Fitzgerald and Dignam going for the top job Great support
Annacurra takes on Rathnew
COUNTY CONVENTION NEXT Monday night’s Wicklow GAA Convention is set to be a very interesting one with a number of key positions likely to be contested at the county buildings in Aughrim.
With County Chairman Martin Coleman’s term completed, his position will come down to vote between Annacurra’s Martin Fitzgerald, who is the present vice-chairman, and Rathnew GAA Chairman Bobby Dignam who has confirmed that he will be standing on the night.
Dignam, who held the position of County Chairman from 1989 to 1993, will be standing on the night and said that he feels there is a need for change and fresh ideas at the top table. He is stepping down as Rathnew GAA Chairman after his five years at the helm of the Village club.
His rival Martin Fitzgerald believes that he will bring a freshness to the position should he be elected and that there are exciting times ahead with the Wicklow GAA Review and the likes and that he won’t be found wanting for effort should he get the job.
The contest for vice-chairman could be equally intriguing if the nominees decide to contest the vacant position.
Mick Hagan has confirmed that he will be running for the job while Stratford-Grangecon Chairman Hugh O’Keeffe has said that he is “considering” the situation ahead of Monday night’s Convention.
Also nominated for the position is Dunlavin’s Jimmy Whittle who is no stranger to Wicklow GAA and who would bring a vast experience to the role. Bobby Dignam is also nominated but has said he will not be standing.
Chris O’Connor is the sole nominee for the position of secretary, Bridget Kenny will face no opposition for assistant secretary, while Rathnew’s Pat Doyle stands alone for the job of treasurer.
The position of assistant treasurer could see a vote with Colm Finnegan and Michael O’Neill from Baltinglass both nominated.
Kieron Kenny’s position as PRO is not guaranteed as there are two nominations alongside the Tinahely man. Eddie Leonard of St Patrick’s and Éire Óg’s Sean Lawless are also in the mix and this position could go to the room next Monday night.
The position of Irish officer has three nominations, current Irish officer Kathryn Noone is joined by Coolkenno’s Shane Byrne and AGB’s Ray Menton.
Avondale’s Billy Byrne and Owen Doyle look set to remain as development officer and coaching officer as both are the sole nominations but the position of hurling officer could be extremely interesting in the night with some major names from the small ball game in Wicklow in the mix in terms of nominations.
Current hurling officer Sean Hayes could face Michael Anthony O’Neill of Glenealy, Arklow Rocks’s Danny Curran and current Wicklow Senior hurling coach and St Pat’s senior hurling manager Michael Neary for the position.
There looks set to be a major tussle for the role of Central Council rep with outgoing Chairman Martin Coleman facing off against the experienced Victor O’Shaughnessy.
Below is the list of nominations:
(Chairperson) Martin Fitzgerald, Bobby Dignam.
Cathaoirleach Leas
(Vice-Chairperson) - Mick Hagan, Bobby Dignam, Jimmy Whittle, Hugh O’Keeffe. (Voluntary Secretary) - Chris O’Connor (Assistant Secretary) - Bridget Kenny (Treasurer) - Patrick
Rúnaí Deonach Rúnai Cúntóir Cisteoir
Doyle
Cathaoirleach
Cisteoir Cúntóir (Assistant Treasurer) - Colm Finnegan, Michael O’Neill (Baltinglass)
Oifigeach Caidreamh Poiblí
(P.R.O.) - Kieron Kenny, Eddie Leonard, Sean Lawless
Oifigeach Culturtha Gaeilge
(Irish Cultural Officer) - Kathryn Noone, Shane Byrne, Ray Menton (Development Officer) - Billy Byrne (Coaching
Ofigeach Forbartha Oifigeach Oiliúna
Officer) - Owen Doyle
(Hurling Officer) - Sean Hayes, Michael Anthony O’Neill, Michael Neary, Danny Curran.
Oifigeach Íomáint Ionadaí ar an Árd Chomhairle
(Central Council Rep) - Martin Coleman, Victor O’Shaughnessy.
Ionadaithe ar Chomhairle Laighean
(Leinster Council Rep) (2) - Chris O’Connor, Michael Murphy, Victor O’Shaughnessy, Mick Hagan.
Teachtaí do Chomhdáil Laighean
- (Delelgates to Leinster Convention) (4) - Mick Hagan, Martin Coleman, Martin Fitzgerald, Tom Byrne, Damien Byrne, Jackie Napier, Patrick Doyle, Chris O’Connor, Michael Murphy, Andy O’Brien, Victor O’Shaughnessy.
Teachtaí don Chomhthional
(Delegates to Congress) (2) - Martin Coleman, Mick Hagan, Jack Napier, Damien Byrne, Patrick Doyle, Chris O’Connor, Victor O’Shaughnessy. (Children’s Officer) - To be ratified. (Insurance Officer) - To be ratified.
Ofiigeach Páistí Oifigeach Arachais Ionadaí ar an Iarbhunscoileanna
(Delegate from Vocational Schools) - To be ratified.
Ionadaí ar an Cumann na mBunscoil
(Delegate from Primary Schools) - To be ratified.
Ionadaí ar an Coiste Liathroid - Laimhe
(Delegate from Handball Co. Committee) - To be ratified.
Ionadaí ar an Bord Miniúr
(Delegate from Minor Board) - To be ratified.
Amend Bye Law No 8 to read: No more than 5 players in football in each grade may be regraded in anyone year. The rest of the byelaw to remain as is.
Na nGearaltaigh/Baile Mhuine 2.
Reduce the maximum number of re-gradings allowed by Senior clubs each year from Senior to Intermediate to three in hurling. Currently the maximum number of re-gradings allowed in hurling is five. The maximum number allowed in football is three.
Chill Chomhghaill 3.
Rule 6.10 pg 81 and 82 Official Guide 2017, special eligibility provision for hurling amend condition (1) to read:
Counties availing of this rule shall be confined to the counties who are participating in Tier 4 (Nicky Rackard Cup) and Tier 5 (Lory Meagher Cup) otherwise rule remains as is at present.
Emmet Bhré 4.
That for a trial period of two years Leinster Council explores the possibility of appointing referees for county hurling finals on an interchange basis between counties who wish to participate in the arrangement.
Emmet Bhré 5.
That chapter 7, enforcement of rules/arbitration, Rule 7.11 appeals, right of appeal, (e), (2)(iii) be deleted from the official guide.
Emmet Bhré 6.
If we continue to have our hurling championship on league system in accordance with Rule 6.38 (linking league performance and championship status by provision of Leinster Council), when we reach the knock out stages of these championships they should
Where a club has more than one adult team involved at any grade in their respective code the higher grade must play in advance of the lower grade
Chill Mhocheanog 8.
Dual clubs cannot be fixed to play championship matches in both codes at a shorter interval than 48 hours without their consent.
Éire Óg Clocha Liath 9.
That no transfers be allowed within the county for a period of three years unless total agreement is given between the two clubs involved.
Áth na Sráide/Gráinseach Choinn Motions for the first County Board meeting 1.
All match officials for championship games must take an appropriate course prior to being appointed
Na nGearaltaigh/Baile Mhuine 2.
We propose that all clubs provide at least one referee for adult games either football or hurling and where no club provides a ref a penalty of €500 towards referees fund for gear be sanctioned, by start of all championships in 2018.
Naomh Teagain 3.
That all clubs be notified of the findings of CCC meetings relating to disciplinary matters.
Cillin Chaomhin 4.
Offer the floodlight training facilities in Ballinakill at no cost to adult teams from clubs without floodlights on their own pitches. This would apply only to clubs that qualify for quarter-final stage and later stages of championship competitions. Currently club teams are charged €120 per training session for use of the floodlight training facilities.
Chill Chomhghaill 5.
In all championships, all four quarter-finals must be played on
Clubs in Division 2 and 3 of the football league that are unable to field 15 players for a game are allowed to proceed with the game with 13 players.
Baile Mainis 7.
That the Wicklow Senior football championship be re-instated to include 16 club Senior teams.
Cillin Chaomhin 8.
A club cannot give walkover in a higher grade championship if they still have a team competing in a lower grade championship.
An Bearna Dearg 9.
Division 4 league be divided up in two groups. First group are all Junior ‘B’ teams from south and West, second group are Junior ‘C’ teams from south and west playing league against each other at their own level, and also for north and east Division 4 to do likewise.
Naomh Teagain 10.
We propose a review of championship fixtures for dual clubs and clubs of dual players to ensure that football and hurling league and championship matches are played on alternative weekends for ALL LEVELS
Naomh Teagain 11.
That the status is returned on Senior hurling championship.
Naomh Teagain 12.
We propose for Senior hurling league earlier in the year (March, April) with no football on hurling weekend and all grades of hurling league played every third weekend with two weekends of football and one of hurling.
Naomh Teagain 13.
The Junior hurling championship draw cannot be based on the finishing position in the Junior league.
An Bearna Dearg 14.
A player from a club with Intermediate or Senior hurling teams who has played at a higher grade in that year, or who was not regraded from previous year, is ineligible to play Junior hurling championship.
An Bearna Dearg