fines paid up were eligible to vote. This ruled out Snugboro United, who had fines outstanding. Meanwhile, Ballyvary Blue Bombers were not represented at the meeting. Each existing member of the LMC was entitled to one vote also.

In response to a query from Walter Tuffy (Ballyheane), the chairman of the Mayo League, Padraig McHale, said there were 15 votes in the difference between the last and second last person. He thanked Mr. Quigley for his long years of service to the league.

The two new members elected were Seamus Hughes of Kiltimagh/Knock United and Sean Molloy of Achill Rovers. The LMC now consists of: Padraig McHale, John Durkan, Donal Benson, Kieran Gallagher, Martin Kielty, James Larkin, Tom McDaniel, Gerry Sweeney, Seamus Hughes and Sean Molloy.