County Convention
December 31, 2009
The outcome of the elections proved to be the biggest talking point at Monaghan County Convention in the Hill Grove hotel on December 10th where there was a definite mood for change at the top table ahead of 2010.
County chairman John Connolly, who was stepping down under the five year rule was replaced by Paul Curran who defeated the outgoing vice-chairman, Seamus Coyle by 83
votes to 33. John Connolly in his address reviewed not only the year just ended but the five years of his tenure in office with the highlight of that term being the completion of the development of the centre of excellence at Cloghan, the county Vocational schools team taking an All Ireland title and three World Handball titles coming to the county this year.
John Connolly also called for pressure to be brought on the government to restore the
Sports Capital Programme and he also called on Croke Park through Ard Stiurthoir Paraic Duffy who was a guest at Convention to provide funds for the redevelopment of Clones and particularly for the provision of floodlights as Monaghan was the only county that had not benefited from the recent grant aided floodlighting programme.
County treasurer Marion Donnelly produced the annual accounts that showed a small working surplus for the year on a turnover of something in excess of Eu2 million and she called for greater stringency and monitoring of finance pointing out that the current economic recession will definitely affect the GAA in the coming years.
A total of 16 motions had been submitted for discussion but 15 of these were ruled to be county committee business by the Procedures Committee with one motion regarding the reinstatement of the Sports Capital Programme being unanimously approved to go forward to Annual Congress.
In other elections outgoing county secretary Ailish McEntee was defeated by assistant secretary Sean McKenna by 62 votes to 54 while Padraig Sherry the outgoing Youth Officer was elected as vice-chairman with 10 votes to spare over Ulster Council delegate Declan Flanagan who was stepping down from that position under the five-year rule. Outgoing Development Officer Liam Doherty was also the victim of the mood for change when he was defeated by Gerry McDonald from Donaghmoyne by 71 votes to 43.
Chairman - Paul Curran
Vice-Chairman - Pauric Sherry
Secretary - Sean McKenna
Treasurer - Marion Donnelly
Assistant Treasurer - Brendan Farrell
Ard Comhairle Rep. - Liam Stirrat
Ulster Council Rep. - John Connolly and JP Graham
PRO - Siobhan McQuillan
Youth Officer - Cathal Mac Laimh
Irish and Cultural Officer - Pauline Rooney
Development Officer - Gerry McDonald
Coaching officer -Eamon O'Hara
Hurling officer - Noel Mullaney
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