Winds of change howl at convention
A BREEZY spot at the best of times, the winds of change howled through Darver at gale force on Monday night.
Changes were guaranteed as both the outgoing chairman, Des Halpenny and secretary, Fra Kieran were at the end of their five-year terms, but there was plenty of upheaval besides.
No stranger to an election, Peter Fitzpatrick was returned on the first count. There were three candidates, as Fra Kieran and Declan Byrne opposed, but Fitzer reached the quota of 66 at the first time of asking, winning 83 votes against 24 for Byrne and 22 for his clubmate Kieran.
The next big battle didn’t materialise as Des Halpenny opted not to run for the position of secretary, leaving Bob Doheny with a clear run to the line.
One of the biggest surprises of the night was newcomer Sean McClean ousting vice-chairperson Paddy McMahon by 76 votes to 52 and another sitting officer lost her seat a short while later as Mark Byrne defeated Frieda Halpenny 74-52 to take over as PRO.
With Sean Carroll also stepping down after fiver years as assistant secretary, Clans colleagues Fra Kieran and Maurice Harrison did battle for his seat at the top table and the latter prevailed by 88 votes to 41.
Treasurer Aidan Berrill, Assistant Treasurer Aidan Halpin, Cocahing and Game Officer Paul Aspell and Language and Culture Officer Clodagh McClean were all returned unopposed.
Central Council delegate Pat Toner and Leinster delegates Padraic O’Connor and Declan Byrne didn’t face a challenge either.
CHAIRMAN
Peter Fitzpatrick
VICE-CHAIRMAN
Seán McClean
SECRETARY
Bob Doheny
ASSISTANTSECRETARY
Fra Kieran (88)
TREASURER
Aidan Berrill
ASSISTANTTREASURER
Aidan Halpin
PRO
Mark Byrne
IRISHLANGUAGE& CULTURE
Clodagh McClean (unopposed)
COACHINGANDGAMES
Paul Aspell
CENTRALCOUNCILDELEGATE
Pat Toner
LEINSTERCOUNCILDELEGATES
Pádraic O’Connor
Declan Byrne
CONGRESS
Peter Fitzpatrick Bob Doheny David Rogers Aidan Berrill Pat Toner
LEINSTERCONVENTION
Bob Doheny Aidan Berrill Fra Kieran Seán Carroll Padraic O’Connor Declan Byrne