O’Donovan takes over as GAA Secretary
CORK County Board vice-chairperson Kevin O’Donovan will take over from Frank Murphy as the Board’s full time secretary/CEO, effective from December 17, after a recommendation was accepted by the Cork County Board Executive last Thursday, and subject to final approval by the Cork County Board at its next meeting.
O’Donovan succeeds Frank Murphy, who retires at this year’s County Convention after 45 years of distinguished service as County Board Secretary.
The recruitment process, organised by the GAA’s HR Department at the request of Cork County Board, commenced in July and the interview panel, comprised of a number of high level GAA representatives, recommended the appointment of O’Donovan.
From the Kilmeen and Kilbree club based in Rossmore, Kevin has had extensive GAA involvement at club and county level. He has worked as a Games Development Administrator (GDA) and Development Squads Administrator, and has been a County Board Officer since 2015, serving as Coaching Officer and currently Vice-Chairperson. He is a member of the GAA National Fixtures Analysis Committee, chairs the Cork GAA Competitions Control Committee, and has held a variety of officerships in his own club.
Welcoming the appointment, County Board Chairperson, Tracey Kennedy, said that the new secretary/CEO was taking up his appointment at a time of great opportunity and challenge for Cork GAA.
“Our priority is to maintain and improve the high level of engagement by clubs, players and volunteers whose work shapes and defines the organisation in the county, and to ensure that Cork GAA is equipped to grow and operate successfully into the future.”
“The performances of all our county teams are also of paramount importance. The success of our development squad programme, in which Kevin has been pivotally involved, is vital to the creation of a pathway for success in the future. With reports due from our strategic plan implementation committee and our football planning committee in the near future, we will expect the new secretary to drive any recommendations approved by the County Board.”
“The management and optimisation of our magnificent new stadium, Páirc Ui Chaoimh, is also an important task in which our new secretary will have a role as a member of the Board of Directors. It is imperative that the stadium fulfils it games promotion role as one of the premier GAA venues in the country. It must also achieve the commercial and community objectives which have been set.”
“Kevin succeeds someone whose work on behalf of the GAA in Cork and nationally is immeasurable. In his term of office as County Board secretary, Frank Murphy has overseen the growth of the GAA organisation in Cork, the phenomenal success of our inter-county teams, the radical redevelopment of club facilities, the development of three new stadiums, the achievement of unparalleled sponsorship support for our county teams and so much more.”
The appointment of Kevin O’Donovan as County secretary/CEO creates a vacancy for the role of County Vice-chairperson.
To facilitate nominations for that position, which will now close on November 16 at 12 noon, the date for County Convention has been changed from Sunday December 10 to Saturday December 16 at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, commencing at 7pm.