O’Callaghan mounts challenge

NORTH Kerry Football Board Chairman, Bernie O’callaghan, a Ballybunion hotelier, is to oppose Frank King for the Chairmanship of the Kerry County GAA Board — but he is quitting as county senior football selector.

This was known on Wednesday, after the deadline for the acceptance of nominations for the county GAA convention in Killarney on January 24 had passed.

The withdrawal of Mr O’callaghan as a county football selector means the Eddie ‘Tatler’ O’sullivan, of Killarney automatically replaces him, as he was the only person prepared to allow his name stand against the Big Five.

Outgoing County Board vice-chairman, Gerald Whyte, has vacated his position to contest the secretaryship. He will be involved in a straight fight with Anthony O’keeffe, the County Board’s Irish Officer and caretaker Secretary.

There will be a three-way contest for the vice-chairmanship, involving Liam Sayers of Tralee, Sean Kelly, the East Kerry Board Chairman and Tom Mccarthy of Annascaul.

There will also be a contest for the position of Irish Officer between Sean De Brún and Diarmaid Ó Murchú.

Big news concerning the nominees for the county minor football selection committee is that Tom Prendergast, who headed the poll last year with 111 votes is not seeking re-election.

Eddie ‘Tatler’ O’sullivan has also withdrawn and the three remaining outgoing men, Buddy O’grady, Michael Price and Eric Murphy will be joined in the contest by John Bambury, Padraig Herlihy, Ollie Kearns, Joe Langan and Donie O’leary.

The vacant position of Youth Officer will be filled by Jerome Conway of Killorglin.