There was practically a full house at the 2009 Monaghan Convention in the Hillgrove Hotel which had been billed as a quiet meeting. By and large it was but the temperature did rise when Paul Curran was voted in as Ulster Council delegate in place of the long serving John P Graham. Just three votes decided the issue and that though was about as dramatic as it got although there were some very moving and at times emotional tributes paid to the out going Ulster Council member for his outstanding contribution to the GAA in Monaghan for over two decades. Monaghan County chairman John Connolly in addressing County Convention spoke of how important funding from Croke Park was in keeping counties from going bankrupt but he also had harsh words to say on the punitive fines that are imposed under the regulations for the conduct of games, describing them as 'professional fines in an amateur sport'. A team official going on to even give a player a drink of water can cost a county or even a club as much as Eu400 per time which he said was "punitive in the extreme and something that needed to be examined". He also called on those who appoint monitors to advise them on a more reasonable approach and the authorities he said "also need to monitor who they are putting into these positions". In addressing his fourth convention and going forward for his final year under the five year rule the chairman called for greater recognition of the major commitment made by county players. "We must appreciate the time they give," he said and he offered special congratulations to Paul Finlay on representing Ireland, Tomas Freeman who this year collected another Irish News Ulster GAA All-star and Dessie Mone on his All Star replacement call-up. Speaking on player welfare and attendant issues the chairman recognised that "the GPA has a role to play" but he said "the GPA does not have a great role to play in Monaghan in that the "players are treated well and if that continues then there should be no further problems". While speaking of players and player issues the chairman went on to announce that FKM had decided to end their sponsorship of county teams and he paid a fulsome tribute to the company and its CEO Matt Mohan for their support and friendship over the last four years. He went on to announce however that he was "pleased that Monaghan has now completed negotiations with a successor" but he was not in a position to release the name as that would be done at a media briefing some time in January. He complimented the clubs in the county who have developed new and improved facilities with special mention for Truagh and Inniskeen, the latter he said "now with facilities that are on a par with the best county grounds" and he informed convention that Monaghan will be "reviewing the status of the current County grounds in light of these recent developments". In conclusion the chairman spoke of the celebrations that will be held to mark the 125th anniversary of the association next year and that he appointed a special committee to oversee the program of events in the county. He also called for ongoing support for the hospital issue in Monaghan and spoke of his disappointment at how badly Monaghan and Monaghan people had been treated. "We must pledge our support now because it is only fair for us in the GAA to put our weight behind this movement and to fight to the bitter end." He concluded by congratulating all competition winners especially Drumhowan who had now reached the All Ireland junior club championship semi-final and expressed the wish that Monaghan would complete the planned extra developments at Cloghan and that the county would put some inter county silverware on the table in 2009. Officers elected Chairman: John Connolly Vice Chairman: Seamus Coyle Secretary: Ailish McEntee Assistant Secretary: Sean McKenna Treasurer: Marion Donnelly Asst Treasurer: Brendan Farrell Central Council Delegate: Liam Stirrat Ulster Council Delegate: Declan Flanagan, Paul Curran PRO: Siobhan McQuillan Youth Officer: Paraic Sherry Culture & Language: Pauline Rooney Development.: Liam Doherty Coaching: Eamonn O'Hara Hurling: Noel Mullanny Tweet

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