New faces guaranteed on Wicklow county board

WICKLOW GAA could see new faces in several positions including that of chairman after the Convention on December 10 at county buildings in Joule Park Aughrim.

Former Wicklow Senior hurling coach and current St Pat’s hurling manager Michael Neary’s name is in the ring for the position of county chairman along with the current office holder Martin Fitzgerald. Should Neary decide to run for the top job it will be the second battle Fitzgerald will have to face after the Annacurra native fended off a challenge from Rathnew’s Bobby Dignam last year.

Mick Hagan will remain in the position of vice-chairperson after Tim Balfe revealed that he would not have the time to take on the role after the Carnew Emmets Chairman had been nominated.

Chris O’Connor will be returned unopposed as county secretary, but it is believed that Bridget Kenny will not be seeking another year as assistant secretary and with no other nominations it is expected that that position will remain open until the first County Board meeting of the new term.

There are two nominations for the role of county treasurer with current position holder Alan Smullen and Rathnew’s Patrick Doyle on the list.

There is likely to be a new face in the role of PRO with Kieron Kenny reported to be not running again. Other candidates for this role include Bridget Kenny, Stratford-Grangecon’s Ellen O’Neill and Eddie Leonard of St Patrick’s.

Depending on who will run for the position, the Irish Cultural Officer will be either Shane Byrne, Ann Maire Clarke or Ray Menton and there will be another new face at the top table in the seat of hurling officer with Owen Doyle, Don Hyland, Michael Neary, Michael Moran and Michael A O’Neill nominated.

With Owen Doyle having served his time as coaching officer there are four names in the bowl to fill this demanding role. Brendan Smyth, Eddie Leonard, and GDAs Paul Garrigan and Jonathan Tallon are in the mix for that role should any of them decide to run.

Either Martin Coleman or Billy Byrne will be elected as central council rep while two position on the Leinster Council will go to either Michael Murphy, Billy Byrne, Damien Byrne or Jackie Napier.

There is a big field jostling for four delegate positions to Leinster Convention as the names of Mick Hagan, Martin Coleman, Billy Byrne, Jackie Napier, Owen Doyle, Martin Fitzgerald, Damien Byrne, Alan Nolan and Victor O’Shaughnessywill be called out on the night.

And finally, delegates to congress will come from the list of Mick Hagan, Jackie Napier, Martin Coleman, Alan Smullen, Colm Finnegan, Chris O’Connor, Victor O’Shaughnessy and Andy O’Brien.