Chairman returned unopposed

Outgoing Meath GAA Co Committee chairman Barney Allen was returned unopposed at Sunday's annual GAA convention. Delegates did not have to vote in what was expected to be a close contest with top quality candidates nominated. Three other candidates were nominated, but Brendan Dempsey (Trim), Conor Tormey (Donaghmore / Ashbourne) and Cathal Joyce (Clann na nGael) all withdrew. "I am withdrawing as we need to have a united committee going forward because there is a lot of work to be completed next year," stated Dempsey. Donaghmore / Ashbourne clubman Conor Tormey was also nominated, but opted to contest the race for vice-chairman instead. "I'm delighted to take the chair again for another year and I'm looking forward to the challenge," stated the Rathkenny clubman who has also served as secretary and assistant-secretary during a long tenure at the top table. Allen will now serve a third successive term at the helm. Eugene Comaskey was returned to the position of vice-chairman following a vote in which he polled (102) against Tormey (52). Comaskey was elected to the position of vice-chairman last January as a replacement for Enda Smyth who was elected to the position at last year's convention, but stepped down subsequently. Cyril Creavin was returned unopposed as secretary and Francis Flynn was returned as assistant-secretary after Joyce, Creavin, Brendan Cummins and Richard Harrahill withdrew. Pat Clerkin was returned unopposed as treasurer while Dessie Murtagh was elected (117 - 40) as assistant-treasurer at the expense of Harrahill who has not enjoyed any great support in his efforts to gain a seat at the top table of Meath GAA affairs. Judging by his comments on Sunday afternoon, when he thankd the delegates who supported him, the Dunsany official might not let his name go forward again. Last year he contested numerous positions unsuccessfully, but on Sunday he made a valuable contribution which greatly assisted the chairman to explain the voting process for the election to the two Leinster Council positions. "It's not a PR system that we are using here," he explained as the chairman struggled to explain how a quota in the second round was different to the quota in the first round. Brendan Cummins took over as Meath's Central Council delegate when he defeated out-going officer Dempsey by 12 votes (85-73). However, Dempsey maintained his position on the Co Committee when he ousted Cathal Joyce in what turned out to be a prolonged voting process to elect two Leinster Council delegates. Dempsey and out-going official Paddy O'Dwyer (Dunshaughlin) were returned after three counts. The other candidates were Ultan Fitzpatrick and Paddy Kelly. The officers were elecetd by a process of elimination. Summerhill's Anne McDonnell stepped into the PRO's role afetr she was returned unopposed to replace Cummins who was ineligible after serving a five-year term. Mairead Delaney was also unopposed for the role of Development Officer while Joyce maintained his involvement when he ousted Michael O Gallachoir (89 - 61) in the contest for Irish Officer. Drumconrath's Peter O'Halloran had to see off the challenge of Summerhill's Bea O'Reilly (99 - 46) to retain the Youth Officer role and Brian Carberry was returned as Coaching officer. Carberry did his best to deliver a brief report on coaching requirements for 2010 and the standards that clubs would have to satisfy, but the majority of the delegates opted to go for tea and sandwiches, although the meeting was not adjourned. That prompted St Patrick's delegate John Purfield to urge delegtes to show some respect at which stage the chairman intervened and called the meeting to order. The adjourned convention will take place at Simonstown on Monday, 4th January and will be followed by the first Co Committee meeting of 2010. The following officers were elected: chairman - Barney Allen (Rathkeny); vice-chairman - Eugene Comaskey (Carnaross); secretary - Cyril Creavin (Dunshaughlin); assistant-secretary - Francis Flynn (Seneschalstown); treasurer - Pat Clarkin (Clann na nGael); assistant-treasurer - Dessie Murtagh (St Ultan's); Central Council delegate - Brendan Cummins (Dunsany); Leinster Council delegates - Brendan Dempsey (Trim), Paddy O'Dwyer (Dunshaughlin); PRO - Anne McDonnell (Summerhill); Development Officer - Mairead Delaney (Dunshaughlin); Irish Officer - Cathal Joyce; Youth Officer - Peter O'Halloran; Coaching and Games officier - Brian Carberry (St Vincent's).