Duignan secures new role as chairman of Offaly board

MICHAEL DUIGNAN has been elected as Offaly county board chairman after beating the incumbent Tommy Byrne 76-62 in a vote at the convention in O’Connor Park last night.

The two-time All-Ireland SHC winner, who had not held county administrative office prior to this, ran on a platform for change after Offaly hurling’s slump to Christy Ring Cup status this year.

Byrne had been chairman for the last three years, having previously served as secretary. He also had a spell as chairman between 2003 and 2004.

He came under fire from a hurling review/implementation group in 2017 who felt not enough progress was made in bringing action to their work, but he was acknowledged as a hard worker within the county.

Reform

Duignan (above) and a number of figures in the county had put themselves up for election to four officerships with the intention of bringing reform to the way the county does its business.

It had looked likely only a week ago that Byrne would hold on but many clubs took positions on the contest and it swung in Duignan’s favour. He intends to remain on as a TV analyst despite his new workload.

His running mate for vicechairman Colm Cummins narrowly failed to oust James Murphy, losing out by 70 to 68.

Dervill Dolan, also on the Duignan ‘ticket’, beat outgoing treasurer Jimmy Hogan, while former hurling referee Brian Gavin was elected Leinster Council delegate.

Meanwhile in Tyrone, former referee Martin Sludden, engulfed in controversy after the 2010 Leinster final, has been elected vicechairman.