Ger Flanagan
THREE positions on the Executive Committee of Mayo GAA will be contested at this year’s County Convention, which will take place on Sunday, December 13 next.
Due to Covid-19 regulations and restrictions on social gatherings, this annual Mayo GAA Convention will be held in an ‘online’ format via ‘Microsoft Teams’, with no physical meeting taking place.
The deadline for receipt of nominations was last Saturday night and The Mayo News has learned that there will be contests for three separate positions — Public Relations Officer, delegate to the Connacht GAA Council, and Vice President of the Connacht GAA Council.
But despite some speculation over the weekend, the position of Assistant Treasurer (which is currently held by Michael Diskin of Castlebar Mitchels GAA club) will not be contested at next month’s Convention.
Three nominations have been received for the Mayo GAA PRO position, which is being vacated by Paul Cunnane (Davitts) as he has completed his five-year term.
Local journalist Michael Gallagher (Ballycroy), who was defeated in a contest for the post last year, is again in the race. Well-known referee John Walker (Cill Chomain) and the current Mayo GAA Hurling PRO Ciara Buckley (Ballyhaunis) have also put their names forward.
Meanwhile, there are also three nominees in the running for the two seats up for grabs in the race to be Mayo GAA’s delegate to the Connacht GAA Council.
Outgoing PRO Paul Cunnane (Davitts) has thrown his hat in the ring for the position, as has Johnny O’Malley (Arndaree), who missed out on one of the delegate positions in controversial circumstances following last year’s Mayo GAA Convention.
The third nominee will be one of the current Mayo GAA delegates to the provincial council, Johnny Hopkins (The Neale) or Vincent Neary (Bonniconlon).
Hopkins and Neary are also both in the running for the position of Vice President of the Connacht GAA Council.
“The County Convention will be a lot different for us all this year,” County Board secretary Dermot Butler told The Mayo News last night. “There can be no physical meeting due to Government guidelines on social gatherings, so it will take place on Microsoft Teams instead.
“Unfortunately, it’s the only way we can do it. We have been conducting Executive meetings and other meetings on that platform over the last few months.
“We hope that the secretary’s report and financial report will be distributed to members a week before the meeting so that it gives time to prepare any questions for Convention day.”
