Live Updates: Donegal GAA Convention 2025 gets under way

That brings the curtain down on the evening.

Motions up next: There are five motions down for discussion with three of them relating to tidying up present bye-laws. The other two motions are from Glenfin and Red Hughs and relate to club membership and are part of the thorny issue that is club boundaries. 

Motion 1 from Red Hughs withdrawn. 

Motions 2 from Glenfin: 

That Bye Law 4.8 of the Donegal County Bye Laws 2025 be amended to read as follows:

A person seeking to become a member of the association shall be restricted to joining a club in the catchment area of their permanent residence or a club with which they have an “other relevant connection”.

Permanent residence for the purposes of this bye law shall be as defined in rule 6.2 GAA Official Guide Part 1.

Other relevant connection. A person shall be deemed to have an "other relevant connection" with a club catchment area if either of the following conditions are met:

1. A sibling of the person in question is already registered and is currently eligible to play in official competitions for the club to which the person wishes to become a member of.

2. That either parent of the person seeking membership was previously in permanent residence in the catchment area of that club or previously a member of that club. (CLG Gleann Fhinne)

Alan Martin of MacCumhaills ask to postpone any decision on boundaries until 2026 until they discuss and examine the Demographics report. 

Naomh Padraig, Lifford: Catchment areas need to be defined.

Paddy Doherty: "We're looking to amend an existing bylaw". 

9.30pm: Mary Coughlan puts it to the floor and a show of hands.

But MacCumhaills interrupts to say their previous statement was a counter motion to the Glenfin motion and Naomh Ultan second that. However, it is explained that you have to either vote for or against the motion put to the table on the clar. 

 Mary Coughlan: "This is a simple 'yes' or 'no' vote, adding that it also needs to be a two-thirds majority to be carried. 

9:49pm: Mary Coughlan now clarifies it's now  3/5 majority, 60%, that needs to carry the motion. 

The valid poll is 168 votes with four spoiled. Those in favour (101), those against (63). 60% falls exactly on 101 and the motion passes, just about!  

Ulster Council Officers (2) count is in. Andy Doherty (78), Frankie Doherty (55), Conor McDermott (26), William Doogan (14). Andy Doherty's surplus Frankie Doherty + 14 (69), Conor McDermott +3 (29) and William Doogan + 3 (17). Andy Doherty and Frankie Doherty elected. 

9:05pm: Eamon Murphy, Demographics Officer's, report delivered. See here. Patrick Keaveney quizzes the merits of eliminating boundaries.   

Mary Coughlan: "The information is the most important thing in this document. It's a challenge for the entire country. We'll work with local authorities. This is bigger than boundaries". 

The next vote is for the two Ulster Council positions to come from Andy Doherty, Frankie Doherty, Conor McDermott and William Doogan. 

Sinead Breen is back as Communications Officer 

Conor Ó Gallabhóir is the new Irish and Cultural Officer.

Damian Diver returns unopposed as Coaching Officer.

Result in for Assistant Treasurer: Michelle McKenna (113) sees off Brendan Kelly (58) with two spoiled.

 Assistant Treasurer position now up and with Frankie Doherty stepping down after completion of his term, it's a straight shootout between Brendan Kelly and Michelle McKenna. 

Result in for Assistant Secretary and Sharon McGinty has edged out Darren Collins 89/82 with two spoiled votes. 

Patrick McBride, Milford

Damian Diver: "We're hoping Inishowen might go down that road again. We're talking to them. And there are some very enthusiastic teachers up there. The Abbey, as a standalone, are really punching their weight.

"Exposure to that level of football is brilliant. If Tyrone and Armagh are objecting to it, we're doing something right. We stood firm and took no backwards step there.  The more regions on board in Donegal, it can only help". 

Coaching Officer Damian Diver delivers his report. Burt's Damian Dowds asks about possibility of further amalgamations off the back of the successful South West one. 

173 votes available. As they are tallied, officer reports continue 

Assistant Secretary: Michelle McKenna steps aside but Sharon McGinty leaves her name in the hat. Darren Collins is the current incumbent so we have a contest. 

Election of officers: Vice-chairman: Frankie Doherty steps out leaving David McLoone to return unopposed. 

Chairperson Mary Coughlan now delivering her speech: 

She thanks Frankie Doherty, Cieran Kelly and Caitriona Uí Suibhne, who are all stepping down from their respective roles tonight.

"If we reflect, one of the most changing things has been the introduction of the new football rules. It has made it more enjoyable and we're seeing jeopardy but in a good way. I want to thank our footballers, hurlers and referees, who have adapted brilliantly to the new rules. 

"We have brought back the Ulster SFC title and without the clubs we wouldn't have the players. Their support is crucial. We were disappointed we didn't bring Sam home but it was an amazing campaign. 

"Well done to Jim McGuinness and his team for entertaining us. They have put Donegal back on the map. 

"At hurling level, we are participating in the Christy Ring. And we took great joy in beating Kerry. I also thank Mickey McCann for all the highs they brought us this year.

"Karl Lacey is back as out Academy Head and the progress has been brilliant. 

"We want to see further enhancement in that Academy with the further development of hurling inside the county".

"At underage level, we may have too many games at certain age levels. We also have the situation where games have not gone ahead when they should have.

"It's time to reflect on our successes and indeed look at challenges ahead. Our challenges are, in my view, small, but need to be addressed.

"We did review our underage fixtures last year but we need to look at it again. We don't want to burn them out. We have to afford a chance for our young people to enjoy our game.

"We do have dual clubs and those clubs deserve to have both codes available to them. We have to make sure we adhere to what's in the best interest of our young people. 

"We also have the demographics report before us this evening. The question is, how do we make the GAA truly relevant in this county. 

"We have to make it more enjoyable for young people to participate. There is uncertainty there for some clubs and we acknowledge that. We have to take on board a number of recommendations being put forward. 

"We need to look at our bylaws, modernise them and look to bring them forward". 

"Finally, the last issue, and I see it as more of an opportunity than a challenge, And that is encouraging volunteers".

"I want to thank our sponsors. 'Cairde' has been fantastic. Cieran Kelly and his team have really been brilliant with that. I want to also thank our diaspora". 

"We have, together, got through a huge amount of work. And without your support and work, it just would not be possible". 

"I'm deeply honoured to have been re-elected as chairperson. We will no doubt have some battles ahead at Croke Park, on and off the field. But I will have your backs and I hope you have mine".

Caitriona Uí Suibhne (Burt) delivers her report and signs off at the end of her tenure. 

7.45pm: Mary Coughlan further explains that Croke Park will wait until all 26 submissions have come in before further instruction or even a final decision is made. And for that reason, it wouldn't be prudent to reveal their own exact payment.  

Mary Coughlan: "This hasn't been completed by Croke Park just yet. No guarantee that Croke Park will accept it. We have to wait and see how they look at it. But we have been very upfront. And the work done by Grace and her team has been brilliant". 

7.40pm: Grace Boyle says it has been dealt with and hopes it's the end of it. But have been asked not to disclose payment. 

The treasurer has now been asked about the board's recent Revenue payment, what will it cost county? 

Mary Coughlan: "That has gone to the ethics committee in Croke Park. it will have financial implications. If you step out of an agreement, it will have consequences". 

Anthony Doohan, Milford: Motions brought in several counties to dissociate with Allianz. If motions successful at National Convention will it have a material affect on Donegal" 

"Questions from the floor?"

She explains sponsorship, royalties, Cairde Dun na nGall, golf classic, banquet, training fund etc all helped bring in revenue. "We might have spent more money but we brought more in".  

"Gate receipts (senior) down a little but not significantly. Underage was up. Commercial income and sponsorship of the team were up substantially. for (All-Ireland) semi-final and final extra money came in". 

"I know there were questions on social media bout team expenditure but there were seven extra overnight stays last season and for a group, they are very expensive". 

Lisa McTiernan and Eilish Rushe are thanked for their assistance. They helped distribute €2.2m worth of tickets this season. 

7.20pm: Treasurer Grace Boyle now delivers her report with some of those facts and figures available to view here 

7.17pm: Secretary Mary Kelly is praised for her report. Read some of that here

She is asked from the floor about injury payments, and it's said that the insurance payments aren't sufficient for the likes of ACL injuries. "The price of insurance is going up but the payouts are going down". Kelly adds that logging insurance claims isn't very user-friendly and needs to be looked at. 

7.14pm: Standing orders, minutes for Convention 2024, seconded and proposed with no issues arising. 

Paddy Doherty, Glenfin, is welcomed to the stage by chairperson Mary Coughlan as the club hosts Convention as part of its 50th anniversary 

*Refresh for live updates 

7:08pm: And we're underway