Donegal need to appoint a commercial manager  - Cieran Kelly 

Cieran Kelly believes the next logical step for Donegal GAA is to appoint a commercial manager to help maintain and progress the county’s workload. 

Kelly - a former county treasurer and current member of the Donegal fundraising committee - says it was a busy but progressive 2024. 

However, the St Naul’s clubman anticipates things getting busier and even more expensive moving forward.  

And that, he stresses, will need a qualified individual with the expertise to maximise Donegal’s potential - on the field and in a commercial sense. 

“Donegal needs more,” Kelly, one of Donegal’s two delegates at Ulster Council, explains in his report ahead of Convention.  

“With integration coming down the line soon Donegal GAA are going to require more facilities. 

“Upgraded dressing rooms, more gym facilities and more floodlights in the regions will be required to make sure our teams are prepared well and we can play our games at all times of the year in regional venues. 

“It’s time that CLG Dhún na nGall look to appoint a General Manager/Commercial Manager to help support officers with the workloads involved. 

“We need to make sure this individual has a commercial background in order to run what is now a very significant operation. 

“I wish to thank my fellow officers, club officers & volunteers for their assistance and for their continued hard work. 

“I would like also to thank the management and staff of Ulster GAA for all their help and advice in 2024. 

“Please take a moment to remember all our members and supporters who re no longer with us. Merry Christmas to everyone and here’s hoping we will have a very successful 2025”.

Following a bleak 2023, a low point for Donegal coffers and on-the-field success, Kelly says matters have certainly changed in that regard and at a very encouraging pace. 

“I was appointed to the Donegal Fundraising Committee and all i can say is what a difference a year makes. 

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“2024 was a good year for fundraising and an opportunity to bring Cairde Dhún na nGall to life. Many thanks to everyone who subscribed to this initiative which was a great success which can go to the next level in 2025 and beyond. 

“We also ran some other good fundraisers throughout the year. I wish to thank our supporters in Team Donegal London as well as our supporters in the USA and Australia who supported our various fundraisers throughout the year. 

“A huge well done to the organising committee of the very successful Golf Classic held in Rosapenna. I wish to thank my fellow Fundraising Committee members for their help and support in 2024”.