Sinéad Breen has decided to join the race to become the new Donegal GAA PRO

Sinéad Breen has confirmed that she will throw her hat into the ring in a bid to become Donegal GAA PRO, ahead of next month’s annual convention.

Following a difficult year for Donegal GAA, both on and off the field, she is keen to accentuate the positives in regard to the potential that exists both within and outside of the county.

“It’s fantastic that Jim McGuinness is back in as manager,” she says. “This is the type of change that was needed and if the positivity and feelgood factor from this didn’t exist, I don’t feel there would be any change afoot.

“We’re on the cusp of getting the academy back. Karl Lacey had a top-class structure in place and as a highly qualified coach myself, who coached boys’ teams for seven years, I know the importance of what we had here in the county. It was phenomenal.

“I spoke last year of how the diaspora of Donegal is colossal. We need to tap into this more. The positivity from the new management will only enable this further. I want to work to promote all aspects of the games under the GAA, to include not only football and hurling, but also handball, rounders, our Masters team and the Scór competitions”.

Sinéad, who is a member of St Mary’s Convoy and Setanta Hurling - for whom she will be a club delegate at convention - is from a family steeped in the GAA. From Rockcorry, Co Monaghan, she is a daughter of Siobhan McQuillan, who had two terms as the Monaghan County Board PRO. Her father, Oliver, is a former chairman of the Rockcorry club who also served as first team manager a number of times.

“I grew up in a home where everything revolved around the GAA, and I am forever grateful to my parents for instilling the love of all things GAA in me” she says. Sinéad has held many roles at both club and county level, a former Northern Board PRO, disciplinary secretary and acting Coiste na nÓg secretary to name a few. “I represented the Northern Board on the CCC. However, I wasn’t entitled to a vote. If elected PRO I would have a voice as a member of the CCC and I’d relish this opportunity”.

Last year, in the closest count of the night in Letterkenny, Sinéad’s candidacy for the role of PRO resulted in an 85-76 loss to Fiona Shiels.

Over the last 12 months, Sinéad worked alongside the Naomh Padraig Lifford PR and Marketing Committee and “absolutely loved” the experience. Currently studying for a diploma in Irish Language Studies at the University of Ulster, Magee, in Derry, Sinéad also holds a degree in Auctioneering, Valuation, Estate Agency and property management. This included wide-ranging modules such as accounting, marketing, law, economics and construction.

Damian Diver confirms he is set to seek Coaching Officer position at Convention

There is a management meeting scheduled for Monday night in Convoy and the list of all nominees for the various positions are expected to be released after that gathering of the Donegal GAA executive

“A lot of people think the PRO job is just about promoting fixtures and updating scores/results, but it is about so much more than this. The county website should be a crucial tool to benefit every administrator, member and follower of our county. I feel they deserve better than what we have from a social media and website point of view” she says. “Sometimes it’s impossible to access fixtures and that’s to the detriment of people involved or those who would like to attend games. It’s a basic necessity in the digital era. There needs to be a strong link with the club PROs and the county PRO and providing training is imperative”.

“I have tentatively spoken to some sponsors regarding the improving of the website. There is a positivity in the county now and the opportunity to promote the structures in place is a hugely exciting prospect. I outlined last year that I felt We needed greater transparency in Donegal GAA. Fergus McGee, as chairperson, has done his utmost to ensure that transparency and good governance is in place.

"It’s disappointing that Fergus is not staying on and it’s important that whoever is appointed in his place is approachable. I have extended an invitation to Fergus, should I be elected, to join the PR and Marketing Committee as he has to much to contribute to the Donegal GAA. Culturally, Fergus is so astute. That’s a massive part of the GAA for me and taking part in Scór was a huge part of what made me fall in love with the GAA to begin with. I’m studying Irish for the betterment of my involvement in the GAA, and to give respect to the county I live in and have adopted.

“It was a close contest last year. With the support I had last year combined with the extra support I am getting this year, I believe I have a chance. I feel the top table of Donegal GAA needs change. There are some people at that top table I would love the opportunity to work with”.

“It is heartening to see people putting themselves forward for positions. Contesting positions is always a good thing and if I was the one in the seat and someone wanted to contest the position, I see that as a good thing that will keep me focused on doing the best I can in the role”.

“In all honesty, I believe there are too many lies and agendas spinning around and that needs to change. Some of the dynamics at gates and in grounds is not befitting of the GAA. I have read some of the articles published by the media in relation to this. We must get it into our heads that the media are essential to the promotion of everything Donegal GAA. This being the case, they should not be treated in this manner”.

“I would greatly love the opportunity to work, not only for the clubs of Donegal and their members but also for the general public who, like me, are passionate in their love of our association. This is our chance for change and if we don’t take it now, then when will we take it? Next year has the potential to be a brilliant one for Donegal GAA so let’s all row in together.”

County convention takes place at Jackson’s Hotel in Ballybofey on Wednesday, December 13.