Davitts man is new Mayo GAA secretary

John Melvin

Davitts man Ronan Kirrane has been elected the new secretary of the Mayo GAA County Board at the annual convention, which was held at the McWilliam Park Hotel in Claremorris this afternoon.

There was a full turnout of delegates despite the inclement conditions, and everything was wrapped up by 3 p.m. following a very efficiently-run convention, the centre of which was four positions which were contested.

There was a possibility that Mayo would elect the first female secretary to the board, with Mary Prenty also going for the position but it was the Davitts GAA Club man who was elected.

Mr. Kirrane takes over from outgoing secretary Dermot Butler, who has stepped down having completed his five-year term in office.

Mr. Butler was nominated for the post of Central Council delegate but the sitting delegate, Paddy McNicholas from Kiltimagh, was re-elected to the post.

The convention marked the return of Liam Moffatt to an administrative role, the former Mayo chairman having stepped down last year for personal reason. He was elected along with sitting delegate Paul Cunnane to the Connacht Council.

John Hopkins had stepped down from the Connacht Council having completed his five year term. Claremorris man Willie Feeley was unsuccessful in his attempt to be elected to the provincial organisation.

In the fourth election of the day, The Neale GAA Club's Brian O’Malley defeated Celia Rattigan to take over the post of assistant secretary.

A number of motions were referred to the CCC, including one from Castlebar Mitchels which called for an immediate review of the rules and regulations relating to the role and function of the hearings committee and any subsequent appeal processes in matters relating to underage games.

The CCC are also to examine a second motion from Castlebar Mitchels calling for entry tickets to all GAA games in the county to be available for purchase online through existing portals and in addition be available for purchase offline also via agreed retail outlets.

In both situations, tickets will continue to be scanned at entrance turnstiles, assuming digital coverage is available, otherwise an alternative process will be required.