LET THE BATTLE BEGIN!

Fitzgerald faces Dignam in tussle for top job

WICKLOW GAA will have a new County Chairman this time next week and he will either be an Annacurra man or a Rathnew man with Martin Fitzgerald and Bobby Dignam going head to head for the top job in the Garden County.

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.

Other positions looking like heading for votes include that of PRO with Kieron Kenny’s position not guaranteed as there are two nominations alongside the Tinahely man.

Eddie Leonard of St Patrick’s and Sean Lawless are in the mix and this position could go to the room next Monday night.

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 as all are nominated.

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 from Avondale GAA Club.

For more on Convention, see inside.