Re-elected Galway chairman slams online abuse

December 17, 2019

Galway players warm up. ©INPHO/Tommy Grealy.

by John Fallon

Pat Kearney will head up Galway GAA for a fourth year after he successfully held off a challenge from businessman Mick Culhane to be chairman of the county board.

Kearney, who was elected three years ago by just one vote when he pipped Oughterard clubman Kevin Clancy by 127 votes to 126, was returned on a much more sizeable margin this time round.

He received 146 votes from Galway delegates at their annual convention in Salthill with Salthill/Knocknacarra clubman Culhane picking up 110 votes.

Meanwhile, Kearney lashed out at the abuse suffered by Galway GAA officers on social media, particularly in the past few months.

“The abuse of officers that has gone on social media in the last two months, or three months, is not acceptable. I know we can do nothing about it. Social media is uncontrollable. What do you about the abuse?

“Some refer to these people as keyboard warriors but I wouldn't give them that status. It's evil, it's bad. And that's it. So, I don't know where we can go with it. Some of our neighbouring counties, they refer these issues to the authorities but we decided not to do. But the abuse hasn't been easy.”


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