No change as key positions go uncontested

ASIDE from the eye-catching defeat of Colm Finnegan by Coistena nÓg Chairman Pat Dunne for the Leinster Council seat, there was almost no change at the top table of Wicklow GAA at Convention last Monday night.

With Rathnew’s Bobby Dignam not running for the chair against Martin Fitzgerald and his club colleague Pat Doyle declining to throw his hat into the ring against Alan Smullen as treasurer, almost every other position remains as it was in 2019.

The position of Irish Cultural Officer was left vacant after current role holder Shane Byrne from Coolkenno declared he wasn’t standing and his listed opponent, Ann Marie Clarke from Hollywood, stated likewise.

County Chairman Martin Fitzgerald, vice-chairman Mick Hagan, treasurer Alan Smullen, assistant treasurer Colm Finnegan, voluntary secretary Chris O’Connor, PRO Bridget Kenny, coaching officer Brendan Smyth, hurling officer Owen Doyle and Central Council Rep Martin Coleman all secured another term without contest.

Fintan Fanning and Pat Dunne were elected as Leinster Council reps for 2020 after a three-horse race for two seats with Colm Finnegan losing out.

Martin Coleman, Chris O’Connor and Paul Wilson were elected as delegates to Leinster Convention while Mick Hagan and Alan Smullen are Wicklow GAA’s delegates to Congress for 2020.

‘I’d just like to thank all the clubs who proposed me for the job and I look forward to working with ye for the next year,’ said Martin Fitzgerald after Rathnew’s Bobby Dignam had declared he wouldn’t be standing, thus electing the Annacurra native for another term.

The experienced Mick Hagan cruised to another term in the vice-chairman’s role after Kiltegan’s Damien Byrne and Rathnew’s Bobby Dignam announced that they would not be contesting for the position.

‘Mick, you’re in there again,’ said Martin Fitzgerald as he handed over the microphone to the St Pat’s man.

‘Delegates, first of all I’d like to thank Damien and Bobby for paving the way for me to be reelected again.

‘I’m looking forward to the year ahead. You know my baby is dealing with fixtures and I look forward to working with the fixtures committee in the year ahead.

‘During the past year I tried having negotiations with the treasurer and the assistant treasurer regarding a redundancy package, but unfortunately it didn’t happen and maybe we can talk about it again in the new year,’ he joked.

‘Wrong organisation, Mick, I think,’ said Martin Fitzgerald.