Three changes as Barry claims coaching position

There were three changes and two new faces with Eamonn Barry and Conor Tormey elected to the 14-person management committee of Meath GAA Co Committee at Sunday's annual convention. There was no joy for vice-chairman Eugene Comaskey, Leinster Council delegate Paddy O'Dwyer and Coaching Officer Brian Carberry. They were unsuccessful in their bid for re-election. Former management committee member Paddy Kelly, from the Kiltale club, returned to serve what will be his fifth term as Leinster Council delegate There was no problem for outgoing chairman Barney Allen (Rathkenny) who was returned unopposed to serve his fourth term at the helm. Six other candidates were nominated for the role of chairman, but none of them contested the position and duly withdrew when the question - “IN or OUT†- was posed, on this occasion by the outgoing vice-chairman. Three positions were uncontested. Of the remaining 10 positions, 34 of the candidates who were nominated did not run, but six were ineligible. Translating that into a more meaningful statistic shows that slightly more than 50 per cent of the nominees on Sunday did not run for any position. “I'll do my best for Meath GAA, for the clubs and the county, thanks again for electing me as chairman,†stated the Rathkenny clubman. There was a contest for the role of vice-chairman between Comaskey and Donaghmore / Ashbourne clubman Conor Tormey. The Donaghmore / Ashbourne clubman won the election by 24 votes (90-66). “I'm looking forward to working with the officers of the Co Committee for 2011, I'd like to thank everyone who voted for me,†stated Tormey who will be taking a seat on the Co Committee for the first time. “I'm disappointed, obviously the role of chairman of the CCC is not the most popular position, but that's the way it goes,†remarked Comaskey. Outgoing secretary Cyril Creavin, Development Officer Mairead Delaney and treasurer Pat Clerkin were all rteurned unopposed. The position of assistant-secretary also produced a contest with Cathal Seoighe opposing outgoing official Francis Flynn who retained his position by a substantial majority, 110-46. The position of assistant-treasurer went to a vote with Dessie Murtagh opposed by Jim Mullery of Slane. The St Ultan's clubman survived the challenge by a substantial majority, 137 – 16. There was also a showdown for the Central Council seat when O'Dwyer, who had completed five years as Leinster Council delegate and had to seek another position, opposed outgoing officer Brendan Cummins. The Dunsany clubman retained the seat by a margin of 14 votes (84-70) in the closest vote of the day. Three candidates stood their ground for the two Leinster Council positions, Brendan Dempsey, Kelly and Carberry. The chairman outlined the voting process and declared a quota (103) that each candidate would have to reach to be elected on the first count. Dempsey (120) topped the poll and Kelly (103) also made it while Carberry polled 77 votes. Kelly, who has already completed four years, will now have an opportunity to complete his term on the provincial board. Summerhill official Anne McDonnell retained her role as PRO when she held off the challenge of Martin O'Halloran by a margin of 55 votes (103-48). Micheál O Gallachóir, who was ousted as Irish officer last year, contested the position again, but lost out once more to Cathal Seoighe by 31 votes (59-90). Peter O'Halloran was returned to serve as youth officer for the fourth year when he polled 112 votes to 33 for his only opponent, Ultan Fitzpatrick while Barry surived the challnge from PJ Cudden (Castletown) by 99-50 for the role of Coaching Officer. The following officers were elected: chairman – Barney Allen (Rathkenny); secretary – Cyrile Creavin (Dunshaughlin); treasurer – Pat Clerkin (Clann na nGael); vice-chairman – Conor Tormey (Donaghmore / Ashbourne); assistant-secretary – Francis Flynn (Seneschalstown); assistant-treasurer – Dessie Murtagh (St Ultan's); development officer – Mairead Delaney (Dunshaughlin); Central Council – Brendan Cummins (Dunsany); Leinster Council – Brendan Dempsey (Trim), Paddy Kelly (Kiltale); PRO – Anne McDonnell (Summerhill); Irish officer – Cathal Seoighe (Clann na nGael); youth officer – Peter O'Halloran (Drumconrath); coaching officer – Eamonn Barry (Walterstown).